Before even looking at real estate advertisements, anyone thinking about purchasing a Hobby Farm needs to be certain. Your selection needs to take into account how many hours of effort you are willing to put in and the associated costs. In this blog, we are answering what qualities you should look for in a hobby farm. However, if you are planning to find hobby farms for sale in Victoria then you can get assistance from The Company, real estate agents in Melbourne, contact us.  

However, it takes time and money to purchase land and then modify it for your needs. Therefore, it is frequently preferable to select a lifestyle block that is more suited to your requirements.   

Keeping Animals   

Search for:   

Aside from pens for cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, and llamas, additional housing options for animals include chicken coops and horse stables.   

appropriate fencing (fences that back into public roadways must comply with this legal requirement as well).   

access to water from ponds, lakes or other natural sources.   

Enough sufficient meadow for grazing animals and birds. shade throughout the spring and summer. This might be as easy as having a few trees that are the right size. But it can also involve fixed or portable shade shelters.   

The Land  

Verify that the small farm has access to:   

• irrigation using water from natural sources.   
• It is advised that you arrange for a soil test from a properly licensed specialist before committing to the purchase. Good, level acreage with quality soil.   

Buildings

In addition to the actual property, carefully examine the sheds, fences, tracks, drains, yards, water pumps, water supply (including tanks, dams, pipes, bores, and troughs), and electricity supply (location, single, and three-phase).  

You should make sure they have council approval in addition to that they are of a high/workable standard. On the opening page of the Contract of Sale for the Hobby Farm, existing infrastructure should be prominently identified. A qualified conveyancer must be hired.  

Special Features   

Although not necessary, the following features will increase the enjoyment of owning a hobby farm:   

• Bushland and horseback riding trails.   
• Creeks are used for pleasure and fishing.   

• Rolling hills for quad bikes and other all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).  

Responsibility for Livestock   

The Animal Care and Protection Act of 2001 governs the duties of owners about providing for an animal’s food, water, and other necessities, as well as protection from predators (where suitable fencing comes into play) and euthanasia.   

These laws, which differ from state to state, are applicable to all the animals you keep on your hobby farm.   

Water troughs should be secured in place and easily accessible for numerous animals at once in terms of care and nourishment. Making sure that stocks (especially young ones) are familiar with watering points is also crucial. Furthermore, on your hobby farm, it is crucial to give your animals access to shade and to make sure they know where it is.   

Hobby farms with a few well-covered trees, like gum trees, are excellent, but you can also build your own shelter out of shade cloth, corrugated iron, or wood. Watch out for animals congregating in one area when there are several sources of shade nearby.   

Heat stress symptoms include:   

• back arches.   
• slobbering, gagging, or exuding copious saliva.   
• having mouth foam.    

• mouth open when breathing.  
• Trembling and a lack of coordination.    

The duty of care codes is optional, however following them can help you avoid being accused of animal cruelty.  

Cattle, goats, horses, pigs, poultry, rabbits, sheep, honeybees, and non-indigenous animals like camels, bison, water buffalo, and llamas all have special care requirements and recommendations.   

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), Australia’s programme for the identification, tracking, and tagging of animals used in primary sectors including agriculture and farming, is another crucial consideration. However, you must follow these rules as the proprietor of a hobby farm.    

When investigating hobby farms, you might also want to think about the following:  

How far away is the vet from the farm?   

When animals give birth, as well as the feeding and immunization that accompany it, are you willing to get your hands dirty?   

How long will the water be in the dam?   

When the time comes, will you be able to get to your hobby farm? You are solely responsible for fixing any damaged fences, gates, or animal illnesses or injuries.   

Animal Health Australia (AHA) and the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS) both have a wealth of excellent information on animal care.  

Land Care and Biosecurity   

Hobby farmers engaging in new farm activities should be mindful of the following under Australia’s national Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:   

• Species that migrate and are nationally threatened.   
• Endangered natural communities on a national scale.  

• Wetlands have global significance.   
• national and international historic sites.   

Therefore, if you are planning to make significant modifications to the land, such as clearing it. Phone the Department of the Environment to double-check. They also provide a map that shows you whether your hobby farm is likely to be near any environmental issues of national concern.   

Even while these criteria are in the interest of the country, you need also consider so-called biosecurity factors if you run a hobby farm.  

The goal of biosecurity is to prevent harmful weeds, pests, and diseases from infecting people, animals, plants, and crops.   

It is crucial for keeping disease outbreaks from spreading outside of your farm. Additionally, biosecurity precautions do not always have to be expensive.  

Simple actions you can take are as follows:   

when buying feed for animals and plants, requesting a Commodity Vendor Declaration (CVD).   

ensuring that feed does not have a significant concentration of weed seeds that could spread over the farm.   

To prevent pests, store food in a clean, dry spot on your hobby farm.   

To prevent contamination, frequently clean the food and water troughs.   

Not giving ruminants like cows restricted animal material (RAM). As a result of its connection to the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as “Mad Cow disease,” this practise is prohibited in Australia.  

Obtain approved seed and plant propagation supplies. Buying plant material should only be done from sources that take biosecurity, cleanliness, health testing, and record-keeping seriously.   

