Whilst national outlook for beef prices in 2010 are looking firm, the Dexter cattle society are looking to see an even more significant increase in Dexter stock prices as demand for Dexter beef grows. Reacting to the increased demand the Dexter Cattle Society has recently held a National Dexter Beef Network day in Warwickshire - which was attended by around 100 Dexter beef producers from all over the country.
The meeting follows on the heels of the extensive television and media exposure applauding the excellent eating quality of Dexter beef. New consumer awareness of the eating qualities of Dexter beef means the DCS is now seeing a surge in demand. A recent survey of the 1400+ Dexter cattle society members indicated that around 70% of breeders are now keeping their Dexter’s for beef. The majority of Dexter breeders are small family farmers or small holders keeping just a few animals and rearing low input grass reared beef with sales often direct to the public on an occasional low volume basis.
Now with many high end restaurants wanting to add Dexter beef to their menus, Crossgar Meats from County Down NI has approached the national Dexter Society to set up a suppler agreement for their Provenance Foods range of rare breed meat and Poultry. A senior management team from Crossgar meats attended the Dexter Beef meeting to explain how demand in Ireland was close to outstripping supply. The company’s marketing successes have attracted the interest of the upper echelon of UK restaurants which in turn puts the pressure on the supply chain and cattle producers.
The DCS whilst evaluating the opportunities that the Crossgar Meats association brings are now setting up a National Register of beef and quality stock producers. Key to this scheme will be a Quality Assurance scheme to ensure only quality stock with the much sought after grass fed diet and fat covering will be entered into the Dexter beef market.
