Using fifth quarter to maximise returns

More fifth quarter products are now deemed suitable to enter the food chain. However, around 25 per cent of the liveweight of a bovine animal and 22 per cent of the liveweight of a sheep are still being disposed as category one rendered Specified Risk Material (SRM) among some processors. In contrast, larger processors are typically achieving consignment levels of 14 per cent of the liveweight of cattle and three per cent of the sheep liveweight as category one SRM.

It amounts to 72kg per bovine animal and 8kg per sheep that is going to category one rendering among smaller processors rather than being sold as food.

EBLEX’s The use of Animal By-Products report has highlighted that improvements in production management among smaller processors could help harvest more products for human consumption, improving both their returns and their carbon footprint.

Christine Walsh, EBLEX supply chain development manager and report author, said:

“Our research highlighted that some smaller processors are potentially missing out on the use of animal by-products by disposing of some category one material which is actually suitable for the food chain or other outlets

“A number of the larger companies are exporting more fifth quarter products, which has left a gap in the domestic market. This gap could be filled by smaller processors with the flexibility and time to re-visit their day-to-day business operations to examine how they may be able to maximise these opportunities.

“Part of EBLEX’s work is to help add value to the supply chain. Using the report’s findings as a starting point, we can help identify ways for processors to make fuller use of the carcase to help maximise returns, while reducing disposal costs.”

The report can be found by visiting the research development section of the EBLEX website of the EBLEX website www.eblex.org.uk