Organic husbandry is based on the harmonious relationship between land, water, plants and animals. Respect for the physiological and behavioural needs of animals and the feeding of good quality, organically grown feed.* Sound like our farm? That quote is from an early version of the NASAA (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia Ltd) Organic StandardsContinue reading “Why Organic?”
Category Archives: Holy Goat News
Heat and Goats
Keeping our herd of 100 milking goats cool, calm and collected – not to mention our two-legged milkers – is our focus as we head into this week’s heatwave. Central Victorian summers are always harsh, but consecutive days of 40 degrees plus can take their toll on a dairy farm. Goats don’t sweat. They pantContinue reading “Heat and Goats”
Happy Christmas and New Year from Holy Goat
Well 2013 has been another year of growth and change for Holy Goat, a year where the seasons were (mostly) kind, the goats thrived and our cheeses continued to find new appreciation around the nation. We look forward to a brief spell, some time to reflect and celebrate the festive season, before embarking on anotherContinue reading “Happy Christmas and New Year from Holy Goat”
Cheesemaking – the Science, and the Art
Our goats have flourished in the spring conditions and milk production reached an all-time high this month. Last month 8400 litres poured into the vat, compared to 5600 litres last spring, and 4200 litres the year before that. But it’s not only sheer volume, the milk is sweet and balanced, with medium protein and fat levels.Continue reading “Cheesemaking – the Science, and the Art”
All in a Weekend’s Work
It’s 5.15am on any Saturday (and some Sundays) and you’ll find our ‘market car’ with its cargo of Holy Goat cheese, lovingly packed and refrigerated, on it’s way an accredited Farmers’ Market in Melbourne, or perhaps closer to home at Castlemaine or Bendigo. By 8am our stall is set up and ready – our cabinetContinue reading “All in a Weekend’s Work”
Who do you think you are?
Ivy was born on the 9th August this year, the last of the kids born to the maiden does (first time kidding). She comes from a long line of goats. Her mother is Hoya, borne by Jasmine, who came from Lilac, out of Buddelia. Muse is her great great great grand dame. Ivy’s father’s isContinue reading “Who do you think you are?”
Position Vacant at Holy Goat Cheese
Assistant cheese maker/ dairy goat milker Holy Goat Cheese is regarded as one of the finest farmhouse goat cheese producers in Australia. The farm is certified organic with the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia. This position requires assisting in the manufacture of lactic and rennet set cheeses; wrapping and despatching of cheeses; the cleaningContinue reading “Position Vacant at Holy Goat Cheese”
Who’s Kidding?
We are coming up to our most intense time on the farm – kidding. Our pregnant does are due to start birthing on 9 August and it’s an expectant time for us all on the farm. The natural breeding season for goats is March to September; young females reach puberty at around five months andContinue reading “Who’s Kidding?”
Insiders
At Holy Goat, as much as we farm the land and the goats, we are also aiming to cultivate farmers. In Australia, the average age of farmers is around 53 years of age (compared with 39 years for all other occupations – the latest ABS stats make sobering reading). Agriculture is faced with an agingContinue reading “Insiders”
The Line Up
Twice a day we milk our goats – at 6am and 3pm. The goats are more routine than us; well before it’s time to bring them up to the dairy, the herd will have made their way towards the milking shed – unless they’ve found a particularly luscious spot of feed, or a cool spotContinue reading “The Line Up”