To eliminate the weed seeds and diseases that frequently accompany organic fertilizer, make sure that animal manure and green waste are aged and properly composted.   

When handling chemicals, always follow the directions, paying close attention to the dilution and application rates, expiry dates, and how to properly dispose of chemical waste. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website has more details on this.  

constructing a fence to keep animals away from the streams and rivers that flow through your land in order to improve the quality of the water. Additionally, you will keep the neighborhoods clean and the water supply of your Neighbours.   

The hobby farm must be kept free of weeds and pests, but there are proper methods to achieve this and improper ways. It is advised that you consult an agronomic before starting such activity.  

Preventing Bushfires   

On your hobby farm, strategically placed fuel breaks are an excellent technique to halt the spread of low-intensity fires or fires in the early stages of development. Additionally, it makes firefighting operations more accessible to volunteer firefighters and other emergency agencies.   

All Australian fire agencies strongly advise seasonal fuel reduction. Furthermore, a zone of protection can be established on your hobby farm by:   

allowing animals to graze in particular places.   

scouring and ploughing the vegetation.   

As long as the clippings are taken out and allowed to decompose prior to the fire season, slashing or mowing vegetation is also beneficial.  

It is crucial to maintain a clean buffer between your property and the nearby bushland. But it is also crucial to handle fallen timber carefully. Because it is thought to be a crucial component of the ecosystem of your hobby farm.   

Moving fallen timber to fallen timber lots helps preserve a balanced ecosystem if the fallen timber poses a fire risk.  

There are several other steps you may take to lower the risk of bushfires, including:   

Bridges and cattle grids that you have on your land that provide ideal access to fire trucks might not be able to support the weight of a fire truck.   

ensuring the safe storage of combustible materials, such as oil, petrol, and diesel.   

having readily available, close-by fire extinguishers, pumps, and hoses for basic firefighting close to your paddock.   

clearing branches off power lines for trimming.   

Identifying refuge paddocks where you can move your stock during fires.   

For additional advice on reducing the risk of fire on your hobby farm, speak with the appropriate state government agency or the local municipality.  

Council Restrictions and Zoning   

Zoning is something to be constantly aware of because it changes frequently. Lifestyle blocks often come under one of the following categories: 

• rural residential 

• rural conservation zone,  
• farming zone 

but the names and classifications may differ significantly from state to state.  

Rural Residential Zone: A hobby farm loan is simpler to get qualified for, but the preservation of residential amenity is strongly stressed. If the property size is less than 8 hectares, as is frequently the case for rural residential land, a permit is necessary to construct a home in this zone. A permit is also necessary if you want to work in agriculture. Additionally, forbidden in this area is the use of animals for farming or animal husbandry.  

Rural Conservation Zones: These are significant ecoregions. Agriculture is allowed as long as it respects the local ecology and landscape values. Your hobby farm is allowed to have a single dwelling, but it cannot have major animal husbandry or boarding.   

Farming Zones: The main goal of this type of zoning is to prevent the use of land for agriculture from being negatively impacted by non-agricultural uses, particularly housing. As a result, you need a permit to construct a home on property that is smaller than 40 hectares. Additionally, it can be challenging to have lifestyle block financing approved.  

It is imperative that you consult the local council regarding any special restrictions.   

Additionally, use the postcode calculator to obtain a fairly precise understanding of the lending standards and limitations applicable. 

The crucial thing to bear in mind with rural properties is that even the most basic amenities. This includes electricity, a phone line, gas, water and sewerage pipes might need to install on the property. This is in addition to the possibility of having limited access to public facilities like schools and hospitals.   

On the hobby farm, it is crucial to take into account what you can live without and what you can live with. Can some of these services be set up for a reasonable price?  

There may be easements or rights of way through your property because of the size of the block. This may have an impact on the kinds of activities you are permitted to carry out on specific areas of your property as well as your intentions to erect buildings like sheds and barns.  

  

Does Special Insurance Apply When Purchasing a Lifestyle Block?  

Since you do not operate a business outside of your hobby farm. However, a typical house insurance policy should be sufficient to cover your essential requirements. However, you should consult your mortgage broker and potentially a financial advisor to determine the best kind of insurance for your requirements.   

It may be necessary for you to get business or hobby farm insurance to safeguard equipment against damage and public liability. This is the case if the farm generates some type of revenue, has assets like mechanical tools and cars, has livestock and crops, and has any of these.  

Consult Local Farmers for Guidance  

Like when purchasing a home, the majority of consumers begin their research online. Use this page as a starting point for additional study on what to look for in a hobby farm. With a focus on the kind of hobby farm you want to start and the goals you have for purchasing one.   

Consult local real estate agents for information on the neighbourhood and about adjacent, prosperous small hobby farms.   

Speak to the locals if you can because they will give you genuinely objective responses rather than ones with a sales pitch. This will enable you to decide whether a house and area are ideal for you much more intelligently. If you are seriously looking for hobby farms for sale in Victoria, then contact the experts of The Company in Melbourne.  

 

 

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