Supermarket giant Morrisons is branching out in to farming

Supermarket giant Morrisons is going into Aberdeen-Angus cattle.

The company has gone into partnership with trustees of the Dumfries House Estate in east Ayrshire, Scotland, to use 700 acres of land for farming and farming research and are looking to start a pedigree and commercial herd of Aberdeen-Angus cattle alongside Beef Shorthorn cattle and native breeds of sheep.

Working alongside this project will be the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s patron HRH Prince Charles, who has a vested interest in Dumfries House.  

Speaking at the Royal Highland Show, Morrisons CEO Marc Bolland told the Society’s chief exec Ron McHattie that experiments in animal feeding, housing and welfare, are under discussion with the Scottish Agricultural College. Plans are also under way to start stocking the farm with stock as well as sourcing a new stockman.

Marc Bolland meeting with Ron McHattie and William McLaren

Jim McLaren, president of the Scottish NFU, said: “It is extremely good news for the agriculture industry that one of the country’s leading retailers is willing to engage at this level.”

At the same time, Morrisons announced the launch of ‘Morrisons Farmer Groups’ for “supply chain dialogue… to encourage working across the supply chain”.

The first groups, for dairy, beef, poultry and egg farmers, are now being set up, through Morrisons suppliers, and the company expects to do the same later for lamb and pork producers and the crop sector.

As well as dialogue, it promises “investment in applied farm research, organised through Morrisons Farmers Groups and working in partnership with leading agricultural colleges”.

The ‘Morrisons Farming Programme’ also promises a new website for livestock farmers to trace carcase data, to check if they are getting the best quality ratings and best prices. It will start with beef.