WE ARE creating some fantastic beef on our own doorstep, writes Nick Mosley.

Farming has been an integral part of Sussex life for time immemorial.

We are one of only a handful of English counties to have so many of our own specific breeds of farm animal: the Sussex chicken, Sussex or South Downs sheep, and our famous red Sussex cattle.

Descended from draught oxen, the Sussex was selectively bred from the late 1700s to form a modern beef breed that can now be found all over the world.

“They are a wonderful beef cow to form the backbone of our herd,” said Sussex farmer Andrew Knowles, of Trenchmore Farm near Cowfold.

“Gentle, fertile and easy calving, they are loyal and loving mothers, produce a reasonable amount of milk and suffer few inherited issues.”

The Sussex has a thin summer coat and many sweat glands but grows a thick coat in winter so are suited to both hot summers and cold winters.

“Unlike heavy continental breeds they are low maintenance – they thrive on grass, not corn and being relatively small they don’t cut up the soft Wealden clay too much,” said Andrew.

Trenchmore Farm is a leader in sustainability and animal husbandry. They have successfully created a Sussex cattle – red Wagyu cross, which has proved very popular with restaurants including Drakes, Isaac At, Gravetye Manor, South Lodge and the Gingerman restaurant group.

Andrew said: “We generally mate our first time heifers with a Red Angus bull which throws small calves that are polled which means they don’t grow horns, making them easy to handle.

“Our older cows are partnered with our Japanese Red Wagyu bull to improve the flavour and marbling – Wagyu lay down soft, buttery fat within the muscle, which self-bastes and tenderises the meat.

“We cross breed all our Sussex to increase their health and happiness. Crosses benefit from significant hybrid vigour.”

The beef quality of the Sussex is renowned and they are popular with steak lovers because the cuts are modest in width, meaning the steaks have a decent depth so can be cooked perfectly medium-rare.

You can buy Trenchmore beef directly from the farm at www.trenchmore.co.uk.