Retailer dairy beef scheme helps UK farmer build for future

The calves are put through a strict 12-week rearing protocol whereby they are vaccinated, de-horned and castrated before being delivered to one of Morrisons beef finishing units at a fixed price, with pre-payment and an underwritten price available.

Finishing guidance, nutritional support and a dedicated contact scheme support farmers to ensure an in-spec carcase weight is achieved, with 97 per cent hitting specification. It also gives the retailer full traceability.

The scheme now processes 9,000 cattle through more than 50 established finishing units.

Finishing

Mr Ogg, a third generation farmer based in North Lincolnshire, takes delivery of 40 reared calves every month and finishes them at roughly 17 months old.

Alongside the cattle, Mr Ogg farms arable land and has an equestrian unit. He runs about 500 ewes, supplying Morrisons seasonally with lambs.

"One of the main advantages of the Morrisons scheme to me is how healthy and even the batches come in. On arrival they are about four months old and are on my unit for 12 to 13 months,” he said.

“Taking regular batches is very beneficial allowing me to have a consistent flow of finished cattle.”

He added the scheme, along with continued support for putting up sheds from his landlord, had allowed him to grow the business for a sustainable future.