Silver Fern Farms has launched a branded range of Hereford beef aimed at the European and United Kingdom food service market.
The brand is labelled Hereford Superbly Aged Beef, and qualifying cattle will earn a 10c-a-kg premium.
Stock must be at least 50% Hereford with no dairy genes, meet weight and be crossed only with other English cattle breeds - Angus or shorthorn.
It must also be free of growth hormones.
Suppliers will be invited to join the scheme.
The company's beef marketing manager Lyn Jaffray said the move was another step in partnering with cattle breeders and suppliers while also meeting customers' demands.
The firm recently launched a certified Angus programme.
"Customers have been extremely receptive to the quality attributes of the premium ranges, and both programmes, which form part of the beef backbone partnerships, were aimed at adding value to partners' businesses."
To qualify as certified Angus, cattle must be a minimum of 75% Angus, and selection required meeting strict criteria for size, tenderness and grade.