YOUR EATING HABITS HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON YOUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY

Why Organic?

It’s better for our local ecosystems and our environment as a whole. And it’s better for you.

• Organic farms are havens for wildlife having on average 30% more species.
• They rely on a healthy soil and ecosystem to produce grass and crops, and use natural means to feed the crops such as planting clover to produce nitrogen. No pesticides or herbicides are used.
• Non organic farms rely heavily on industrially produced chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides to grow and ripen their crops. It is now proven that these systems have an adverse effect on the health of people, animals and the environment.
• Organic grass fed Beef is better for you. It’s much leaner than its conventional counterpart. It’s also higher in key nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins, and a beneficial fat called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) that’s been tied to improved immunity and anti-inflammation benefits.
• The soil association has the highest animal welfare standards in the UK.

Why Cairn Hill?

Not your average Organic farm.

• We farm a large area of Caithness hill ground, encompassing Loch Stemster, Stemster Hill, Loch Rangag, Rangag Hill and bordering Rumster Forest.
• When we acquired the ground in 2011 it was suffering from insufficient grazing management. Wader bird numbers were dwindling and heather beetle was destroying the grouse population. We introduced breeds of cattle that are able to thrive here and are suitable for use in a grazing management plan that would benefit this environment.
• Since we introduced the cattle we have seen a significant increase in the number and variety of bird species and a vast improvement in the ecosystem as a whole. An independent bird surveyor proclaimed it as the best place in the county for wader birds.
• Continental breeds of cattle could not effectively graze this rough hill ground due to their size and energy intake requirements.
• The breeds of cattle we chose were Dexter and Highland. They are native to the UK and have not been through a ‘breed improvement program’ (where genetics from continental cattle are introduced) like Beef Shorthorn or Aberdeen Angus.
• Our breeds are too small and too slow maturing to meet the demands of supermarkets and wholesalers. If we did not sell our Beef direct then our business would be lost, the cattle would have to be removed and this thriving environment would once again start to deteriorate. By eating our Beef you are directly benefiting the local environment.

Value for Money

Organic, grass fed Beef should be affordable for everyone.

• We work hard to keep our costs down so that our produce isn’t exclusive.
• All our feed is grown on our farm.
• We don’t have a shop front, just an on farm butchery unit.
• An online shop and designated delivery dates keep costs and food miles at a minimum.

Shop Locally

The local economy.

• To ensure a strong and sustainable local economy foundation people need to buy locally.
• Shopping at a local business, rather than a large chain, is actually better for the economy of your community.
• Research shows that £10 spent with a local independent shop means up to an additional £50 goes back into the local economy.