Cheap coats for calves at Sainsbury’s

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Cattle

More than 850 calf coats have been ordered at cost from Sainsbury's.
More than 850 calf coats have been ordered at cost from Sainsbury's.
UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has made winter cow coats available to its 290 Dairy Development Group (SDDG) farmers at cost price.

The retailer says that to date more than 850 coats have been ordered.

Sainsbury’s said that it decided to run the offer again this winter after it proved popular with farmers last year. The calf coats cost $20.22 (£14) each, which is the cost price.

The retailer’s agriculture and general merchandising teams teamed up to source the bespoke coats, which are designed with an adjustable strap so that they can expand as the calf grows. The coats are also machine washable so they can be re-used year after year.

Cost of production model

Joanna Lawrence, agriculture manager at Sainsbury’s said, “We’ve built up a strong Farmer Development Group over the years, which means we can respond quickly to support our farmers. Winter is an obvious time when our farmers have to work hard so we hope this goes some way to protect their herds throughout the cold months.”

Sainsbury’s noted that insulation of the calves improves weight gain and ensures that the calf can use all its energy for growing, which in turn ensures that it will be less vulnerable during the winter.

The SDDG was set up in 2007.  In 2012, Sainsbury’s said, a Cost of Production model was introduced to protect dairy farmers from market volatility. The model involves a set price that directly reflects their costs on the farm, building in a profit. 

The price paid to farmers is reviewed every three months to reflect the change in the key input costs on the farm – feed, fuel and fertilizer. The model also includes a bonus element for excellence in animal welfare standards as well as high performance in carbon efficiency.

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