New educational resource to look at meat production in Scotland

The Year of Beef will look at the place of beef production in Scottish agriculture.

The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) has launched its Year of Beef for the academic year 2021/22 with a short film and calendar of activities.

From September to June, working in partnership with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNCI), RHET will tell the story of beef production in Scotland.

From the rugged Highland hills to the lush grass fields of the lowlands, beef production is woven into the country’s history, from the drovers of years ago to the modern-day farm where science and technology have taken production into the 21st century.

It will develop a range of resources for use in schools, starting with the cow and calf story and covering sustainability, grass, careers, butchery, technology and more over the duration of the academic year.

RHET has been delighted by the response to the campaign so far, which has also been welcomed by the National Farmers Union (NFU).

Martin Kennedy, NFUS president, said: "The Year of Beef campaign is something NFU Scotland is supporting for many reasons.

"The beef industry is not only the engine room of our rural economy, it also delivers sustainable food production of the highest quality and helps us maintain an environment that is the envy of many across the globe.

"Please help by backing this campaign and support RHET throughout the coming year”

Every month teachers will be able to access curricular-linked content including educational films, activities and links to relevant materials.

Teachers can sign up to receive updates and links to the new resources that will be shared throughout the year on the RHET website www.rhet.org.uk.

All resources are free for schools to access.

Alison Johnston, RNCI Project Manager – ‘this is an incredible project to work on, Scottish beef production is crucial to the wider Scottish economy. Sharing the facts around the sustainable production in Scotland with schools has never been more important.’

Teachers can register interest in the resources now at https://bit.ly/3iE1UGF.