On the Farm
Things are really starting to look good on the farm with the Pigs and the Pastures responding really well to our grazing management. Butchers are really happy with the product as we now have a bigger loin muscle (The main meaty part of a chop) and a lower fat score.
Sows and piglets seem much more content with the higher green diet and the piglets are growing much more evenly. Seeing the piglets playing and hiding amongst the greenery is a real treat too.
This has been the best year we have ever had for dung beetles as well. You may well ask what am I talking about bugs for, but they are an integral part of a healthy grazing system. Many environmentally trained people cringe at the thought of having our pigs grazing right on the catchment of a really clean and beautiful river, but the dung beetles truly have done an amazing job of incorporating the poo into the soil and removing the potential for a nitrate/phosphorous laden runoff into the river. My sisters have a good laugh at me with my monitoring camera taking photos of the dung beetles decimating the poo, but it is one of the keys to a good grazing system. I remember when Jack and I went to Africa and came back with the photos, they asked to see them and next thing they were up me because of Elephant and Rhino Poo shots I had taken (you should see the size of those Dung Beetles!!)
Also we have had a film crew out here recently so hopefully I can update some of the videos that we have soon. It helps so much when you can see just how the pigs live here and how well the paddocks and pastures are doing. I didn’t know how tiring it would be standing out in a paddock and answering questions, but when you need to cut each time a fly lands on you or the pigs walk out of shot it can drag on a bit. Jack (AKA Brad Pigg) did really well also although he says I totally hog the camera.
We have had some great wwoofers here helping as well. We were lucky enough to get an entire family from the UK that had an organic farm but were now travelling in Australia. Amazing people! Also I got Jamie back for a day. (Jamie foster mother of Lucy the pig) She brought her parents along as well and it was really good to catch up.
In the News
Wellbeing Food Magazine featured an article by John Newton about our farm and our piggies. Thanks John for a fantastic article!
Vogue Entertaining + Travel Food Awards 2009. We have been notified that we are finalists in this years paddock section of the food awards. It is so exciting to have our certified organic small goods up there with the best of Australian Produce.
The Marketplace
New Distributor in South East Queensland Tomewin Farm is making it easier for you to get the Pasture Perfect Certified Organic small goods In Brisbane and On the Gold Coast.
New Distributors in Victoria Original Foods and Cherry Tree Organics can supply your local Melbourne gourmet deli, organic store or Health food Shop with our certified organic small goods.
Fresh Pork can also be found at :
SYDNEY Dulwich Hill Gourmet Meats
For More info on where to find our Organic Pork Products please CLICK HERE
Other Interesting Bits
I was very fortunate and honoured to be invited to a producer luncheon Hosted by Christine Manfield of Universal Restaurant. It was truly amazing to be able to sample such incredible food made from the Base Ingredients that were provided by Producers at the table. It was pure pleasure. Great also to meet other fantastic chefs like Martin Boetz from Longrain (whom I was lucky enough to be sitting next to), Peter Gilmore of Quay and Alex Herbert of Bird, Cow, Fish. For someone who doesn’t get off the farm much and eats out very seldom, it was the best! Thank you so much to Christine for the invitation and for the best eating experience of my life so far!!
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