We are in the press again, with Onya Magazine.

Castle Estate upholds a ‘cool to be kind’ philosophy. A legacy of 100 years of humane farming practices speaks to the Castle family’s unwavering dedication to boutique animal rearing for premium quality meats.

Undeterred by demand, the Castle Estate ethos is guided by nature’s instincts, versus man’s greed, with a century of family-farming heritage upheld by the Victorian-based Castle clan.

A project of love, Castle Estate cultivates exemplary meat in alignment with nature’s course, free from artificial intervention or hormones. This means the animal is forever the focal point of care for the Castle family farmer, with tremendous respect shown in the trajectory undergone from paddock to plate.

“Compassion is paramount to us when it comes to rearing animals for the purpose of food. Ultimately, a stress-free, happy animal results in nutritious and consciously-cultivated produce.” says Steven Castle .

The antithesis to feedlot feeding, Castle Estate animals are strictly ‘free range’, translating to a free-to-roam existence, free from the confinements and oppression of feedlot farming. The animal consumes grass naturally in daily paddock grazing, with none of the antibiotics intervention synonymous with the alternative of grain-feeding.

The Castle way also omits any long-haul travel, with the paddocks situated on site in close proximity to the Abattoir. This results in less stress for the animal, with no need for suffocating trucks piled high with animals together, or imprisonment prior to slaughter.

The overall experience for the animals is a better quality of life, freedom to roam expansive paddocks, shelter under the Castle Estate trees and sheds for winter’s cooler climes.

In stark juxtaposition to the inhumane conventions of factory farming, no lot feeding, free to roam and grass fed only. Castle Estate celebrates each animal for whatever size and shape they grow to naturally – without fattening for slaughter – resulting in no two steaks looking exactly the same. It’s through this championing of animal diversity that Castle Estate shows its customers that quality and humanity can coexist in modern farming.

The philosophy of the Castle Family has always been, “the better they live, the better they taste”. And so from terrain to table, an enduring respect for the animal is balanced with a dedication to producing the most delicious produce for Australians to indulge in.

The post One Century of Conscious Farming Practices appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

Because the better they live, the better they taste. 

Castle Estate upholds a ‘cool to be kind’ philosophy. A legacy of 100 years of humane farming practices speaks to the Castle family’s unwavering dedication to boutique animal rearing for premium quality meats.

Undeterred by demand, the Castle Estate ethos is guided by nature’s instincts, versus man’s greed, with a century of family-farming heritage upheld by the Victorian-based Castle clan.

A project of love, Castle Estate cultivates exemplary meat in alignment with nature’s course, free from artificial intervention or hormones. This means the animal is forever the focal point of care for the Castle family farmer, with tremendous respect shown in the trajectory undergone from paddock to plate.

“Compassion is paramount to us when it comes to rearing animals for the purpose of food. Ultimately, a stress-free, happy animal results in nutritious and consciously cultivated produce,” says Steven Castle.

The antithesis to feedlot feeding, Castle Estate animals are strictly ‘free range’, translating to a free-to-roam existence, free from the confinements and oppression of feedlot farming. The animal consumes grass naturally in daily paddock grazing, with none of the antibiotics intervention synonymous with the alternative of grain feeding.

The Castle way also omits any long-haul travel, with the paddocks situated on site in close proximity to the abattoir. This results in less stress for the animal, with no need for suffocating trucks piled high with animals together, or imprisonment prior to slaughter.

The overall experience for the animals is a better quality of life, freedom to roam expansive paddocks, shelter under the Castle Estate trees and sheds for winter’s cooler climes.

In stark juxtaposition to the inhumane conventions of factory farming, no lot feeding, free to roam and grass-fed only. Castle Estate celebrates each animal for whatever size and shape they grow to naturally – without fattening for slaughter – resulting in no two steaks looking exactly the same. It’s through this championing of animal diversity that Castle Estate shows its customers that quality and humanity can coexist in modern farming.

The philosophy of the Castle Family has always been, “the better they live, the better they taste”. And so from terrain to table, an enduring respect for the animal is balanced with a dedication to producing the most delicious produce for Australians to indulge in.

Castle Estate

The post Castle Estate celebrates one century of conscious farming practices..in the press appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

You can order yours online at our providore store

https://castleestate.com.au/providore/

To set up an account for your weekly orders, contact us.
Address: 191 Purrumbete Estate Rd, Koallah, VIC 3260
Telephone: +61 3 5594 5222
Fax: +61 3 8677 5469
Email: info@castleestate.com.au #castleestate, #meatdonebetter, #conciousfarmingfortheconciousconsumer, #freerange, #rebrand, #thebettertheylivethebettertheytaste

The post love a long weekend appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

Compassion is paramount to us when it comes to rearing animals for the purpose of food. Ultimately, a stress-free, happy animal results in nutritious and consciously-cultivated produce. Castle Estate animals are strictly ‘free range’, translating to a free-to-roam existence, free from the confinements and oppression of feedlot farming. The animal consumes grass naturally in daily paddock grazing, with none of the antibiotics intervention synonymous with the alternative of grain-feeding. 

