hello i would like to ask a question on hay making i have a farm i purchased a few years ago the back 15 to 20 acres are seperated by a river which is quite full from june to nov-dec each year .i only stock sheep which wont cross the river when its full  so this back paddock is cut off to grow during these months  last year i got a contractor in to cut and bale this grass and got 580 bales off this paddock the resulting hay was very good and was sold for horse and cattle feed

I have 14 acres of rhodes grass which is waist high.  I plan to divide it into half acre paddocks but can't get the fencer in till the grass is shorter.  How would you suggest to cut the rhodes grass?  

It has previously been baled but it's very wet at the moment, do you have to wait till the grass is dry to cut and then bale it?

I have purchased an additional 6.5 acres of land with 5 acres of good pasture and 1.5 acres of light bush and a dam. The house and sheds are on another acre or so. Could give me an idea of how many full size cattle and small cattle I could run? I currently run two poll hereford heifers for meat. I would like to start and get into something a bit more specialized such as Belted Galloways? What is the best way to start a small cattle herd?

Hi,

Could someone point me in the right direction in regards to what is involved in growing and selling cattle?

I'm sure it is not as simple as buying weaner steers, sticking them in the back paddock and mustering them 12 months later, but in reality what is involved? From my reading, it seems like this would be the best way for me to start my transition into rural life.

Thanks

Adam

G'day,

I have an area of about an acre that at times gets quite wet.  It tends to wind up underwater for about 3 days about once a month.  I am in the Nowra area NSW.  I have regularly tried sowing Victorian Rye there and it doesnt take well as it dies everytime it floods.  What options do I have to put something in this area that would grow and be suitable for sheep.

cheers

Tim

My wife and I have bought 44 acres with the view of expanding our 9 dorpers into a flock of 30 - 40 and then "trading up" and eventually having a viable farm. 

Our accountant has informed us that to run the farm as a business and the associated tax benefits, we need to achieve a turnover of around $20,000. This is patently impossible with the dorpers, however we were wondering if anyone had any other ideas to achieve that kind of turnover? 

It doens't particularly matter if we can't run the farm as a business, we were just wondering if it was at all possible.

Hi All

My husband & I have been looking into buying 100 acres for a while to run a few head of cattle on it.  We inspected a property over the weekend but is a little bigger than we planned, its 1600 acres.

Hi, I have a small hobby farm and am looking to use some of it ( 5-6 acres) to grow barley or oaten hay for feed for some sheep and maybe a cow or two. I have no idea on what machinery is required and what process is involved in growing barley, hay etc.... what time of machinery do i require e.g. hay baler,  when do you plant,harvest etc......

I have a old Nuffield tractor, is there secondhand machinery dealers who deal with small farms?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou.

I have 100 acres east of Crows Nest Qld, mainly natural bushland, am looking for a viable venture to make use of some the land, prefer to grow something rather than have animals, can you give advice?

thanks,

Sue

Hi,

We are looking at starting a hobby farm, in the Adelaide Hills area.

As a matter of interest, what size land would we need to sustain the following, assuming there is decent rainfall, topping up with hay if needed?

• A small orchard of fruit tree's
• 2 milk cows
• 10 beef cattle
• 5 sheep
• Chickens

Our aim would to be self sustainable.