Achi news desk-
Phase two of ShelfWatch, the largest ever survey of food on Scottish supermarket shelves, is now underway.
For phase one in January, an independent research company visited 71 stores across mainland Scotland. Researchers looked at own-label beef, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs, vegetables and dairy products in multiples. In total, more than 15,000 products were reviewed.
Since the results of phase one were reported, Asda has attended the Scottish NFU annual conference, and another meeting is being held. NFU Scotland has also met with Aldi, Tesco and Sainsbury’s since Phase One and meetings are pending with M&S and Morrisons.
NFU Scotland chief executive John Davidson said: “We know Scottish consumers want to support Scottish produce and our main retailers have a responsibility to facilitate that. Over the coming year, ShelfWatch will identify those retailers who are providing outstanding support to local food production in Scotland and those who we feel should be doing more.
“Our ambition is that when we come to complete our final ShelfWatch at the end of this year, we will see a marked improvement in the Scottish produce available in stores in Scotland, allowing our consumers to support’ full of the hard work of Scottish farmers and crofters. .”
Rounding off
Lambs of all classes were readily offered at Newton Stewart yesterday, with top breed types making 400p/kg and more and the heaviest types reaching north of £200 each, reaching £214 for Charolais from High Barness.
There was an end of season feel to the hogg trade which peaked at £205 for Suffolks from Culmalzie or 350p/kg for Beltexes from Glenstables. And cast rams sold to £208 for Beltexes from North Port O’ Spittal, with ewes peaking at £179 for pure Suffolks from Redbrae.
A smaller consignment of calves at Carlisle yesterday peaked at £625 for a British Blue bull calf from Jeanfield. A pen of 13-month-old Simmentals topped the steer trade at £1,430 each, and a remarkable pen of 80-year-olds from Guise broke Wednesday’s sale record at £5,500 for Limousin cross heifers.
Best steers at Llandudoch on Tuesday averaged 301p/kg and sold to 306p/kg or £1980/head for a Limousin cross from Udale, while old season lambs averaged 364p/kg and sold to 395p/kg or £175/head. And sold feeder sheep to £184 per gross head.
Ewes with lambs at foot sold at Lockerbie on Tuesday to £135 for Texel cross Pendulums from Cowden Burn, while Northern England hoggs with Suffolks at foot made £155 for Clickham. Store hoggs continue to meet demand and sold to £145 for Beltex crosses from Mosshill, and feeder ewes were equally attractive to buyers, peaking at £138 for a Texel cross ewe from Pilmuir. And Sorbie yearling Aberdeen Angus led the store cattle trade at £1,130.
Dairy cattle at Ayr on Tuesday reached a high of £2,250 for a fresh-calved Holstein Friesian heifer from Crofthead, while a small number of spinners and calves easily maintained last week’s rates by selling to £580 for British Blue cross bull from Over Enoch with heifer calves. sold to £460 for an Aberdeen Angus cross from Brocklehill.
