On the farm with Morrisons

SUPERMARKET Morrisons has gone back to its farming roots by opening a farm in East Ayrshire, Scotland.

The food retailer has teamed up with the Scottish Agricultural College to launch the venture, which will focus on rearing traditional cattle and sheep breeds.

The first livestock to arrive will be Shorthorm and Angus cattle.

Morrisons is the only UK supermarket to slaughter its own meat, run its own bakeries and produce its own cheese and pork products.

Jim McLaren, president of NFU Scotland, said: “By Morrisons investing in this way – not least by becoming farmers themselves – the understanding with the farming industry can be developed further.

“It is these kinds of initiatives that will help forge a sustainable future for our sector.”

Tesco has also worked with agricultural experts to identify optimum natural rearing environments in particular for chickens.

Morrisons has said it hopes to open a second research farm in the South East later this year.