The Stracey family's White Pond Farm in Oxfordshire is idyllically situated on the edge of the Chilterns in the Stonor Valley and it's not just known for its excellent quality beef. The farm, its pastures and outbuildings have frequently starred in episodes of Midsomer Murders as well as the Bond movie The Living Daylights.
Around 300, mainly Aberdeen Angus cows, with some Herefords, roam the 500 acres of pasture. Their herd has been Freedom Food approved for a decade. "It keeps us up to scratch", says Simon Stacey. His daughter, Tora, an agriculture graduate and partner in the business adds: "Everyone should be doing it. Freedom Food has tightened up farm animal welfare standards and made the public more aware of the issues".
Much of their beef is supplied to Waitrose but some is sold locally to order. Eventually they hope to convert their old milking parlour into a butchery helping to make their excellent beef more widely available locally.
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