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Our History
The Brothers
The two Wylie brothers started Inglewood Farms in 1993 to develop an innovative agribusiness.
After growing up on a family farm, we went our separate ways. Clive studied at Emerald Pastoral College and then joined King Ranch as a jackeroo. He worked in cattle husbandry managing and developing enterprises in Australia, the Philippines, Sabah and Thailand. John studied at the University of Queensland, Yale and Cambridge and worked in business in Australia, PNG, UK and the USA.
We believe that our combination of practical farming and sophisticated business skills has been an unusually potent force.
Discovering Organics
We began fattening cattle on irrigated lucerne pastures but ran into animal health problems. We were advised to look at our soils and rediscovered organic farming, with its emphasis on the natural processes which underpin traditional agriculture.
Years ago our land was used for growing tobacco and the heavy chemical applications effectively 'killed' our soils. We began rejuvenating our property by using organic methods and had such success that we knew this was the way forward for us.
As custodians of the land, we think of the soil as a living medium and work to balance its structure, composition and microbial activity. Instead of using chemical pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers to overcome problems, organic farmers employ natural methods to create healthy soils for growing crops that are naturally resistant to weeds, pests and disease. We work with nature rather than trying to dominate it and leverage the clear link between healthy soils, healthy crops, healthy animals and healthy human food.
Not only is our land now more productive, we are helping create a better future by demonstrating that environmentally-friendly farming practices are commercially viable.
We believe our products offer consumers a healthier, more sustainable alternative to conventional food.
Business Development
Starting with a small property just outside Inglewood, we gradually acquired additional land and water to gain scale and drought-proof the venture. We now have 6,000 acres of organically certified land with efficient irrigation infrastructure and broad acre cropping facilities.
After farming commodities for some time we wanted to diversify into branded foods. We found that chicken is one of Australia's most popular meats despite growing concerns over their cramped living conditions and the use of antibiotics.
We saw an opportunity to take organic chicken beyond a "cottage industry". To do this, we had to get our products into the big supermarket chains, high-end restaurants and specialty retailers. These demanding customers insist on reliable supply chains capable of consistently fulfilling orders with high-quality food.
Our response was the development of an industrial scale, vertically integrated business model designed to maintain our integrity and uphold our commitment to the organic philosophy. It has been a steep learning curve, but the new business model has been a success and sales have grown beyond our expectations. We feel that we are now positioned to become Australia's most reliable organic supplier and to start supplying the export market.
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Our Philosophy
We believe that we can make a real difference by giving people the choice to buy certified organic products. We are committed to supplying premium quality foods that are safe and healthy. We also respect our animals and have adopted production methods that are both humane and environmentally sustainable. We strive to combine our dedication to the organic philosophy with professionalism and rigorous adherence to commercial realities.
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Our Methods
Inglewood Farms' integrity, reliability and quality are underpinned by a "closed-loop" production system which is based on vertical integration, self-sufficiency and recycling.
Our chickens are fed certified organic grains which have been grown on the farm without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. We process the wholesome grain into chicken feed using an onsite feed mill. While other producers buy-in feed for their chickens, our self-sufficiency is a guarantee of organic integrity.
A professional nutritionist has designed special rations to ensure that our chickens get the best possible diet. They are not fed any growth promotants or antibiotics and there are no genetic modifications in our system.
Our chickens are fed, watered and sheltered in modern, specially designed sheds with no side walls. This gives them easy access to irrigated pastures where they can forage in the fresh air and sunshine, living as nature intended. Stocking densities are strictly limited by the organic standards.
The birds remain fit and healthy because they get lots of physical exercise and have well developed gizzards from the grit picked up while foraging. This natural vigour is our protection against diseases. We believe in prevention rather than cures based on antibiotics and other medications.
Our chickens taste better because they live twice as long as conventional chickens and the meat is not irradiated or bleached during processing. You can really taste the difference.
