More than numbers
The significance of the numbers, which add up rearing farms, hectares of land and head of cattle reared, goes beyond the numbers themselves, describing the size and great meat supply capacity of the Gruppo Vercelli:
- over 30 rearing farms. In Piedmont, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, all built and run in compliance with European animal welfare and health control requirements;
- 200 hectares of land cultivated according to the most modern agronomic and environmental practices;
- over 50,000 calves reared and slaughtered each year;
- 100,000 head of cattle: the yearly potential yield of the slaughtering plant in Formigliana.
The Italian veal supply chain
The rearing of calves takes place is in facilities managed by the Gruppo Vercelli: each facility fully complies with the highest product and process standards in terms of animal welfare and meat wholesomeness.
The maintenance and improvement of production standards is ensured by the constant presence of specialised personnel who follow the rearing cycle of each animal step by step, from entry into the farm to release at the slaughterhouse. Every stage of the chain is fundamental, including the feed and pharmaceutical plan and the management of slaughtering and butchering.
Feed plan and pharmaceutical management
The Gruppo Vercelli's calves are fed powdered milk reconstituted in water and fibre-based solid feed.
At the end of the fattening cycle, a calf has consumed approximately 320 kg of powdered milk (consisting mainly of whey and vegetable origin powder) and approximately 180 kg of fibre-based solid feed (maize grain and/or coarse maize meal).
This feed plan and pharmaceutical management ensures:
- the exclusion of meals of animal origin;
- the exclusion of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for medical treatment.
Finally, the supply of fats of animal origin is moderate and is only related to the fat component of the milk powder formula.
The young beef supply chain
The rearing phase of the young beef supply chain is also managed through an established network of suppliers and external collaborators, in compliance with the Group's values.
The head of cattle is purchased at an average live weight of 650-700 kg/head (550 kg for females) and slaughtered at less than 24 months of age, in facilities within six hours of transport from the farm.