Latest news with #farming
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
'Outsider' farmer find success raising free-range ducks for top restaurants
In a picturesque valley on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, maremma guardian dogs keep watch as thousands of white ducks waddle over grass and splash around in dams. Destined for the food service industry, including some of the country's finest restaurants, these free-range ducks have helped Luke Winder earn a reputation as a serious farmer. The former electrician from Sydney's south started thinking about farming while caring for his terminally ill father more than a decade ago. "He asked me some questions on his way out that made me really think about what I was deeply passionate about," Mr Winder said. With no family connections in farming, he turned to an unlikely source of inspiration. Mr Winder's regenerative farming idols include Americans Will Harris and Joel Salatin. "I think they're forging the path for future generations of farmers and how we really should be treating animals and the way we should be growing food," he said. Mr Winder and his wife Pia bought the 48-hectare farm they now call Tathra Place 10 years ago. The couple bought goats to clear the weeds, but when that failed, they turned to pigs, who happily ate the plants, roots and all. "We went from about 65 acres of blackberry, believe it or not, and we let the pigs do what they do naturally and without any chemical or mechanical means we were able to eradicate [it] all." Mr Winder is upfront about the circumstances that led to a change in career and lifestyle. He bought and sold a Sydney property and bought the farm with the profits. He also didn't pay himself a wage for nearly five years. "And that's only because I've got an incredible wife that just had a wonderful career and could support that financially and emotionally." Mr Winder now leases nearby land as well, but this small-scale operation produces between 7.5 to 9 tonnes of protein each week. As well as pork and duck, it includes beef, lamb and chicken. Mr Winder said they must hit these figures to make his model work, not an easy task for a "chemical-free, pharmaceutical-free" regenerative operation. The business is also a vertically integrated model, where they control nearly every stage of production, which Mr Winder says is also necessary to be profitable. "We have our own butcher shops, we're doing our own wholesale production. We're breaking down birds and doing all the packaging." Mr Winder and his staff also handle all live animal transport and cold-chain logistics after processing, including deliveries to Sydney and Canberra restaurants. Direct sales to the food service industry are integral to the business model, especially for duck, an often difficult sell to home cooks. Tathra Place is now one of the biggest free-range duck producers in the country and markets the fine dining birds as Maremma Duck, a nod to the 23 dogs who protect them day and night. Mr Winder enjoys the support of well-known chefs who are enthusiastic about his ducks and his free-range farming methods. Bennelong at the Sydney Opera House has served his ducks for almost as long as he has produced them. "The flavour profile immediately jumped out and surpassed any other duck that we tried," head chef Rob Cockerill said. Mr Cockerill believes their free-range environment enhances the flavours and said diners were interested in the back story of menu items like duck. While Mr Winder would like to steadily expand the operation, the increasing price of agricultural land is a major hurdle that he and other young farmers face. "Unfortunately where I am here, it's being essentially captured by hobby farmers and people that want their 100 acres or 200-acre blocks where it's only two hours from their house in Sydney," Mr Winder said. He believes changes should be made to ensure land zoned by governments for primary production is used for that purpose. Mr Winder is optimistic about the future of agriculture and plans to put together a training model of his practices for others to follow. He said there was a simple goal. "To be ecologically responsible, but still be able to earn a white-collar salary. "We're never going to attract young people into agriculture if there's not a fair living to be had." Watch ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm AEST on Sunday or stream anytime on ABC iview.
