MORRISONS has launched a drive to buy more native British beef breeds and their crosses.

The supermarket needs an extra 16,000 a year from its three Woodhead Brothers abattoirs – nearly ten per cent more than at present.

All will receive a premium price, with Beef Shorthorn attracting a special higher rate.

Morrisons rear Shorthorn on their own farm in Scotland, where it has developed a feeding regime to enhance the eating quality and produce a premium product.

Under the scheme, eligible cattle will receive a 10ppkg premium over Woodhead’s base price, while Beef Shorthorns and their crosses will receive 20ppkg – or up to £75 a head. A record 27,000 Beef Shorthorn and Shorthorn cross calves were registered last year.

Frank Milnes, breed society secretary, said: “Now that we have a premium scheme for Shorthorn beef, even more farmers will be encouraged to use the Beef Shorthorn bull in their commercial suckler herds. It’s a win-win situation.”

Morrisons has an exclusive partnership with the Beef Shorthorn Society to promote the use of registered and DNArecorded Beef Shorthorn bulls in the UK suckler herd.

To join the scheme, farmers – including those already supplying Woodhead Brothers – must apply for approval at least 100 days before sending their first native-breed cattle to abattoirs in Lancashire, Lincolnshire or Aberdeenshire.

They must be farm-assured and agree to finish cattle on a special cereal-based diet. Eligible cattle must weigh between 260kg and 380kg CCW, and be steers or heifers. Bulls and OTMS cattle are not eligible.

The firm has developed a carcass grid for the scheme, which includes O+ cattle within the target specification.

Full premiums will be paid from Monday, September 19, however, an initial 10ppkg premium for Beef Shorthorns is available immediately.

Interested farmers can call Woodhead’s livestock office on 01282-729117.