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