Integrated beef system offers business expansion opportunities

David and Sarah Green, who farm in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, began working with Gamechanger, an integrated beef supply chain, to add another element to their farming business, alongside the running of their farm shop.

Rearing calves can be a time-consuming endeavour involving youngstock with an uncertain health history.

However, a new partnership between Sainsbury’s and ABP, which created Gamechanger, promises to make it possible to establish and grow a low-stress, calf rearing enterprise with high-health status calves.

Gamechanger is an integrated beef supply chain supplying low carbon beef for Sainsbury’s premium Taste the Difference Aberdeen Angus beef range. 

Sarah said: “We saw Gamechanger on social media, and because we have a dairy background we understand how to manage calves, so we got in touch with Gamechanger and decided that calf rearing was a viable option. 

“We took on a batch of Gamechanger calves and liked their quality and performance, so ended the B&B pig enterprise we had been running and have since reared ten batches of Gamechanger calves which all spend around 12 weeks on farm.”

How does it work?

Gamechanger dairy farmers produce high-health calves sired by specially selected, high-performance Aberdeen Angus bulls supplied through Genus and Cogent. These sires are available exclusively to dairy farmers producing calves for Gamechanger. 

Calves are delivered in batches to Gamechanger rearers between 10–41 days of age before moving onto a growing farm, and finally a finishing farm.  

Before receiving calves rearers know the fee they will be paid for each calf once it is reared, with options to boost that income through achieving various key performance indicators.  

Dedicated phone support is offered to Gamechanger rearers and if needed a member of the team will visit to give practical advice on nutrition, housing, weighing and more.  

All Gamechanger cattle have electronic identification (EID) tags which work alongside AgriWebb farm management software which is provided to calf rearers free to help with efficiently managing their rearing unit, for recording cattle weights, feed and medications.  

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Vet team support

Participating farmers also receive an animal health plan, with advice available from dedicated Gamechanger vet, Tim Potter.  

Sarah said: “Backup from the Gamechanger vet team is very good, with quick response times, and emergencies dealt with swiftly. That support really takes the pressure off if we have an issue, which is rare. Our calf housing is serving us well so far. 

“New arrivals settle-in normally within 24–48 hours and we aim to keep stress levels as low as possible. 

“The Gamechanger genetics behind the calves that arrive seem solid which gives us calves with vigour, stature and a relatively consistent daily liveweight gain, we weigh each batch at least twice; they grow well. Ultimately, we want calves that thrive and that is what we get.”

More than 740 farmers produce, rear, grow or finish Gamechanger cattle across the UK with some farmers combining more than one stage, for example rearing and finishing, or supplying and rearing calves, to suit their farming system.   

For those finishing home-bred Gamechanger calves the minimum supply is 80 calves per year, likewise for rearers taking the calves right through to finish on a minimum of 70% grass and forage diet.

“The rearer model suits us”

The rearer model removes the need to leave the farm to source or sell cattle, and full management support is available. All vet support, medications, milk powder and concentrate feed are paid for by Gamechanger, along with a straw allowance.  

At one time, Sarah can house 176 calves in two batches of 88 calves, with one batch on milk and the older batch weaned onto concentrates. 

“The rearer model suits our system, our sheds accommodate calves well and it works nicely alongside our other enterprises.  

“It takes up lots of life doing what we do, but the income means we could expand and take on staff, giving us time for other things whilst ensuring the continuation of the business for future generations.”

She added: “We recommend Gamechanger to others looking for alternative revenue streams to maximise the current infrastructure of their farm as well as work/life commitments. 

“All farms and businesses are different, but this has proven a good option for us and may be a good option for others looking to diversify. We’d recommend an informal chat with the Gamechanger team to find out more and to generate ideas.”

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