| Planning for machinery and implement use can be | | | | sprayers, spades and secateurs should be kept |
| easily forgotten when purchasing a hobby farm. | | | | clean and away from the elements if they are to |
| Unless one is mechanically minded or relatively | | | | have a long life. If the farm is located in an |
| wealthy, issues related to purchasing and | | | | isolated area, theft of machinery and livestock |
| maintenance of required machinery should be | | | | can be a concern. Items that can be easily |
| taken very seriously. Second-hand machinery may | | | | dismantled and removed, such as pumps and |
| appeal price wise, but can be more costly in the | | | | pipes, will often be a target for thieves. The range |
| long run if mechanics need to travel a long | | | | of available machinery is endless and only limited |
| distance in order to repair or service machines. | | | | by one's imagination and budget. Farming journals |
| Health and safety issues can also arise if | | | | are usually crammed with advertisements, |
| machinery is not well maintained. In many cases it | | | | innovations and specials. Should you be unable to |
| is much more economical to hire a contractor for | | | | resist a bargain at a clearing sale or farming field |
| tasks such as earthmoving or cultivation, rather | | | | day, make provisions for sheds in order to house |
| than try to do it yourself with inadequate | | | | these items. Special care should be devoted to |
| equipment. The type of hobby farming will also | | | | the maintenance of safety equipment. Spraying |
| have a great bearing on the range of machines | | | | masks and protective clothing will be required |
| required. Weed control and removal of | | | | when toxic chemicals are used. Regular checks |
| undergrowth in bushfire prone areas will require | | | | and maintenance of all equipment is advised in |
| mowing or slashing equipment. Sheep, cattle or | | | | order to reduce the risk of accidents. A carefree |
| goats will do most of the weed control work, | | | | attitude towards the operation of equipment and |
| however, they require constant attention. This | | | | machinery may result in an injury that will force |
| aspect of farming is appealing, but is often not | | | | the owner to leave the farm. Keeping this in mind, |
| practical when the owner does not live on the | | | | a good insurance policy should also be investigated. |
| farm. Sowing crops will require at the least the | | | | Without care and planning, an idyllic dream can |
| machinery to cultivate, fertilize and carry out | | | | easily turn into a nightmare, greatly affecting one's |
| harvesting. Contractors may be the best option | | | | health as well as the bank balance! This article on |
| here as the tasks are seasonal and may only be | | | | is taken from Alf's Hobby farm site at You can |
| needed once in a year. A reliable vehicle will be | | | | read more on hobby farming at Ben provides |
| needed if the farm is isolated and the ability to | | | | assistance and consultancy to real and virtual |
| pass over rough unsealed roads may also be | | | | estate owners in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. |
| required. A comprehensive range of small | | | | His works include an Australian Hobby Farm. Ben |
| implements will be needed for small everyday | | | | is also in the process of publishing a eBook on |
| tasks. These will also need to be maintained and | | | | hobby farming. |
| housed. Such hand tools as post-hole diggers, | | | | |