The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20–21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

Farmers risk losing market share to imports without significant growth in beef herd, NBA says

NBA and SBA chief executive Neil Shand said Scottish farmers must grow the Scottish beef herd to 79,000 by 2030 to meet market demand alone

Chris Brayford
clock • 2 min read
Neil Shand, chief executive at the National Beef Association and Scottish Beef Association, said: "We import beef currently from a herd that is bigger than Scotland's. 79,000 cows are needed in Scotland alone by 2030, or we will lose market share to imports."
Image:

Neil Shand, chief executive at the National Beef Association and Scottish Beef Association, said: "We import beef currently from a herd that is bigger than Scotland's. 79,000 cows are needed in Scotland alone by 2030, or we will lose market share to imports."

Food producers have been warned they could no longer be in control of the UK's market share of beef in four years time without making a conscientious effort to grow the national beef herd by nearly 80,000....

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Beef

Preparing weanlings for the next step

Preparing weanlings for the next step

Getting the timing right on health decisions can make the difference between a weanling that continues to thrive and one that struggles through a stressful period. Ellie Layton reports.

Ellie Layton
clock 12 October 2026 • 7 min read
OPINION: If a full day of farming wasn't enough, we watch it when the day is done

OPINION: If a full day of farming wasn't enough, we watch it when the day is done

Ellie Layton
clock 12 October 2026 • 3 min read
OPINION: Do buzz words take away from everyday farming processes?

OPINION: Do buzz words take away from everyday farming processes?

Ellie Layton
clock 05 October 2026 • 2 min read