Wiltshire young farmer Elise Sutton said: "As someone who is new to the sector, I am keen to support more new entrants and new ideas are always welcome in our sector." (Joanne Coates)
I have been managing the oldest pedigree herd of English Longhorn cattle on the southern edge of Salisbury Plain for the past five years.
They graze on around 263 hectares of land.
Being a stockperson brings together my passions for nature conservation and sustainable livestock farming.
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The farm is owned by Natural England and my job is to fulfil the management objectives for the species-rich grassland with the cattle.
The farm was certified organic back in 2019 and in 2024, the business gained Pasture For Life accreditation.
I run a suckler herd of 50 cows, producing pedigree breeding stock and finishing our own animals to sell beef directly off-farm in meat boxes.
Decades of careful breeding means we have bred genetics to suit the landscape. I select for a maternal cow with ease of fleshing, calving ability and fertility.
The Longhorns are the ultimate suckler cow. From milk to meat, they get the job done.
The sucklers will stay out all year round grazing the downland in the summer and bale grazing across our herbal leys in the winter.
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The young stock and finishing cattle mop up the remaining grass on the downs before heading into the sheds for the winter, feeding on homegrown herbal ley silage.
Rotational grazing during the spring and summer is key to suppressing the dominant grasses, and cattle are key to maintaining the chalk grassland's rich biodiversity.
Most of the farm's income comes from the Longhorns, selling beef directly to customers or from the sale of pedigree breeding stock and organic stores.
The farm now has more than 80 regular customers for its beef boxes and delivers all over Wiltshire and surrounding counties.
This has been built up almost purely through word-of-mouth, and I am hoping numbers and sales will increase further with the launch of a website.
In 2024, we were fortunate enough to win gold at the Taste of the West Awards for our brisket joint, sirloin and fillet steaks. Our brisket joint went on to win champion in the Meat and Poultry category.
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As someone who is new to the sector, I am keen to support more new entrants and new ideas are always welcome in our sector.
Bringing together food production and biodiversity is why I am passionate about the Nature Friendly Farming Network and incorporating both entities into a single action.
Nature and farming do not have to be separate.
We are not going to save the planet or feed the nation without bringing the two together.
Farmers and conservationists can work together to improve the land.
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