The herds come from pure-bred Sussex stock, with the use of a continental cross bull solely for prime beef production. Calves live with their mothers until weaned naturally at around nine months. As soon as spring weather is mild enough stock go out onto natural grass, where they stay until winter. Indoors, they eat the previous year’s silage and hay, or mixed grain, much of which is grown on the farm. They are not fed GM products, or given any additives or steroids.
Under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Highfields Farm follows best environmental practice. Carcasses are processed locally and transported no further away than London, keeping the carbon footprint and food miles to a minimum.