Native cattle at Knoll Farm
Knoll Farm, located in the rolling hills of Somerset’s Somer Valley, is home to two traditional breeds of cattle: the Red Poll and British White. Now considered rare, these two iconic British breeds are steeped in history and prized for their unique characteristics.
A brief history of Red poll and British White cattle
Red Polls are a dual-purpose breed that originated in East Anglia in the 19th century. They were developed by crossing the Norfolk Red and Suffolk Dun breeds, and were initially used as draught animals for ploughing fields and pulling carts.
However, their gentle temperament and excellent beef quality soon made them a popular choice for smallholders and farmers looking for a versatile breed that could provide both meat and milk. This popularity continued right up to the middle of the 20th century, when Friesian cattle was introduced for milking and other continental breeds for beef.
British White Cattle, on the other hand, are a rare breed known for a distinctive white coat and black points. They are believed to have been brought to Britain by the Vikings, and have been bred for their meat and milk for over a thousand years.
British Whites are renowned for their hardiness, adaptability, and docile nature, which makes them a favourite among smallholders and conservationists. They are also highly prized for their beef, which is well-marbled, tender, and full of flavour.
Life at Knoll Farm
The Somer Valley herd of British White cattle arrived at Knoll Farm in 2020, originating from Crickhowell, Cambridge and Leominster. In 2021, the Somer Valley Red Polls were introduced from Kemerton, Hull and Leicestershire. These are now officially registered as the Somer Valley Herd.
Our Farmer Mark, who specialises in heritage breed cattle, looks after the herd - currently made up of 85 cows - and ensures they live a happy life grazing the land.
Breeding
To preserve the Somer Valley lines, since Spring 2020, we’ve had 50 calves born on the farm. This includes pure breed Red Polls and British White cattle, plus cross breeds. 27 calves are due this spring alone, with another 8 due in Autumn. Follow us on social media, where we’ll share photos of the calves when they’re here.
Sustainability
When it comes to sustainability, we’ve put into practice rotational or mob grazing. All of our cows are fed on a forage and pasture based diet; this means that when they’re not roaming the fields eating grass, they are fed on our own silage grown just outside of Camerton.
Mob or rotational grazing means we frequently rotate our cattle around our land. That way, the quantity of available forage is increased as plants are able to grow whilst the land is resting, soil fertility is boosted as the cattle spread their manure as they graze and plants can grow faster, improving soil quality.
Animal welfare
It’s important to us that we treat our animals with respect. Here’s some of the work Mark does to ensure our cattle live healthy, happy lives:
They are fed a natural, grain free diet
Unless for a medical reason, we don’t give them antibiotics
In case mineral levels drop in the grass, our cattle are given mineral supplements
Overwintered in our new, state-of-the-art barns
Regular health inspections
Somer Valley Butchers
Our Butchers, located on Knoll Farm, supplies meat sourced from our farm, or from local partners who have the same values as us. From steaks to roasting joints, pop in this week to celebrate British Beef Week and enjoy the rich flavour of our grass-fed beef.