One Cow, One Man, One Planet

I have this video in my bookcase, and it is a beauty! It is a film that will help you to see the far-reaching benefits of biodynamic farming. This trailer gives you a lovely sampling of Peter Procter's journey into transforming Indian agriculture using biodynamic principles.

Teaching Kids that Chicken Looks Like Chicken

"Renegade lunch lady" Ann Cooper talks about the coming revolution in the way kids eat at school -- local, sustainable, seasonal and even educational food. Did you know, there are more prisoners in the US than farmers, and more is spent on the prisoner's food than school children. Advertising too has an enormous sway on what gets eaten. [What passion and what common sense - very inspirational for everyone, not just for those in the American school food system!]

The Power of Food

Jamie Oliver explains  that our food culture has changed so drastically over the last 30 years that a majority of young children of today do not know what fresh, whole food is. Childhood obesity has become a lethal epidemic in the US and many other parts of the world. Home used to be the heart of passing on food culture. This rarely happens anymore, and children are suffering the consequences.

Pasture Picker

I've been lead to the website of Pastures Australia - a collaboration between AWI, GRDC, MLA, RIRDC and Dairy Australia. It was launched last week in Goondiwindi. You can zone into your area on the map and it comes up with a massive amount of information on pastures (and green manure crops) found there. I've only had a small play with it, but it is likely to be a handy resource for many.

Pasture Diversity

Agribusiness trade journals advertise macho sounding name brands of herbicides that keep your lucerne fields "clean." Clean in the sense that it means the absence of any other species except the expensive hybrid which you spent so much money to plant and hopefully harvest as hay or silage. But weeds provide the ecosystem services such as breaking hardpan, removing excess nutrients, increasing deficient plant nutrients, providing pollen and nectar for beneficial insects, offering other foods important to birds, small mammals.

Doubling Carrying Capacity

A wonderful case study of turning a grazing property around in Clermont Qld. “I could see that traditional methods of grazing were not sustainable and my focus was now on improving the ecology rather than a total focus on the animal.” “Our resounding principal centres around naturally healthy soil (fertility), healthy food (plants and animals), and healthy people (mind and body).” [Yes, it is real; yes, it does work]

The Informed Gardener

I was recently referred to this book, which may interest others. Dr Linda Chalker-Scott, Associate Professor Washington State University, dismisses many gardening myths by refocussing on issues using a scientific perspective. For example, all roses do not need epsom salts, rather any magnesium will help if the plant is magnesium deficient - otherwise it is useless, or even harmful...[seems more like common sense to me]

Farming Another's Country

An investigation reveals how rich countries faced by a global food shortage now farm an area double the size of the UK to guarantee supplies for their citizens. Ethiopia is one of the hungriest countries in the world with more than 13 million people needing food aid, but paradoxically the government is offering at least 3m hectares of its most fertile land to rich countries and some of the world's most wealthy individuals to export food for their own populations. [What is going wrong with the way this world works? Power and money, certainly not natural laws. The scale of these projects are beyond breathtaking]

Why I Use Radionics

Hugh Lovel reflects on biodynamics and the use of radionics. "The rule of thumb in biodynamics is to always work with the living realm, and radionics does this cheaper, easier and better than any pump, tank, stirring machine, spray rig, diesel tractor or helicopter that I’ve seen...I’ve found biodynamic produce grown with radionics to be unexcelled for its complexity and integrity—two key signs of life."

Chia Seed

I think I was 3-4 years too early trying to entice people to this superfood! The Chia seed story is now popping up everywhere. The chia seed was once a staple food of the Aztecs, loved for its ability to sustain and to give endurance. Actually, you could live off chia almost entirely, because it has 19 amino acids, with all of the essential amino acids except taurine. It also has more iron than spinach, more calcium than milk and even more antioxidants than blueberries. I have 250gm Nutri-Tech Solution's ChiaTone for sale, contact me. It's yummy even on its own. 

Potentially the Largest Food Recall in US History

Thousands of types of processed foods -- including many varieties of soups, chips, frozen dinners, hot dogs and salad dressings -- may pose a health threat because they contain a flavor enhancer that could be contaminated with salmonella. Salmonella was detected early last month in one lot of the flavor enhancer -- hydrolyzed vegetable protein. [Of course small local food could never cause such mass problems!]

