Highveld Farm

The first 25 hectares of Highveld Farm were purchased by the Alison family in 1995. The property was a bank repossession and required a great deal of restoration, becoming a weekend project for the family while they were still living in Durban.

Craig studied Animal Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus, while Vicky studied Radiography. Between 2002 and 2004, Craig and Vicky travelled overseas before returning home to continue building their future together.

In 2004, Craig and Vicky moved to Highveld Farm permanently. By then, the farm had expanded to approximately 100 hectares, consisting mainly of mountainous veld with a small area of arable land.

In 2009, the couple began egg production with just 40 laying hens in their backyard. By the end of the year, the flock had grown to 400 birds. By 2010, Highveld Farm had expanded to 8,000 laying hens, and in 2011 the farm joined Midlands Eggs, producing approximately 6,500 free-range eggs each day.

Today, Highveld Farm is home to approximately 20,000 barn hens and 15,000 free-range hens, producing around 25,000 eggs every day.

Initially, Craig and Vicky marketed and sold all of their own eggs, supplying restaurants, delicatessens, bed and breakfasts, and local retailers throughout KwaZulu-Natal. As production increased, Craig found himself spending more time on the road than on the farm or with his family.

When Midlands Eggs approached Highveld Farm to become its dedicated free-range supplier, the opportunity was an ideal fit. By partnering with Midlands Eggs, Craig and Vicky were able to focus on producing high-quality eggs while Midlands Eggs undertook the grading, packing, marketing and distribution of their products.

Today, apart from a small number of private sales to friends and family, together with a few long-standing barter arrangements, Highveld Farm supplies its entire egg production to Midlands Eggs. This partnership allows Craig and Vicky to focus on what they enjoy most—farming and spending time with their family.

“We like to think that we have a biodiverse type of farming. Everything produced on the farm is used in one way or another. Our beef cattle graze the longer grass, while the chicken manure is returned to the pastures as a natural fertiliser. We also grow a variety of vegetables for our own use and enjoy supporting neighbouring farmers through long-standing barter arrangements.

We take great pride in the way we farm and in producing quality food for our family and our customers. At the end of a busy day, we are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love.”

Since establishing its first flock in 2009, Highveld Farm has specialised exclusively in cage-free egg production. Today, the farm supplies Midlands Eggs with both barn and free-range eggs, meeting the growing demand for premium cage-free eggs throughout KwaZulu-Natal.

The farm has been carefully planned and developed to support healthy, productive flocks through well-designed housing, good stockmanship and continual investment in facilities and management practices. Craig and Vicky believe that producing quality eggs begins with maintaining healthy birds and well-managed farming systems.

Highveld Farm is committed to the internationally recognised Five Freedoms of animal welfare, which underpin the management of their flocks:
* Freedom from hunger and thirst.
* Freedom from discomfort.
* Freedom from pain, injury and disease.
* Freedom to express normal behaviour.
* Freedom from fear and distress.

Together with their integrated farming approach, these principles reflect Highveld Farm’s commitment to responsible cage-free egg production and the consistent supply of high-quality barn and free-range eggs.

Initially, Craig and Vicky marketed and sold all of their own eggs, supplying restaurants, delicatessens, bed and breakfasts, and local retailers throughout KwaZulu-Natal. As production increased, Craig found himself spending more time on the road than on the farm or with his family.

When Midlands Eggs approached Highveld Farm to become its dedicated free-range supplier, the opportunity was an ideal fit. By partnering with Midlands Eggs, Craig and Vicky were able to focus on producing high-quality eggs while Midlands Eggs undertook the grading, packing, marketing and distribution of their products.

Today, apart from a small number of private sales to friends and family, together with a few long-standing barter arrangements, Highveld Farm supplies its entire egg production to Midlands Eggs. This partnership allows Craig and Vicky to focus on what they enjoy most—farming and spending time with their family.

“We like to think that we have a biodiverse type of farming. Everything produced on the farm is used in one way or another. Our beef cattle graze the longer grass, while the chicken manure is returned to the pastures as a natural fertiliser. We also grow a variety of vegetables for our own use and enjoy supporting neighbouring farmers through long-standing barter arrangements.

We take great pride in the way we farm and in producing quality food for our family and our customers. At the end of a busy day, we are grateful for the opportunity to do what we love.”

Since establishing its first flock in 2009, Highveld Farm has specialised exclusively in cage-free egg production. Today, the farm supplies Midlands Eggs with both barn and free-range eggs, meeting the growing demand for premium cage-free eggs throughout KwaZulu-Natal.

The farm has been carefully planned and developed to support healthy, productive flocks through well-designed housing, good stockmanship and continual investment in facilities and management practices. Craig and Vicky believe that producing quality eggs begins with maintaining healthy birds and well-managed farming systems.

Highveld Farm is committed to the internationally recognised Five Freedoms of animal welfare, which underpin the management of their flocks:
* Freedom from hunger and thirst.
* Freedom from discomfort.
* Freedom from pain, injury and disease.
* Freedom to express normal behaviour.
* Freedom from fear and distress.

Together with their integrated farming approach, these principles reflect Highveld Farm’s commitment to responsible cage-free egg production and the consistent supply of high-quality barn and free-range eggs.