Artisan Mangalitsa charcuterie business receives financial boost for its innovative project
6th February 2025
The East Sussex-based farming and charcuterie business, Beal’s Farm, won a research initiative to fund a feasibility study at farming and achieve net-zero results with its Mangalitsa pigs reared to produce British charcuterie products.
In 2023, Defra and Innovate UK made a pledge to invest up to £850,000 into innovative agricultural projects to investigate early-stage solutions with the potential to substantially improve overall farming productivity, sustainability, resilience and move existing agricultural sectors to net zero.
Beal’s Farm successfully applied for the Farming Innovation Program, securing £43,000 as part of a £56,000 project to drive important agricultural innovation research. In their case, looking at rearing pigs in an agroforestry setting.
Beal’s Farm is undertaking an 18-month feasibility study with their Mangalitsa herd of pigs to look at the potential beneficial impacts for both animal welfare and the environment.
Contribution to biodiversity and carbon capture
The research aims to evaluate and promote sustainable pig-rearing practices in woodland areas that contribute to biodiversity and carbon capture.
The company hopes that it will positively impact other farmers in utilising current areas of their land for similar dual usage, thereby contributing towards a bright future for sustainable growth in the sector.
The success of Beal’s Farm is also helping the broader UK economy by driving growth in their speciality as a premium British charcuterie meat producer.
The business is supporting local supply chains, creating skilled jobs and demonstrating leadership in sustainable farming practices.
Its focus on quality and sustainability positions Beal’s Farm as a key player in enhancing the UK’s reputation for ethical, high-quality food production, with a positive impact on both the economy and society, the company confirmed.
“We are both excited and feel very fortunate to be involved in this project and intend next year to report further on the scientific data that comes from our agroforestry initiative,” said Melissa Masters, director of Beal’s Farm Charcuterie.
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