In a society where supermarket shelves are lined with mass-produced meat and dairy products, there is something rather nice about buying locally raised farm animals.
Regardless of whether you’re a farmer looking to expand your stock, a homesteader seeking fresh and ethical food sources, or a consumer seeking healthier meat and dairy options, there are several benefits associated with choosing local livestock.
From supporting small farmers to ensuring higher-quality products, this post will outline seven of the main reasons why you should consider purchasing farm animals from your local area.
Where to Find Locally Raised Farm Animals
There are several ways to source locally raised farm animals, although some of them depend on where you are based and what your needs are.
Some of the best places are farmers’ markets, farm gates, and agricultural fairs because they give you the opportunity to cut out the middleman and connect directly with local farmers.
You can also check out some of the many cattle auctions across Australia, where you can find a variety of livestock, including dairy cows, pigs, beef cattle, and poultry, often at very competitive prices.
These auctions provide a platform for farmers to sell their stock directly to buyers, which facilitates the fair trade of quality inventory.
Online directories and farm co-operatives can also help you locate nearby farmers who raise livestock ethically and sustainably.
Additionally, many of these farmers even now offer the opportunity to buy directly through their websites, which means it is easier than ever to purchase high-quality animals without having to rely on industrial suppliers.
Why You Should Buy Local
Now that you know where to buy local, here are some reasons why you should do so.
1. Supporting Local Farmers and Rural Communities
One of the most compelling reasons to buy locally raised farm animals is the positive impact it has on local farmers and rural communities.
Many small-scale farmers rely on direct sales to sustain their businesses in extremely tough economic and working conditions. Subsequently, when you purchase livestock locally from them, you are contributing to the economic stability of these farmers and, therefore, helping them to maintain their land and continue decades of agricultural traditions.
Additionally, buying locally, for example, at somewhere like Calmsley Hill City Farm, helps to strengthen rural economies. Therefore, instead of your money going to large corporate agribusinesses, it stays within the local community and helps to support small businesses such as feed stores, veterinarians, and transport services.
2. Better Animal Welfare Standards
Many industrial-scale farms focus on efficiency and profit, which often happens at the expense of animal welfare.
Locally raised farm animals, on the other hand, are typically reared on small farms that provide them with a better environment in which to roam, eat better-quality feed, and receive more attentive care.
By visiting local farms, you get the opportunity to see first-hand how the animals are treated and the conditions they were reared in, which provides you with a level of transparency that is rarely possible when purchasing from large meat processing corporations.
In short, choosing locally raised animals can give you the peace of mind that they have been raised humanely and ethically.
3. Higher Quality Meat and Dairy Products
Locally raised farm animals often produce higher-quality meat and dairy products compared to those from large-scale farms. Typically, this is due to several factors, including better diets, less stress, and lower use of antibiotics.
As a general rule, animals raised on smaller farms are usually fed natural, nutrient-rich diets that result in more flavourful and nutritious meat, milk, and eggs.
Moreover, local farmers are less likely to use growth hormones, preservatives, and excessive antibiotics, which are commonly found in mass-produced livestock. Therefore, you get to enjoy cleaner and healthier food that is free from potentially harmful additives.
4. Access to Heritage and Rare Breeds
Unfortunately, industrial farming has led to the decline of many traditional livestock breeds because large-scale farms tend to favour fast-growing and high-yield breeds.
That said, some small, local farmers often preserve heritage and rare breeds, which are not only valuable for genetic diversity but also provide unique and superior meat and dairy products.
For example, heritage cattle, pigs, and chickens often have richer flavours and higher resilience to local environmental conditions than those that come from large-scale farms.
5. Environmental Benefits
Industrial farming is a major contributor to environmental degradation, which includes deforestation, excessive water consumption, and pollution from animal waste and chemicals.
By contrast, small-scale, local farming has a much smaller environmental footprint because when you buy farm animals from nearby farms, you reduce the need for long transportation – which cuts down on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, local farms also tend to use more sustainable farming practices, such as rotational grazing, organic feed, and natural fertilisers, which go a long way towards producing healthier soil and ecosystems.
6. Transparency and Traceability
One of the biggest concerns people have with the modern food industry is that they have no idea where their meat and dairy products come from, how the animals were raised, or what they were fed. However, when you buy locally raised farm animals, you eliminate this uncertainty.
Many small farmers are happy to provide detailed information about their farming practices, as it is often a unique selling point for their business.
This level of trust and transparency can prove invaluable for those who want to know exactly what they are paying for and getting.
7. Competitive Prices and Fairer Trade
While supermarket meat and dairy products might appear cheaper, locally raised farm animals can often be more cost-effective in the long run.
Often, large corporations drive prices down by cutting corners on animal welfare, using mass production techniques, and relying on cheap, processed feeds.
However, when you buy from local farmers, you are paying a fair price for a product that is higher in quality and ethically produced – which, therefore, translates as better value for money.
Perhaps more crucially, when you purchase directly from farmers at markets, auctions, or farms, you cut out the middlemen. This means the farmer receives a much fairer price for their livestock than they otherwise would if they dealt with big businesses.
