DEMAND FOR 100% PASTURE-FED BEEF SOARS AS CONSUMERS LOOK FOR HIGH QUALITY BEEF Pasture for Life continues to attract new farmer members as interest from consumers looking for high nature-value, nutrient-dense meat and dairy grows every day. Here two farmers explain how being Pasture for Life certified has contributed to their success. Sara Gregson reports
Nicola Chapman, Carr Farm, Suffolk Twenty Belted Galloway cows with their calves, all with their distinct, thick white band around the centre of their bodies, graze peacefully on the marshes at the bottom of Nicola and David Chapman’s 40-hectare farm, at Burgh St Peter on the Suffolk/Norfolk border.
David and Nicola with the cows on the marshes
Nicola with the only red belted cow in the herd
The Chapmans arrived at Carr Farm in 2011, from a smallholding in Diss. Originally, the land had an agricultural tenant, but has now been taken back in hand. Half comprises drained marshes of the River Waveney and the rest is higher land of light sandy, gravel soils. “David and I were both working full time to start – David with the NHS in Norwich and me as a surveyor,” Nicola explains. “I gave up completely two years ago and David is now down to working three days a week, so we are gradually finding more time to do the things we want to on the farm.” The Chapmans carry out low impact 84 DIRECT DRILLER MAGAZINE
farming, encouraging all elements of nature and wildlife to flourish alongside the production of prime beef. The pedigree Waveney Herd graze extensively at home and on a further 49 hectares across several parcels of land, mainly belonging to the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, but also some reserves in private hands. “I always knew I wanted to have cattle,” says Nicola. “After we bought the farm, we reverted the arable fields into grass and then had to decide which breed of cattle we wanted. “With no barn then for winter accommodation, we were looking for hardy, native cattle that were not too big but that produced fine meat to eat. Belted Galloways fitted the bill perfectly. The Chapmans sourced their first five pedigree heifers with help from the Belted Galloway Pedigree Cattle Society in 2014. Now there are 80 animals in total, including the cows and calves, yearlings, breeding youngstock and finishing animals.
“The steers mature very slowly, eating nothing but the grasses and plants that grow out on the marshes. Nothing leaves here under 30 months of age and it is this that gives the meat its incredible texture and flavour,” says Nicola. The cows overwinter on the freedraining sandy land behind the farm house and are supplemented with large hay bales made from the marshes the previous summer. In April the grazing agreements start and the yearlings go to the furthest sites, including Carlton and Oulton Marshes. The cows mainly calve from early April for two months and calve easily and without assistance. A few of the older mothers are now more than ten years old.
Pasture for Life “We joined Pasture for Life straight away and became certified,” explains Nicola. “This means we can use the Pasture for Life logo on our beef packs which is the only 100% grass-fed guarantee. “A third of our customers buy our ISSUE 18 | JULY 2022
