Working with nature for a sustainable future. For more than quarter of a century we have made a conscious effort to farm organically.
So, what does ‘being organic’ actually mean? For us, farming organically means that we work with nature, not against it. We don’t use any chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. The only fertilizer we use is natural manure in the form of slurry collected during the winter when the cattle are inside and spread on the fields in the spring. Many of the fields are rich in clover which helps naturally introduce nitrogen from the atmosphere rather than buying it in. Our cattle are fed on 100% organic, home grown grass, either grazing the pastures in summer or in the form of silage during the winter. Instead of using chemicals to control weeds we use a topper (basically a big lawn mower) to cut them before they have a chance to spread their seeds. This means we don’t upset the natural balance and encourages a healthy ecosystem.
Not only do we have over a mile of Loch Lomond’s shoreline to look after but we are committed to producing the best quality produce we can. By farming organically, we try to minimise our reliance on medicines and antibiotics by focusing on preventing illness rather than curing it. Of course, our animal’s welfare comes first and if an animal requires treatment we won’t hesitate to give it what it needs to help it recover.
Organic produce has been shown to have a number health benefits. Organic beef has far higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids (the good kind) and lower concentrations of saturated fats. Not only is organic food good for you but its also good for the environment by helping to reduce erosion and water pollution. Our fields haven’t been ploughed for years meaning that they are helping to take carbon out of the atmosphere and lock it up in the soil.
By farming organically, we are not only looking after the land for future generations but also creating habitat for a wide variety of plant and wildlife and helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
So why choose organic?
- Organic farming is sustainable and protects the land for future generations
- No chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides
- Naturally grown, it’s good for you and the environment
- High animal welfare standards
- It helps to mitigate the impact of climate change