BEEF farmers have been warned to “get used” to an unavoidable increase in volatility and a challenging future market, according to the Anglo Beef Processors (ABP).

ABP strategy manager Stuart Roberts, speaking at a recent NFU county conference in Wales, told his audience there are some “fantastic opportunities” ahead with a growing demand, but growing pressure on supply was increasing the volatility in the market.

“This is unavoidable,” he said.

“Technology and technological advances in genetics and improving efficiencies all have a role to play in helping farmers overcome future challenges.”

He also spoke of how a carcass grading system, 3D video image analysis, previously used in Ireland, has been introduced at one ABP processing plant in the UK to replace manual graders.

He said: “We need to use technology as an efficient way of grading beef cattle, this will improve the consistency with which beef cattle are graded and then ultimately pay farmers on the yield of different cuts of meat. In addition to accurately predicting meat yields, this piece of technology can also provide us with information about specific cuts, such as sirloin or rump on individual carcasses, this would then reflect to farmers the true value of each carcass.

“It’s still some time away, but it’s a very exciting time for all involved.

“Technology is evolving and we as farmers must use it to our advantage.

“This piece of technology would take away the stigma involved with manual grading and, when we as farmers want to challenge a grading, we will now have a picture of the carcass at the point of grading, which is reassuring.”