During the last ten years Beckhithe Farms have established
themselves as one of the country’s largest and most highly
regarded beef producers.

Beckhithe have a herd of just under 3000 cattle, utilising
1215 hectares (3000 acres) of grazing marshes. The beef
production is part of a mixed farming system that includes
410 hectares (1015 acres) of arable cropping and
30 hectares (75 acres) of woodland.

It is not only the scale of the operation which sets them
aside from other producers. Their meat is building a
reputation for premium quality, reliability and consistency.
They are farming some of the most environmentally
sensitive marshland in the heart of the Broads National Park.
The farm is located in an area designated a Ramsar site,
making it one of the world’s most important wildlife
wetlands.

Beckhithe Farms have adopted the recommendations from
the report of the Policy Commission on the future of
farming and food, which was chaired by Sir Donald Curry
CBE in 2002.

Beckhithe have recognised the challenges brought about
by the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and
adjustments have been made to their livestock enterprise
to enable sustainability.

Each year Beckhithe Farms welcome many visitors, some
from overseas, who are interested to see how successful
farming can be combined with protection of rare bird and
plant species and care for a sensitive wildlife habitat. This
year we have had visitors from Texas and New Zealand.
Beckhithe Farms supply beef
to Dovecote Park for Waitrose
 Left to right, Duncan Sinclair, UK agriculture manager, Waitrose
Barry Brooks, managing director, Beckhithe Farms
Heather Jenkins, head of buying meat, poultry,
fish & dairy, Waitrose
David Gunner, joint managing director, Dovecote Park
Kate Sutton, cattle procurement manager, Dovecote Park
Laurie Ibbotson, livestock manager, Dovecote Park
Gary Gray, farms manager, Beckhithe Farms




Managing director Barry Brooks has the advantage of more than
25 years’ experience in the meat processing industry.

He first purchased marshes in Halvergate in 1987. Hall Farm at
Reedham and a large part of Halvergate and Reedham Marshes
became available in 1997 and made an ideal purchase as they joined
land that Barry had bought earlier. All holdings were later incorporated
into Beckhithe Farms Ltd, a family company.

Barry sees farming as a partnership working openly with Government,
environmental and wildlife organisations, agricultural suppliers, marketing
agencies, food processors and retailers to achieve mutual objectives.

The farm is managed by Gary Gray, a qualified accountant. Considerable
time is taken up with detailed unit costings, projections and planning to
optimise opportunities and ensure that the business is run commercially,
essential with the tight margins associated with farming and most
other commodities today.
Tel: 01493 701550 — Fax 01493 701588
e-mail gary@beckhithefarms.co.uk — www.beckhithefarms.co.uk