The Castle way also omits any long-haul travel, within the paddocks situated on site is our Abattoir. This results in less stress for the animal, with no need for suffocating trucks piled high with animals together, prior to slaughter. The overall experience for the animals is a better quality of life, freedom to roam expansive paddocks, shelter under the Castle Estate trees and sheds for winter’s cooler climes. 

Once again from our family to yours, we would like to thank you for your business, we are always grateful for your support. Thank you for choosing us.  Happy cooking,

The Castle Family.
https://castleestate.com.au/
Address: 191 Purrumbete Estate Rd, Koallah, VIC 3260
Telephone: +61 3 5594 5222
Email: info@castleestate.com.au

The post Terrain to table appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

The kids just love her and she still likes to keep a watchful eye on what is happening at the farm especially around dinner time (incase she is thrown a bone) She has been such a great companion and helper around the farm. From late night calving to keeping the chooks safe from foxes and helping the sheep get inline for a sheer – Sadie has done it all. Smart old girl, now she can found just lazing in the sun on the old porch waiting for the kids to come home from school. 

This is free range farm life and we love it.

To set up an account for your weekly orders, contact us.
Address: 191 Purrumbete Estate Rd, Koallah, VIC 3260
Telephone: +61 3 5594 5222
Fax: +61 3 8677 5469
Email: info@castleestate.com.au #castleestate, #meatdonebetter, #conciousfarmingfortheconciousconsumer, #freerange, #rebrand, #thebettertheylivethebettertheytaste

The post Our Wonderful Sadie Castle appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

Grass is the staple diet of all farm animals, it is the essence of their nutrition. To get consistency in meat we understand that many farmers use grain, this all began to power the masses and provide cheap meat – hence why 80% of consumers buy from supermarkets. Grain fed animals is all part of factory farming, the choice is yours if you choose grass fed or grain fed. We believe grass fed is best and we invite you to taste the difference for yourself. We can attest that when nature is followed the animal is healthy, happy and we can enjoy the health benefits.

WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD ONLY EAT GRASS FED ANIMALS AS THAT IS MEAT, DONE BETTER.

To set up an account for your weekly orders, contact us.
Address: 191 Purrumbete Estate Rd, Koallah, VIC 3260
Telephone: +61 3 5594 5222
Fax: +61 3 8677 5469
Email: info@castleestate.com.au #castleestate, #meatdonebetter, #conciousfarmingfortheconciousconsumer, #freerange, #rebrand, #thebettertheylivethebettertheytaste

The post FREE TO ROAM – Pasture life – KEEPING IT NATURAL appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

For the list of ingredients or to download the printable version of this recipe, please visit https://castleestate.com.au/recipe/

Recipe: Place lamb chops in a single layer on a baking tray, scatter over with thyme and garlic, season with salt and pepper then drizzle with olive oil and rub seasonings into both sides of the chops. Cover and refrigerate to marinate (3 hours-overnight).

Preheat a barbecue or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add chops, cook to your liking, turning occasionally (4-5 minutes each side for medium-rare), set aside in a warm place to rest.

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil over high heat, add spinach and cook until bright green (2 minutes), drain and cool under cold running water. Squeeze to remove excess water, place in a serving dish, season to taste, crumble over feta, drizzle generously with extra-virgin olive oil and serve with lemon wedges and your lamb chops.
If you have any great tips on how to prep your bone broth please share with us!

To set up an account for your weekly orders, contact us.
Address: 191 Purrumbete Estate Rd, Koallah, VIC 3260
Telephone: +61 3 5594 5222
Fax: +61 3 8677 5469
Email: info@castleestate.com.au #castleestate, #meatdonebetter, #conciousfarmingfortheconciousconsumer, #freerange, #rebrand, #thebettertheylivethebettertheytaste

The post Grass fed, lamb chop! appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

Here is Max with Son Steven, the Castle men who run Castle Estate. They always say “we don’t question it unless it doesn’t seem right”.

“Nature knows best, so we follow that. We believe the better they live the better they taste, it’s better for us, for the animal and the environment. Grass fed is just normal, we don’t’ know what all the fuss is about- its just the way we have always done things. “

“Grass fed meat, there is a lot of talk around eating your greens, as far as the health benefits. The same goes for animals and the best diet for them is the natural one- of course its grass! It’s the freshest food for them. So it makes sense it tastes better and has greater nutritional value when consuming animals that eat grass.”

“That’s why we say Meat, done Better here at Castle Estate, the only question Is you meat grass fed?”

