THE first calves resulting from a supermarket's discount bull semen offer have been born on a farm near York.

Tom and Mike Powley, of Green Hammerton, are now the proud owners of twin heifers and half a dozen other Sauvignon cross South Devon calves, which were all born during the second week of April.

Asda BeefLink farmers were first offered semen from Sauvignon, the world famous Limousin bull, in May last year.

Previously his semen was only affordable to pedigree breeders but Asda offered it with a 62.5pc discount.

Mike Powley, longstanding ABP and Asda beef supplier and the Farmers Weekly 2005 British Beef Farmer of the year said: "The cows generally calved very easily and unassisted, the birth weights being 3kg less than our five year average.

"They are born hungry, being up on their feet immediately and suckling very quickly. We look forward to realising the genetic gains that Sauvignon will bring to our beef breeding herd, the discounted price being a sound investment for the future."

Jim Viggars, senior meat buyer at Asda, said that when they launched the Sauvignon discount scheme they were clear about the benefits he could offer.

"Despite his size and muscling, he is an easy calving bull producing vigorous calves at birth," he said.

"We are confident Sauvignon offspring will help our farmers provide us with the quality of cattle we are after beef animals that are E and U grade, with a 2/3 fat class and a weight range of 300-380kg allowing farmers such as Mike to obtain the Asda 'Extra Special' bonus."

Sauvignon's awards include European Limousin Male Champion at the 2007 Paris Show, European Limousin Carcass Champion, European Limousin Progeny Champion, and Asda Supreme Beef Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2007.

Semen from Sauvignon is still available at a discounted rate. Interested farmers should contact the ABP Livestock Department on 01217-172550 or email livestockadmin@anglobeef.com.