Our story started more than 30 years ago when John and Helen met at Harper Adams, both had an ambition to farm sustainably.
More about us
We are a family-run farming business based in Northumberland, farming on the edge of the spectacular Northumberland National Park, between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Alnwick. Our mixed farms at North Bellshill and Amerside Hill extend to 202 hectares (500 acres), where we focus on producing high-quality Aberdeen-Angus beef through sustainable, practical, and data-led farming.
We run an expanding herd of Aberdeen-Angus suckler cows, a native breed chosen for its ease of calving, strong maternal traits, efficient growth, and ability to thrive in grass-based systems. Since introducing Aberdeen-Angus genetics in 2010, we have steadily developed a herd that fits both our landscape and our business objectives, delivering consistent performance with low-input management.
A Whole-Farm, Joined-Up Approach
We have a long-standing commitment to combining environmental care with sound, practical farming across the entire business. We believe productive livestock systems start from the ground up with healthy soils, quality forage, and well-managed pasture.
To support this, we use precision soil mapping and digital farming tools to understand soil structure, nutrient availability, and pH variation across the farm. This enables us to apply lime and fertiliser more accurately, improve grass quality, and use inputs more efficiently which benefits both the environment and the bottom line. These insights are integrated into forage planning and grazing management, helping us continually refine our system.
In achieving this, crops are grown to produce straw and, in some cases animal feed. This is all kept for feeding and bedding our own animals. In turn, this manure is applied to the soil to improve its biology, leading to reduced use of man-made fertilisers.
This is then a win win!
Livestock Management and Animal Health
Good record-keeping is central to our livestock enterprise. We operate a comprehensive herd health plan, developed annually in conjunction with our vet, which provides a clear and practical management calendar. This proactive approach allows us to address health issues early, monitor performance, and identify potential problem areas before they impact the herd.
Our cows graze permanent pasture throughout the grazing season and are brought indoors at the end of October into well-ventilated, light, and spacious sheds. Housing cattle over winter allows pasture to rest with no vehicle traffic on fields, helping to prevent muddy gateways and protect soil structure, an important part of our wider soil-care strategy.
Sustainable, Profitable, and Future-Focused
As a LEAF Demonstration Farm, we are committed to continual improvement, transparency, and sharing best practice. Rotational grazing, careful input management, and data-led decision-making all play a role in ensuring our system remains both economically viable and environmentally responsible.
Healthy soils produce better forage
Better forage supports healthier, more efficient cattle
Strong records and data lead to better decisions
By linking soil health, pasture management, and livestock performance, we aim to build a resilient farming business that works in harmony with its surroundings, producing high-quality beef while safeguarding the land for future generations.