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Visiting a farm in Australia

Visiting a farm in Australia

March 13, 2013 by Liz Gardner 2 Comments

When travelling in southern Australia in the heat and dryness of a hot January with daily temperatures in the 30’s and low 40’s (Celsius) and with no sign of rain, it is a vast difference to a “winter” visit to this lush and beautiful farming region in the Western District of Victoria, Australia. No matter what time of year, if you have the opportunity to visit a farm it really is a unique experience whether you are a city or country person! Depending on the type of property visited, summer is a busy time of harvest; wheat, canola, other grains and fodder crops – with most harvesting by massive equipment often being moved between properties on the highways.

A "flowering" canola crop
A “flowering” canola crop

It is always interesting to learn something new; about farm animals (sheep) and how they are purchased (sometimes at online “live” auctions), and that after the harvest the sheep are moved to graze on the stubble before it is “burned” and the next crop is planted, depending on farming practices. Following is a sequence of photos on crop harvesting:

Crop just before harvest
Crop just before harvest
Unloaded harvested wheat into trucks to haul to storage
Unloading harvested wheat into trucks to haul for storage
Sheep and lambs put onto the "stubble" after crop harvest
Sheep and lambs put onto the “stubble” after crop harvest
Burning the stubble requires local fire authorities approval
Burning the stubble requires local fire authorities approval
Huge temporary grain storage "sacks"
A new innovative method of temporarily storing grain is in 200 ton plus silo bags / sacks enabling the crop to be sold months later

A Mixed farm or large property

Farming properties can vary in size from several hundred to thousands of acres and many are mixed farms producing combinations of high quality grains, bales of feed, beef and / or dairy cattle, sheep for meat and / or fine wool production; all depending on the location of the property, and it’s manager/owner. The highest sheep production in Victoria is in the Western District (33.7%). Many of the smaller farm homes were originally Soldiers Settlers homes which were given to returned soldiers by the government after WWI but most now have amalgamated into larger properties.

A working farm dog - a big help on a large property
A working farm dog – a big help on a large property.
This purebred Kelpie is appropriately named “Soul”

There are several historic country homes throughout the Western District and some have “open days” during the year. If you are in the area on one of these days they are definitely not to be missed. The two properties visited in the past are Mawallock (near Beaufort) and Woolongoon (near Mortlake). During our visit  it was sad that the historic Carngham Station’s two-story home was lost in the fires (January 9 2013).

Mawallock Homestead
Mawallock Homestead
Woolongoon Open Day
Woolongoon Open Day

Brolgas & Rock Stomping

The Western District is also home to the iconic Brolga which is protected as their numbers in southern Australia are declining. It is rare these days to see these very tall, magnificent birds  in their natural wetlands environment.

A most unusual feature of the entire district are the incredible volcanic rock fences which go on for miles and miles.  These fences are made by hand (very labour intensive) from the rocks in the fields, most are very old with many still functional. As this surface rock is in vast amounts of fields, the pastures are often only usable for grazing although there is a “rock stomping” machine which removes the rocks so that crops can be planted. Evidently over time more rocks “float” back up to the surface.

The next generation of farmers are not only hard-working and resourceful, but often well-educated with knowledge in a range of farming skills and agricultural practices. The young farmers we met were accomplished and adaptable – knowing their abilities impact the use and productivity of their land, including environmental issues, not only today but into the futures of their children. Thank you for the privilege of sharing a few moments of your rewarding lifestyles.

Notes

  • Plan your travels well and if travelling during the summer holidays (January) be aware and keep informed of weather and fire locations through the CFA (Country Fire Authority)
  • A great time to visit the south-eastern state of Victoria, Australia is in their Spring and Summer – for me the “best” time is “anytime” but here is the annual weather information and lots more from Visit Victoria
  • Watch your speed when driving – traffic fines are very steep and there is zero tolerance for “drunk driving” – .05 BAC is the limit
  • Slow down at railway crossings –  signage indicates speed reduction to 80 kph
  • Australia has 23 million sheep (2012 / 13 projection)
  • That works out to one sheep per person in Australia which has a current population of 22,620,600
Labour intensive hand raising lambs
Labour intensive hand raising lambs.These Prime Lambs are Merino Ewe X Border Leicester Ram = 1st Cross Ewe – then the ewes are crossed with a White Suffolk Ram

Links & references 

  • Where is the Western District of Victoria
  • Victoria state government history of bush fires in the Western District with devastating loss of human life and stock
  • Iconic Brolga  – a Western District vanishing species
  • Camperdown History
  • Heytesbury Soldiers Settlers Scheme
  • Spectacular historic homestead of Mawallock (near Beaufort) has an Open Gardens March each year – home and 7 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens. Check with the Beaufort TI Centre, 72 Neill St., Beaufort, 3372 (Telephone (61) 3 5349 1180)
  • Woolongoon (near Mortlake) mansion (2 story) with its beautiful 100-year-old gardens (check open dates with the Mortlake TI Centre, 108 Dunlop St., Mortlake, 3272 (Telephone (03) 5599 2899 )
  • So you want to be a wool classer – a dying art
  • Basic Bachelor degree and five years of relevant experience required before applying to immigrate to Australia as a mixed crop farmer

Shearing is always a busy & exciting time in a wool shed

Shearing Time
Shearing time – hard work and long days = hard “yakka“
eShawn fleece being sorted
Shorn fleece being classed before placing in bins according to micron fibres – the lower the micron – the higher the fibre quality
Baled wool ready for shipping to market
Wool pressed in bales ready for shipping to market

From Wikipedia:

“The finest bale of wool ever auctioned sold for a seasonal record of 269,000 cents per kilo during June, 2008. This bale was produced by the Hillcreston Pinehill Partnership and measured 11.6 microns, 72.1% yield and had a 43 Newtons per kilotex strength measurement. The bale realised $247,480 and was exported to India.” 

 

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About Liz Gardner

Live in Canada's Pacific Northwest. Dual nationality & personality. Happy gardener all my life. Love my grandkids & our West Coast beaches. Passionate about all things "healthy". Life long learner & asker of "how". Encourager - we all need a little help sometimes. And a sense of humour. Every day is a gift. Read More…

Comments

  1. Pam says

    March 15, 2013 at 2:39 am

    This is great. Very interesting and informative. Thanks

    Reply
    • Liz says

      March 15, 2013 at 3:42 pm

      Glad you enjoyed the article ~ we love “country Australia” ~ a fabulous & fascinating country! Perhaps I am a bit biased ? Liz

      Reply

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