The livestock enterprise consists of beef and lamb production as well as venison that comes from herds of deer that roam freely on the Estate.
Approximately 500 acres of grassland is dedicated to livestock around the Estate on the steeper slopes or areas which are simply too tricky to grow arable crops on. The Estate also produces the majority of feed and bedding for the animals, which in turn provides a useful source of organic matter to put back onto our arable fields. For any enquires please contact livestock@themontrealestae.co.uk
We always have beef and lamb for sale. To be the first to hear about any fresh produce or frozen produce special offers, join our mailing list, email us at produce@themonrealestate.co.uk, or follow us on Facebook
Beef
The Montreal Sussex herd is a pedigree herd. It was established in 2019 with the purchase of the Award-Winning Mayfield Herd. We are continually growing our herd and aim to maintain a maximum of 60 breeding cows, with cattle being purchased from other local farms and quality heifers that we have bred.
It is believed that the Sussex breed descended from red cattle that roamed the Wealden Forest in the time of the Norman Conquests and it is no surprise that they thrive so well on our Kent Grass. They are a hardy breed, spending most of the year roaming and grazing our pastures. However, once the wetter and colder weather sets in, they prefer the comfort of shelter in our modern barn, with straw bedding and grass silage produced on the Estate.
The Estate’s Beef is finished between 20-28 months and hung for at least 3 weeks to allow the meat to tenderise and develop flavour. A local abattoir is used, that is less than 5 miles from where the beef is raised, keeping production local and reducing our carbon footprint.
In 2020 the Estate became Farm Assured and joined a High Health Scheme, meaning that the beef operations are annually inspected. This gives customers a guarantee that the Estate’s animals are raised to the highest of welfare standards.
Lamb
There are a small number of North of England Mules, to graze grass that is not suitable for arable production or the cattle herd. They are hardy ewes and live outside happily in all weathers, although they are brought inside for lambing. Lambing occurs in early March so that they can go out and enjoy the spring flush of grass shortly after birth. A small number of visitors are welcome. Our goal is to have lamb available most of the year for sale to the public and our grass-fed system suits this.
As with the Sussex Beef, a local abattoir is used, that is less than 2 miles from the pastures where our lambs are raised, reducing our carbon footprint.
In 2020 we became Farm Assured meaning that the flock, our paperwork and animal husbandry are annually inspected. This gives customers the added comfort that our animals are raised to the highest of welfare standards.
