Are you daydreaming about getting a herd of beautiful bovines to graze your small farm?  Keeping larger livestock like cattle requires preparation and planning but can be rewarding for lifestyle farmers. Before jumping into buying your first cow or three, there are some important things to consider.   Is your property suitable for cattle? The first t...

Is keeping chickens for eggs as profitable as it's cracked up to be? Eggs from hens kept in more humane conditions are becoming more sought-after in Australia as consumers become educated about the environment cage eggs can be produced in. The better appearance and taste of non-intensively farmed eggs is also a selling point. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for the improved qu...

Basic Livestock Care for Beginners If you are just starting out in small farming without much experience in raising animals, you'll need to commit to learning about how to care for them responsibly before bringing them onto your farm. Whether you are planning to focus on raising animals to contribute to a livelihood or just want a few around the property for the farm experience, all ...

Goats have a reputation as the ideal small farm animal due to their size, their productivity (they can be used for meat, milk and fibre as well as companionship) and the fact they are relatively easy to look after. So how does their reputation stack up against the reality of raising goats on a small farm?
Small animals for small farms
Compared to other livestock, goats don'...

Cousins of the camel, these long-necked animals can add a dose of fibre and fun to your small farm. Alpacas are members of the Camelidae family, which also contains two-toed (nonhoofed) animals, such as classic one-hump desert camels and rarer two-humped Bactrian camels. Many Australian small farmers  are drawn to the alpaca's versatility and the low impact they have on the natu...

The recent ABC TV show 'The War on Waste' has drawn attention to just how much waste each Australian generates on average, and the actions we can all take to minimise rubbish going into land fill. Composting and worm farming are two things you can start immediately to cut down on what goes into the rubbish collection, while also creating valuable organic material that will help y...

For many of us, having a small farm is a lifestyle choice; a chance to get away from the noise and hustle of the city and get our hands dirty. But sometimes it doesn't hurt to have a little bit of extra spending money even if you just reinvest it in improving your farm! If you are looking for some ways to make some extra cash from your small or hobby farm, here are our top 7 ide...

Many small landholders in Australia rely on chemicals to protect their agricultural enterprises from pests, weeds and diseases. Chemicals provide many benefits to primary production but must be used responsibly to minimise the adverse effects associated with their use. Chemicals can be applied by a variety of means including boom sprayers, aerial spraying, misters, blanket wipers, rope ...

It's not dinner party conversation, but worms are a topic that every sheep farmer, including small farmers, need to address... Most sheep have some worms in their digestive system, and as vaccinations are to humans, a little exposure is essential for sheep to develop and maintain an immunity to worms. But parasitic worms become a problem if they increase to the point where they weake...

I've found a new born lamb! What do I do? Provided there is no mother in sight and you want to hand raise the lamb If the lamb is new born- it needs colostrum either by bottle or stomach tube if it can't suck If the lamb is more than 24hrs old- you can start giving milk replacer straight away Keep the lamb warm and dry it, if it is wet ...