As we look around the farm, one thing in particular catches our eye: the huge areas around the farm where we can already see the animals grazing. "It is very important to us that our animals are raised in the most species-appropriate way possible," says Steffen. "This means in particular that they spend as much of their lives as possible on the pastures." In the winter months, when it gets too cold on the pastures, the cattle are then brought into the stables and are fed a particularly high-quality feed that is not genetically modified. That is no longer a matter of course today. "The feed is the be-all and end-all - it's the only way we can ensure that our meat convinces with its unique taste," Steffen continues. "Most of the feed comes from the farm's own cultivation. Only a small amount from grain and a few important minerals that are essential for the animals' nutrition are bought in from a neighbouring country trader."
The Eggers family keeps about 300 Waygu cattle on their farm. Among them are about 50 purebred Wagyu cattle and 250 crossbred animals, so-called F1-Wagyus, which are the result of crossing the breeds Schwarzbunt SH and Wagyu Japan. "Combining these two breeds creates a successful combination of very good maternal traits, excellent growth and outstanding meat quality," Reiner explains. "What is special about the meat of the Waygus is its marbling. This comes mainly from the long grazing in the fields during the summer months. This creates a high intramuscular fat content, which makes the meat quite juicy and tender." Besides rearing the animals, the farm is also involved in the field of renewable energies and contributes to sustainable agriculture by producing biogas, using photovoltaics and producing wind energy.
