Leaky pipes are bad news for both the environment and your hip pocket. A burst pipe or failed fitting on your farm can lead to loss of precious water, failed crops and dehydrated stock. Having some essentials on hand means you can repair the problem yourself without needing to wait for a plumber. Poly pipe for small farms Poly piping systems have become very popular for both small an...

On Aussie small farms water monitoring is essential, particularly during the summer months in low rainfall areas. When keeping any livestock, it's essential that you have access to a good quality, reliable supply of water for their care.   Digital approach for efficiency Farm experts Gallagher have made the most of new digital technology to solve the age old problem ...

  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't take ...

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 natural...

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...