BeefTech farming event organised by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society set to be held
Preparations are gathering speed for BeefTech 25 - a specialist event organised by the Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS)
It will be held on Wednesday, May 28 at Home Farm, Kininmonth, Mintlaw.
BeefTech 25 is being hosted by the Gall family, Gray, his wife Kate, son Noel, wife Jo and their sons Mure and Sandy.
Joint event convenor Brian Ross said: “BeefTech has been extremely well received by the industry - with over 70 trade stands booked - and we are indebted to the numerous sponsors and businesses that are supporting the event. For any beef producer or new entrant, it really is a one stop shop.”
Home Farm supplies the majority of their finished cattle to the McIntosh Donald abattoir at Portlethen, part of the Kepak Group and principal sponsor for BeefTech 25.
McIntosh Donald procurement Ewan Hutcheson said: “The event is a great opportunity to promote the beef industry and also highlight all the stakeholders within the supply chain that help generate the industry, showcasing their commitment, talent and passion for the sector."
Other major sponsors include Virgin Money, ANM Group, Denis O Brown, AAB and Harbro.
In addition to trade stands, there will be a breed society marquee, barley trial plots, working demonstrations of feeder wagons, an autonomous tractor and a “green on green” sprayer (using AI to target spray weeds).
On foot, a “self-conducted” farm tour will take in the feeding cattle, cows and calves and the barley trial plots.
Mr Ross added: “Through the day, seminars will address the challenges facing producers and hopefully, show a way ahead for the sector in the short and long-term, concluding with a more light hearted matter of opinion.”
Away from the business element, a stockjudging and auction will be held with proceeds going to the local branch of Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity close to the Gall family, having cared for two close relatives in recent years.
East Comalegy Ltd – store cattle buyer for the Galls – has donated prize money for the stockjudging.
Visit rnas.org.uk to book tickets for the Beef Breakfast, buy event tickets or for general information about the event, visit rnas.org.uk/specialist-events
Home Farm has been in the Gall family for more than 100 years and they annually finish 1000 head of cattle, a large number of these purchased from Ayrshire and Lanarkshire.
Noel likes nothing better than seeing a load of well-finished cattle going away. Cattle are finished inside on a TMR of silage, barley, stockfeed potatoes, minerals and pot ale syrup.
A different approach is being taken with the 60 head of Wagyu cattle which arrived at Home Farm in 2024.
These smaller cattle ranging from 280-350kg are not pushed so hard to start with, being fed a grower type ration for the first few months. Noel aims to finish them at 680kg liveweight over 22 months.
The herd of 90 Saler cross suckler cows has one specific aim, “commercial cows producing commercial calves” for going away at 680kg liveweight at 16-20 months.
Replacements are bought privately, with the Saler cross favoured for being easy calving, milky and good mothers.
Cows are put to Aberdeen Angus and Limousin bulls (red and black) and calve down at two years.
The farm stretches to 600 acres with a further 200 acres rented, 100 for crops and 100 for grazing.
Three hundred and 50 acres of barley are grown for feeding; split 150 of winter and 200 spring. One hundred and 20 acres of oats, 60 acres of wheat and 60 acres of oilseed rape are grown for selling.
Eight hundred Shetland cross lambs are bought for finishing, first on grass, moving to stubble turnips and feed from January onwards.
Noel said: “These lambs are Texel, Suffolk and Cheviots and coming from Shetland, are very clean and healthy with no scab.
“On grass, the lambs grow really well, putting a good frame on them.”
Jo who is currently vice-president of the North Country Cheviot Sheep Society jointly runs the Belmaduthy flock of 120 ewes with her mother, Isobel McCallum and sister Ailsa between Home Farm and her mother’s farm on the Black Isle.
Jo champions the park type Cheviot for their versatility in crossing with many breeds.
She said: “They look after themselves, are healthy, long lived and have great conformation.”
Lamb is very much on the menu for Noel and Jo at the Saplinbrae Hotel and Lodges, Mintlaw, a 14-bedroom establishment which they bought in 2015.
Saplinbrae is self-sufficient in home-produced lamb and provenance is a key selling point for their 80 cover bar and restaurant, with an emphasis on locally produced and sourced food.
BeefTech is open from 9am and kicks off with a Beef Breakfast entitled Opportunities sponsored by Leiper and Summers. Tickets for the breakfast are free but must be reserved online beforehand.
