It is not only our farms that supply Mungalli Creek Dairy with biodynamic milk. There are two other farmers on the Atherton tablelands who care about their soil and animals as much we do!
Home Farm
Our farms are found in the pristine, sub-tropical Atherton Tablelands. Our farmer is Dan Watson who looks after 320 happy Jersey and Swiss brown cows. They live off a balanced diet of grass, herbs and weeds and even leaves off of trees to balance out their salad bar pastures.
Both breeds produce milk that has a high butter fat, protein and calcium content. This makes the milk they produce rich, creamy and delicious.
How’d you get into Dairy Farming Dan?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t around the dairy. All the Watson kids worked on the dairy during the week, weekends and over the holidays. My brother Rob was interested in taking over the farm from Mum and Dad and he needed a hand. It seemed only natural for me to run the farm with him.
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Biodynamics was developed by Rudolph Steiner in Europe, not Tropical North Queensland. It took us some time to adjust the processes for our part of the world. We’re always happy to share with other farmers who are interested in going down the Biodynamic path. No sense reinventing the wheel!
Have you got a funny story to share?
A few, probably not ones I can share on here though!
Why Biodynamics?
When you see the health of Biodynamic soil and pastures you know why. The idea of working with nature and stimulating natural biological processes just made sense. We’re surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest as well and we want our kids and grandkids to enjoy it as much as we currently do. So it made sense to choose a method of farming that wouldn’t harm it in any way.
Tell us something about cows we probably don’t know!
There’s always a boss cow. She always gets the best bit of shade, and is first for everything.
Glenview Farm
Glenview farm has been supplying Mungalli Creek Dairy with milk for over twelve years. Situated just outside of Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands, Glenview farm is spread across 121 hectares.
In 2000 the family converted 5% of their farm back to rainforest. They focused the tree planting along the Johnstone River, which borders their beautiful farm. Glen Drury, his wife Anne, and their daughter Kathryn have 137 Aussie red cows, famous for their high protein and composition yields.
They are as obsessed with their soil and pastures as the Watson family. Glenview farm pastures are full of chicory, clover, pinto peanut, vetch, vigna, rye grass, and radish to supplement their salad bar pastures.
How’d you get into Dairy Farming Glen?
I bought the farm from my Uncle in Jan 1999. I wasn’t a farm kid though I did spend holidays on this very farm as well as my grandparent’s dairy farm so I wasn’t a novice.
Glenview has a pure Aussie Red herd. What’s so different about Aussie Reds and why did you decide on this particular breed?
They’re a good, all round solid cow with a good temperament. They were bred in Scandinavia for health traits. They’re not as big as Holsteins and not as cheeky as Jerseys. They’re also pretty healthy and robust.
Do you have a favourite cow?
I like most of my cows most of the time though some of them are a bit naughty!
Have you got a funny story to share?
I once had to dive head first under an electric fence because a bull decided I was getting too close to his girls. It wouldn’t have been so bad if it hadn’t have been raining for the two weeks prior. Head first into mud and cow poo is not the most pleasant start to the day.
What time do you get up in the morning?
4:30am in winter and 4:00am in summer. It’s my favourite part of the day though it gets a little chilly just before the sun comes up!
Fog & Forest
The Forest and Fog farm, run by Bill and Kelly Hamilton, is aptly named. Surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest, the farm can go from clear skies to fog shrouded in minutes.
It is here, on lush biodynamics pastures that you will find 170 happy Jersey and Swiss Brown cows, chosen for the high butterfat content in their milk. Kelly and Bill have been dairy farmers for almost 30 years and have supplied Mungalli with milk since 2004.
How’d you get into Dairy Farming Kelly?
I married a dairy farmer!
Why Biodynamics?
There were things about conventional farming that saddened me. As well as working on the farm, I was working in a News agency and was reading a lot of gardening magazines about Biodynamics. It just made sense to me. I was just surprised that I managed to convince Bill too!
What’s been your biggest challenge?
First going to biodynamic’s. Now it’s a breeze but to begin with the land was addicted to fertilisers. It was pumped full of chemicals and didn’t know how to grow naturally.
Do you have a favourite cow?
All of our cows are really friendly but I must admit I do have a favourite! Her name is Ms. Friendly. She is always checking in on me and making sure I’m okay.
Tell us something about cows we might not know!
Cows always know when someone new is miking them and they will projectile poo everywhere! But at least when cows poo on you, you know it’s only grass.