Free Range Organic Hog or Lamb

The free range livestock we roast in our hog roast machines is organically reared locally to our head office in Hampshire, with 380 acres of fields to roam. The organic beef cattle feed on grass and non-gmo soya meal to boost protein levels. The organic pigs feed on grass and ground organic corn, while the organic lamb feed on grass. For those of you that wish to order free range pig, lamb or beef will get a certificate to prove that you are paying for the real thing.

Organic Farming Since 1984

Our suppliers farm is a 380 acre farm in Hampshire that grow free range organic pigs, lambs and beef cattle.
Martin and Louise came to the farm in 1984. There was hardly a fence on the place and, apart from the river meadows, it was a sea of barley from one boundary to the next. The land had grown nothing but barley on a conventional system for 10 years, and was thin and dry.

The conversion to an organic system has taken about 10 years. The farm is divided into nine blocks and converted one block each year, keeping the remainder in barley farmed conventionally.

The conversion process started with planting a grass/clover mix and grazing it with cattle for three years. This built up the fertility with the leguminous clover fixing the nitrogen into the soil, and the beef cattle also helped by producing their own form of fertilizer. After three years, the grass was ploughed up and the field planted with wheat. This was then registered with the Soil Association as a certified Organic Crop.
 

The conversion process started with planting a grass/clover mix and grazing it with beef cattle for three years. This built up the fertility with the leguminous clover fixing the nitrogen into the soil, and the cattle also helped by producing their own form of fertilizer. After three years, the grass was ploughed up and the field planted with wheat. This was then registered with the Soil Association as a certified Organic Crop.

They have now built up their beef cattle numbers to 50 suckler cows with all their calves taken through to finishing at two years old. They have 12 sows producing 240 pigs a year and 150 ewes producing 250 lambs. All the feed is grown on the farm, supplemented with non-GMO soya meal to boost the protein levels.

They have noticed many changes since the conversion. There has been a dramatic increase in bird numbers on the farm. In our first few years here, there were virtually no birds. But now, at a time when a nationwide decline of many small birds is a concern, we are surrounded by sparrows, linnits, skylarks, plovers, owls, martens and swifts. They have also noticed an improvement in the soil structure. It is darker and has a higher humus content.

Their decision to convert the land came from a lifetime interest in organic methods. Louise's first hurdle was to convert her husband. Once that was done, the rest followed. 16 years and 4 daughters on, they are just as committed to this system. Their shop now completes the chain from the grain to the animal to the meat to the consumer, all contained within the farm.

Customers are always welcome to visit the farm and we are happy to answer questions or point you towards newborn animals or other areas of interest!

Organically farmed lamb, pig and beef cattle means:

- the highest levels of animal welfare
- no routine drugs or growth promoters given to animals
- at least 70% of animal feed must be grown to organic standards (our animal feed is 100% organic)
- no artificial fertilisers or pesticides used on feed crops or grass
 

Because animals come in different shapes and sizes there may be a slight variation in weight. We will adjust the cooking time in relation to the weight when we receive the meat.

Our homemade organic pork sausages contain 100% meat and seasoning. They contain no rusk, crumb, or preservatives.