Farmer and content creator Tara Farms on Mapping, Rainfall and Rotational Grazing
Meet Tara
Tara is a third-generation sheep and broad-acre crop farmer, working on her dad’s 4,000-acre mixed property in Victoria. Tara’s partner, Liam, manages the cropping side of things.
The property looks different now compared to when Tara’s great-grandfather acquired a much larger tract of land. Over the years, the family downsized and experimented with cattle before shifting their primary focus to Primelines (composites). Tara also manages her own flock including Aussie whites, Primelines and 25 pets with the aim of selling the wool as pellet.
Growing up, working on the farm was often a punishment for Tara and her sister. That perspective started to shift for Tara as she grew up and found a new appreciation for what farming has to offer. While her sister pursued off-farm work, Tara knew the corporate world wasn’t for her. “I couldn’t sit in an office all day. I’ve chosen to be here, and I enjoy farming.” The variety of tasks keeps her engaged. “By the time I’m over feeding sheep, we’re onto the next thing. Then we’re off marking. I get to change what I’m doing every day.”
More Than Traditional Farming
Tara shares an honest, unfiltered view of farm life on her successful YouTube and Instagram accounts, where no topic is off-limits. “Putting an animal down is never good. There are aspects of farming that are hard.” She’s passionate about sustainability education and applies that perspective to daily farm operations.
Conscious of the land’s future, Tara carefully manages chemical use and experiments with rotational grazing to maintain healthy soil. She’s even trialing chickens running behind sheep to improve the land. “I’m optimistic and excited to see if they do anything, but so far, they’ve just ripped up the garden!”
Good land and stock management are key to the family’s success. Tara explains, “We can still use Ivermectin and similar products, unlike many farms that have over-wormed and now face drench resistance. We take the time to test animals before drenching them. It’s time-consuming, but it saves money and ensures effectiveness.” Tara uses Mobble to keep an accurate drench history for each mob on the farm.
On the cropping side, Tara notes that in a typical year, everything they grow feeds their stock, with any excess sold. “You need to look after your land. If we have to use chemicals, we’re very conservative – even with crops. You can pound your paddocks with chemicals for years, and in 20 years’ time, your soil is dead. That’s why I’m experimenting with rotational grazing. It’s hard work but worth it.”
A Timely Meeting
Tara met Mobble founder Jock Lawrence at a Hamilton field day. Before using Mobble, the farm’s previous software wasn’t meeting their needs. Although getting her dad to embrace technology can be challenging, Tara uses Mobble daily. “It’s great for mapping, with all the paddocks named and clearly laid out on the map.” Liam also uses Mobble to track rainfall, inputting data from two rain gauges on their property.
Tara began farming full-time at 18 and has ambitious plans for her future. “I want to make and sell the products that come off the farm. The goal is for customers to buy sheep while they’re still in the paddock and be able to deliver quality meat straight to their door.”
Follow Tara's documentation of farming life on Instagram here.
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