Ruscombe Farm Partnership

Ruscombe Farm Partnership

Ruscombe Red Polls are a herd of Pedigree Red Poll cattle, kept a couple of miles outside Stroud, Gloucestershire.  This herd is the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2022 winners of the Best Small Red Poll herd in the Southern England, and 2015 national winners of the Best Small Red Poll herd, as judged by the Red Poll Breed Society.  They are owned and managed by husband and wife team, Richard Spyvee and Rebecca Charley.

They are managed for beef as a suckler herd, using the heifers as herd replacements as needed with the remainder going for beef at between 24 and 30 months.  In 2015 and 2016 the beef has been awarded the Fine Farm Produce Award by the National Trust, with comments such as "the topside joint was absolutely gorgeous and sweet.  Smells of toffee and butter".

In 2016 Ruscombe Farm reached the final of the Taste of Gloucestershire awards.

Richard and I manage our pedigree Red Poll herd as a suckler unit with the calves staying with their dam for 10 months. They are grazed on 120 acres of herb rich pasture, under higher level stewardship, around the valleys of Stroud, (Ruscombe, Randwick, Chalford and Slad).

We hang the beef for 5 weeks then vacuum pack and sort into mixed beef boxes that are collected fresh from the farm ready for freezing.

The cattle graze a fantastically herb rich pasture, a large section having been recently designated a County Key Wildlife Site, and other Higher Level Stewardship land owner by the National Trust, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and our own Stewardship scheme.  In our management we look to enhance the conservation of the land as well as producing the healthiest, best tasting beef around.  Keeping the cattle in a relaxed and natural way as possible is a key part of that management.

Contact Details

Address: Ruscombe Farm, Ruscombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 6EG England

Telephone: 01453 766191

Mobile: 07930 130827

Email: reb.charley@gmail.com

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