‘Biran Biran’ is located at Hoddle, half way between Fish Creek and Foster in South Gippsland, with sweeping views across Corner Inlet to Wilson’s Promontory and Bass Strait.

Paul and Samantha Crock took over the farm at the end of 2000 after breeding cattle on Phillip Island with Paul’s brother Peter since 1985, while Sam’s family has been farming in the district for over 100 years.

“Managing issues such as stock access to sensitive areas, fencing off and protecting remnant vegetation, tackling pasture and environmental weeds, improving farm safety, rectifying soil erosion problems and improving water quality are all integral to producing cattle in an environmentally responsible manner,” Paul said.

Sam and Paul quickly developed an ambitious farm plan that aimed to standardise paddock sizes to improve grazing management, construct tracks and laneways to facilitate movement of stock and improve farm safety, and to fence off steep areas, water courses and wind breaks to protect remnant vegetation and improve water quality.

“We collected seeds from local remnant vegetation and Paul’s mother, Jacqueline, propagated them. With lots of help from close friends and family we planted over 50,000+ indigenous plants to help increase biodiversity and provide shade and shelter for our stock,” Sam said.

Paul said the focus of the cattle was not only through genetics. Equally as important was how the animals were raised.

“Our animals are grazed on quality pastures in a beautiful and stress-free environment.”

He explained that new yards had greatly improved the animal management as they seriously reduced the stress of working with the cattle.

“Our environmental efforts we have put in place help ensure the meat we produce is of the highest standard and, through the MSA grading process, guaranteed tender,” Paul said.

Paul is a passionate supporter of the Enviromeat EMS process which underpins the ethical and sustainability claims of the Gippsland Natural brand.

Paul is one of the principals of Gippsland Natural Meats, the parent company of Gippsland Natural & Australian Natural Beef Brands.