Early Beginnings

Tallawarra was a new land block taken up by the West family in 1955. The farm is located 70km west of Esperance in the South East Agricultural region of Western Australia, ideally situated on the Lort River only 10km from the Southern Ocean. The 1140ha property was taken up as bushland and 700ha have been set up for agriculture. Most of the 440ha of bush is fenced off from livestock and is in pristine condition.

The Nineties

By the early nineties, we were becoming disillusioned with the growing use of soluble fertilisers and agricultural chemicals. Though minimal users of these products, it was time to consider finding a safe sustainable alternative farm practise. Bio-Dynamic farming commenced in 1996 and Demeter certification was achieved in 1999. Biodynamics is an enhanced form of organic farming.

Natural Products

We avoid use of soluble fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, fungicides, bacteriacides, hormone growth promotants and genetically modified organisms.

Demeter Bio-Dynamics

With Bio-Dynamics, we do not use massive material inputs to gain our livestock and grain outputs. Biodynamic farm practice creates healthy living structured soils. Healthy plants and animals are the result. Hence you get to enjoy the fine flavours of food grown in harmony with nature.

Cropping

About 120ha of land is cropped to oats annually. The grain is used to supplement the livestock feed requirements and surplus sold to other Bio-Dynamic end users. If plentiful, the straw is bailed and stored for times of need.

Animals

There are 80 Angus breeding cows in the herd. The calves are grown out to yearlings (1 - 2 years). We also run a 350 ewe Merino sheep flock for wool and lamb production. All meat sold comes from animals born, grown and free ranged on the property. All animals are treated with love and respect and given a blessing of thanks and gratitude when delivered for slaughter.

500 Soil Activator

In the past 14 years the only input to the farm soil apart from some rock phosphate trials has been the Bio-Dynamic soil activator 500. 500 is the cow horn preparation as per Steiner's indications.

Our Aim

Our aim is to provide healthy life enhancing meat with spiritual integrity direct to the consumer, whilst continuing to build the health and sustainability of the land.