Why bother with a website?

 Our experience over losing our farm website as a result of our Internet Service Provider failing to maintain registration of our domain name raised a key question for us : - Do we really need a website? The answer is No! There has  been no noticeable drop in demand as a result of our website’s invisibility. We have found that our blog is a far more effective tool and our facebook page helps.

Just what is the difference between a blog and a website?

A blog is a type of web presence with content about specific topics which can be updated. A website is a collection of pages with information about a business and brand. Blogs are easy to regularly update with new posts, keeping readers coming back for more whereas websites tend to be more static and less engaging for customers. An ISP’s monthly charge for maintaining a website compares with zero for a blog. So we have decided not to bother going through all the aggro  fighting to get our website back on line. It's a bit sad as I put a lot of effort into preparing material for the website and the end product was well received in Australia and overseas but there appears to be no value in maintaining a website. Our sales are local to the farm and we have no ambition for exponential growth to turn us into a major egg supplier.

Eggs pick up anytime

 

Our egg sales hut is just inside the front gate at the farm. Customers are able to pick up orders anytime. The sign was painted by grand daughter Summer, Whilst visiting from Rockhampton. Here, she's sitting with Anne.

A 'How to' guide for Setting up your own free range farm

 National Agriculture Day in Australia is held each year on the third Friday in November. So this year it was November 18. It was great day to recognise the strong demand for information about setting up freerange farms.

An eBook on how to set up a sustainable freerange farm is available from us and is particularly vital now the clear consumer demand for free range eggs has generated a strong increase in the number of people thinking about starting their own free range egg businesses.

Small, ethical and sustainable farm businesses need to be established to service local communities close to every township.

A good starting point is reading our eBook. Detailed information is provided about things like shed requirements, food safety, egg packaging and labelling.

When deciding to set up a free range egg farm, take the time to plan it properly. Find out the zoning of the land and talk to the Council planning department about their requirements. It’s also worth contacting the State Department of Agriculture. You can find on-line resources in most states. Once that is sorted, talk to your Council Environmental Health Department about any specific requirements they have before you get underway.

Netcomm Wireless modem/router may be our phone problem

 our ageing Netcomm Wireless modem/router has been in use since before the NBN was rolled out. Perhaps it needs to be upgraded as Swoop Broadband can't fix our voice connectivity problem. No-one has been able to contact us by phone for ages. If the problem isn't the modem. it has to be an NBN Co issue or Swoop's bungle.

Home phone may start working again

 Our ISP, Swoop Broadband has given us a few new changes to reconfigure our Netcomm wireless modem router which they say will allow our home phone to work. They've told us that before so lets hope that this time they are right! After months of problems, you may be able to contact us on 03 56788483.

Website troubles

 As our website domain name has been hijacked, our on-line presence is limited to this blog and our Facebook page. We assure customers that our eBook on setting up a free range farm is still available.

It it can be ordered at any time. At just $245. it's a low-cost way of providing all the ideas and tools needed to establish your egg business and will help you prepare your own application to your local Shire to set up a free range farm. There's no need to engage a costly consultant to write the application for you. Free range egg production is a niche market which is why genuine free range eggs are never found in supermarkets. There is a need for free range egg farms to be set up close to every township. Once payment is made, the eBook will be emailed as a Portable Document File (PDF). send payment to our  Bendigo Bank account.P &A Westwood BSB 633 000 Account 153356233.

Freeranger website stolen

 Our farm website freeranger.com.au is invisible to consumers.We have been trying to get our Internet Service Providers Ventra IP and Swoop Broadband to rectify the problem by reregistering our domain name: A couple of days ago we were notified by domain rescue:"Sorry we can no longer help with that domain name. Someone called Cameron Fraser registered yesterday via drop.com.au"

It seems to be remarkably easy for a domain name to be stolen. surely checks and balances should be in place! His email address is cameron.fraser@mail.com He has just contacted us saying he may sell the domain for $800.We have no idea how long it will take to sort this out   -  if ever!!

 After extensive research, Eggs are now said to provide the highest quality protein of all food sources, closely matching human requirements for essential amino acids. Australian Eggs says that an 18 month review of research shows that eggs contain 17 different vitamins nutrients compared with the 13 that were previously recognised, The additional nutrients include Biotin (vitamin B7, Omega 3 fatty acids, Lutein and Zeaxanthin.

