Archives: Meets

Senior beef industry figures in America got to sample the flavour of British beef and learn more about the UK’s meat production during a high-profile event in Texas this week.

 

AHDB’s Director of International Development Dr Phil Hadley participated in a reception hosted by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the USA Dame Karen Pierce to promote and celebrate British beef in this all-important export market.

 

The reception, which saw more than 50 senior US beef figures attend, was held alongside the NCBA Convention – a major American beef sector trade show which attracts more than 6,500 cattlemen and women every year.

 

The Cattle Industry Convention in Houston is American agriculture’s premier event where industry comes together for three days of education, networking and business.

 

The reception, held at the Consul General’s residence, gave attendees the opportunity to sample British beef which was prepared with authentic Texan flavours and hear about the key characteristics of British beef, provided by Foyle Food Group.

 

Dr Hadley said: “The reception provided a valuable opportunity to meet with key influencers in this market and highlight the traceability, high animal welfare standards and food safety that we operate to in the UK, all of which is valued in the US marketplace.

 

“Being asked to speak at the reception was a fantastic opportunity as I was able to showcase our famous native breed cattle, the flavour and health benefits of grass-fed beef as well as discussing the trade between our two countries.”

 

Exports of UK beef to the US have been rising steadily since gaining market access in September 2020. In the first eleven months of 2021, 2,300 tonnes of beef – fresh, frozen and offal – were shipped to America, worth more than £9.5 million.

 

The US market offers potential for UK red meat, with pork exports rising year-on-year and lamb exports expected to resume this year after more than two decades of restrictions.

 

Dr Hadley added: “The US is a growing export market for our red meat exports and AHDB is committed to building on our already impressive export figures and providing more opportunities for our UK red meat exporters.

 

Attending trade shows, exhibitions and events in key global markets is a hugely important area of work for AHDB as we are able to showcase our exceptional products on behalf of our levy payers and continue to fly the flag for UK red meat to a global audience.”

 

In spring 2022, we will be asking all eligible levy payers to shape our work and priorities. Your views will help guide what we deliver over the next five years. Have your say on the vital support we offer your business and the industry. Registration is open until 31 March 2022.

To find out more about AHDB visit www.meattheUKexporters.com

A new project to reduce the environmental impact of ammonia emissions from livestock has been awarded £600K funding from Defra/UKRI. PigProGrAm will bring together farming and engineering expertise to demonstrate a novel farm-focused solution for the harvesting of green ammonia from pig waste.

 

The research project will be delivered via a consortium of partners including the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Beta Technology, Duynie, Projex Solutions, the University of Leeds and a commercial pig unit in North Yorkshire. Together they offer expertise in livestock farming, sustainable animal feed, chemical engineering, and smart agricultural systems. The progress and results from the project, which launched in October, will be communicated via digital and physical events over the next 18 months.

 

Jen Waters, Head of Knowledge Exchange for Pork at AHDB said: “We hope that the PigProGrAm project is the first stage of a larger demonstration of the potential of this innovative approach to harvesting green ammonia from livestock and will help the UK meet its net-zero emission target.  It could also have a significant impact on the public perception of pig farming as it represents an opportunity to reposition pork production from being part of society’s environmental problems to being part of its solution.

 

“Investigating the potential to harvest green fuel from livestock slurry is one of several projects AHDB is working on to help mitigate ammonia emissions from pig farming. It is a major opportunity for all classes of livestock production, not just pigs but dairy, beef and poultry as well.”

 

Agriculture is a major source of ammonia emissions which can impact negatively on biodiversity through nitrogen accumulation on land and acidification of watercourses. This innovation will help to create a more sustainable livestock industry in the UK, reducing the environmental impacts of production by lowering ammonia emissions, whilst at the same time creating an additional resource that can be used to generate hydrogen, a valuable tool in the fight against climate change. The generation of green ammonia and conversion to hydrogen from agricultural waste streams delivers valuable products used to decarbonise power and transportation.

 

The PigProGrAm, (Developing a Circular Economy for UK Pig Production Through Green Ammonia Harvesting), project has received £600K of funding under the government’s Farming Innovation Pathway collaboration between Defra and UKRI. This funding is delivered through the ISCF Transforming Food Production programme, in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Farming Innovation Programme.

 

Additional information about the new program can be found at UK Research and Innovation  as well as the UK government website.

 

To find out more about AHDB visit www.meattheUKexporters.com

High quality beef and pork from the UK are taking centre stage in a series of virtual events targeting the US foodservice market.

 

Organised and hosted by AHDB, the on-line events will showcase red meat from the UK as well as promote the country’s high production standards. They will also allow exporters to continue making important connections within these markets during a time when a physical presence at trade shows is challenging.

 

A selection of importers, distributors, chefs, butchers, high-end grocers and members of the media in Florida will be targeted in September, followed by a Texas-focused event in November.

 

They follow on from the first two hugely successful on-line events, held earlier in the year, which targeted California and Illinois.

 

They included cooking demonstrations by sous chef Luke Rhodes who made it through the final eight of last year’s MasterChef: The Professionals, as well as award-winning Stoke Park Club’s Executive Chef, Chris Wheeler.

 

The pair showcased their culinary skills to create dishes including Mini Picanha Roast, Rump Bistro, Pork Henry and Daubes Collar of Pork.

 

The online showcases also included a butchery demonstration by Master Butcher, Martin Eccles, as well as presentations from Red Tractor’s Philippa Wiltshire and Dr. Mandy Nevel, AHDB’s Animal Health and Welfare, talking about the UK’s traceability, food safety and animal welfare.

 

Panel discussions featured representatives from AHDB as well as five red meat exporters from the UK who provided insight into their products and connected exporters with potential importers.

 

To find out more about AHDB visit www.meattheUKexporters.com