Barrabarroo Farm Fresh Meats

For the last 7 years, John Tracey and his wife Wendy have been living on the Far South Coast paradise of Quaama, not far from Bermagui.

John, a butcher of 35 years with his own successful business in Canberra; and Wendy, previously a financial controller for a large company, together form the perfect team for bringing their quality meat to the local consumer at very competitive prices.

From behind the counter of his Canberra-based butchery that supplied many renowned identities from the local Coroner, to the doctors of Canberra, the American Embassy and the Prime Minister at the Lodge, John yearned to breed his own cattle and bring quality meat to his all-important everyday customers. That passion was realised 2 years ago after compliance with the NSW Food Authority allowing him to legally sell their own meat, bred and butchered on their own farm. And so Barrabarroo Farm Fresh Meats was born.

John runs pure bred Angus cows and bull with their herd ensuring year-round production of quality, tender meat from cattle with low stress levels. Wanting to improve his carcass conformation and overall finishing, John now has a beautiful Chianina Bull with an illustrious Italian pedigree following their Italian tour.

All John’s animals are fed a free-range diet comprising of a mixture of natural of chemical-free quality grasses. Grazing in the natural bushland of their farm provides a huge variety in their dietary intake, including native grasses and fresh rainwater dams producing tender, healthy and clean animals.

The Tracey’s follow organic farming methods, avoiding the use of sprays in their pasture at any time. Got fireweed? Get the sheep in.

Other methods used to get the best out of their animals include allowing the cow to wean the calf naturally, walking among their animals regularly and a great local carrier who handles them gently, all of which result in low-stress cattle that are calmer, easier to handle and produce more tender beef.

If you’ve ever spent a morning at the Moruya Country Markets or other events around the Far South Coast, chances are you’ve had one (or many) of John and Wendy’s award winning gourmet sausages. And if you haven’t, then you’re missing out!