Farming | Raby Estates Shropshire and County Durham

Farming plays an important role across Raby Estates. The estate manages a mixture of arable land, where crops such as wheat and barley are grown, alongside livestock. One of the most distinctive animals at Raby is the English Longhorn cattle, a traditional breed recognised for its long, curved horns and hardy nature. The cattle are well suited to grazing the estate’s grasslands and help maintain the landscape through natural grazing.

Raby Estates also focuses on sustainable farming practices, including improving soil health, protecting habitats and encouraging biodiversity. By combining modern agricultural methods with traditional livestock farming, Raby aims to support food production while caring for the environment and preserving the estate’s rural heritage.

Arable

The arable land of the estate is mainly found in the rich, fertile land around Raby Castle and Peircebridge alongside areas of Shropshire. These areas provide suitable conditions for growing a range of crops, particularly cereals such as wheat and barley. The fertile soils and relatively flat land make the area well suited to large-scale agricultural production. Throughout the year, the fields are carefully managed, from preparing and sowing the soil to monitoring crop growth and harvesting. Modern agricultural machinery is used to improve efficiency and productivity, while careful soil management helps maintain the quality of the land for future crops. The arable farming at Raby Estates therefore makes an important contribution to local food production and the wider rural economy, while being managed alongside the estate’s environmental and conservation responsibilities.

Longhorn Herd

Longhorn cattle have been at Raby Estate since the earliest 1970’s where a small pedigree herd was established by Peter Boylett (the farm manager at the time) and grew over the years to its current size.

The herd is run commercially, with the cows calving in the spring before being turned out to grass between April and May. The calves are retained until they are around 2½ to 3 years of age where they are sold either for breeding or for meat production.

You will spot Raby Longhorn on menus across the Estate and local restaurants.

Arable

Longhorn Herd

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