MLC Engages with Gisburn Young Farmers on Carcase Classification

MLC Engages with Gisburn Young Farmers on Carcase Classification

Sam Taylor, MLC’s Deputy Operations Manager for the North, recently attended a Gisburn Young Farmers’ meeting night to deliver an informative talk on MLC’s vital role in the livestock supply chain. The session attracted more than 30 members, along with several parents and supporters, making for an engaging and lively evening.

Sam led the group through the carcase grading process, explaining how MLC officers independently assess livestock using the established criteria for conformation and fat classes in both beef and lamb. The discussion shed light on the reasoning behind final classification decisions and how these impact the returns farmers receive.

A key topic of the evening was the dressing specification for beef. Sam detailed how MLC officers ensure fairness and accuracy at abattoirs, monitoring the trimming of carcases to prevent unauthorised weight loss before the carcase hits the scale. This highlights the importance of sending stock to plants with MLC oversight, ensuring producers get a fair and consistent outcome. The term, Not Dressed to Specification (NDTS) was also explained, with emphasis placed on the importance of farmers being aware of it and checking their plant returns for compliance.

Lamb classification followed a similar structure, with additional focus placed on variations in dressing specifications between plants. Sam encouraged attendees to ask, “What is your company spec?” when sending lambs to different plants. She also discussed upcoming changes that will bring lambs under the same regulatory dressing specifications as beef, ensuring greater consistency and transparency across the board.

Another important message shared was the significance of sending clean stock with empty bellies to slaughter. Sam explained how dirty livestock can lead to contamination risks, resulting in trimming that ultimately reduces the carcase weight and the farmer's return.

The session concluded with a look at the current target markets for both lamb and beef, offering valuable insight into the broader picture of meat production and marketing.

The evening was well received, with positive feedback from the young farmers and organisers. MLC was thanked for its ongoing commitment to transparency, fairness, and farmer engagement.