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Cheryl
& Barry Batagol
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Property
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| "Bilyarra", Cape Liptrap Road, Walkerville. Phone (03) 5663 2204 |
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Enterprise:
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| Prime Vealer Production from First Cross Murray Grey Cows with British or European Sire, First Cross Heifer Production. |
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Herd:
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| 110 Cows: Murray Grey, Murray Grey X Maine Anjou and Murray Grey X Gelbvieh plus calves. 3 Bulls: Angus, Gelbvieh, Charolais |
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GippsBeef
Turn-off:
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| 90 vealers annually, 180 - 225kg HSCW |
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Cattlecare
Accreditation:
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P3000043
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MSA
Licence:
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9311
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Country
Description:
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| 330 acres, sandy loam undulating country, south easterly aspect |
Cheryl and Barry and their children, Becky and Ben, farm their country in the firm belief, that as custodians, they must find and maintain a balance between the potentially competing needs of the farming enterprise and conservation of the natural environment. All farm activities are undertaken on the basis of sustainability - economic, environmental and ethical. Barry and Cheryl are dedicated to producing quality meat products from an optimal environment. From their base Murray Grey stock, Maine Anjou and Gelbvieh bulls have been used to cross breed heifers, providing plenty of milk to young calves sired by Angus or Charolais bulls.
The cattle grazing at "Bilyarra" enjoy views from their pastures across Waratah Bay to Wilson's Promontory, with the peaks of Mt. Oberon, and the surrounding islands visible across the bay. Each paddock has a spring-fed dam, and laneways have been constructed to protect the fragility of their sandy loam country when moving animals and tending the livestock. Cheryl has firmly held views about animal welfare. She insist that their livestock is treated gently and with respect. No raised voices, no dogs or cattle prods are used in the Bilyarra livestock yards. Cattle are quietly moved about with a minimum of coercion.
Bilyarra has magnificent fern gullies that run down the length of the property to the coast. Revegetation of the natural environment is a high priority, and the once over-grazed fern gullies have been fenced to keep stock out, and replanted with seedlings grown from seeds collected from the gullies. Thirty percent of the farm is now set aside to protect the native flora and provide a home for the prolific resident native fauna - principally kangaroo, wombat, wallaby, koala and many varieties of native birds.
Cheryl and Barry have used their many years in businesses other than farming to bring to their enterprise skills and knowledge that will enhance the environment yet allow them to enjoy the lifestyle of farming, bringing to the consumer a product of which they are intensely proud.