Zawya
19 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Gombe govt flags off 2025 farming season, rolls out subsidised fertilisers
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday, flagged off the 2025 farming season with the sales and distribution of the subsidised fertilisers. Inuwa Yahaya announced the procurement of 10,000 tonnes of the input to be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate, in a major step aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity in the state. He said that the quantity represents over twice the volume distributed during the 2024 wet season, which he said is part of a sustained efforts to scale up support for farmers and reinforce the position of Gombe in Nigeria's food security drive. The Governor also stressed that the intervention is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda, which recognises agriculture as a vital pillar for inclusive economic development. He noted that over 80% of the population in Gombe state are engaged in farming, and that over the past six years, his government has consistently subsidized farm inputs to support farmers. 'For the 2025 wet farming season, we have procured 10,000 metric tons (200,000 bags) of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser at the cost of N44,000 per bag but will be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate of N27,000. 'This gesture underscores our commitment to making agriculture affordable, accessible, and productive. 'As we are all aware, timely access to agricultural inputs is crucial to enhancing agricultural productivity. In this regard, today's flag-off of the sales of fertilisers to the farmers testifies to our commitment to ensuring timely and affordable access to agricultural inputs for farmers,' he said. Inuwa pointed out several initiatives undertaken to revamp the agricultural landscape in Gombe State which include strategic partnerships with the Federal Government, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank through various projects such as the Sasakawa African Association, NG-CARES, L-PRES, RAAMP, and ACReSAL– all of which have improved productivity and enhanced food security. He also cited the ongoing Agro-Livestock Development Zone project comprising an international livestock and grains market, commercial abattoir, and an inland dry port, along with the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, where Premier Seeds Nigeria Limited has commenced operations with a seed-processing facility as part of ongoing efforts to actualizing his administration's desire of positioning Gombe as regional centre of agro-based commerce in the North-east subregion. The Governor directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, and civil society organizations to monitor the distribution process and ensure the fertilizer reaches the intended beneficiaries up to unit level. He said, 'I would like to assure you that we shall ensure that the fertiliser reaches the grassroots by strengthening the fertiliser sales monitoring system. 'I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, and civil society organizations to closely monitor the sales and distribution to the farmers so as to prevent against diversion and ensure that the fertilizer reaches the correct beneficiaries.' He urged farmers to make good use of these inputs and to remain vigilant against natural hazards by adhering to weather advisories for the 2025 farming season. The Governor also called for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, emphasising the need to respect grazing reserves and farmlands, while reiterating his administration's support for the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committees and security agencies to prevent conflict and maintain peace across the state. However, the Governor has again warned traditional rulers against involvement in cases of encroachment on cattle routes and grazing reserves, which is fueling the crisis between farmers and herders in the state, vowing that anyone found culpable in the reports of the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Dispute Settlement Committees will face stringent punishment based on the recommendations of the committees. In a goodwill message, the Acting State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Absalom Akwaras Lansibol, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his vision and commitment to agricultural growth. He said, 'The Governor's steadfast commitment to agricultural transformation in Gombe is inspiring. Today marks another milestone in our effort to secure livelihoods and ensure food security. I encourage continued collaboration for the success of this fertiliser distribution exercise.' He reaffirmed the Federal Government's support for the initiatives of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in the agricultural sector, urging all stakeholders to align with the transformative vision for national agricultural prosperity. Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas M. Malle, expressed gratitude to the Governor for sustaining his support to farmers despite the economic challenges, stating that the Governor's resilience has made it possible for the government to procure farm inputs and distribute same to farmers at a lower rate at a time when many doubted it could happen.
