Wauchope Produce has been a produce store in one form or another for around 25 years. Dale Miller has been running the business for the past 9 years and loves animal husbandry. The quietly spoken former beef cattle producer once headed up an operation producing 11,000 head of cattle a year from eight farms… ‘as a bit of a hobby’

‘We had four farms at Kempsey, two more at Tamworth and 2000 acres at Carroll’ explains Dale who admits he actually prefers birds for their calming nature and colour'.

‘I’ve always kept birds, says Dale but that’s old news. Finches, exotics, Australian Parrots, many many kinds’.

They say a business is often a reflection of its owners likes and interests. This explains the huge range of seeds stocked by Wauchope Produce and the plethora of cattle keeping gear. Food, vaccinations, drenches and fertilisers for pasture improvement.

‘We keep pretty much anything you might need for small or large animals. Vitamin supplements, feed and hardware.’

The store is also stocked with all kinds of equestrian gear and the kinds of staples needed to keep horses in excellent health. Liz Moir who has been on the Wauchope Produce team for some time is an avid endurance rider. Liz is currently on leave to try riding as a full time career but her legacy remains and when you wander into the store, it’s clear that equine animals remain a priority as do chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, all creatures great and small.

They even occasionally look after humans with a bunch of boots and jeans on display. Dale rates Ariat boots.

‘Good and comfortable’.