Morrisons has launched a mobile app for beef producers to help simplify the livestock management process.
The Morrisons Farming App is available on Android devices initially, to be followed by Apple phones.
Morrisons claimed it was the first supermarket to launch an app of this kind, and would “help improve food safety, animal traceability, breeding methods and husbandry”.
The app features a live link to the British Cattle Movement Service, allowing users to access cattle data on births, deaths and movements. It also enables farmers to view data on animals by pen or field for easy reference.
Farmers can also order new and replacement ear tags for their cattle through the app, and automatically generate a food chain information declaration, which must be provided by all livestock keepers on cattle sent for slaughter.
Morrisons agriculture manager Andrew Loftus added the app would be rolled out to lamb and pig producers in the future. “We want to help ease the burden on farmers by ensuring better information is available at the touch of a button to aid them when making decisions about their businesses,” he said.
NFU president Meurig Raymond said adopting new technology was key to farming’s future. “I’m delighted that Morrisons is making sure it’s available to all beef producers,” he added. “The launch of the app builds on the website we’ve also created to provide suppliers of beef, pork and lamb with unrivalled and immediate feedback on their consignments.”
The Morrisons app follows the launch last month of website Sellmylivestock.co.uk by beef farmer Dan Luff, which promised farmers better pricing data and retailers access to more detailed information about the meat they buy from livestock markets.
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