Banned in 160 Countries, But Not Australia

Or America. A livestock drug banned in 160 nations and responsible for hyperactivity, muscle breakdown and 10% mortality in pigs has been approved by the FDA. The beta agonist ractopamine (also referred to as Paylean in Australia), a repartitioning agent that increases protein synthesis, was recruited for livestock use when researchers found the drug, used in asthma, made mice more muscular. How does a drug marked, "Not for use in humans. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure. Use protective clothing, impervious gloves, protective eye wear, and a NIOSH-approved dust mask" become "safe" in human food? With no washout period? Intensive piggeries in Australia rely on it to remain productive [and they also inject a hormone, reporcin, to boost muscle growth even further]

100 Years of Food Data

Now in its centennial year, US's Economic Research Service’s food availability data set provides a unique window into how the U.S. food supply responds to political, social, and economic forces, along with ever-evolving technoloical advancements. By measuring the flow of raw and semi-processed commodities through the U.S. marketing system, ERS’s food availability data reveal the types and amounts of food commodities available for consumption. Today, the data cover several hundred commodities, though game meats and home-produced food are no longer counted. [It is already showing up some interesting trends in our eating habits]

Climate Scientists Change Tact

For months, climate scientists have taken a vicious beating in the media and on the Internet, accused of hiding data, covering up errors and suppressing alternate views. Tentatively and grudgingly, they are beginning to engage their critics, admit mistakes, open up their data and reshape the way they conduct their work. [Gosh, is it really that hard to be open and transparent on such a public issue that was heading towards taxing every person on the globe, or was it just a project simply relying on our 'faith'?]

The Hockey Stick Illusion

In "The Hockey Stick Illusion; Climategate and the Corruption of Science?" the author does an excellent job of pulling together and explaining very clearly the whole ‘Hockey Stick’ shemozzle.  Some of the most notable points one reviewer gained from it were: the level of control of IPCC exerted by the activist scientists; peer review and how it has been corrupted; the activist role of scientific journals such as ‘Science’ and ‘Nature’ to promote belief in the “Hockey Stick” and beat off criticisms; distortion of data; cherry picking of data; refusal to release data and methodology; and the politics, agenda and funding of activist web sites like RealClimate. Recommended reading for anyone with an open mind and interested in “Dangerous man-made global warming” and what we should do about it. 

Warped Carbon Trading

Europe's system for industrial carbon quotas has enriched the continent's biggest polluters, with ten firms together reaping permits for 2008 alone worth 500 million euros. The energy, steel and cement sectors that dominate the system, hit by the global crunch, are emitting less CO2 than forecast, which means surplus carbon permits are flooding the market and they are making money from doing nothing. Even if the permits are not directly resold for profit, the value will still remain on the companies' books, rising or falling with the market.

GM Potato for the EU

The European Union today approved the first new genetically modified (GM) crop for domestic growing in more than a decade, ending what has been a long stalemate over a backlog of GM crops awaiting cultivation approval. Farmers will now be able to grow Amflora potatoes, a controversial GM crop developed by the German chemical giant BASF. The potatoes can be used solely for industrial or animal feed purposes. The potatoes are engineered to produce high levels of starch for use in paper production or textiles. Some though are flummoxed that a crop using antibiotic-resistance genes was the first to be approved by the European Union.

GMing Omega-3

CSIRO scientists have developed plant prototypes genetically modified to boost their omega-3 content beyond alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). They used GM methods to mesh algae-sourced omega-3s like DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) with canola plants to create the new plants, with a large-scale farm trial the next ambition.

SmartStax GM Crops

Smartstax is a genetically modified (GM) corn that has eight GM traits combined or ‘stacked’ together, six for insect resistance (Bt) and two for herbicide tolerance. Current stacked GM trait crops on the market only have up to three traits each. The stacked  transgenic varieties assembled using conventional breeding are not regulated by USDA/APHIS and environments assessment is not required. But such introductions are regulated by US EPA, which does not appear to be concerned over the die-off of bees from seed treatment chemicals nor from the transgenic Bt proteins.

The Transgenic Treadmill

Before 1996, weeds were not observed to have evolved resistance to glyphosate in the field, but since then, the introduction of transgenic glyphosate tolerant crops has led to evolution of a number of resistant weeds. Interestingly, the inventor of both glyphosate and the herbicide tolerant crops, Monsanto Corporation, does not appear to be engaged in finding remedies for the invasion of resistant weeds. It appears that post-emergent use of glyphosate may be  a main contributor to evolved glyphosate resistance, but eliminating post-emergent herbicide treatment practically eliminates all the advantages of and hence the need for herbicide tolerant crops. As current transgenic crops are rendered obsolete through weed resistance, the crops will be replaced with new transgenic varieties made available at higher prices to the farmers and hence the treadmill.

Killing House Pests with Heat

Bedbugs, cockroaches and other reviled insects may have nowhere to hide from a rapid heat treatment which could make pesticides and fumigants obsolete. The bug-killing system devised by Rentokil turns infested premises or vehicles into temporary ovens. With a maximum temperature of 56 °C, the heat treatment leaves furniture and fabrics unharmed but is lethal to all stages of an insect's life cycle, from egg to adulthood.