Times
a day ago
- Business
- Times
Jeremy Clarkson: ‘I'm never starting another business'
Jeremy Clarkson, the television presenter turned farming entrepreneur, has called time on any future commercial ventures, saying: 'I am not starting another business as long as I live.' Clarkson, 65, said that the Farmer's Dog pub in the Cotswolds, which is central to his most recent Amazon series, will be his final venture. Speaking to The Times before the publication on Friday of this year's Sunday Times 100, he added: 'I'm done with business now.' Hawkstone, Clarkson's brewing interest, features in the annual ranking of Britain's fastest-growing private companies, having almost tripled its revenues to £21.3 million in the past year. Sitting upstairs in his pub, which overlooks the Windrush valley near Burford, west Oxfordshire, Clarkson said he didn't 'get' business, despite making millions from creating and fronting TV shows such as The Grand Tour: 'I don't understand it and am not motivated by money. I just want a good craic.' He remains ambitious for his existing ventures, which range from Clarkson's Farm, the hit Amazon show now in its fourth series, the lucrative shop on his Diddly Squat farm, the pub and Hawkstone, in which he is the largest shareholder. While Clarkson loves the beer — 'Oh, this is so good,' he said, sipping a pint of Hawkstone Bounder — he is less keen on the paperwork. 'I have to go to board meetings where people talk in a foreign language. We don't even drink there, we're so busy using acronyms. 'In Q1 with the Ebitda running at 15 and Y-o-Y growth of …'. Y-o-Y do I go to board meetings?' he quipped. Clarkson opens the Farmer's Dog ANDREW FOX FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES He is, however, taking on one big new project next year: hosting a large arable farming trade show, Cereals, at Diddly Squat. This year's Cereals event was attended by 20,000 people when it took place in Lincolnshire earlier this month. Hawkstone has suffered several product recalls. In April this year it recalled cans of Hawkstone Black and Hawkstone Spa Lager after the Food Standards Agency picked up that they contained wheat, which was not mentioned on the label. This presented a health risk for anyone with an intolerance to wheat or gluten, or with coeliac disease, the regulator explained. • Jeremy Clarkson: 'Every customer in my new pub loses me £10' The Cotswold Brewing Company, the business behind the Hawkstone brand, said at the time that customer safety was of 'paramount importance … we take all issues regarding the production of our products extremely seriously.'
RNZ News
a day ago
- General
- RNZ News
Country Life: Farmers bitten by the bokashi bug turn waste into natural fertiliser
Tim and Murray dig into some freshly made bokashi Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes Farm owner Tim Hawke and current leaseholder Murray Weaver are into bokashi on a big scale. As well as being a soil superfood, it's also cost effective, Hawke told Country Life . Follow Country Life on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts. "I did my homework a few years ago and it costs me $26 a tonne to get it spread on the paddock ... so it's on a par to solid fertilisers but the benefits are amazing." Last year, they made 120 tonnes from locally sourced agricultural by-products like chook manure, pig manure, sawdust and milk powder sweepings, which add nitrogen and protein to the mix and feed the microorganisms. "We put it over 40-odd hectares. You can't see anything overnight but over time it certainly improves growth and the stock are healthier." A mob of Murray's sheep Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes When available, other raw materials are mixed in too. One batch contained 30 tonnes of apples, rotten bales of baleage and worthless daggy wool. The farmers have learnt to be fussy, though, about what they source. Lawn clippings from residential areas are a no-go. "People use sprays in their gardens and they don't break down, an example is Versatill, it has a long withholding period and that's something that would kill a lot of our clovers and things if we're putting it out." Bokashi composting supports healthy worm activity Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes A huge pile of bokashi sits in the corner of a paddock, waiting to be spread. It's chocolate brown and teeming with worms. "The very first one I did was just a layer of chicken manure and a layer of straw and a layer of chicken manure and a layer of straw. I only had little patches of good spots and now, it's like soil when it comes out." The bokashi was mixed and covered six months ago and is ready for spreading. Hawke said there had been virtually no material loss during the fermentation process. "You put 100 tonne down and we get 100 tonne of good material back." A pile of sawdust that will be mixed into the next batch of bokashi Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes Hawke said local farmers were a bit skeptical when he first started experimenting with this method that uses EM, or Effective Microorganisms, that process the organic matter and break it down. "But I was looking at the scientific side of it, the results were there if you look and you know, eventually, my scanning percentage on the ewes increased from about 160 up to 200 percent." Weaver, who farms 1200 sheep and 150 dairy heifers on the property, reckons it's more drought resilient now too, as grass roots tend to grow much deeper in paddocks after being fertilised with bokashi. "We get a lot of people come past here going 'why is your place so green?'" Lots of tasty clover in a paddock Photo: Cosmo Kentish-Barnes Learn more:
