March Midweek Run ~ McIvor Farm

The morning started off mild and promised a warm day ahead. Most of us gathered at Bourkies Bakehouse in Woodend for coffee before we set off, following Roger in his M.G.

Roger guided us through a scenic route around the back of Hanging Rock and through Lancefield, where we picked up a couple of additional participants. We also had one more attendee waiting for us at our destination, McIvor Farm, located at 2820 Tooborac-Lancefield Road in Tooborac.

McIvor Farm is a free-range pig production venture. The farm manager and her husband gave us an insightful talk about various aspects of producing high-quality, ethically farmed products. Their pigs roam freely across the rolling countryside and are periodically moved along with their shelters and water supply. Many of our members were pleasantly surprised by the lack of odor that is often associated with pig farming.

We learned that these Berkshire pigs produce two litters of piglets each year, typically around 14 per litter. They are excellent mothers and, unlike the pink-colored Landrace pigs, they seem to communicate well with their young and rarely lie down on them, which can lead to infant deaths common in other breeds.

The farm has established a routine of best practices in free-range farming and employs natural methods for curing their products. They take great pride in how their animals are treated and the quality of their meat. Our members were offered tastings of the farm's kabana and two different types of salami. There were also plenty of other cuts of meat available in the refrigerated case for those wishing to make purchases. The farm gate shop is open Thursday to Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM, offering both fresh and frozen products. Many members left with bags full of goodies.

After our visit, we traveled a few minutes up to Tooborac for lunch at the charming old Tooborac Hotel and Brewery. Our meals arrived promptly, and everyone agreed that they were good value and generously portioned.

There were 29 participants on this run, along with approximately seven classic cars. However, it was challenging for me to provide an exact number since some attendees did not complete the attendance sheet with their vehicle details. I received numerous positive comments from members about how much they enjoyed the day, which was gratifying for me as the organizer.

Pam Amezdroz
For the Midweek Run Group.