As the name suggests, Ruby Red Devon Cows can be spotted by their bright, rusty red coats. They have grazed on the hills of South West England for centuries. But because they are slow growing and only produce one calf, they aren’t useful to big companies who want to produce as much beef as possible for a small cost. As a result, they are now a ‘rare breed’. However, for farms like ours who want to prioritise conservation they are brilliant! They have a hardy temperament, cause minimal damage to grassland and have an innate ability to recycle grass with their digestive system. Our Ruby Reds are 100% pasture-fed throughout the year, producing higher-quality beef that is rich in nutrients.

Orchards were once common round here but, like lots of artisanal industries, they were neglected in favour of industrial farming methods. One of their many benefits is that crops and animals can support each other in the same space. We like to think of this as ‘3-D farming’: the soil structure thrives from housing different plants, varying root depths and strong relationships between plants and fungi. It is a level of biodiversity that doesn’t get found in a field of grass. Today there is hope that incentives offered to farmers to plant trees in place of pasture will enable more farms to try agro-forestry. Not only are there better returns for the farmer, but nature gets a chance! And besides, the pigs love the windblown apples.

Large Black pigs are one of Britain’s rarest breeds. A post-war shift to intensive farming led to the decline in many outdoor-dwelling heritage breeds, and the Large Black was listed as critically endangered. As omnivores, they find much of what they need from foraging fallen acorns or digging for roots and tubers, and produce high quality, succulent meat that is particularly delicious when cured and smoked (our thanks to the Chesil Smokery). Their strong maternal instincts and docile nature means we can raise and wean litters outdoors – and they can even make lovely pets! Of all the pig breeds that Wyke has been home to over the years, Large Blacks are our favourites.