The blog is back! Introduction.

The blog is back thanks to Huw. I remain in the neolithic digital age.

The new wetlands is a haven for birds.

Introduction to the new blog.

We bought Luxton Park in 2001 as a pre retirement property. It is 50 acres, forming part of the old Coolart Estate. We are 1 hr from Melbourne. 5 mins walk to the beach, down a dirt lane and 2 mins to Balnarring shops.

I had hoped we would move permanently down here but democracy rules and i was out voted 5 to 1. So it became a weekender. But I got my revenge. When schooling finished I moved out and left the children at home with an empty fridge.

We inherited a well maintained farm with fantastic infrastructure. the shedding creates true “shed envy”. The water system still befuddles me. Anywhere I dig I find pipes.

We started with Wiltshire horn sheep on Steve’s recommendation. They are easy care, hardy and gentle on the landscape. The few sheep grew into Whiteway Stud, 40 lovely breeding ewes and few in retirement. The learning curve has been sharp and exciting with help from several generous people. The Wiltshire Horn society is the source of all wisdom. In particular Jason, who provides wise advice ( usually taken) and great rams .

With Steve’s help the farm is now fox proof. This has been a long and complicated battle but last year we succeeded. Now the battle is with raptors. Nature’s tooth and claw is here.

I discovered that I am a Regenerative farmer! Through natural laziness, a dislike of poisons and an interest in manure, my approach to soil improvement is regenerative. I have been increasing plant biodiversity, expanding shelter belts and using natural soil enhancers to improve the soils.

We bought the adjacent 50 acres 7 years ago and have put in laneways, new fencing, shelter belts and are now working on the pastures. It is mostly “Somers spue” soil and this is basically empty silt. So I am building up the organic matter as fast as I can. Both farms also have heavy loam clay soils from a drained swamp. This requires different management.

All the pasture renovation is done by myself with old simple machinery. Time is not an issue in retirement. 4 pieces of equipment are used, aerator, discs, power harrow and disc seeder. Silage making is the only process that is contracted out.

I now have 2 flocks, the original Wiltshire horn and the new improved Luxton Black. The latter is a black version of the Wiltshire. However I believe it has a better carcass and has all the advantages of the original breed as well as resistance to photo-toxic plants and chronic UV irradiation. I am battling to prove my observation that they are more resistant to internal parasites.

Our marriage is based on the Ying/Yang philosophy. Catriona believes in hard work., never relaxing and constant planting/weeding. She has created 17 acres of indigenous plantings based around an ancient complex wetlands system, maintains a 2 acre home garden, including fruit, vegetables and large garden beds and 3 native grassland plots near the house. I forgot to say she still has a full time career. Whereas my approach is based on couch thinking.

I hope this gives an overall view of the Luxton Park approach to our farm.