A recent poll of farmers conducted by the National Farm Research Unit (NFRU) has found that the majority of livestock farmers are using the Internet (55%). A higher percentage of dairy farmers used the Internet (59%) compared to sheep (52%) or beef farmers (54%).

Of those livestock farmers who are using the Internet, 85% now have broadband, compared with just 67% three years ago. The percentage of farmers with broadband was similar for beef (85%), dairy (86%) and sheep farmers (84%).

The survey showed that 45% of livestock farmers had gone on-line to get information about farm inputs, with more dairy farmers using this as a source of information (49%). Just 42% of sheep farmers used the Internet for information.

Two out of five livestock farmers (40%) reported that they have bought some farm inputs on-line, with no differences between the different types of livestock farmers.

In the South West 58% of livestock farmers reported that they used the Internet, with 89% of them enjoying broadband connections. This is a slightly higher percentage than the national figure. Three years ago fewer livestock farmers in the region had broadband (69%).

Over 48% of South West farmers said that they had used the Internet to get information on farm inputs and 40% said that they had already bought some farm inputs on-line. The survey indicates an increasing trend in the use of the Internet for information and purchasing, as three years ago 41% of livestock farmers looked for information on-line, but 25% had used it for purchasing purposes.

Main outlets for sheep and beef

When asked about the main outlet for finished lambs and beef animals, the majority of both sheep and beef farmers said that they took their stock to the auction mart or to the livestock market (66% for finished lambs and 61% for beef animals). Three years ago 64% of lamb and 59% of beef farmers took their stock to the auction or livestock market.

Around 30% of finished lambs and 32% of beef animals were taken straight to the abattoir, with very few farmers choosing producer/marketing groups. Just 7% of beef farmers used private outlets for their livestock and 3% of sheep farmers. Three years ago 9% of beef farmers used a private outlet, with 7% of sheep farmers doing so.

In the South West the majority of beef farmers took their animals to market or to auction (51%) but fewer sheep farmers (40%) did so. Many more sheep and beef farmers took their stock directly to the abattoir than the national figure (55% of sheep and 41% of beef farmers). The same number of beef farmers used private outlets (7%) in the South West as nationally.

Three years ago 50% of beef farmers in the region used auctions/livestock markets and 41% took beef animals straight to the abattoir. For South West sheep farmers 43% had used auctions/livestock markets and 50% had taken their finished lambs straight to the abattoir.

Beef finishing systems

A survey by the National Farm Research Unit reveals that overall 41% of beef farmers across the UK described their beef finishing system as sold as stores, with a further 36% of farms finishing from store. A further 9% said their system was based on cereal beef and a further 10% on silage.

Very few farmers (1%) said that they were intending to change their finishing systems in the next 12 months.

In the South West 39% of beef farmers described their beef finishing system as sold as stores, with 38% of farms describing their system as finishing from stores. A further 9% said their system was based on cereal beef and a further 10% on silage.