The Animals
We raise suckler beef, home bred mostly from traditional English pedigree Hereford and Hereford Cross that freely graze outside on grass eight months of the year. We use the natural shade of the oak coppices at calving time and the calves stay with their Mums until they are naturally weaned. This more natural method of farming means Mums and calves stay happy and healthy.
We also raise a small number of pigs, home bred from rare breed traditional English pedigree Large Black and Saddle Back sows crossed with Berkshire boar. They eat a cereal-based feed with all the essential vitamins and trace minerals for good health. They are straw bedded together in an open, spacious and airy barn environment that is undercover but not enclosed. We never use farrowing crates.
We feel really fortunate being able to raise these animals and to experience and enjoy the wealth of wildlife around us. We see everything from butterflies and moths, robins and blackbirds, rabbits and hares, to striking birds of prey such as owls, kites and buzzards. There’s always activity going on day or night whatever the season.
