Sleastonhow Farm

Sleastonhow sits in Cumbria’s Eden Valley, on rolling valley-bottom land in a drumlin field: low, rounded hills left behind by the glaciers. Tim’s family has farmed here for 75 years. Over that time the farm has been through the full industrial cycle, from intensive dairy to intensive arable. Tim decided that wasn’t the future. Now he’s rebuilding soil health, animal health and biodiversity, all with the aim of producing top-quality, healthy beef.

“Our farm has been through the industrial agriculture process from intensive dairy to intensive arable. I now realise this isn't the future and I am rebuilding soil health, animal health and increasing biodiversity to produce top quality, healthy beef.”Tim Nicholson

Everything at Sleastonhow starts with what the cattle need. That’s forage to graze and trees to browse, plus shade, shelter and something good to scratch against. They are moved every day in a paddock system, which keeps their food clean and fresh and leaves their dung behind for the dung beetles (who are very grateful). Tim believes this keeps his cattle healthy and happy without the need for wormers, insecticides or antibiotics. In his view, the more contented his cows are, the better they’ll work for him.

There’s no rushing them, either. Tim’s traditional breeds reach their best at around four to five years old, and most are kept that long. That’s when they develop the best texture and flavour.