By Donwynne and Amy Bergh
When we founded Inyama in Devon in August 2022, alongside our full-time jobs, we knew one thing for certain: biltong is only as good as the beef it's made from. So before we worried about spice blends or packaging, we went looking for the right beef.
We wanted beef we could be proud of and honest about. That led us to Farm Wilder, and today all our beef comes from Farm Wilder farms.
Who are Farm Wilder?
Farm Wilder works with farms across South West England. Every farm that supplies them is certified to Farm Wilder's Regenerative Standards, which were developed with FWAG South West (the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group).
What we liked straight away is that the standards are written down. They aren't a vague promise or a nice word on a label. They set out what a farm has to do, and then the farm is checked against them.
What the standards ask of farmers
Here are some of the things Farm Wilder's standards require. We've put them in plain English.
100% pasture-fed, for life. The cattle are fed on pasture and forage: grass, hay and grass silage. That's what "100% pasture-fed British beef" means on our packs. If you've ever wondered how that differs from "grass-fed" on other labels, we've explained it in Grass-fed or pasture-fed?
Honest about winter. The cattle graze outdoors, but some are housed over winter, when the fields are wet and the grass isn't growing. When they're in, they eat hay and silage made from grass, so they're still 100% pasture-fed. We'd rather tell you that than pretend every animal is out in a field all year.
Leave room for nature in the fields. At least 4% of the area of fields cut for hay or silage has to be left uncut, as margins or awkward corners.
Leave hedges alone in nesting season. Hedges, trees, ditches, walls and grass margins mustn't be cut or managed between 1 March and 31 August, so that nesting birds and mammals aren't disturbed.
Plant diverse pasture. New grass leys must include at least 20% legumes, such as clover, and 10% herbs and wildflowers, such as yarrow, plantain or chicory.
Plan for soil and wildlife. Each farm has to have a Soil Management Plan and a Farm Biodiversity Plan, and review them every year.
Shade and shelter. Livestock must have access to adequate shade and shelter at all times.
How it's checked
Farm Wilder audits each farm itself, in-house, every two years, against the standards it developed with FWAG South West. That's what we mean when we say our beef comes from farms certified to Farm Wilder's Regenerative Standards.
Why it matters to us
There are two reasons.
The first is taste. With Donwynne being South African, we know what biltong should taste like, and it starts with good beef.
The second is that we'd like our snack to support a kind of farming we believe in. Every pack you buy creates a little more demand for beef raised to these standards, and a little more support for the farmers doing it. Beef raised this way costs more, and it's a big part of why biltong costs more than most snacks. We think it's worth it.
If you'd like to dig deeper, our Our Beef page explains what "pasture-fed" means, and our guide to regenerative farming covers the bigger picture. You can also read what your order supports.
Taste it for yourself
Start with our Original Biltong, at £24.99 for 6 packs or £44.99 for 12, or try the whole range in The Whole Herd mixed 6-pack. You'll find all our flavours in the biltong shop, and delivery is free on orders over £65. Buying for someone else? Our Christmas gift guide has a few ideas.