.Within a managed biomass, a constant supply of potential fuel and fibre is available. Animal fat may be converted to bio-diesel. Wool and skins for clothing, insulation and fertilizer.

Prior to development of Janahn Forest, cattle kept the exotic Tree Pear and Prickly Pear under control as young cactus are highly palatable. Only the occasional plant would grow to maturity. Since cattle have been removed and the property destocked for the first 3 years, birds have continued to spread their seed and we now have about 20 - 30 young cactus per hectare. Sheep may eat seedlings, however, they have only recently been introduced.

However any thing that was once living is a potential resource. All types of cactus may be converted to mulch and fertilizer, or if out trials are successful, converted to insects for chicken fodder by blending the leaf of the cactus with saltbush and keeping it cool and moist. The residual fibre is applied to garden beds.

On a larger scale cactus will provide fibre for insulation and paper or be converted to ethanol.

We have introduced three species of cactus to Janahn Forest. Dragon Fruit, Pitaya and Fico d'India opuntia ficus-indica a soft spineless variety that is grown extensively throughout parts of Europe and Africa for its fruit. It is also grown as a livestock fodder. Due to it hardyness, size and growth rate, Fico d'India offers the greatest potential for commercial fuel and fibre and food production.

Old Man Salt Bush produces brittle stems that are ideal for kindling. Our Native Forest is a source of dead wood for fire wood. Fast growing tree species may also be grown to fuel generators for electricity production. Any thing living that is used as fuel may be regrown and reused countless times. Natural carbon sequestration for fuel is a technique gaining momentum in parts of Europe.

At Janahn Forest, our selection of food, fuel and fibre species are integrated by design to suit our on farm purposes.

Other systems may incorporate any desired component on any scale. The single element of design that separates production techniques being developed at Janahn Forest from conventional agriculture is that all species within the system have multiple functions and they may provide multiple yields. It is this approach to land use that will ultimately provide the greatest possible yield from the least amount of energy.

Sheep = wool, meat, fibre, manure which may be converted into bio-gas then fertilizer, vegetation control etc...analyse any species and the same potential of multiple function and yield is revealed.

Shearing at Janahn Forest


Exotic Tree Pear in an area that was recently heavily
grazed to enhance rainfall run-off. Mature plants are 4 m tall


A cutting of opuntia ficus-indica