Beef cattle

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All our beef is
from BRITISH farms

There’s more room for the cattle, and we work exclusively with farmers who share our animal welfare values. 

Because we buy the whole animal, farmers have more financial security than on the open market, so they can invest in sustainable farming methods and helping local wildlife.

It's considerations like this that help us win awards for our farming. Look out for our animal welfare marque on our own-label meat and fish.

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We set the STANDARD in beef FARMING

  • Our cattle get more space – around 30% more than the standard set by food standards regulator Red Tractor.

  • During spring and summer, our beef cattle live on open pasture. In colder weather, they shelter in straw-bedded barns.

  • What isn’t sold as cuts of beef goes into ready meals or is made into burgers and meatballs.

  • This means all the beef used in our ready meals is British, and in certain dishes it’s from native breeds that have been specially selected for their tenderness and flavour.
  • No growth hormones are used at any stage – and that will never change. It's all part of our commitment to high standards of animal welfare.

  • Our veal is high welfare and British. Calves live in large airy straw-bedded barns with lots of room to move around and access to outside yards. Our male calves are not slaughtered at birth or exported.

  • We’ve worked exclusively with many of our farmers for more than 10 years – and in some cases, more than 25 years. This long-term partnership offers our farmers the security they need to invest in sustainable farming practices that help to benefit the environment and encourage local wildlife.

Look out for the NATIVE BREED label

You’ll see it on some of our prepacked beef, and it means that it’s from breeds native to Britain, including Aberdeen Angus, Highland and Hereford, as well as rarer traditional breeds such as Welsh Black, Red Ruby, South Devon and Belted Galloways. Watch our video to see how cattle farmer Oli rears his herd of Highland cows in the Cumbrian hills. 

Farmer Oli rears his herd of Highland cows in the Cumbrian hills

Native breeds of cattle take longer to mature than other breeds, which means they develop a rich marbling of fat, resulting in meat that’s succulent, tender and full of flavour. 

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Hereford

Dating back to the 18th century, the Hereford is instantly recognisable with its red coat and white face. Its beef has superb marbling, which produces meltingly juicy steaks. 

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South Devon

One of the larger British breeds, these cattle can often be seen grazing on the lush pastures of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Their lean, well-grained beef has good marbling.

Belted Galloway

With its double-thick coat, this Scottish breed has adapted well to moorland life. Slow to mature, their meat has a complex flavour and texture, and is naturally lean. 

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Red Ruby

Named for its deep red-brown colour, this West Country breed lives on the sandy hills of Devon. It produces well-marbled beef that’s prized for its tenderness and rich flavour.

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Aberdeen Angus

By far the best-known and most popular native breed, it’s renowned for its ability to thrive in the UK’s often inclement weather. Its beef is tender, with a decent marbling of fat.

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Welsh Black

Known as ‘the black gold from the Welsh hills’ – on account of having once been used as currency – they’ve existed in Wales since pre-Roman times. They’re adept at converting poor-quality grass into premium, flavourful beef.

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Hereford

Dating back to the 18th century, the Hereford is instantly recognisable with its red coat and white face. Its beef has superb marbling, which produces meltingly juicy steaks. 

South Devon

One of the larger British breeds, these cattle can often be seen grazing on the lush pastures of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Their lean, well-grained beef has good marbling.

Arrow
Arrow

Belted Galloway

With its double-thick coat, this Scottish breed has adapted well to moorland life. Slow to mature, their meat has a complex flavour and texture, and is naturally lean. 

Red Ruby

Named for its deep red-brown colour, this West Country breed lives on the sandy hills of Devon. It produces well-marbled beef that’s prized for its tenderness and rich flavour.

Arrow
Arrow

Aberdeen Angus

By far the best-known and most popular native breed, it’s renowned for its ability to thrive in the UK’s often inclement weather. Its beef is tender, with a decent marbling of fat.

Welsh Black

Known as ‘the black gold from the Welsh hills’ – on account of having once been used as currency – they’ve existed in Wales since pre-Roman times. They’re adept at converting poor-quality grass into premium, flavourful beef.

Arrow
Arrow

Hereford

Dating back to the 18th century, the Hereford is instantly recognisable with its red coat and white face. Its beef has superb marbling, which produces meltingly juicy steaks. 

Arrow

South Devon

One of the larger British breeds, these cattle can often be seen grazing on the lush pastures of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Their lean, well-grained beef has good marbling.

Arrow

Belted Galloway

With its double-thick coat, this Scottish breed has adapted well to moorland life. Slow to mature, their meat has a complex flavour and texture, and is naturally lean. 

Arrow

Red Ruby

Named for its deep red-brown colour, this West Country breed lives on the sandy hills of Devon. It produces well-marbled beef that’s prized for its tenderness and rich flavour.

Arrow

Aberdeen Angus

By far the best-known and most popular native breed, it’s renowned for its ability to thrive in the UK’s often inclement weather. Its beef is tender, with a decent marbling of fat.

Arrow

Welsh Black

Known as ‘the black gold from the Welsh hills’ – on account of having once been used as currency – they’ve existed in Wales since pre-Roman times. They’re adept at converting poor-quality grass into premium, flavourful beef.

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Did you KNOW?

Beef cattle farmed for Waitrose have 30% more space than the Red Tractor standard

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