The North Devon cattle are a British native breed well suited to the estate’s water meadows that nestle the River Test and The Wallop Brook. Also known as Red Rubies, the cattle are prized by top chefs as some of the very finest beef available in the UK due to the outstanding tenderness and flavour that the well-marbled cuts produce.

The estate has some 350 acres of water meadows or permanent pasture that are in environmental stewardship schemes designed to strengthen and safeguard the natural biodiversity, landscape, environment and natural resources.

Our cattle’s whims and wishes are looked after by our head stockman, with help from others around the estate.

Pasture-Fed
There is a wealth of scientific research extolling the environmental, health and welfare benefits of pasture fed animals. Pasture-fed rather than just grass-fed as it encompasses the species-rich diversity of herbs, shrubs, legumes and forbs that livestock will graze.

The Estate is a member of the Pasture Fed Livestock Association (PFLA) that promotes the idea that ruminants should be living in their natural environment and is trying to break away from the establishment’s reliance on soybeans, imported grains and the unnecessary use of fossil fuels.

Health Benefits
Pasture fed beef has: