HillSide Farm

Hillside Farm has been operating for over 14 years and we have been breading Droper / Suffolk cross lambs 

Over the next 3 years our:

• Hazelnut trees 
• Lavender and Cottage Herbs will become available towards the end of 2012
• Plantings in 2009 include:

• Cherries & Apricots
• A Selection of Citrus Trees

Our Business

The Hillside farm house is an off grid Solar & Wind Powered house. For the technically minded the remote power system uses, 120 watt solar panels and a 450 watt wind generator

Hillside Farm uses a mixed farming approach (a little of many things). Our major focus is on breeding lambs for small holdings.

 You can buy just 1 lamb or 10 lambs (subject to availability)  All our lambs are vacinated and drenched prior to sale and every lamb has an individual tag / PIC identifcation number.

Dorper Traits

* Hardiness                                  * Adaptability

* Fertility                                      * Longevity

* Maternal Attributes                    * Non-selective grazing habits

* Continous breeding season        * Rapid growth

* Early maturity                             * Superb conformation

* Excellent carcass                        * High quality hides #

# In South Africa Dorper hides are sold as top quality leather under the name "Cape Glovers" and represent about 20% of the total carcass value.

Reproduction

Lambing rates of up to 225% (calculated on an annual basis) can be achieved. Dorpers have a high fecundity and are not season sensitive allowing three lambings in two years. Dorpers are known for their high twinning rate.

Production

A live weight of about 36 kilograms can be reached at the age of 3.5 - 4 months under arid conditions This ensures a high quality carcass of around 20 kilograms. Ideal carcass weight is 14-16 kilograms. Dressing out percentages can reach 54%.

Economy

Excellent feed utilisation and conversion.

Sheds hairy coat so no shearing costs.

Naturally mulesed - no need to crutch and is not susceptible to flystrike.

They have a high level of disease resistance and are therefore an extremely low maintenance animal.

Adaptability

Dorpers thrive in arid to semi-tropical climates and are suitable for 100mm to 760mm rainfall areas.

Who We Are

Our Farm  Manager, Mike Barton (M.Ed, B.Ed, Dip Teach) is the Principle Consultant for MRB Management Pty Ltd and is a keen Farmer, Consultant, Instructional Design Developer & Trainer  who likes a challenge.

Mike is also an actor (having played Paul Keating in the Dismissal ) and studied singing at the NSW Conservatorium of Music. At night you can often here him serenading the sheep.