I think Erica Halliday could be the Chief of Optimism
Erica Halliday embodies optimism. Her upbeat nature is genuinely infectious, even when she is talking about some really difficult periods for her, her family and the business.
Erica and her husband Stu run Ben Nevis Angus Stud, a 5th generation family business situated in Walcha, New South Wales. But Erica told us with a cheeky grin that she actually didn’t always want Stu as part of the business…
In her experience, having a daughter or son-in-law as part of a family business didn’t always work. Stu was a vet and Erica was acting as his vet nurse when a grumpy rottweiler would be the final straw before they began making their way back to the family business together…
Erica is a natural storyteller who believes in bringing something to the business, not taking from it. It was fascinating to learn how her and Stu built their foundations which added to the family business and Angus Stud when it was time to merge.
Rather than them just come home to the family farm, they ran cattle in some wild country that they couldn’t muster in eight years! By that time, they had built a heard of 800 ‘fuzzy, long-horned’ various breeds of cattle and then were savvy enough to trade them for 200 Angus Heifers.
While you’d be forgiven to think everything is always rainbows and butterflies for Erica given how optimistic she is, she has certainly had more than her fair share of struggles. With three natural disasters in 12 months, Erica says it was humour that got her through - and that you can believe!
With the latest development in El Niño and a predicted extended long dry period, Erica is putting plans and structures in place.
Of course, when talking about droughts and other natural disasters, mental health and wellbeing was a topic of discussion.
Just having a beer at the ramp with a neighbour or picking up the phone can be so hard, but it is what has got Erica through drought before and she says it will do so again.
Erica is a very connected woman, sitting on the board for Angus Australia and a Director of Rural Aid. Her involvement with Rural Aid came about when a fellow Angus Breeder sent her $17,000 worth of hay for her near-starving cattle - no strings attached.
Receiving this help in a time when she desperately needed support and kindness has inspired Erica to be part of giving back.
And that’s not the only hats she wears. An absolute asset to agriculture, Erica is also tackling climate targets and sustainability head on in their own business, with the future of the beef industry always in site.
She believes that the beef industry is not only part of the solution for climate change, but for global food security as well.
On their own property, they are implementing change that works with their soil and natural environment.
Erica eloquently describes how not every problem needs to be solved by her or solved immediately. Instead, she aims to help people and the industry surge ahead through collaboration and helping everyone contribute.
We left the conversation with Erica feeling energised and there’s so many more pockets of gold from our chat with her. Link below to listen to the full episode with Oli and Erica!
Images supplied by Erica Halliday.
