WE’VE BOUGHT A HOBBY FARM ... “RURAL LIFESTYLE PROPERTY”RURAL LIFESTYLE PROPERTY

Turning the ‘Dream’ into ‘Reality’g y

Turning the ‘Reality’ into the ‘Dream’g y

What if we haven’t purchased yet?What if we haven t purchased yet?

Moving “to the Country” means doing the homework first

h d ?How much do we want to invest?

What do we want from our Property?

• Size• Location• The House, or• The Building Site• The Building Site• Access to power & water• Existing land use (& infrastructure)• Planned land usePlanned land use• Water / irrigation requirement• Road access• Proximity to ‘real agriculture’y g

What can we grow?What can we grow?

Perhaps ask first...

“What are we most interested in?”

• Animals• Crops / horticulture• Native vegetation / conservation

Making the most of the opportunity

How much money can we afford to invest?

g f pp y

How much time can we afford to invest?

What skills do we bring to this enterprise?

What assistance will we need to make it a success?

Understand what we have ...

Property Condition will determine spending priorities

What is the general condition of the property?

• House• Fencese ces• Yards• Pastures (soils)

How much will we need to invest toadapt the property for our use?

Consider the finance options that are a ailable toConsider the finance options that are available to implement the plans – if it’s a business, write a Business Plan!

Soils ain’t soils ...

Soil type will affect the enterprise

Soil testing will aid important decisions

Soil type and depth

• What will our soil grow?

S il H ( id lk li )Soil pH (acid vs. alkaline)

• Lime or gypsum?

S il t i t t tSoil nutrient status

• What fertiliser do we need and how much?

Animals need to be managed!g

FacilitiesYards

Shed / shearing equipment (sheep goats alpacas)Shed / shearing equipment (sheep, goats, alpacas)

Cattle restraint (crush or headbail)

Stock‐proof fencesStock‐proof fences

Adequate, year‐round water supply

Crops & Horticulturep

What will grow on my patch?

How long does it take ... from preparation to harvest?

Can I sell the produce easily?

Does it need to be irrigated?

Is there someone else doing it ... competitor /  advice?

Crops & Horticulture

Small seed production• carrots• onions• clover seed• speciality seeds

Vegetables• potatoes• onionsonions• carrots• leaf vegetables

NNursery• trees & shrubs etc.• turf

Ask the Questions ...Ask the Questions ...Who has done this already?What problems did they have?What problems did they have?What successes did they have?Was it profitable ($ & time)?h i h i (f d i )?Where is the expertise (for advice)?

What are the alternatives?

Should we buy machinery?Should we buy machinery?

Depends on ...

• The scale of the business• Financial capacity• Time availability

Alternative is to use contractors

• Fencing & yard construction• Fencing & yard construction • Spraying & fertilising• Paddock preparation & sowing• Harvesting & haymakingHarvesting & haymaking• Animal husbandry

Where can I get advice when things go wrong?

Your Neighbour ... may have experienced something similarLocal Veterinary Surgeon – fee for servicePIRSA ... Rural Solutions SA – fee for service

Biosecurity SA – ‘free’ animal health & production advice (limited)

SENRM – ‘free’ weed and pest management adviceSENRM  free  weed and pest management advice

Rural Merchandise Store – ‘free’ production and management advice

Keep records!Keep records!Essential if you’re planning to sell produce ...

• Product integrity and traceability• Mandatory for some produce 

(e.g. Livestock)f d k• Assists in future decision making

Range of record keeping systems

• Paper records• Electronic

• Commercial farm management software

• ‘Excel spreadsheet’• SENRM & SERIC ... nrmFARM

nrmFARM