Set up your own free range egg business

 Successful marketing by corporate egg producers, together with massive promotions by supermarkets have resulted in total domination of the egg industry by big businesses. This presents more opportunities for small-scale producers to meet the needs of many local families who want to buy genuine free range eggs.

To encourage anyone thinking about setting up their own egg business, an eBook is available to guide everyone through the process.Our eBook on establishing a free range egg farm is available at any time. At a cost of just $245. It is a low-cost way of providing all the ideas and tools needed to establish your egg business and will help you prepare your own application to your local Shire to set up a free range farm. There's no need to engage a costly consultant to write the application for you. Free range egg production is a niche market which is why genuine free range eggs are never found in supermarkets Once payment is made, the eBook will be emailed as a Portable Document File (PDF). send payment to our  Bendigo Bank account.P &A Westwood BSB 633 000 Account 153356233.

What is The Carnivore Diet?

 In recent months, we’ve noticed that a number of our customers have boosted their egg purchases considerably. A common link between them is that they have moved to a carnivore diet. That doesn’t mean that they only eat meat.The diet is a dietary regimen that involves consuming only animal products while excluding all plant-based foods.

The diet emphasises eating eggs, meat and some dairy products, with no restrictions on quantities.

According to a 2013 study conducted by Boston University, adopting a carnivore diet could result in weight loss, enhanced heart health characterised by an average increase in HDL cholesterol of 5.1 mg/dl, decreased inflammation and fewer digestive issues. On the farm, we prefer a balanced diet with a wide range of vegetables as well as meat products. Hard to think of sitting down to a roast without potatoes etc.

What's the Carnivore Diet? - A Beginner's Guide (2024)

Vital nutrition in eggs - even more in free range eggs

 Papers published by the US National Library of Medicine show that hen eggs provide choline, folate, vitamin D, iodine, B vitamins and high-quality protein and are not viewed by national bodies as a risk factor for hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular disease. The review evaluated recent high-quality evidence from randomised controlled trials and observational studies. It considered new areas of interest, such as weight management, protein metabolism, allergy risk and sustainability. In several cases, eggs increased muscle protein synthesis and lowered fat mass, which could support optimal body composition. Eggs within a meal improved satiety, which could translate into lower energy intakes. Academics have realised the nutritional value of eggs. Other research has confirmed that eggs from free range, well cared for chickens have been shown to be more nutritious than those from hens in cages or locked in barns. They are lower in cholesterol and saturated fats. They are also higher in Vitamins A, D and E, Omega 3, and Beta Carotene.

Sustainable and regenerative farming are keys to future production

 Sustainability is the fundamental principle of farm management at the Freeranger Eggs farm.

The stocking density of any farm animals is a critical factor in the long term sustainability of farmland. With chickens, the maximum stocking density of 1500 hens per hectare was established by the industry, academics, politicians and bureaucrats when they prepared the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals (Domestic Poultry). Nutrients and trace elements in manure can accumulate in the soil, making it toxic for vegetation as well as polluting ground and surface water.

A laying hen produces half a cubic metre of manure a year. So with a stocking density of 10,000 hens per hectare approved by Ministers for Consumer Affairs, farmers who follow their advice will see their land covered with 5000 cubic metres of manure per hectare every year.

As chicken manure has the highest amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium of all manures, it will likely render the land useless for farming within a few years. Contamination of groundwater and water courses is also likely. Details of the farm process are on the freeranger website: freeranger.com.au

$12 million more taxpayer funds to be spent dealing with bird flu at intensive production facilities

 

The federal government is planning to spend$12 million in conjunction with the states for critical equipment in a biosecurity defence plan supposed to prepare Australia for an H5N1 bird flu outbreak which some ‘experts’ say will almost certainly reach Australia.

The funding will also be spent on culling hens, called 'depopulation', decontamination and disposal equipment to limit the spread of the disease. A better safety measure would be to stop workers travelling between layer sites - a common industry practice.

Bioplastics industry can use calcium carbonate from egg shells

 According to Watt Global Media,Major egg producers may find an added income source by processing their millions of egg shells.

using computerised eggshell separation technology, calcium carbonate can be supplied without mining, reducing the carbon footprint of calcium carbonate by 97 percent for bioplastic producers, compared to the average of the mined product.It's  properties make it useful in various other industries including construction and cosmetics.

National Agriculture Day Australia

 

National Agriculture Day  is held every year in Australia on the third Friday in November. This year it is on November 28.

