The air has certainly chilled, and winter is upon us. We hope you’re staying toasty. Here is an update on what’s been happening at Forage Farms in recent months.
Events, farm tours and management
Gourmay is a big event in the Mary Valley and we love being involved. May is "Feasting Season" and a chance to meet the people who bring food to the table. There are workshops, farm tours, breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
We presented at the main event in Imbil where we were able to share our love of all things ‘regen’ and 90 people signed up for a tour of Forage Farms the following day. This is the biggest group we have ever hosted, and it was great to see the genuine interest and appetite for learning about better ways of producing food. Winter is the ideal time to visit the farm as it’s not too hot.
The Tarwyn Park training team will also be hosting a 4-day Natural Sequence Farming course in June, so we are busy getting ready for that. The course will equip you with knowledge of the principles and how to read the landscape as well as a plan of action for when you return home.
Chickens
Finally, we have caught up with demand after the damage and loss to property and birds after the summer storm. The laying birds have been producing like crazy, with two new flocks introduced during autumn and the meat chicken production has increased with the introduction of a second house into the paddock and two more in the brooder.
Upgrades to the broken chicken houses are now complete just in time for the arrival of another 1600 birds in the coming weeks. We hope they will like their new homes which have new nest boxes and redesigned perch spaces, as well as some structural upgrades designed to better withstand any future freak wind events.
Pigs
Our pigs are cruising along and enjoying the sunny winter days. There seems to be plenty of sunbaking and general rest and relaxation.
Cattle
We have increased the herd with 30 new Nguni Brahman cross cows and calves and a friendly new pure-bred Nguni bull named Cadbury. We now have a decent-sized herd and will continue to trial and improve as we go. The cattle have been having a lovely time eating the grass and preparing the chicken area on higher ground, and they have recently been moved back to the flats.
