Great Dalby farm celebrates prestigious beef steak award
The team at a Great Dalby farm are celebrating winning a prestigious award for the meat they produce.
March House Farm, based at Top End, claimed the coveted Golden Cleaver Award for the Best Beef Steak 2026 at the renowned Dalziel Butchers Show.
The farm, which rears all native breeds, beat more than 100 farmers and butchers from across the nation to win the honour.
For the award-winning steak, the team selected the prime rib in April and allowed it to mature slowly, enhancing tenderness and flavour.
Two cuts were sent in April for initial judging, and they impressivlely achieved the full 100 points.
The competition was staged on Sunday, when the rib was hand-trimmed into steaks, presented and then cooked and judged by the independent panel.
The awards were attended by farmer Michael Belcher and Master Butcher, Phil Thatcher, who joined the team last year.
Phil said: “I knew we had a really good shot at winning this award.
"I’ve worked on farms rearing livestock and been a butcher for over 15 years, and I’ve never worked with such exceptional quality produce.”
The steaks were independently judged by six industry experts through blind tasting and technical assessment, which included appearance, marbling, cooking performance, tenderness, flavour and juiciness.
Phil added: “I’m delighted for the whole team - this is a win for March House Farm, not just the butchers’ counter."
March House Farm is one of the few farms in the area to rear beef, sheep and pigs, prepare the carcasses in-house, and sell the produce at the Farm Shop in Great Dalby.