How Robin got into rearing Badger Face Welsh Mountain Sheep and why he chose this particular breed:
As the son of a chef and restaurateur, Robin left the family business in order to pursue his dream of becoming a farmer. Having reared sheep from the start of his career Robin made the move into breeding Badger Face after giving an unusual gift of a couple of Badgerfaced Torwen ewes to his fiancée, along with a pair of wellies. The number of stock gradually increased and thrived on the permanent pasture and hillsides of the Llyn Peninsular. Robin’s system of farming and the breed seemed to be the perfect match. Being part of agri – environmental schemes Robin can only use his land applying a low input system. This meant finding a breed that would do well on poorer ground and would still produce high quality meat from little or no input. Being proud of his high quality product, Robin wants nothing more than to get the Badger Face sheep back on Britain’s culinary map.
The challenges that Robin is facing producing Badge Face Welsh Mountain Sheep:
One of the obstacles that Badger Face breeders like Robin are facing is the fact that the breed is slow to mature and cannot be finished quickly by moving flocks from poorer land to improved pastures. When the lambs are ready to slaughter in August, this coincides with a glut of other mountain lamb breeds hitting the market. This is reflected in the meat prices, as they expect to get less than half the value of commercial lamb. The sad truth for Robin is that the fast paced food industry searches for early, heavy weight lambs which are high on meat and low on fat, where flavour and quality is not priority. Being small- scale producers of slow growing meat they are unable to produce their meat for high demand and so sales are restricted to local markets and private sales.
Products that Robin is offering:
Robin provides Badgerfaced Welsh Mountain lambs in boxes for local customers and can also supply carcasses to local restaurants. Robin can also help locate Badgerfaced lamb from other registered Badgerfaced sheep producers throughout Wales and the UK. Planning and logistics are a key part of his business and therefore pre ordering in advanced is necessary. Contact him for information on where to buy it.
Robin’s favourite Badge Face Welsh Mountain Sheep recipe:
Robin’s recipe is a delicious slow roasted shoulder of lamb infused with rosemary and garlic served with roasted vegetables, braised cabbage and a traditional gravy deglazed with homemade damson gin – perfect !
Contact details:
Address: Tyn y Berllan, Penmorfa, Porthmadog, Gwynedd, LL49 9SG
Phone: 01766 515 459
Email: robin@@hebsnbadgers.co.uk
Web: http://www.webdesignfromllyn.info/hnb/index.htm
Press coverage
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