Gullivers Farm Shop: All about our grass-fed beef
Gullivers is an organic and biodynamic working farm nestled in the countryside on the edges of Bournemouth and Poole, just past Ferndown, in the village of West Moors. Our biodynamic eggs, organic meat and award-winning organic and biodynamic milk is all produced using the highest animal welfare standards.
But what makes Gullivers’ grass-fed beef different? Social Enterprise Manager Lee and organic farmer Johannes tell us a little more.
What does it mean to farm using biodynamic methods?
Lee: Biodynamic farming starts with the soil. It’s a method of farming creating healthy soil by using compost and crop grazing rotations. So we only use organic, locally sourced materials to fertilise and condition the soil, creating a natural and diverse ecosystem.
Could you talk a little about the cattle at Sturts. What breed are they and what’s life like and how is their experience different to conventional farms?
Johannes: Our herd of grass-fed beef cattle are a cross between Sussex cattle and Diary Shorthorn. We also have a milking herd of Dairy Shorthorns for milking that can roam around the farm on the pastures provided for them outside of the winter months.
In the winter, they eat the hay we provide for them in the spacious indoor housing. They still have access to outdoor areas, but the winter housing protects them from the elements and also ensures the soil isn’t compacted due to the rainy weather.
What do most people not know about beef cattle, but probably should?
Lee: Cattle can increase biodiversity on the land. The regular movement of cattle to fresh pasture allows them to spread manure over the land, leading to an improvement in the quality and quantity of biodiversity in the surrounding environment.
Grass-fed beef can also be carbon neutral because it allow the carbon stored in the soil to stay put.
Organic, grass-fed beef cattle can also help reduce the contamination of local water…
Lee: Yes, local water can become contaminated if the antibiotics and pesticides from industrial beef flows into rivers and streams. Gullivers grass-fed beef contains no antibiotics, allowing the water to remain uncontaminated.
How is the meat from the beef cattle used throughout Gullivers?
Johannes: The chef and kitchen teams use Gullivers’ beef for meals and events throughout the year. From delicious beef burgers and seasonal dishes through to spaghetti and meatballs, you’ll find it all for sale in the café and in the deli kitchen.
