Stephen and Kim Roberts bio

Stephen and Kim Roberts run a small, family owned and operated free range piggery in the South west Slopes/Riverina region just outside Temora. They also produce saltbush lamb.

The farm is managed as a husband and wife partnership with a 50/50 input.

They say sustainability not only applies to the farm’s longevity but also to them.

Although profit/income is important to the business direction, lifestyle and family have always been a key driving force in Kim and Stephen’s decision to begin a free range pork enterprise.

The Roberts farming techniques have often been ahead of time, and against industry trends - including the outdoor piggery unit and free range piggery itself.

They have had to develop a lot of production systems and methods by trial and error and research, inviting the EPA, RSPCA and the local council to inspect their set up and give feed back.

They were one of the first businesses in NSW to utilise Eco-shelters (Clear Span).

The free range unit uses much less water than an Intensive Piggery, not needing hosing down and cleaning, or establishing and maintaining effluent settling ponds.

Because waste from the deep litter shelters is solid they are able to compost it, either reselling it as fertiliser or reusing it back onto the paddocks.

Although they’re aware of the industry’s problems with imports and low pig prices, they have set up the business so they are marginally, if at all, affected by such down turns.

Their pork is marketed into the niche, high profile areas of Sydney, Canberra and the South Coast, and a Farmers Market stall creates another outlet, helping cash flow and allowing them to receive feedback from the general public.

Together with their 3 daughters, Kim and Stephen are very involved in the local Temora community, and say they take every opportunity to talk tourism while at the markets, visiting butchers or doing a meat run to Sydney.