At Hardiesmill, we take the view that we maximize the chances of achieving our aims by having healthy and happy cattle. 

Our cattle are fed homegrown silage, straw, minerals and a pickle (tiny amount) of our own cereals throughout the winter (when they are housed indoors) and strictly no routine hormones or steroids (actually it's illegal in the UK). MVT minerals are sourced through Border Farm Supplies, who also provide the feed for the bulls and calf creep.  They cows and calves are turned out to enjoy the grass in the spring, whereupon they're checked daily for problems by Jake, Paul or Alison (who have a combined 126 years cattle handing experience; even the guys on the food side are from farming backgrounds). The cows run with the bull for approximately three months, are calved either in the Spring or the Autumn and suckle their calves for at least six months. Heifers are kept away from the bull until they are equal to or over 450kg in weight.

 We work closely with Merlins Vetinary Practice  on using good animal husbandry (ventilation, housing etc) to reduce reliance on drugs, and are now part of the health scheme using Biobest. 

We test for Johnnes and BVD annually and TB every four years. We are fully accredited against TB & BVD and are two years into accreditation for Johnnes. Older cattle are vaccinated against BVD as a precaution.