Our first homegrown steaks

Finally, after 2 years, it was time to send our bullock Billy to the abattoir. Despite this always being our intention, it is never easy.

After some thorough planning, the whole process went very smoothly and with the minimum of stress for all concerned. Most importantly, for Billy.

The trailer was prepared the day before, the tractor was fuelled, and for a couple of days in advance, Billy had been trained to walk into a pen to make it easier to catch him without having to chase him around.

Despite some appallingly wet weather just a day or so before, Billy did indeed walk calmly into his pen and the trailer was backed over the soft ground without getting stuck. When the gates were all opened, he went straight in.

A week or so later, we collected the meat from our local butcher, and with a toast to Billy, we enjoyed our first homegrown steak with chips! Delicious.