Pig Courses                                                                   

Free Range Pig Production Courses

Humane Farm Management courses will be one or two day-long workshops designed to teach people about owning and breeding pigs and free range pig production as well as advanced classes designed to help meet competency requirements. Hosted by Lee McCosker (Dip. Ag - Specialising in Pig Production), you'll be learning from someone with over 15 years experience in breeding, marketing and studying free range, pastured pigs.  Lee is a qualified trainer and assessor and an advocate for the small producer and also the author of Free Range Pig Farming - Starting Out.

Learn how to grow your pigs as part of a holistic approach to the way you farm.  Working with nature instead of against her promotes sound environmental practices, healthy animals and a happy, profitable farmer! If you have aspirations of becoming a gourmet farmer, this is the course for you.

The course comprises of a full day on the farm. They are hands on and focus on small scale free range and pasture based systems. You'll learn about subjects such as pig behaviour, fencing, housing and watering systems, feeding and nutrition, breeding management, environmental management, food safety, accreditation and quality assurance, record keeping, The Code of Practice and how it relates to your farm, council and industry requirements and more.

Combine this course with the Advance Free Range Pig Handling and on successful completion of your assessments, be issued with the School of Humane Farm Management Certificate in Free Range Pig Management and Handling.


*NEW!*

An Introduction to Free Range Pig Production - Online

This self paced course is designed for those wishing to prepare themselves for a free range farming venture or those that already own pigs that want to learn more. You will be able to complete each module online at a time that is suitable to you.

Lee McCosker will guide you through animal welfare and comply with industry requirements, legislation and councils approvals, industry outline, free range drivers, pig breeds, nutrition and growing a marketable pig, dealing with abattoirs and butchers, market options and meeting client carcass specifications and of course setting up a free range farm.  more info...

Online Course Application

Would you like a workshop held in your area?  The new Small Scale Pig Keeping workshop can be hosted in most areas so if you think you can get together a group of like minded people and would like to host an event, just let us know!

Testimonials "If you're after excellent training in free range pig farming - this is it!!  A fantastic combination of practical, theory with  wealth of experience makes this a 'MUST DO'' course for all pig farmers." Fiona O'Rourke - Braestone Ridge "An excellent course.  Fully worthwhile for those interested in pigs as a lifestyle or a commercial aspect.  Well done."   Daniel Todd "Excellent start to free range pig farming - very informative!!" "Fantastic! Very informative with chance to establish networks with other interested people"  Vicky Sisson "A very thorough coverage of how to get started including the pitfalls"  Kim House "I thoroughly recommend attending the free range pig seminar to get an insight into whether free range pig farming is for you or not.  There is a lot to consider from go to whoa, so I suggest some research before attending so you know what it is you want to get out of this seminar.  I am so much better informed to make a decision.  Thanks Lee!!  Joanne Stritch "So much information and all of it was very understandable and I don't have pigs!"  Liz Doyle "Even after having pigs on the farm for 15 years I learn't tons from this course".  Peter Barge "A wonderful informative and stimulating experience enhanced by viewing a birth and hands on handling procedures in caring for free range pigs."  Doreen McGuiness "Important information for anyone wanting learn and understand real free range pork production" Janet Jeffs "This weekend was so helpful for me to make my decision more clear on the direction I am going with my pigs".  Garth Upcoming Courses

Outline of our upcoming Introduction to Free Range Farming Workshop and Advance Pig Production & Handling

workshop outline.pdf

2 Day Free Range Pig Production flyer.pdf


Become a Course Host

If you are already the owner of pigs and would like an assessment of your farm and the course free for yourself and partner, contact us about hosting an event on your farm.











admin.apf@bigpond.com