To set up an account for your weekly orders, contact us.
Address: 191 Purrumbete Estate Rd, Koallah, VIC 3260
Telephone: +61 3 5594 5222
Fax: +61 3 8677 5469
Email: info@castleestate.com.au #castleestate, #meatdonebetter, #conciousfarmingfortheconciousconsumer, #freerange, #rebrand, #thebettertheylivethebettertheytaste

The post Over 100 years farming this land. appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

VICTORIA’S first batch of locally-grown kangaroo meat for human consumption rolled off Camperdown’s Castle Estate abattoir’s processing line on Monday.

Until now the state’s only registered abattoir to process culled kangaroos was forced to bring in carcasses from interstate.

But as The Weekly Times reported last month, the Government has lifted the ban on the state’s roos being processed for human consumption and look for opportunities to export skins.

“The changes to how products generated from the kangaroo harvesting program can be used gives more options to harvesters and processors to make use of these animals and reduce waste — and create more jobs in country towns,” Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.

Steven Castle, who owns the Camperdown plant, said the decision meant he could now source all his kangaroo carcasses from Victoria’s registered harvesters.

“(We) don’t anticipate bringing roos in from outside Victoria (from here on),” Mr Castle said. “I’ll be branding it as Victorian Harvested Kangaroo.”

The shift to processing Victorian roos for human consumption not only delivers a clean, lean source of protein at a time of record beef prices, it adds value to a meat that until now could only be used for pet food.

Last year shooters earned $1.25/kg (dressed weight) for roos, averaging 25kg, to pet food processors, with consumers paying $6-$7/kg for the minced meat.

In contrast prime kangaroo for human consumption ranges from $12/kg for mince, through to $22/kg for steaks.

Only trained professional shooters authorised through the harvesting program, who meet strict health and safety measures, are able to supply kangaroos to abattoirs for human consumption.

Harvesters must abide by the national code of practice for the humane shooting of kangaroos and wallabies for commercial purposes.

Their vehicles and cool rooms must also be accredited through PrimeSafe.

Since October 2019, 86 harvesters and five meat processors have taken part in the pet-food-only program, with many calling for changes that allow processing for human consumption to support jobs in country communities.

https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/victoria/kangaroo-meat-first-victoriangrown-roo-processed-for-human-consumption/news-story/a809b4ec1145e8d4f233cb66f2c39f3a

The post Kangaroo meat: First Victorian-grown roo processed for human consumption appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.

VICTORIA’S kangaroo population has surged by 40 per cent since 2018, to almost 2 million today, prompting the Andrews Government to lift this year’s harvesting quota to 95,680.

The 2021 quota is well up on last year’s 57,900, which up until now only allowed kangaroos to be processed for pet food.

But as The Weekly Times reported last month, the Government has decided to lift the ban on the state’s roos being processed for human consumption and look for opportunities to export skins.

“The changes to how products generated from the kangaroo harvesting program can be used gives more options to harvesters and processors to make use of these animals and reduce waste — and create more jobs in country towns,” Victorian Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.

“While natural in the Victorian environment, overabundant populations compete with livestock for stock and feed, and damage crops and fences.”

Only trained professional shooters authorised through the harvesting program, who meet strict health and safety measures are able to supply kangaroos to abattoirs for human consumption.

Harvesters must abide by the national code of practice for the humane shooting of kangaroos and wallabies for commercial purposes.

Their vehicles and cool rooms must also be accredited through PrimeSafe.

Since October 2019, 86 harvesters and five meat processors have taken part in the pet-food-only program, with many calling for changes that allow processing for human consumption to support jobs in country communities.

Professional shooter Glenn Cole said he was delighted by the lift in quota, given last year’s quota put more than $1.25 million in harvesters pockets.

“Now we know what we’re doing and can get on with the job,” Mr Cole said.

It’s welcome news to Camperdown game meat processor Steven Castle, who for the first time can start processing Victorian roos for human consumption, rather than bringing in carcasses from interstate.

His company Castle Estate runs the only abattoir in Victoria that is registered to process kangaroos for human consumption and he intends to now focus on locally-sourced meat.

“We’ll start processing in coming weeks and don’t anticipate bringing roos in from outside Victoria (from here on),” Mr Castle said. “I’ll be branding it as Victorian Harvested Kangaroo.”

The shift to processing Victorian roos for human consumption not only delivers a clean, lean source of protein at a time of record beef prices, it adds value to a meat that up until now could only be used for pet food.

Last year shooters earned $1.25/kg (dressed weight) for roos, averaging 25kg, to pet food processors, with consumers paying $6-$7/kg for the minced meat.

In contrast prime kangaroo for human consumption ranges from $12/kg for mince, through to $22/kg for steaks.

https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/victoria/victoria-increases-kangaroo-quota-as-population-surges-beyond-2-million/news-story/9aa2a702404bace344ca7be2c747f254

The post The Andrews Government has cleared the way for Victorian kangaroo to be put on the menu, as it lifts harvesting quotas amid a population explosion. appeared first on Castle Estate Food Co.