14th September 2026
Farm Stock Scotland and Damn Delicious Win at World Steak Challenge
Farm Stock Scotland and farmer member Michael Shannon of Damn Delicious are celebrating after winning a coveted Silver Medal at the World Steak Challenge in Amsterdam with a 100% grass-fed Aberdeen Angus heifer sourced through the co-operative’s farm-to-farm trading service.
The award brings international recognition to a collaborative Scottish beef supply chain involving breeder, farmer, livestock marketing co-operative and butcher with the animal ultimately selected, finished, matured and butchered by Michael and his team at Damn Delicious.
The Aberdeen Angus heifer was originally bred by James Playfair Hannay of Morebattle Tofts in the Scottish Borders and subsequently purchased and finished by Michael Shannon. The farm-to-farm deal was facilitated by Nikki Gilbertson, Assistant Manager (Farm-to-Farm Trading) at Farm Stock Scotland, who matched the animal to Michael’s specific requirements.
As both a farmer and butcher, Michael is involved throughout the production process. His attention to finishing, animal selection, maturation and butchery was key to producing beef capable of competing against steaks from around the world.
The World Steak Challenge attracts more than 600 entries from leading beef-producing countries, with steaks independently assessed on characteristics including appearance, aroma, tenderness, flavour and overall eating quality.
Jonny Williams, Managing Director of FarmStock Scotland, said:
“This is a fantastic result and Michaeldeserves an enormous amount of credit. He has put a huge amount of time, effortand enthusiasm into this, from selecting and finishing the animal through topreparing the beef and getting our entry to Amsterdam.
“Michael is passionate about producing exceptional beef and, as both a farmer and butcher, he understands the whole process from the animal in the field right through to the steak on the plate. Winning a Silver Medal against international competition is a tremendous endorsement of what he and Damn Delicious are doing.
“There is also a great Farm Stock collaborative story behind the animal. She was a grass-fed Angus heifer, originally bred by James at Morebattle Tofts, and the farm-to-farm sale to Michael was facilitated by Nikki from our team.
“Our staff’s role is all about knowing ourmembers, knowing the stock that is available and matching it to the rightcustomer. In this case, that journey ended with a Silver Medal at the WorldSteak Challenge in Amsterdam which is a fantastic result.”
Michael Shannon of Damn Delicious said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this award. After winning Butcher of the Year a couple of years ago, this is another fantastic stamp of approval for Damn Delicious, our farm and the way we farm.
“Our cattle are genuinely 100% grass-fed and are never fed grain or concentrates. I strongly believe this is one of the reasons our beef has such exceptional flavour. We also invested heavily in our butchery and dry-ageing chill several years ago, allowing us to mature the beef properly and bring out its full potential.
“Although we receive wonderful feedback fromour customers every week, it is incredibly rewarding to know that our beef cancompete on the world stage. This award recognises the whole process: ourcattle, our farming techniques, proper maturation and the expertise of ourbrilliant butchery team.
“As a Silver Medal highlights the potential of a genuinely collaborative and traceable Scottish beef supply chain, bringing together the breeder, livestock marketing co-operative, finisher and butcher to produce a product capable of achieving international recognition.
The success is particularly timely for Farm Stock Scotland, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, and reflects the principles on which the farmer-owned co-operative was established: farmers working together, trading directly and creating opportunities for quality Scottish livestock.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Farm Stock Scotland is a farmer-owned,independent livestock marketing co-operative, established in 1996. The businessworks with farmers across Scotland, providing livestock marketing servicesincluding deadweight procurement and farm-to-farm trading.
Damn Delicious, run by farmer and butcherMichael Shannon, produces and sells grass-fed Scottish beef, with an emphasison provenance, careful finishing, maturation and traditional butchery.
The World Steak Challenge is an international competition bringing together steaks from beef-producing countries around theworld, which are independently assessed for eating quality.
Media enquiries:
Jonny Williams
Managing Director
Farm Stock Scotland
Tel: 01750 723366 Mobile 07817702988
