Agricultural & Biotechnology Services at Pasture Valley
The Farm
Various pastures and fields support different operations on the farm. Hay is made and bailed for the dairy while sweet potatoes, vegetables, artichokes and timber is grown in various sections of the farm. Vegetables are produced organically and picked every day so that fresh wholesome food is available to all the children of Pasture Valley
Tissue Culture Laboratory
The tissue culture laboratory at Pasture Valley was established in 2003. The laboratory is equipped with 2 autoclaves, 2 laminar flow benches, positive pressure units, a media preparation area and 2 growth rooms. Experience in the propagation of the following crops:
Papaya (paw paw), various ornamentals, Eucalyptus, Gardenias, Callistemon, banana, raspberry, date palms, ginger, indigenous plants, calla lilies (arums)
Today, plants are only introduced on order or contract.
Greenhouses/Nursery
Three 30 m propagation tunnels were erected on the farm to propagate various plants including:
Moringa, Jatropha, Indigenous trees, banana plants, vegetable seedlings, ginger, fruit trees, Calla lilies (Zantedeschias), blueberries and granadillas (passion fruit).
We enjoy a challenge and will gladly attempt the propagation of new and unusual plants!
Consultancy Services
Peter & Michelle both offer consultancy services
Peter McCubbin- MSc (Agric) Speciaility: Horticulture
Experience in Macadamia, tea and various horticultural crops
Conference presentations: Australia, Malaysia and South Africa
Michelle McCubbin PhD- Speciality: Plant Physiology
Consultation missions completed: Israel, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia
Conference presentation: South Africa, United Arab Emirates
Contact us for consultation services in the following areas of interest:
Tissue Culture (Micropropagation)
Setting up a new tissue culture laboratory (equipment required, laboratory design, clean air systems, chemicals etc)
Production flow
Technology: protocol formulations for various crops
Training on various methods (initiation, multiplication, rooting and hardening phases)
Experience and protocols on the crops such as: date palms, banana (2 million plants per annum), papaya, roses, Eucalyptus, ginger, lilies, medicinal plants, various ornamentals
Biofuel - Jatropha Agronomy & Research
Agronomy practices and research based on 2.5 years growing experience
The Dairy
We moved to Pasture
Valley in 1999. Although we are trained and experienced as
Horticulturalists, there was a dairy building on the farm. We
purchased some Jersey cows and began operating the dairy
primarily as a means to boost our cash flow during our early
years here. Today we have a herd of 80 Jersey cows and a local
market which clearly enjoys our clean, creamy fresh milk. Our
dairy facilities have been approved by the local Department of
Health and our herd is tested regularly for Tuberculosis and
Brucella. We are looking for markets to expand in other dairy
products such as yogurts and cream.
It had always been our dream to live on a farm and a farm would not be the same if it did not have cows on it. The dairy has been a wonderful learning experience for the children on how to care for animals.
Whilst some people put their investments into unit trusts, our children have an investment in cows for their future. Each have their own cows and their calves are theirs too and so it grows each year