Buffalo herd takes farm to regional title (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Buffalo herd takes farm to regional title

12:53pm Friday 22nd December 2006 in Farming

A NORTH Yorkshire farmer's herd of buffalo has put him through to the finals of a national award.

Paul Langthorne of Crawford Grange, Brompton, near Northallerton, won the regional diversification title in the Countryside Alliance's second annual Best Rural Retailer competition.

He won the accolade for Langthorne Buffalo Produce, which was established after he discovered his son had cystic fibrosis and was unable to drink cow's milk.

After buying his first buffalo, he realised the potential for a new enterprise and switched the farm's focus from a large Holstein dairy herd to the development of a 200-strong buffalo herd.

Elk, wild boar, yak and deer wapitis have been added since it was set-up five years ago, and the business has continually expanded to offer a wide range of produce.

It now offers six flavours of buffalo hard cheese and mozzarella, all cuts of buffalo meat and buffalo burgers.

An abattoir is planned for the site soon, to reduce any stress on the animals and to reduce food miles.

Mr Langthoren will attend a reception at the House of Lords in February when the national winners will be announced.