Farm shop owner's family pride as cattle win coveted livestock trophy

A Norfolk farm shop owner who is continuing his family's livestock legacy was thrilled to win a major cattle prize at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Sam Steggles, who runs the Goat Shed farm shop at Honingham, was part of the team which won the Heygates Country Feeds Team of Five competition - the top livestock trophy on day one of the event, presented during the grand parade of cattle and shire horses.

His 15-year-old son William was also part of the team - extending a family tradition with Simmental cattle dating back 50 years, and four generations.

Sam's grandfather Russell Steggles was among the pioneering breeders who imported the versatile beef breed to the UK in the 1970s, establishing the Wacton Simmentals herd near Long Stratton.

The herd was sold in the mid-1980s, but it has been revived by Sam during the last two years - part of the ongoing evolution of the family farm business at Honingham.

Some of the animals will supply beef to a new butchery counter within the latest expansion to the popular farm shop, due to be formally opened later this week.

"I think it is a real accolade to be able to win something as prestigious as the Heygates cup," said Sam.

"For me personally, to be able to get into the top group of cattle in the show is a real personal achievement, and something I just wish grandfather was here to see.

"Then, to be able to take these girls home and have them on show at the Goat Shed, for anyone who has been here today to enjoy the parade to come and see them in their working clothes, is the icing on the cake.

"To be able to give the Simmental breed the recognition it deserves, and to educate the public a bit as well, is really important."

A team of Simmental cattle won the prestigious Heygates Country Feeds Team of Five trophy at the 2024 Royal Norfolk Show (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The five-strong team also comprised a bull from fellow Norfolk cattle breeder Paul Gunther, and two heifers from Cambridgeshire.

The Steggles family's herd also won several cattle classes at last year's Royal Norfolk Show - after returning to livestock competitions for the first time in 25 years.

Norfolk farmer Sam Steggles receives the prestigious Heygates Country Feeds Team of Five trophy at the 2024 Royal Norfolk Show (Image: Sonya Duncan)