A herd of cattle from Ceredigion has been named the best in Britain by a panel of judges

For the Second time in three years - The South Devon National Herd Competition Trophy is coming home to Ceredigion , against stiff opposition from 19 herds across the country.

Charles Grisedale and the Cefyngwyn Herd, based at Cefyngwyn Hall, Pennant, Llanon, Ceredigion, have been crowned the 2026 National Herd Competition winners, reclaiming the title they last won in 2024.

The achievement is made all the more impressive by the fact that the competition has been judged by a different panel this year, demonstrating the consistency and quality Charles has maintained within the herd. It also comes in an exciting year for Cefyngwyn, with Charles nominated for Beef Farmer of the Year 2026.

Charles’ success is rooted in a straightforward philosophy: producing profitable, functional suckler cows from grass while working with, rather than against, the farm’s environment.

The Cefyngwyn Herd was established after Charles discovered South Devons almost by chance. Having kept cattle throughout his life and previously run Continental suckler cows, a trip to a South Devon sale convinced him of the breed’s potential. He was immediately impressed by their docility and commercial characteristics and returned home with the foundations of what would become the Cefyngwyn Herd.

Explaining his decision to make the change, Charles previously said: “I converted to South Devons because they are the most profitable suckler cow I can find, they also don’t spend their lives bending gates. I just wish I had found the breed sooner, I suspect the South West might be trying to keep them a secret!”

The herd numbers around 55 cows plus youngstock, grazing approximately 200 acres of Welsh countryside. The cattle are entirely grass fed, with the beef marketed through Charles’ own meat box business and processed through an on-farm chiller and cutting room.

It gives Charles the opportunity to take his cattle from the field right through to the consumer, with eating quality providing the final test of his breeding decisions. Speaking previously about feedback from customers, Charles said older generations tell him they have not tasted meat like it for decades, while younger customers say they “didn’t know that is what beef is supposed to taste like.”

When Society members last visited Cefyngwyn following Charles’ 2024 National Herd Competition victory, the consistency throughout the cattle was particularly striking. Youngstock displayed good feet and strong toplines, while the cows and calves demonstrated the attention to detail that goes into the herd.

Charles’ breeding decisions are far from accidental. During that visit, his small working diary was never far from hand, packed with notes on individual cows, their characteristics, breeding and weights.

That attention to detail has clearly continued to pay dividends.

The South Devon Herd Book Society will celebrate Charles’ achievement at the National Herd Competition Winners’ Open Day on Wednesday 23 September, beginning at 11.30am at Cefyngwyn Hall, Pennant, Llanon, Ceredigion, SY23 5PD.