Sourcing with integrity
Shane Brettell, Smethcote Farm, Shrewsbury.
Shane Brettell farms in partnership with his son Edward at their rented farm at Smethcote Manor, Hadnall near Shrewsbury.
Shane is the third generation to farm at Smethcote Manor, his grandfather started farming after the Second World War and Ed will be following in their footsteps. The farm consists of approximately 450 acres of land that is run organically under Soil Association rules and is inspected annually to ensure the farm meets the rigorous standards.
Shane and Ed run a small organic suckler herd on the farm, providing Sainsbury’s with a quality product. The cows and calves spend the summer months out at grass and are housed in the winter and fed additional cereals and forage which are both grown organically on the farm.
As well as producing organic beef, cereals and red clover silage at Smethcote Manor, they produce Soil Association free-range organic pullets, which are used to produce Soil Association free-range organic eggs.
The Brettell’s are actively encouraging members of the public to gain access to the farm as they are part of the local ramblers group and have permissive footpaths as well as starting to develop a Soil Association farm trail.
Shane has signed up to the Sainsbury’s Farm Connections, and will soon receive his laptop, printer, farm software and appropriate training. This will be used within the farm business to help manage records and speed up communication between Shane and his customer.