Banks Have More Rights Than Owners

A win by Liverpool Plains farmers struck a blow against large coal miners this week in the NSW Supreme Court...Legislation now states that banks must be told by mining companies about exploration work on land where the banks have an interest, if not, they can't explore. [What! Banks become the protector of the farmer in these cases because they are indebted to them? What about the farmer who is free of the banks - what protection can they get?]

More Tax Reform for Australia?

Assistant Treasurer Nick Sherry appears to be concocting one of the biggest attacks ever mounted on the small business community by a government minister in direct violation of solemn promises made by Kevin Rudd’s ALP at the last election. In the background is a seething union movement that wants small contractors to be turned into employees so they can be put in their web. For example, each plumber or computer consultant in Australia will need to differentiate between their income from capital (spanners, shovels and computers) and their income from labour (digging the ditches and writing software), and every business must have two employees to be a business, and many other frightening things. [Heaven only knows what this would mean for farmers!]

Chile in Ruins

On the 27^th March upon Rudolf Steiner’s 149^th birthday, the middle and south of Chile were struck by an earthquake of 8.8 on the Richter scale the 7th strongest earthquake on record. Over Easter, medical students, anthroposophical doctors, therapists, Waldorf teachers etc will go to some of the stricken communities to help build/rebuild houses, source beds and bedding among many other things. Help will not only be of the material kind but bring the holistic element of Waldorf-pedagogy and anthroposophical medicine to these people. Donations are sought.

Press Release from Concerned BAA Members

In order to maintain (Biodynamic Agriculture Australia) BAA’s integrity in pursuing its mission instead of being diverted into setting up standards and certification, members have mounted a members’ meeting at their own expense for the replacement of four BAA directors who have a conflict of interest and refuse to step aside. The Board have refused to comply with the Corporations Act 2001, Section 173 in providing an up-to-date registry of the membership so concerned members are alerting other BAA members through various media outlets.

Lomandra Convivium

A group of passionate ecoagers got together many years ago to create - something. After many wonderful weekends together with fabulous conversations, food and drink we came to the realisation that we were all too busy doing the very things we thought we wanted  our 'Lomandra' group to create...the truth was, we just loved each other's company and talking about the wonders of working with nature, which often bored the company of our day-to-day friends. So Lomandra started to see itself as a social network for ecoagers where people can put up their hands to host a convivium (borrowed from the Slow Food Movement).

Angus & Kim Deans have offered to host a convivium at their place (just outside Tingha) on 27th - 28th March. It will be limited to 20 adults (children welcome). It's simply first in first served, though it is requested that some food and drink be brought along to share. The convivium commences just after lunch and rides its way into the night...and perhaps continues Sunday morning. Camping is welcome, and there is likely to be some local beds on offer too. Angus and Kim are particularly keen to explore thoughts on healthy soils, food and our health. I would suggest watching the videos above in 'Teaching Kids that Chicken Looks Like Chicken' and 'The Power of Food' - both are brilliant though provokers.  RSVP to Angus and Kim or (02) 6723-3594.

P.S. If you would like to host a convivium - simply let me know and I can advertise it. The vision is to create an informal network of people Australia wide. Who knows what these ecoag conversations might seed and germinate into in, given such fertile fun environments?

Winter Crop Core Products

Bionutrient Solutions have put together an easy to read summary of their core winter crop products such as liquid starter fertiliser, inoculant, seed dressing and solid mineral replacement.  Application rates and prices are included plus a brief description and key advantages for each product. 

Reactive Rock Phosphate

Fertile Farm is transporting Bio-Ag's reactive rock phosphate (BioAgPhos) out of Geelong (14% phosphorus of which a third is citrate soluble). They are happy to split b-double loads for those wanting less than 40 tonnes, which makes the price very competitive. Contact Julian for more information.

Geomatica Newsletter

The lastest Geomantica newsletter has been posted up and covers: windfarm syndrome, problems with phone masts, Vastu Shastra (science of dwelling), a number of interesting book reviews and a list of upcoming events around Australia and the world.

Introduction to Regenerative Farm and Environment Practices

Biodynamics is a cost effective method of producing high quality plants, food and fibre with regenerative ecological outcomes. This two-day workshop at Krinklewood Vineyard in Broke will explain how biodynamic preparations contribute to the soil food web, creating fertility and balance in soils. The cost is $220 pp or $330 per couple (inc. GST). Register by Monday 24 May 2010 by calling 02 6655 9853 or emailing [email protected] available for natural resource management activities.

Emissions Trading Seminar

You are invited to a one day forum on the Implications of an Emissions Trading Scheme for Agriculture to be held in Tamworth on 21st  April 2010. This event will be an opportunity to hear about the latest information, analysis and advice on the challenges and opportunities for agriculture presented by climate change and emissions trading schemes in particular. Alan Lauder will be one of the presenters.

