Waitrose asks for greater use of native genetics

The sustainable suckler cow of the future will have to comprise 50% native genetics to cope with increasing feed costs, environmental and labour pressures.

That was the message from Waitrose agricultural manager Duncan Sinclair. Speaking at the conference he told delegates how 60% of Waitrose’s beef is native bred. “We already have 30 livestock schemes within the business and are looking for suppliers to expand.”

As a company, Waitrose are working hard to provide a critical platform for farmers to invest in the future, developing price structures taking cost of production in to account, particularly for dairy producers, he added. “Although farmers must drive efficiencies where possible, our spring 2009 base price will be 90% of cost of production.”

Questions need answering

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And in following a similar tone of the conference, Mr Sinclair questioned whether industry has taken full advantage of latent genetic potential. “Have we embraced agri-environmental schemes and is there enough collaboration within supply chains. The answer on most lips is likely to be no, so we must.”

On balance feed prices are likely to continue to increase, so farmers have to look at ways of reducing other costs in the production cycle. Introducing native genetics is one step forward, as they require less feed and make more of their natural surroundings.

But he stressed, following principals undertaken by many Waitrose stores, there is a huge requirement to educate the public. “As we sell meat hung for a minimum of seven days and up to 21, our stores educate consumers on cuts, colour and tenderness – all part of the marketing behind selling a premium product.”

Various databases on beef sires used on our farms will also be a valuable tool in the future for farmers to select the best genetics when producing a product for Waitrose specification, he added.