GREG and Ruth Northover have been presented with a certificate in recognition of their 25 years of dedication to breeding Poll Hereford cattle.

Now retired to the Coffs Coast, the couple’s involvement in breeding Poll Herefords came about by sheer accident.

Having met in the Army and developing public service careers after finishing their time in the military, the Northovers had moved to the Yass region and worked in Canberra.

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In the early 1980’s they decided to purchase 200 acres of degraded farmland near Dicks Creek at Gundaroo, with a view to building a passive solar powered home and providing a space for their daughters horse.

The land had been severely over grazed and was described as a ‘moonscape’ with major erosion problems and an extremely low stocking capacity.

Greg decided to approach Land Care to see if he could secure some funding assistance to address the issues on the property and discovered that they needed to be registered as primary producers to qualify (which is no longer a requirement).

Starting with four poddy calves from a local dairy they began to investigate raising cattle so they could fulfill the requirements for Land Care assistance and in a short period of time discovered a passion for working with the easy-going Poll Herefords.

In describing their journey from home builders to recognised and well-regarded Hereford stud owners Greg said, “It probably shows that our approach to things is that if you are going to do something, do it as well as you possibly can.

“We are of course cock-a-hoop to have achieved this significant milestone, notwithstanding that we no longer have any of those magnificent Hereford Cattle.”

Just before they sold the property to retire, they received the ‘certificate of occupancy’ for their finally completed passive solar home.

By David TUNE