There has been a quiet revolution in UK pedigree cattle breeding for the past couple of decades with several breeds on the increase and one to have gradually risen, particularly for its maternal and commercial traits, has been the Salers from the Massif Central region of France.
Sales of red and white meat improved significantly in 2020 – while beef and lamb values remain well above those of this time last year and the five-year average, consumer confidence is waning, which could affect future demand. That was the take home message from Steve Evans, senior consumer insight manager at AHDB, who said 2020 had been a lot more positive for livestock producers, with 24% more consumers actively looking to buy British, which in turn led to increased meat sales on the year. Steve Evans AHDB senior consumer insight manager “2020 was the year consumers showed more positivity towards buying local and buying British. They were buying British to help support farmers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result of the uncertainty relating to Brexit,” said Mr Evans, who was speaking at the British Cattle Breeders Conference, on Tuesday, staged for the first time as a virtual event.