We take a look at the  pioneering farming scheme, The Horned Beef Company, and their use of the innovative Ranger EV 4X4 vehicles used to assist the project at both at local and national level.

Established by Cumbrian husband and wife, David and Bekka Corrie Close, The Horned Beef Company is a unique scheme set-up with the support of their local community in a bid to create a sustainable approach to cattle farming, grazing on land in areas where no crops will grow.

Supported by the National Trust, the Prince’s Countryside Fund, the RSPCA and Cumbrian Wildife Trust, the aim was to create an innovative business approach to sustainable, ecologically sound farming, land management and nature conservation, moving from local land scattered here and there, to a National Trust tenancy of a hundred and fifty acres near Kendal. On top of this, the duo have a number of other sites in five locations where cattle are grazed periodically through the year. In all, they are caring for around 1000 acres of National Trust land.

“We have a mixed bag of cattle,” commented David. “From the Longhorn, probably the most majestic, to Highland, Shetland and Dexters. The native breeds are quite rare and we have to travel far to acquire them and now we have a colourful herd of very calm, naturally well-behaved animals.”

The Polaris Ranger EV, launched as the world’s first true 4X4 electric vehicle fits perfectly with the Horned Beef Company’s aims and ethos. The advantages of electric power coupled with its off-road abilities make it the ideal vehicle for managing the areas around David and Bekka’s base, moving feed and generally tending the cattle. It’s an ecological blend with the countryside, non-polluting, silent, and requiring the absolute minimum servicing.

“It’s a wonderful vehicle,” added David. “Covering the exposed and rough terrain without putting a foot wrong and it seems appropriate to be moving around the landscape without noise. It lives at the farm and for day-to-day work it’s far better than a tractor or big 4X4. We want to explore solar power next for charging the Ranger EV, we already use solar well pumps and we’re keen to expand it as a power source.”

Before the arrival of the Ranger EV the couple were moving hay bales on foot, it being the only way they could get the food across the hilly terrain.

Polaris Britain National Sales Manager, Ben Murray, commented: “We were truly inspired with what David and Bekka are doing at the Horned Beef Company. It’s great to see such a unique approach to farming and in many ways the Ranger EV shares a similar approach. We’re confident that Ranger EV is the most suitable and ecologically sound choice for their farm.”

Also offering petrol and diesel engines for the RANGER, Polaris celebrated rolling the one-millionth RANGER machine off the production line in 2017 and 2018 marks two decades since the utility vehicle was introduced. Forming a key part of the Polaris product line, the RANGER® is used all over the globe for a variety of tasks.

For more information on the Ranger EV that the Horned Beef company use, click here