Spring represents the arrival of new life and at Sylvania Park angora goat farm near Horsham new life is well and truly emerging.

The farm has started a bumper birthing season with property owner Rowena Doyle expecting to expand her flock to 200 by November.

Mrs Doyle said she had a flock full of pregnant goats and many kids had already arrived.

“Breeding season is now, in the warmer weather,” she said.

The Doyles farm the goats for their mohair, rated as one of the world’s most durable natural fibres, and their meat.

Mrs Doyle said the goats were shorn twice a year for their mohair and the meat side of the enterprise had become a big part of the equation.

“We didn’t use to have much of an income from the meat side of it, but that’s changed. Now we’re getting about $10.20 per kilo for a carcass,” she said.

Sylvania Park is an award-
winning agri-tourism business, which apart from running angora goats, also operates a function centre popular with weddings, conferences, parties and other events and four-star homestead accommodation.

It is celebrating its 51st year of running goats at the Drung property and has in the past captured the imagination of the region with its use of maremma dogs to guard the animals.

“Last year we were going to have a big celebration for half a century, but unfortunately covid got in the way,” Mrs Doyle said.

She said her daughter Charlotte, 10, might eventually take over the business.

“But she’s only in grade four so it’s too early to tell. It’s very much a family business. It all started with my uncle and then my parents took over, and then my husband and I. Certainly the children have all enjoyed looking after the animals and being on the farm,” she said.

The entire September 29, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire September 29, 2021 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!