1. Register your interest

Tell us where you are and whether your cattle can be traced from farm to slaughter. We'll review and get in touch.

2. A short call

We'll ask where the cattle were born and raised, how they're identified, where and when they'll be slaughtered, and what records you have. We'll also check any access or biosecurity requirements so we can plan around your normal operations.

3. Agree the dates

We agree the timing of both visits in advance, at times that suit you. The farm visit and the collection at slaughter need to happen within a few days of each other.

4. At the farm

Our collector takes small samples of water, grass and feed. You provide safe access and identify the five cows taking part.

5. At slaughter

Our collector takes tail hair, meat and skin from those same five cows. We follow the abattoir's hygiene, safety and biosecurity procedures and keep disruption to a minimum.

WHAT WE PROVIDE — The collector, all equipment and packaging, and the full cost of sampling. Participating farms can also request a metals screening and micronutrient profile for the sampled beef.

DATA USE AND CONFIDENTIALITY — We use farm, environmental and animal data to study broad patterns and develop cattle-origin testing. Identifiable farm information will remain within the project team and specialist laboratories; published findings will not identify individual farms.