Merv Lawrey “Yerwal Simmental Stud”

Merv Lawrey passed Tuesday 19th August after a brief hospitalization result of accident. (click on photo for details) Merv was 91. CONTACT: Regan Burrow 0419 817669 for a celebration of Merv’s life in Naracoorte South Australia Friday 22nd August.    The founder of the Yerwal Simmental Stud in Naracoorte.  Merv was born for the land enjoying the farming life with sheep and Simmental cattle. He was actually born in the Mallee district in Victoria. Other breeds of cattle were used, but Merv always returned to Simmental.  Merv bought some of the original Simmental genetics including the last of the Munga Park cattle.  The focus was on an easy calving female with excellent feet and brilliant weight gains.  If they didn’t perform, they didn’t stay, that was the criteria. I first met Merv and Marj at one one of the Simmental Nationals some years ago.  He could talk about the original genetics of Simmental and that was what I found most interesting.  He had purchased several Ai straws of the first imports and was impressed with their easy calving ability and weights.  Most famous bull was Broadland Sparticus (Snoopy) who was 16 years of age when I saw him, still serving cattle at that remarkable age.  When I asked Merv why he bought the bull, he replied “I saw the dam”  and the progeny have sold exceptionally well, soft muscle, moderation quiet, good feet.  I will remember our conversations about Simmental and the vision that Merv had for the breed. I appreciate the time he set aside to take us around the Stud and also touring of the area.  Merv was a bit of a ‘lead foot’ and we raced around Naracoorte at high speeds, through roundabouts and main streets…….. The Stud continues on with Regan Burrow, Merv’s grandson which is what Merv most wanted.

Merv sent me some photos of the cattle and I be loading them in the next few days.  Photo of Merv bareback on one of his horses.