FOURTH generation farmer, Narelle Forrest is now the sole owner of Rosstulla Holdings, taking over the entire operation.
“The succession plan at Rosstulla has been in the makings for over five years, which is fortunate given my health condition” said Rex Forrest who continues to share his experience and knowledge with his daughter.
“Whilst dad was officially diagnosed with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) in 2021, we think he has had it longer than that” Narelle said.
“The aim is to keep him doing as much as he wants to, on the farm for as long as he can, yet try and keep him safe.
"These days he spends a lot of time at appointments as there are no medications to treat the PSP, just therapies to help deal with the symptoms,” she said.
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“Unfortunately Narelle has taken over during a very challenging time, with this last season being the worst I have experienced in my 45 years of farming,” Rex said.
“It has been extremely dry and fodder, for supplementary feed, was expensive and hard to get."
Narelle however took the risk of putting in a couple of paddocks of oats and rye grass.
"Just in case the season broke,” she said.
"They struggled early on but with the recent rains the rye grass is starting to come away.
"It definitely has been challenging in many ways but now that all the administration has been changed over and we have had some rain, things are looking a lot brighter."
She added, "Mum and dad are staying on at the farm for now, and I am looking forward to continuing to welcome visitors on February 4 for our Beef Week open day.
"Please drop in and say hi, and have a chat to dad.”
Alongside the love for polled herefords, the passion for fine wool merino sheep has also been passed on, with Narelle becoming a certified wool classer and using her qualification to work off farm at times to supplement the income.
Much to Rex’s delight the fine wool merino operation will also continue at Rosstulla.
"Narelle has been here for just on 19 years, working alongside me and is both a very capable farmer and astute business women," said Rex.
"I am leaving Rosstulla in good hands”