It will be a great day to recognise the strong demand for information about setting up freerange farms.

An eBook on how to set up a sustainable freerange farm is available from Freeranger Eggs at Grantville and is even more vital now the clear consumer demand for free range eggs has generated a strong increase in the number of people thinking about starting their own free range egg businesses.

Small, ethical and sustainable farm businesses can be established to service local communities.  Every township needs a  free range farm nearby. 

A good starting point is reading our eBook on starting a free range farm available on the Freeranger Eggs website

Detailed information is available on the Freeranger Club downloads page about things like shed requirements, food safety, egg packaging and labelling.

When deciding to set up a free range egg farm, take the time to plan it properly. Find out the zoning of the land and talk to your local Council planning department about their requirements. It’s also worth contacting the State Department of Agriculture. You can find on-line resources in most states. Once that is sorted, talk to your Council Environmental Health Department about any specific requirements they have before you get underway.

Details: www.freeranger.com.au

Point of lay hens available again

 Point of lay pullets are now available again at the Grantville farm. They are well grown, 16 weeks old and vaccinated against all main poultry diseases. Call or email if you would like a few hens.  0356788483 . freeranger@dcsi.net.au Despite higher costs including Government charges, they are still just $35 each.

Australia's egg industry now almost totally corporate controled

 Australia’s egg industry has long been dominated by big business but corporate power over the industry is now almost total. Legendary corporate raider,Ron Brierley's Guinness Peat Group has a big stake in Victorian egg operator Farm Pride Foods. Pace Farm, which is owned by private equity group ROC Partners has bought Kinross Farms and Canada’s PSP Investments controls 50% of Sunny Queen Australia. That accounts for almost all eggs sold in supermarkets and leaves a tiny percentage of overall egg sales for individual farm businesses. Increasing levels of market manipulation seem inevitable.

How many eggs a day?

 There is often debate about how many eggs a day people should eat.Generally, one to three eggs a day is a good number for most people. It's important to eat a variety of healthy foods. Some kids have sensitivities or allergic reations to eggs, or are simply picky eaters. If your child doesn't eat eggs, that's okay. The most important thing is for them to eat a balanced diet with lots of whole foods and lean protein. A healthy diet should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, healthy fats, and good sources of protein.

Grab the opportunity to set up a farm. Demand is expected to stay hot

 

The growing need for more free range egg farms was brought home again today when a 5 tonne delivery truck arrived at the farm this morning and the driver said he had been sent to fill up the truck with eggs.

He could hardly believe it when Anne said we had no eggs available. “But my computer says this an egg farm” he wailed. “Yes” she replied “But all our eggs are laid to order and we are always sold out by this time.”

There is a huge opportunity for more genuine free range farms to be set up, and we have been doing our best to encourage it locally and in every State. There needs to be far more free range farms close to every township in the country.

We have an eBook available for anyone interested. It will be sent as a pdf after payment of $240 is made to our Bendigo Bank account P&A Westwood 633000 53356233

Destruction of bushland at Grantville

 It’s strange how some people can’t see the wood for the trees when it comes environmental issues. In Bass Coast Shire, a  handful of noisy people shrieked about demolishing a few dying trees to allow a road widening scheme for a sand extraction site which had already been granted a permit – yet they have not raised a squeak about cutting down and setting fire to native vegetation and habitat trees in Stanley Road. It is part of the bushland corridor and far more significant than the few trees on the north side of Stanley Road, adjoining cleared farmland which have been the subject of ravings by supporters of Save Westernport Woodlands. That vegetation has little habitat value compared with the senseless destruction of healthy trees and wildlife just undertaken. The State Government's Forest Fire Management has just completed the first burn, but a total of 22 hectares of the bushland is being targetted. It would have been better for activists to concentrate on maintaining the continuity and integrity of the woodland. Even the Shire has been hoodwinked into supporting this nonsense.It’s  hard coming to terms with the senseless destruction of bushland at Stanley Road, Grantville by firelighters from Forest Fire Management, assisted by Neil Rankine, guru of Save Westernport Woodlands. This example of their handiwork demonstrates that they have no respect for or understanding of native vegetation and wildlife. It also shows the absurdity of Mr Rankine’s objection to the removal of a handful of dying trees to make Stanley Road safer for residents. He clearly has a secret agenda which he refuses to share.