The property
Ngiyaani is gently sloping, North facing and predominantly made up of open grassland. As a result of years of stocking with sheep, cattle and horses, at the time we acquired Ngiyaani very few trees had propogated naturally and weeds abounded. We were fortunate to be able to leave the land alone for several years, only stocking with a small herd of santa gertrudis cattle. The result has been an incredible rejuvination of native pastures, reduction in weeds and explosion of naturally propogating trees.
We are in the process of obtaining organic certification, which means we use no herbicides, pesticides or chemicals on land or beast.
Ngiyaani has eighteen kilometres of contour banks. We have begun planting the banks with native trees that will be harvested for buds, nuts, flowers or foliage. We wouldn't have the labour resources to do this planting without the assistance of the WWOOFAs (willing workers on organic farms abroad).
The Cottage at Ngiyaani provides accommodation for WWOOFAs and is also available for bookings for up to ten people.
We run a small and much-loved herd of santa gertrudis beef cattle, including our stud bull, Irving. In December 2009 cattle yards were erected to the North-West of the homestead.
Ngiyaani has six dams and a windmill drawing from a bore that pumps groundwater to a 100,000 litre tank situated above the homestead. Water is gravity fed from that tank to cattle troughs, cattle yards and the house dam.
finishing touches to cattle yard fencing
cattle in neighbour's yards
shed and rain water tanks
native trees