Ainscough Farms Beef and meat from Home Farm Shop.

All the meat we sell is from native, or grass fed cattle which typically have higher levels of polyunsaturated Omega 3 fats than other more intensively reared grain fed continental breeds. The fat (which is very yellow) is well distributed throughout the meat providing the protection to allow the carcass to be hung for at least 21 days. It also imparts an excellent flavour.

The Breeds

Red Poll (www.redpoll.org) – derived from the original cattle of Norfolk and Suffolk, the cattle have glossy conker red coats sometimes with white touches to the tail and udder. They have a very gentle temperament and have been used for both dairy and beef in the past. The first herd was registered in 1874. Sir Peter Moores from Parbold Hall introduced the breed to Barbados where it was thought suitable for the climate. The meat has exceptional tenderness, good marbling, a fine grain, succulent texture and a full flavour – it tastes like British Beef used to taste.

‘An excuisite and unique flavour from mature meat of a very individualistic old breed’ Clarissa Dickson Wright

Belted Galloway (www.belties.com) – a hardy breed that originated on the exposed uplands of Galloway in South West Scotland. The colours are black dun or red and the Parbold herd is made up of black and dun ones. The white belt was meant to allow the cattle to stand out on misty hillsides and completely encircles the body. The double coat of long hair to shed the rain and a soft undercoat for warmth allows them to withstand some grim weather. The meat is well flavoured, coarse textured and perhaps quite gamey.

Lincoln Reds (www.lincolnredcattlesociety.co.uk) – derived from the cattle of the Viking invaders the first Lincolnshire Red Shorthorn was registered in 1895. By the 1930’s the cattle had lost their horns and the shorthorn bit was dropped in the 1960’s when the last milking herd stopped production too. The meat is well marbled and fine textured with a delicious flavour.

Aberdeen Angus – a small herd of Aberdeen Angus has been established from stock from the award winning Formby herd owned by John Moores jnr.