A move to the Mid North Coast nine years ago has proven to be life changer for Ben Coles

Ben and his wife Cate left Lake Macquarie in July 2012 and moved with their family to Logan's Crossing near Kendall.

They had bought a 29 hectare (72 acre) former dairy farm that had 1.2km frontage to the Camden Haven River. The move was prompted in part by Mr Coles being medically retired from the NSW Police.

He suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a condition now widely acknowledged as being a serious risk for first responders like himself as he worked for eight years in police rescue.

But life on the farm has enabled him to not only survive but thrive just like his much loved cattle the Welsh Blacks.

This rare breed has adapted extremely well to the district and the herd now numbers 42 head.

Welsh Blacks as the name suggests are a native British breed from the mountain and hill country of Wales and are descended from the cattle of pre-Roman Britain.

Mr Coles said they have been genetically untouched for 500 to 600 years, are dual purpose and can easily fatten on grass and thrive on winter pastures that other cattle would not eat. He looked for cattle he could work easily by himself and the Welsh Blacks are noted for their temperament and their maternal traits.

"As we had zero farming background, Cate is a registered nurse, I did all the research on what we planned to do with the farm which was once a highly productive dairy," he said.

"Black cattle seemed to be the best option but we wanted a breed that would thrive in the district, had good temperament and ones that would provide a difference when it came to marketing them. "Welsh Blacks ticked all the boxes and the decision to breed them has proven to be one of best decisions on the farm."

Their original breeders came from Victoria and during the height of the drought further numbers were added from a breeder who run out of feed and water. Today of a national registered herd of 128 head - 42 are found in the Coles herd known as Meander Welsh Blacks. In case people think they are tiny cattle Mr Coles said mature females range in weight from 500-700kg and bulls 800kg-1.2t. They are shorter than some breeds but make up their weight through their length of body, he added.

"Because of their genetics the meat is naturally leaner and darker in colour with a richer taste," he said. "Our aim is to produce local, ethic and sustainable beef."

Low stress handling which involves only working the cattle on foot and using laneways to move them through their rotationally grazed paddocks and minimum inputs is basis of the cattle management at Meander.

"We aren't organic because we believe in vaccination and other treatments when necessary but we try to manage our farm on a sustainable regenerative basis," he said.

The next move in the farm's development and diversification was the building of a licensed boning room so they could market their beef direct to consumers. The cattle are processed at Wingham Beef Exporters before the bodies are cut-up on farm by a butcher.

First up they were selling quarter, half and full carcases but now they are selling specific cuts direct to customers and retailers. The Squeaky Gate Farm Shop in Kew stocks Meander Black Welsh meats and Murray's Craft Brewing at Shoal Bay is using the meat in their restaurant.

The farm that also has accommodation is described by Mr Coles as being the best thing for his mental health.

"I started off slowly when I first arrived but as my health has improved we have now been able to diversify through the accommodation and now selling the meat direct," he said.

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