New to farming! Need a bit of help!
Currently in the process of buying a 10acre property in Lockyer Waters, west of Brisbane, close to Gatton. I have an idea of what I want to do but with very little experience, I was hoping for some input...
I currently do a few things that I'd like to expand on...
I have a small (20) chicken laying flock of Aracuanas, wellsummers and Sussex, and would like to increase the flock (50-60) what do I need to do to sell eggs legally in QLD?
I'd also like to experiment raising meat birds but can't find any info on a processor that will do private kills (I want to supply/sell to my family and freinds) any ideas on where to do that in SEQ? Zabbelles has shut down...
I was also thinking of expanding my tiny (1000l/60 fish) aquaponics system but was wondering if I need a special license to kill and sell fish? Do I have to register it as an aquaculture property and have it inspected?
My goals are small, in 5 years I want to make roughly $300/week off if the property, is this a reasonable expectation?
I would also like to plant the border out with various evergreen fruit trees that would provide some privacy as well as provide fruit later on. Any ideas ? Thinking citrus as I have had much success with that at my previous property...
Is there any two stage cover crops you can grow? Could I plant a field with sweet potato and let the chickens range on it ? If so before or after harvest? Thought it might be a good way to clear the brush before digging the tubers...
just ideas ATM, we'll be in the house before June and I hope to start putting up infrastructure around March 2015...
Any input would be helpful!