Ditch The Store

🎙️ EP 142 – My Farm Accident

(Warning: Graphic Content)
This episode is raw, real and straight from the paddock. I’m sharing the full story of my recent farm accident — from a routine neighbourly favour to an emergency dash in the ambo and major surgery.

It’s not pretty. It’s not polished. But it’s important.

Farm accidents do happen. And if you’re working with animals, you need a plan for what to do when things go pear-shaped.

I'm sharing the moment it all went wrong, the pain, the paramedics, the x-rays (which you’ll see on YouTube), and the slow road to recovery — bedrest, blood thinners, and all.

If you’ve ever wondered how you'd cope with a serious injury on the land, this one's for you.

📌 Heads up: This episode contains some graphic medical descriptions, injury photos on YouTube, and a few well-earned swear words.

Thanks for sticking with me. It’s good to be back 💪

#farmaccident #homesteadingreality #rurallife #backontrack #ditchthestore

It’s time to talk about the stuff under your boots — soil.

Industrial farming has turned living earth into lifeless dirt, and the fertiliser companies are cashing in on the damage. In this episode, we dig into how Big Ag broke the soil — and how you can fix it in your own backyard.

🌾 In this episode:

• What’s really killing our soils

• The fertiliser myth that’s keeping farmers broke

• How to bring your soil back to life naturally

• Compost, worms, and microbes — your real soil army

Because if the soil dies, so does our food. And rebuilding it starts with us.

The backyard veggie patch isn’t just about saving a few dollars — it’s about taking back control of your food.

In this episode, we’re talking about why growing even one tomato plant is a quiet act of rebellion against a food system that’s broken, overpriced, and overprocessed.

🌱 In this episode:

• Why growing food matters more than ever

• The truth about supermarket dependence

• How home gardening builds independence and resilience

• Turning your backyard (or balcony!) into a personal food revolution

This one’s for the doers — the people ready to take their food supply into their own hands and say, “No thanks, I’ll grow my own.”

Every goat keeper faces it sooner or later — Barber’s Pole Worm, the bloodsucking parasite that can take down even the healthiest doe overnight.

In this episode, we’re diving deep into how to recognise, prevent, and manage Barber’s Pole Worm without relying on constant chemical drenches.

🐐 In this episode:

• What Haemonchus contortus actually is — and why it’s so dangerous

• Early warning signs and how to use the FAMACHA card properly

• The truth about faecal egg counts (FECs) and what your results really mean

• Pasture management tips that break the worm life cycle

• How to use COWP boluses safely to support resistance

• Natural vs chemical treatments — what actually works and what’s just hype

• Post-treatment recovery and building long-term herd resilience

🎙️ Whether you’re running a small herd or a full farm, this is your go-to guide for staying ahead of worms and keeping your goats thriving.

Links

Dr Sandra Baxendell - https://goatvetoz.com.au/home

WormBoss - https://wormboss.com.au/

FAMACHA - https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/media/animalifasufledu/small-ruminant-website/fact-sheets/FAMACHA-Factsheet.pdf

Raw goat’s milk is one of the most talked-about — and sometimes controversial — topics in the homesteading world. In this episode, we’ll unpack the benefits, the risks, and how to handle raw milk safely so you can decide if it’s right for your homestead.

🥛 In this episode:

• Nutritional benefits of raw goat’s milk vs cow’s milk

• Safety concerns and how to reduce risks with good hygiene

• How to store and use raw milk at home

• Why raw milk is more than just food — it’s part of food sovereignty

💡 Resources to explore:

• Raw Milk Institute — education & standards for safe raw milk

• Jannei Goat Dairy — an Australian raw goat milk story

Raw milk is a deeply personal choice — and this episode gives you the tools to make an informed one.

📥 More goat-keeping resources at: www.mojohomestead.net
📸 Share how you use your raw goat’s milk with @MojoHomestead.

So you’ve got goats — now it’s time to fill the bucket! In this episode, we’re walking through exactly how to milk a goat, from the first squeeze to storing that fresh milk in your fridge.

🐐 In this episode:

• When to start milking after kidding

• Setting up your milking space and equipment

• Step-by-step milking routine (without the fuss)

• Hygiene tips for safe, long-lasting milk

• How to store and handle your milk to keep it fresh

Whether you’re brand new to goats or just want to refine your routine, this episode will give you the confidence to sit down on the stool and get milking.

📥 More goat-keeping resources at: www.mojohomestead.net
📸 Share your milking set-up with @MojoHomestead — we’d love to see your dairy in action!

Sometimes goat kids can’t stay on mum — and that’s when bottle-feeding steps in. In this episode, we’re covering everything you need to know about raising bottle babies with confidence.

🍼 In this episode:

• When and why to bottle-feed (rejection, multiples, weak kids, or management choice)

• Colostrum and the first 24 hours

• Feeding schedules and what to feed

• Preventing bloat and scours

• Bonding and training benefits of bottle babies

Bottle babies take more work, but they also become some of the friendliest, easiest goats you’ll ever own.

📥 Learn more and grab goat-keeping resources at: www.mojohomestead.net

📸 Share your bottle baby photos and tag @MojoHomestead — we’d love to see them grow!

Episode 135: Doe-Raised Kids

When goat kids arrive, you’ve got two choices: raise them on mum or step in with a bottle. In this episode, we’re talking about the natural way — letting kids stay with their doe.

🐐 In this episode:

• The benefits of doe-raised kids: natural growth, immunity, and less work for you

• The challenges: sharing milk, weaning, and taming

• How to manage kids while they’re on mum

• Tips for keeping both doe and kids healthy, happy, and easy to handle

Whether you’re new to goats or planning your next kidding season, this episode will give you the confidence to manage doe-raised kids successfully.

📥 Read more and grab goat-keeping resources at: www.mojohomestead.net
📸 Share your goat kid pics with @MojoHomestead — we’d love to see them!

So, you’ve got your goats — now it’s time to plan for baby goats! 🐐 In this episode, we’re walking through the full kidding journey, from breeding and pregnancy right through to birth, kid care, and weaning.

I’ll talk through what age to breed, how to choose between bucks and artificial insemination, signs of labour, what to expect during birth, and how to care for those squishy little newborns once they arrive.

Whether you’re gearing up for your first kidding season or just thinking ahead, this episode will give you the confidence and practical know-how to handle it like a pro.

🎙️ Topics covered:

You don’t need a fancy goat barn or electric fortress to keep goats safe — but you do need to plan ahead.

In this episode, we’re getting practical about what your dairy goats actually need when it comes to shelter, fencing, and paddock layout.

I cover shelter ideas for different weather, what makes a fence truly goat-proof, and how to protect your herd from predators (without breaking the bank). Whether you’re just getting started or tweaking your current setup, this one’s full of helpful tips to keep your goats safe, comfy, and right where they belong.

🎙️ Topics covered:

• Goat housing basics (keep it dry, simple, and secure)
  Fencing that works (and what doesn’t)
  Paddock design & gate tips
  Predator protection

• Bonus tips for feeding & shelter placement
  

👉 Perfect for beginners or anyone adding goats to their homestead.