Farmers from across the UK gathered in Ceredigion this week for a special presentation.

Charles Grisedale was presented with a trophy after his herd of South Devon cattle was named the best in Britain.

This is the second time in three years that the herd at Cefyngwyn Hall, Pennant, Llanon, has won the prestigious The South Devon National Herd Competition Trophy.

Charles was handed the trophy at a special open day on Wednesday, 23 September.

The event was well attended by society members and local farmers, with some travelling from Essex, Norfolk and Cornwall for the presentation.

Charles said those attending commented on the quietness and quality of the cattle.

Charles’ success is rooted in a straightforward philosophy: producing profitable, functional suckler cows from grass while working with, rather than against, the farm’s environment.

The Cefyngwyn Herd was established after Charles discovered South Devons almost by chance. Having kept cattle throughout his life and previously run Continental suckler cows, a trip to a South Devon sale convinced him of the breed’s potential.

Explaining his decision to make the change, Charles previously said: “I converted to South Devons because they are the most profitable suckler cow I can find, they also don’t spend their lives bending gates. I just wish I had found the breed sooner, I suspect the South West might be trying to keep them a secret!”

The herd numbers around 55 cows plus youngstock, grazing approximately 200 acres of Welsh countryside. The cattle are entirely grass fed, with the beef marketed through Charles’ own meat box business and processed through an on-farm chiller and cutting room.

It gives Charles the opportunity to take his cattle from the field right through to the consumer, with eating quality providing the final test of his breeding decisions.