Our animals
Native British Breeds and Traditional Farming Methods
Table of Contents
Our Cattle
Why the South Devon breed
South Devon cattle are known as the “Gentle Giants”. With a very docile nature and quiet temperament they are a pleasure to handle and look after, and they in-turn look after their young, being well known for their strong maternal qualities. Naturally accustomed to a grass only diet, South Devons have the ability to convert grass into meat which is marbled, well-grained, and always to a high grade. Many butchers will agree that meat from the South Devon breed is some of the tastiest there is. Being a certified member of the South Devon Herd Book Society, Grazers aim for excellence in the quality of their Beef — something which is possible only by using traditional farming methods.
Why Grazers meat means quality
All of our cattle are reared to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards. Our cattle are always allowed to mature naturally, grazing only on a grass-based diet which is never supplemented with artificial, unregulated fattening feed. We are members of the South Devon Herd Book Society, meaning that our entire herd is pedigree registered.
How we age and butcher our Beef
All our Beef is hung for 21 days to allow the meat to mature and tenderise. Our meat is then cut to detailed specifications by our local Master Butcher, ensuring zero-wastage and consistency of weight in each and every hamper we produce.
What about the health benefits?
Being purely grass-fed, there is nothing in the meat that shouldn’t be in the meat — this is a natural product
- Lower total fat levels than meat from grain-fed animals.
- Lower saturated fat content.
- Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a lower, more balanced (and healthier) ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids.
- Higher vitamin and mineral levels than meat from grain-fed animals
- Many of the health benefits associated with grass-fed meat decline after only a few weeks of being put onto grain-feeding.
- At Grazers, when we say grass-fed we mean 100% grass-fed.
Our Sheep
Why the Llyen breed
A traditional welsh breed, these animals are good mothers, they have a quiet nature and produce high quality milk which in-turn creates happy and healthy lambs. The versatility of the breed lends them well to both upland and lowland grazing, making Lleyns suitable for grazing the rolling countryside of South Leicestershire. The breed benefits from the grass only diet which we prefer to rear our flock on. We believe that the traditional, time-tested farming methods cannot be beaten when considering the quality and flavour of meat they produce. When crossed with a Texel ram, Lleyns produce a lovely, shapely lamb which benefits from the Lleyn’s maternal and docile capabilities, and the Texel’s lean and well-muscled characteristics.
What is Hogget
Hogget is a Lamb that has been grazing our grass for one year or more. This gives the meat a fuller flavour – we believe this is the best tasting Lamb that there is.
Why Grazers meat means quality
Our meats have:
- Been purely grass-fed, there is nothing in the meat that shouldn’t be in the meat — this a natural product.
- Lower saturated fat content.
- Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a lower, more balanced (and healthier) ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids.
- Many of the health benefits associated with grass-fed meat decline after only a few weeks of being put onto grain-feeding.
At Grazers, when we say grass-fed we mean 100% grass-fed.
How we age and butcher our lamb
All of our lamb and hogget is hung for a minimum of seven days to allow the meat to mature and tenderise.
We employ our local Master Butcher to cut our meat to detailed specifications, meaning zero-wastage and a consistency of weight in each and every hamper we produce.
What are the health benefits?
- Being purely grass-fed, there is nothing in the meat that shouldn’t be in the meat — this is a natural product
- Lower total fat levels than meat from grain-fed animals.Lower saturated fat content.
- Higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a lower, more balanced (and healthier) ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids.
- Higher vitamin and mineral levels than meat from grain-fed animals.
- Many of the health benefits associated with grass-fed meat decline after only a few weeks of being put onto grain-feeding.
At Grazers, when we say grass-fed we mean 100% grass-fed.
Our PIgs
Why the Traditional Large White Breed
Originating in Yorkshire, the Large White breed is predominantly used for outdoor farming systems, which can withstand most weather conditions. Pork from traditional breeds, such as these Large Whites, produce some of the tastiest meat, especially when left to naturally forage as all our piggies here at Grazers are.
Why Grazers meat means quality
All our pigs are reared to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards. They are kept in very low numbers to allow them the space that this particular breed prefers. Our pigs love to dig for roots, graze the grass and wallow in mud. They are fed on apples, sweetcorn, carrots and pig nuts. At Grazers we do not intensively rear our happy pigs, they instead are left to grow at a natural rate with a natural diet, both of which create high quality meat.
How do we butcher our meat
We employ our local Master Butcher to cut our meat to detailed specifications, meaning zero-wastage and a consistency of weight in each and every hamper we produce.