We have built a modern, export-certified processing plant which is located on the farm to avoid the cost and stress of transporting our live birds over long distances. On-site processing also improves our quality control by bringing all production and order assembling in-house.
We focus on environmentally friendly farming practices. Waste from the chickens is composted and recycled as fertilizer for our organic cropping. This also helps rejuvenate our depleted soils. Thirty percent of our land has been kept as natural forest cover to sustain native wildlife and maintain biodiversity. We are audited by the Environmental Protection Agency and are featured in the Greenpeace True Food Shopper's Guide.
Inglewood Farms is "certified organic" which means that we are independently audited by a government-supervised accreditation agency. We have also adopted several other externally audited management systems to safeguard our quality and integrity. An onsite quality officer is assisted by a professional consultant. We follow the Woolworths Quality Assurance Standard (WQA 0048-1), HACCP Certification, Organic Certification (ACO 4528A) and have an EPA audited Environmental Management System and Site Based Management Plan.
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Our Team
At Inglewood Farms we are fortunate to have a special combination of seasoned directors, professional managers and a dedicated on-the-ground team of dedicated local workers.
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Our Region
The farm is located near Inglewood on the southern edge of the Darling Downs between Warwick and Goondiwindi. The region is supported by the expansive Coolmundra Lake and winding Macintyre Brook which attracts an abundance of native plants, wildlife and birds. An avid bird watcher recently identified 28 different bird species near one of our water holes.
Inglewood was established in 1865 and has a vivid history as a prosperous town supported by gold and silver mining, tobacco and timber industries. As one of the largest tobacco producing centres in the southern hemisphere, Inglewood attracted a vibrant Italian community. Relics of this rich past, such as old grape vines and log tobacco drying sheds, are scattered throughout the Shire.
Inglewood is an ideal place for rearing organic chickens because of the plentiful water to grow organic grains and its isolation from other chicken producers which assists our bio-security and disease management.
The Inglewood region has long been involved in traditional agricultural activities such as sheep, cattle, honey, timber, grains and lucerne. However as the prosperity of the past dwindled, locals searched for new ways to bolster the local economy and secure a successful future for themselves. Following rapid expansion of the new olive industry, the town has positioned itself as "Australia's Olive Capital".
Our organic chicken farm is also providing new employment opportunities for the local community. Our expansion will help bring new life to Inglewood and increase employment in the Darling Downs region.
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Supply Chain
Reliability
The Inglewood Farms business model has been designed to overcome the unreliable supply and poor product quality that has hampered past growth of the organic chicken category. The key distinguishing features of Inglewood Farms are its scale, vertical integration, brand building and professional management. Given these advantages, we are well-positioned to supply mainstream retailers and restaurants in the domestic market as well as the rapidly growing export market.
Growth
Our 6, 000 acres of organically certified land gives us the industrial scale needed to supply the mainstream distribution channels. We have planning approvals and capital backing to dramatically increase our production. Our professional management team, sophisticated systems and practical experience should enable us to implement these plans.
Integrity
Our "closed loop" production system enables us to supply our own organic inputs. This feature, plus the independent audits carried out by the government-supervised Australian Certified Organics, means that consumers can buy our products with confidence.
Quality
We use state-of-the-art packaging technology and sophisticated cold chain management to ensure that our product is always fresh and attractively presented. Our whole chickens are packaged in Cryovac "E" Bags and the portions are packed in trays using modified atmosphere technology to prevent unsightly seepage and provide a longer shelf life. We comply with numerous independently audited quality assurance programs including HACCP, WQA and SafeFood.
Sales Support
In addition to our dedicated team of sales representatives, we can provide informative point of sale material for retailers (posters / brochures / signs); supporting fact sheets and technical product comparisons; and in-store product tastings.
Customer Base
We supply both Coles and Woolworths directly and have well-established relationships with specialty retailers and top restaurants. We currently sell our products throughout the Eastern States and plan to start exporting in the foreseeable future.
We hope that our organic chicken farm will provide an increasing amount of local employment and help contribute to the revitalisation of the Inglewood region.
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