Supermarket giant to open research farm

Jul 3 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons will take over farmland at Dumfries House.

And Prince Charles is said to be delighted by the firm’s involvement.

Morrisons will set up a sustainable research farm on the 700 acres near Cumnock.

The farm will be 30 per cent organic, and will be run in conjunction with the Scottish Agricultural College.

Research into sustainable farming methods will be led by the college.

Morrisons are said to have made a ‘tremendous’ financial commitment.

But figures have still to be made public.

Beef Shorthorn and Angus cattle will be brought to the estate next year.

And some arable crops will be grown for animal feed.

Research will focus on animal feeding, housing and welfare.

Beef reared at Dumfries House will ultimately go on supermarket shelves.

Prince Charles is due much of the credit for saving Dumfries House for the nation.

He stepped in with £20m from his charity foundation towards a £45m rescue.

The Robert Adam-designed mansion has a fabulous collection of furniture.

And the house has been compared to an 18th century time capsule.

Dumfries House is now open to the public, and plans for the estate include building a new village between Cumnock and Auchinleck.

Developments are going forward under the banner of the Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust.

A spokesman for the prince said: “Prince Charles is delighted that Morrisons will be developing a sustainable farm on Dumfries House Estate.”

The spokesman said the supermarket’s involvement should help the economic regeneration of the Cumnock area.

He added: “The sustainable farm will help towards that goal, as well as contribute further to advancing sustainable farming in Scotland.”

First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, said: “This excellent news is further proof of the undeniable value and importance of saving Dumfries House last year.

“The Morrisons farm at Dumfries House will bring significant benefits to the local area and is a great example of the importance of innovation and research within the food chain.”