FAMILY AFFAIR

THE EDGAR FAMILY ARE PROUDLY REARING CATTLE NEAR MARGARET RIVER THE NATURAL WAY.

The fifth generation farmer leading the way in raising stress-free cattle in Margaret River.

ASHLEY AND KRISTY EDGAR love to take their three young children down the paddock at their 24-hectare farm. Situated on Cape Leeuwin, half an hour south of Margaret River, with lush green pastures and plenty of wide open space it is an idyllic place to grow up. “It’s so peaceful and the children love to help and explore,” says Kristy, 36. “It makes you absolutely appreciate where we live.” With good annual rainfall and an abundance of fresh air from the Southern and Indian Oceans, the Cape region is also an ideal environment to raise their herd of sleek Black Angus cattle. Since launching Leeuwin Grass-fed Beef seven years ago it has been “a steep learning curve” as the couple worked through the many intricacies of establishing a paddock-to-plate product. Ashley and Kristy had set out with a vision to grass feed their cattle and rear them hormone- and antibiotic-free, using low-stress stock handling techniques. Over time their story spread and they now sell their beef throughout the South West, with home delivery as far north as Perth. Today the farm is a family affair with Ashley’s father Ian assisting as a mentor, as well as helping with the production aspects of the business. “It is more work but it’s great when customers are really excited about it,” Ashley, 37, says. “I like seeing it through the whole way.” Ashley is a fifth-generation farmer who grew up on a sheep and wheat farm at Dandaragan, north-east of Perth. His parents also crayfished at Lancelin, north of Perth, and the family spent six months of the year at the coastal town, while the winter months were at the farm. Kristy, an early childhood teacher who grew up on the central coast of New South Wales, met Ashley fourteen years ago while travelling overseas. After Ian and his wife Denise moved just south of Margaret River, Ashley and Kristy followed suit in 2007 and married two years later. Although they now sell from the farm, as well as at Blue Ginger Fine Foods and Café in Margaret River, the Edgars initially sold their product to a supermarket before Ashley came up with the idea to direct market their beef. >

“I was all for the idea and Ashley is pretty determined and motivated so I knew he could pull it off,” recalls Kristy. “We opened the doors in December 2011.” Today, the family lease 320 hectares of land between Margaret River and Augusta to ensure year-round supply. Their cattle rotationally graze on kikuyu in the summer and rye grass and clover in the winter. “We love meeting other people that also care about where their food comes from and how the animals are raised,” explains Kristy with a smile. Life on the farm is busy for Kristy and Ashley, along with their children Toby, six, Henry, four, and 16-month-old Livvy. Toby and Henry are always ready to help out, and will feed the cattle with Ashley or do other jobs around the farm, including collecting eggs from the family’s ten hens and helping Kristy in the vegetable garden. “We absolutely love living here — the space and being surrounded by animals,” Kristy says. “Just stepping outside to let the chooks out can mentally clear your head and you start to rely on those little pockets of peace. We are lucky to raise our children here — we can leave our doors open and they are free to climb up a tree.” Ashley also enjoys a mix of ocean and farm life since he purchased a crayfish boat. “I like that each day is varied and I’m never stuck in a rut. It shows the kids you can do anything and see something through if you work hard.” “We live in a great community,” says Kristy of the region. “People really care about what they eat. We have access to amazing food here and we buy what’s in season. It’s what’s in your garden or at the market. Everything is off the farm — it’s a nice way to live.” For more information, visit leeuwingrassfedbeef.com.au

“We love meeting other people that care about where their food comes from and how the animals are raised.”