A G Brockman & Company

Beef from the Perry Court Beef Herd
 
The Cattle have been managed to Organic Standards since 1972 when the herd was set up. Only cattle from pure beef breeds are used in the herd. These are now Simmental cattle crossed with the Scottish Luing cattle breed. These give a nice mix of quality and size that produce an animal that matures slower at around two years of age


The Cattle are fed a forage based diet of home grown Organic silage and grass and small amounts of oats and barley during the winter for the younger stock and fattening animals.

During the winter the herd is housed in large half open straw yards, this provides shelter for them during
bad weather, but also allows them access to the outdoors and sunlight. The housing period is kept to a minimum and used only to protect the cattle from the weather and the grass fields from being damaged by the animals.

From late April to October the cattle are outdoors grazing the fields. Great care is put into choosing grass, clover and herb mixes that are planted for the cattle to graze. We select species that suit the the soil types as well as the needs of the different groups of cattle. For example cows that are feeding their calves will be put on fields containing grass and herb mixes that help give the cow the right nutrients, vitamins and minerals for the job she is doing. Younger stock will go onto fields containing more clover which will give them the extra protein they require at their growth stage. We also choose some of the older verities of grasses that might be slightly less productive but are said to give the meat more flavour

Different views are held as to whether cattle should be fattened just on grass or cereals or a mix of both.
We believe a small amount of cereals are necessary to improve the eating and taste qualities of the beef.

We therefore incorporate a small amount of home grown oats and barley into the ration during their last few months on the farm.

The cattle are then sent to a local (20min away) abattoir that is certified to handle Organic livestock. They
are also then able to hang the beef there before cutting and packing it for us.

We feel that the combination of these breeds we have chosen complimented by our management of the animals and the 21 day hanging period that the meat undergoes results, in great tasting, succulent and tender beef.

Our Beef is not only Organic but Bio-Dynamic and is produced from a herd that has been managed Organically for the last three decades.