The Liddle family have farmed for four generations under the watchful eye of the beautiful local landmark of Almscliffe Crag, South Harrogate.
While they are gearing up to lamb their flocks of Dalesbred, Masham, Texel, and Pedigree Teeswaters ewes sheep next month, over the other side of the crag is Guy Cowling’s cattle farm which is the main beef producer for Fodder.
“All our producers are within a short radius of Fodder” said Jack Holden. “We love going to visit the farms to meet our producers and see how they farm and rear their animals. Farmers like the Liddle family have been loyal suppliers for years to Fodder and their lamb is at the top of its game.”
Christina Liddle says it’s the way the lamb is farmed that accounts for the standard and taste. “We use traditional methods centred around finishing lambs on grass in a high welfare system – the farm is a member of the Red Tractor Farm Assurance Scheme.
“There’s a lot to be said for the time they can have to grow and graze and develop their flavour naturally which I think sets us apart.”
It’s the calm before the storm when we visit on a crisp sunny February day. Next month will see lambing season start when six weeks of hard work begins as the whole family – dad John, mum Sue, son Will and daughters Alice and Christina all pull together to help with lambing.
“It’s a team effort with everyone having a role and pitching in,” says Christina. “We lamb all our ewes outside with a view of keeping any potential disease risk to a minimum and lambing our ewes as naturally as possible. It is a really busy time but we love lambing time, it’s rewarding seeing the months of hard work planning come off. Then we are into the summer when it is shearing, hay making and shows like the Great Yorkshire. There is never a dull moment!”
The Liddle family has supplied Fodder for nearly 10 years and they continue to be known for being of the highest standard of animal health and welfare to produce lamb of the most succulent taste. If you would like to see more of ‘Liddle Lamb’, they are on Facebook and Instagram as @LiddleLambs
