Milk, Grass, and Water
From the suppliers we source from, we always ensure the lamb we sell has been raised in tune with nature. This means after birth, a lamb that is 100% grass fed will only drink milk, followed by its most natural instinct of a purely grass based diet. Alongside the grass will be plants such as clover, chicory, dandelions, and a huge general variety of nutritious greenery. We encompass all of this pasture diversity as to what names our 100% grass fed lamb.
For many millennia humans have farmed sheep. These animals are well suited to the British landscape, feeding our sheep grains such as soya, wheat and corn is only there to force them to reach larger weights faster, which is much more efficient for profits, so a farm can be scaled than what it's actual capacity should be based on its size.
The main downside in terms of the production of 100% grass fed lamb is purely the meat production per square acre in the local area. However, when compared to animal welfare, food quality, and the health of the environment, this will never be negative.
However, to look at the area globally, many studies that are pushing for increased production in smaller areas, aren't taking into account the fact that the crops like soya, grown to feed the animals, are farmed in deforested areas that take up huge areas of land. The overall total land use may be less in some cases when animals can get their energy directly from the pasture, as opposed to growing and harvesting a crop to feed them in addition but using farmland elsewhere.
With sheep, they are particularly good at grazing from more difficult and steep terrain where the grass is shorter and harder to get to. Where cattle may on the other hand struggle as their grazing technique requires longer grass, and their balance is nowhere near as nimble as many hill sheep. Despite this, all the animals have their place, with cattle often being better at clearing out areas to graze as they will happily push through brambles and inedible shrubs to get to the parts of the farm they want where sheep may not try to go through. This is an example of our 100% grass fed beef cattle performing tasks that would need machinery to clear. Pasture raised pigs are also actually one of the most effective farm animals at completing tasks to improve the land and biodiversity within our regenerative farming systems. Importantly, it is hardest to improve your farmland with just one animal.
Grass for flavour
The flavour of our lamb is reflected in its diet and welfare treatment, the consumption of the grass allows them to grow slowly developing nutrient dense quality lamb. Stored in the fat of grass fed lambs we often see higher levels of Omega-3, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and more nutrients that benefits the human body.
Alongside this, because our lambs are all kept to the highest welfare, they do not get stressed easily when left to graze in their herds. Stress often hurts the quality of meat due to the enzymes that are released. This is also why we work with smaller and more thoughtful abbatoirs who treat the animals with respect before slaughter.
Beyond our 100% grass fed lamb
A by-product that shouldn't be overlooked with our sheep is the wool and skins. Wool is an amazing insulator and material to use in clothing. However, it is unfortunately very undervalued, and it is more often than not a liability for farmers, payment towards shearing will usually mean that there is no profit upon the sale of wool, and commonly it will lose money.
A sheeps wool is actually used in our frozen parcel deliveries as it is such a good insulator. It can keep everything frozen for up to 72 hours, proving the excellent insulative properties of this overlooked material.
Are sheep the best animal for a UK farm?
It might be safe to say that sheep are probably the best animal suited to British farms. As mentioned, their insulative wool when actually on the sheep, means they can comfortably manage in all weather conditions, throughout snow, bitter cold, and driving rain. Nothing will easily stop sheep from expressing their instinct of living a totally grass-fed life.
Aside from the weather, many sheep are well suited to grazing from steep hillsides and in and around rocky covered faces such as the Brecon Beacons in Wales and the highlands of Scotland. These are areas that are typically poorer quality farmland, however, the sheep, and in particular hill sheep breeds, can benefit through being very adaptable and competent at traversing more tricky terrain while grazing.
However, it is important to recognise the need for a mix of animals to keep food production sustainable within regenerative agriculture.
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