Tony and Julie Benneworth farm at Leworthy Manor near Holsworthy in Devon.

They started their Yeomadon Herd of Red Ruby Devon cattle in 1999 with 6 small traditional in-calf cows with calves at foot and were introduced to showing in 2001.

“It didn't take us long to realise that the cattle we had were not only not good enough but, looking at the other breeds, nowhere near commercial enough. It was then decided that, knowing we had the quality in the meat, the cattle we had to breed and, dare we say this goes for the Devon cattle breeders in general, would have to go back to their original size in order to bring the breed forward to make them more commercial. We are now producing females averaging 900kg as adults,” said Julie Benneworth

Their stock bull, Yeomadon Ferdinand, was retired from the show ring this year having won 29 straight championships including winning the Interbreed at Devon County and Bath and West for two years on the trot. ‘Freddie’ (see above) is the most successful Devon animal in history. He has already bred two Young Females of the Year and all his progeny that have been shown have always been in the top three at the shows. The Benneworths sell his semen and his stock is always for sale.
They are finishing their beef at 20 to 22 months, killing out at 620 to 650kg live weight and they are grading out very well.

“The Yeomaden herd are 99% grass and haylage fed so, of course, our grass care and haylage is of great importance. We started working with Field Science Ltd in the spring of 2004 and were delighted with the difference in our grass and haylage from day one. The amount of fertiliser needed is vastly reduced, general licks are not required and we know our stock are getting the correct balance of minerals and trace elements.

We continue to use Field Science and their expertise and would have no hesitation in recommending them, and have often done so, for both their service and professionalism.”