Sustainability

Our Farming Standards

We are passionate about both the land we farm and the animals we rear - aiming to increase biodiversity, improve soil health and minimise our environmental footprint whilst ensuring the highest animal welfare standards we can.

Working in harmony with nature...

Our farming landscape is primarily made up of conservation grazing licenses. This is land owned by other individuals or organisations, and is used for the benefit of the environment. Our livestock play a key part in managing these eco-systems, whilst also producing a product that meets the needs of our customers. Our primary grazing ruminant stock is a flock of native lowland sheep, who move between sites grazing longer, rougher grassland and heathland than perhaps traditionally they might.

We farm in this way because we are both passionate about providing a great quality product and having a positive environmental impact for future generations. Not only does grazing in this way mean that our meats are full of flavour from months of grazing varied plants and swards, but it means we are increasing biodiversity and protecting an array of species of wildlife that would otherwise be lost to intensive farming practices.

You might notice that this makes our product availability a little more varied than the supermarket... but we think it is worth it!

Why Native Breeds?

We are passionate about using native breeds in our farming practice. Our lamb comes exclusively from our flock of pedigree Dorset Downs, a breed renowned for its lamb flavour and texture. Our pork comes exclusively from pedigree Berkshire pigs which provide a slow grown beautifully flavoured pork. We believe that using native breeds not only provides a better tasting product, but helps to restore natural habitats. Dorset Down's and Berkshires are also on the Rare Breed Survival Trust Watchlist - so we are passionate about preserving the breeds and showing them at agricultural shows, ensuring the breeds get the attention we think they deserve!

Why Sustainable Farming?

Sustainable and regenerative farming looks like ensuring the demands of our customers are met whilst still securing the viability of the land we farm for the future. Our livestock are regularly moving, and our paddocks are well rested to increase bio-diversity and soil health. We regularly test our soil, and seek to build health amongst the roots and swards that we graze. We believe that a pasture based approach to rearing animals is best and where possible all our animals are not fed additional feeds rather grazing on different swards for as long as they need.

What about Animal Welfare?

We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest animal welfare standards. This looks like ensuring our animals have enriched lives and plenty of space to roam and explore. We work with our vets to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of our livestock, including preventing parasitic disease and managing lameness. We use a farm assured and soil association approved abattoir, as close to our stock as possible, minimising transportation time and food miles. We follow AHDB advice on best practice on farms for bio-security and animal welfare.

Why Organic Principles?

Due to the current structure of our grazing, we are unable to be registered with the Soil Association and therefore label our products organic. However, this has not stopped us from adhering to organic principles in our farming. We do not apply herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilisers to the land. We do not use antibiotics routinely and adhere to the Soil Associations standards on space and enrichment for our animals. These methods benefit our whole food system - enabling the land and our animals to thrive.