Low stocking density is essential for sustainable land management

Drought is just one of the ongoing hazards faced by farmers. It affects farms of all types – poultry, sheep, cattle or any livestock. We chose to limit the problems we could face by not overstocking and allowing pasture to regenerate naturally. We run chickens for egg production as well as some sheep and we encourage others to set up their own freerange egg businesses. It works well as long as numbers are limited. We run about 1000 hens on our 80 hectare farm. The income pays all the bills and puts food on the table although there’s nothing left over for holidays or buying a new car every couple of years.