Strangford Down looking to the future

Sustainability is a key word that crops up frequently. Can we carry on as before or do we have to modify how things are done to progress into the future?

Everybody is involved in the food business either as a producer or partaker, a supplier or a consumer. In Northern Ireland, the agriculture and food industry is a significant element of the local economy with 70,000 people employed in providing and processing in the agri-food supply chain.

Support measures for the food supply industry will increasingly have a measure applied regarding sustainability.

Speaking to members of Strangford Down, Dr Rosemary Agnew who is the Director of Transition Policy within DAERA, introduced the topics which will feature in the future agriculture policy in Northern Ireland. There will be emphasis on sustainability, a long term view as to how agriculture will develop to meet future environmental requirements. There will be an integrated approach to develop land and livestock and infrastructure and people. The development of an effective functioning supply chain is supported. There is a requirement to deliver on climate change and to provide public good in a value for money way.

Thirty three years ago Strangford Down was set up by a group of County Down farmers, encouraged by local department farm advisor Vincent Lusby, to market lamb and beef in a more effective way. Over the years the group has grown and developed a functioning supply chain. One of the key features was the provision of grading details back to the farmer in order that he could make an informed decision about his selection of lambs, the weight of lambs and, in the longer term, his breeding policy and choice of breeds to maximise returns taking into account survival traits, growth rates and meeting grading requirements. Over the years farmers adopted new ideas and refined their systems to match market demands.

Strangford Down supplies lambs to Linden Foods and during the past year over 16,000 lambs have been provided by group members. Gary Foster, lamb procurement manager at Linden Foods and Alan Montgomery and Crosby Cleland of Strangford Down coordinate the supply of lambs each week, negotiate on price and organise transport of lambs to the factory. Gary specifies that the factory needs quality assured, in spec lambs and has built up a good working relationship with Strangford Down and can be confident that the group will provide the specification needed to maintain the supply for the supermarket outlets. Benefits to the producer include free haulage and rapid feedback on grades.

Strangford Down has four loading points for lambs in County Down and supplies Linden Foods in Dungannon on a weekly basis. Lambs are booked in with the Strangford Down co-ordinator, the lambs are collected from the four points, delivered to the factory and the grades are sent out by email that afternoon. Strangford Down also operates as a buying group and deals are available on fuel with AEG and meal from Thompsons.

Business Executive Crosby Cleland can be contacted on 07525237233 and will be happy to provide further information on the services available through Strangford Down.