Spring update

Hi,

We thought a brief and irregular update was in order as things develop on the farm. If you don't want to receive these infrequent and mainly seasonal updates please reply to the effect via email. But a better response would be to forward this to someone who might be interested in clean, healthy and sustainable food :-) . You will notice that your email address has been kept private (blocked from transmission) and we promise never to wittingly let anyone else get your email address without your permission.

The ongoing drought exacerbated by global warming is having a major impact on what we do here on the farm. No 'reliable' autumn rains for 6 years, our 4th year of drought and no spring 'break' (rains) to speak of, means our management decisions are even more vital to sustainablilty. Consequently stock numbers have been reduced in anticipation of a very tough 6 months ahead. For those interested we have had 340mm of rain this year and in a "normal" year we would be at 630mm by now.

We have sold 15 beautiful heifers to local Belted Galloway enthusiasts, 4 lovely cows and a calf to BG lovers at Numerella, 3 older cows to another 'Beltie' breeder, and 4 tasty steers have entered the food chain with more to go. As a small farm trying to do the right thing, this reduction in numbers will help us to ride out the expected drier than usual summer.

Some good news, after 18 months of the property next door sitting vacant, we have new neighbours! Nice people too with three young boys. They have agreed to let us run our cattle on their place to clean up several years of neglected pasture. This is a true win/win and may lead to longer term agistment arrangements.

Our website. Ok so I (Michael) am the slackest web site 'getter up and runner' on the planet. It's a weak excuse but I swear time is speeding up and the days are getting shorter. Anyway with the help of Bill Sutton it should be up and running before Christmas cometh. Much detail about who, what, why, when and how we do things, order forms et cetera will be on the site.

Now comes the hard sell !!! We will have 2 more steers ready for market towards the end of October and demand is building (one is pre sold), so first in best dressed. After this there may be no more meat available until the new year, so she who hesitates will be lost and have to buy that 'chemically enhanced' feedlot stuff from the industrial farming complex, or buy 'organic' meat at inflated retail prices :-(

Prices for quarters remains unchanged at $13.50 per kilogram. We are being asked (no begged actually) to do smaller portions that will fit in a standard domestic freezer. So 'due to popular demand' we will be trialling eighths. This involves significantly more handling by us so the price will be $15.00 per kilogram. The eighths will weigh in at approximately 15 kilos and cost $225. Please let us know if this is of interest, but honestly the best bet is to buy a quarter and share with a friend - it's the social thing to do.

Anyway that's about it for this time around. Oh I almost forgot ! The bees are very active at the moment with spring flowering but the really good news is that the Yellow Boxes (E. Melliodora) look set to flower any minute. When this happens delicious honey will flow. So lets us know if you want some, and we still have a little of January's Red Stringy and Apple Box honey; $6 for 380grams and $10 for 700grams. Fresh healthy eggs are popping out at a great rate (it is spring after all) and are available at $4 per dozen (700grams approx of mixed sizes & colours).

And finally, to our evangelistic friends old and new, a big THANK YOU. Without you we couldn't do it. We really appreciate your spreading the word that there are farmers doing the right thing for the environment and the community. Minding the triple bottom line (environmental, social and financial) is made easier with your support. Keep up the good work.

Our very best, Michael, Elizabeth, Katina and Briana Croft

Post Script. Should you want to speak with me my mobile 0413 387 686 is always on, however I'm generally not civil before 6am and after 10pm. Cheerio, Michael

© _{2007 by Michael Croft and Mountain Creek Farm, All rights reserved.}