cockatoo farmer

Etymology
Probably refers to the practice of working a small patch of land for a short period before moving on, in the manner of a feeding cockatoo. Alternatively so called to compare the farmers with the common sulphur-crested cockatoo, which come down on the newly sown cornfields in myriads.

Noun

 * 1)  A small-scale farmer.

Usage notes
The term (sometimes abbreviated as "cockie") was used by squatters in disparagement of the small scale of the operations.