Author Archives: ecologica1

Up on the new line

Posted on 12 July 2017 by ecologica1

It’s been 15 months since we upgraded our dairy and it’s made a big difference for everyone. We have gone from 12 goats up on the line and eight milking cups, to 12 cups with 24 goats up. More space for everyone and a better feeding system – more ergonomic … Continue reading →

Posted in Feeding/Feed, Holy Goat News, Holy Goat News, IN the Dairy, spring | Tagged dairy herd, goat dairy, line-up, milking, milking goats, new dairy | Leave a comment

A four-eyed focus on Obsalim

Posted on 27 October 2016 by ecologica1

We’ve written about Bruno Giboudeau’s, visit and our training and learning with Obsalim in an earlier post and page. Since July, our two interns Maider Haicaguerre, from France, and Eva Zanettini, from Italy, have been undertaking a focussed project using Obsalim … Continue reading →

Posted in Feeding/Feed, Holy Goat News, Holy Goat News, IN the Dairy, In the Paddock, spring | Tagged interns, internship, Obsalim, pH, rumen, rumen function, rumination | Leave a comment

Delicious! Holy Goat wins again

Posted on 16 September 2016 by ecologica1

The 2016 delicious. Produce Awards were held this week at the Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel. We couldn’t make it to the affair, attended each year by the who’s who of small, sustainable production, and those who support, sell and cook … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Goat News, Holy Goat News, marketing, spring | Tagged awards, brigit's well, delicious produce awards, producers of the year | Leave a comment

Producing, Employing, Sustaining, Conserving … and it’s a Farm

Posted on 8 September 2016 by ecologica1

We were proud to host a recent farm field day at Sutton Grange and on our property last month. The focus was on biodiversity and production, and how it is possible to manage the land for the benefit of both of these elements; to … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Goat News, Holy Goat News, In the Cheeseroom, IN the Dairy, In the Paddock, spring | Tagged biodiversity, Connecting Country, ecology, farm field day, North Central CMA, productivity, sustainability | Leave a comment

Finally, a winter for growth

Posted on 16 August 2016 by ecologica1

We have been persevering with our pasture cropping for some years now. Knowing the theoretical returns, only ever seeing some evidence of it. Finally, here’s a winter approaching the average and we’re seeing great results. Our farm has still many vestiges of native grasses. … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Goat News, Holy Goat News, In the Paddock, winter | Tagged feed, intercropping, kangaroo grass, native pastures, nutrients, pasture cropping, perennial pastures | Leave a comment

More than gut instinct

Posted on 2 August 2016 by ecologica1

We have been managing our farm at Sutton Grange for over 17 years now. Before that we’d spent many years developing our apprenticeships with dairy goats, both in Australia and overseas. We are still learning. It’s very exciting to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Goat News, Holy Goat News, spring, winter | Tagged animal nutrition, Obsalim, observation, rumen, rumen function, rumen stability | Leave a comment

Have a happy, healthy festive season (with cheese on top)

Posted on 20 December 2015 by ecologica1

Well 2015 has been another year of growth and change for Holy Goat. It’s been a year where the seasons have certainly teased and tried us, where we’ve all continued to learn and share skills and knowledge, both on the farm and … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Goat News, Holy Goat News, marketing, summer | Tagged 2015, celebration, cheese, Christmas, interns, staff, team | Leave a comment

Sunday arvo on the farm

Posted on 16 September 2015 by ecologica1

It’s been a while since we posted a blog, but things have been busy on the farm. Sundays are no different. A typical Sunday at Holy Goat involves milking early morning and afternoon (just like every other day) cheesemaking (just like every other … Continue reading →

Posted in Feeding/Feed, Holy Goat News, Holy Goat News, hooves and udders, IN the Dairy, In the Paddock, spring | Tagged cheese, compost, feet trimming, hoof trimming, kidding, new milkers, pasture growth, planting, spring, spring 2015, Sunday, weaning | Leave a comment

Safe and Secure

Posted on 9 June 2015 by ecologica1

“If it can move, it can carry diseases, pests and weeds.” * Last week we met with Tristan Jubb, a Bendigo based vet, who also specialises in biosecurity issues, working in export marketing and with national livestock bodies. When you … Continue reading →

Posted in Holy Goat News, In the Paddock, winter, winter | Tagged animal health, biosecurity, farm biosecurity plan, human health, Tristan Jubb | Leave a comment

Managing Mastitis

Posted on 22 December 2014 by ecologica1

We get many queries from farmers and cheese-lovers alike about animal health. How do we manage specific issues? What are our treatments and protocols? How do organic farms differ from conventional ones? We will cover a few of these questions … Continue reading →