RNZ News
2 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Pygmy goats: Big business in a tiny package
Pygmy goats can sell for up to $10,000 each. Photo: Lisa Bradley / supplied New Zealand's first, and smallest, pygmy goats are in high demand - and big prices are being paid. A South Island farmer's venture of being the first person to import a couple of pygmy goats has taken off, with more than 150 people now on her waiting list for the cheeky miniature pets. Lisa Bradley and her husband, who live in Golden Bay, started Waitotara Pygmy Goats three years ago. "My husband hunts deer and culls feral goats, and he always used to bring a baby goat home as we always enjoyed their antics over the years," Bradley said. "We've always had pet baby goats. As we've got older, I wanted an animal project which is a bit cute and small, and not already here in New Zealand.' Bradley said she decided pygmy goats fitted the bill, and there was quite a process to import them. "They are very stocky, they are very friendly and came from Australia where they are quite new as well (about a decade). They are particularly popular in the United States but we can't import directly from there, so went through Australia." The goats were put in quarantine for a month in Australia prior to being shipped to Auckland, and passing all the Ministry for Primary Industries' tests, then flown to Nelson. 'We bought in one full-blood buck and two purebred does. When we saw them for the first time, my smile showed it all - we were just ecstatic, and to see these little guys was amazing. "The full-blood buck, who is coming up nine years of age, stands just 49cm tall at his shoulder, or wither, area." Remu the pygmy goat. Photo: Lisa Bradley / supplied Bradley said they weighed about one kilogram at birth and were incredibly inquisitive, mischievous and full of antics. They also loved human company. "I have bred up the original imports with Nigerian dwarfs and ferals, and now I have about 30 goats and am getting them more true to type as they continue to breed." She said the demand for them was huge, with several people also wanting to breed them, but more who want them on a lifestyle block - such as those who want a couple for their grandkids to enjoy. "They are very small little animals so are not intimidating for children, and they are just so funny and love people - they love the attention." Bradley says she de-horned all her babies so there was no danger of young or old owners being bunted by little horns. There was now so much interest around the country that she has just started the New Zealand Pygmy Goat Association, which included a breeding registry. Bradley also went to Australia last year and was trained by an American pygmy goat judge to be an official judge herself. Bill Collins the pygmy goat. Photo: Lisa Bradley / supplied When it came to selling her kids, Bradley said it was a challenge and she had become a "nosy seller" who checked out facilities to make sure they went to the right home with suitable shelter. "I never sell one goat on its own - the only time I would do that is if it's going to be with other goats, as they are very social. "But they do transition much better into a new home if they go with a buddy. So I advocate for at least two babies to go together." And how much did it cost to buy one of Bradley's pygmy goats? The price of a de-sexed male kid started at $500, and for a young buck capable of breeding it was up to $10,000. All of her breeding goats were DNA-tested, microchipped and regularly checked for diseases. Grayson the pygmy goat. Photo: Lisa Bradley / supplied Meanwhile, Bradley said the next kidding season was going to be the best yet as it was the third year of breeding. "I have a rotation of paddocks for them and they all have houses in the paddocks. "I think I am a little bit of the 'crazy goat lady'. They are just amazing to see and I spend an awful lot of time with them. My husband thinks I love them more than him, but it's not true! I couldn't do it without him and it's an exciting thing to see." Bradley added that she currently had another buck and two does sitting in quarantine as she needed more diversity in their blood line. Mani the pygmy goat and Billy the cat. Photo: Lisa Bradley / supplied The miniature goats originally came from Africa and were taken to Europe in the early 19th century. They were then shipped to the United States in the 1950s and sold to zoos prior to gaining popularity as pets and show animals. The dwarf strain of goats they came from has achondroplasia. which results in an animal with disproportionately short legs, a plump body and a short head. Australia started importing them in 2013. Their lifespan is between 10 to 15 years, and a doe gives birth to up to four kids at one time. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