RCS International Conference

At the RCS International Conference, Brisbane 20 - 22 July, Jerry Brunetti of Pennsylvania USA will review the nutritional challenge of the era: turning the tide on human health and the role of natural farming systems. Brunetti sees a close connection between the food livestock and humans eat and their overall well being.

Introduction to Permaculture

Mulloon Creek Natural Farms (MCNF) have an Introduction to Permaculture course happening on the weekend of April 10th & 11th. This course will be run by Cam Wilson of Permablitz fame. Cam and his wife Jessie moved to MCNF from Victoria earlier this year and are in the process of establishing the whole site where they are living as a completely sustainable, off the grid, demo of Permaculture principles in action.

Health

Soy Linked to Male Infertility - Again

Long-term consumption of a soy-rich diet may decrease a male’s sperm count. Adult male mice fed a soy-rich diet had sperm counts 25% lower, and 21% smaller litter sizes, than mice fed a soy-free diet. This is not the first study that has linked soy, and genistein in particular, to fertility problems. Unsurprisingly, a member of soy supplier Solae's nutrition science group does not accept the results.

Replacing BPA with Sugar-Derived Epoxy

Researchers in the United States have developed a chemical derived from sugar with the potential to replace bisphenol A (BPA) in a number of products, including the lining of food cans. Both components of the epoxy—the resin and the hardener—are from water-soluble, plant-derived chemistries. The epoxy is cured by baking at an elevated temperature.

Limiting Phthalate Migration

The compounds that add flexibility to harder plastics may also migrate from these materials, raising health concerns about human exposure via medical devices or children’s toys. Now, scientists working with the widely used plasticizers known as phthalates have locked down these compounds, preventing them from migrating, which may lead to improved versions of hard plastics that don’t leach their ingredients. [Note sure if this applies to phthalates in perfumes etc though]

MSG Replacer

Umami is one of the five taste sensations detectable by humans, together with sweet, bitter, salty and sour. A new synthetic ingredient has been developed which gives a highly concentrated umami flavour and it will marketed as a replacer for monosodium glutamate (MSG) in Europe. [So far it has no name, and it's certainly not natural in any way]

Mumps Epidemic Despite Vaccination

More than 1,000 people in New Jersey and New York have been sickened with mumps since August. Health officials have linked the outbreak to an 11-year-old boy. He had recently returned from the United Kingdom, where a mumps outbreak had spread to 4,000 people. The boy had been fully vaccinated against the mumps, as had 77% of the patients in New Jersey. The vaccine is not 100% effective, according to the CDC. [What! Is that what they are now saying? They usually accuse an unvaccinated child... or perhaps they will end up pointing to an unvaccinated child in the UK]

Importance of Vitamin D Again

Insufficient levels of vitamin D may reduce our immune system’s ability to react to infection. Vitamin D is necessary to trigger T cells – the immune system’s killer cells – into action, and insufficient levels of the vitamin mean the cells remain dormant and inactive. The findings could help us combat infectious diseases and global epidemics. Indeed, last year the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed that it will be investigating the role of vitamin D in protection against swine flu. [Just think - adding a little bit of sunlight could have such an impact!]

Low Vitamin D is also linked to fatty weak muscles...

Apricot Kernels and Cancer

Paul Reid should be dead. Diagnosed with a rare, incurable lymphoma, he was given five years, seven tops, by his oncologist. His weapon of choice? Apricot kernels. Thirty a day. Reid turned down chemotherapy, vowing to eat himself well. Today, 13 years in remission. Reid is among a growing number of cancer patients who see food as the key to their survival - a trend worrying doctors who fear people may be risking their lives by embarking on extreme, unproven diets. [What! Chemotherapy is not extreme and unproven....]

Coke Teams Up With the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Diet Coke and the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health have joined forces to raise awareness about women’s risk of heart disease. Diet Coke’s Red Dress Program will take center stage at high-profile events. Coca-Cola, whose products are not exactly heart healthy, makes them a strange partner for the NHLBI. So what is going on?

Fructose, Uric Acid, Diabetes and Obesity

Dr. Johnson’s research has focused on how the number one source of calories in the American diet, fructose, might cause obesity, high blood pressure, and a number of other common diseases. He didn’t start by looking at fructose however. It began when he realized that uric acid is a major component of obesity high blood pressure and kidney disease. But what raises uric acid? It’s been known that meats and purine rich foods can raise uric acid, but it turns out that one of the most potent ways to raise uric acid is via fructose!

Quote

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. - Melody Beattie 

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Events

* Introduction to Permaculture - Bungendore NSW 11th - 12th April 2010.

* Emissions Trading Seminar - Tamworth NSW 21st April 2010.

* Introduction to Regenerative Farm and Environment Practices - Broke NSW RSVP by 24th May 2010.

* RCS International Conference - Brisbane 20th - 22nd July 2010.

Postscript

Proud to be a Queenslander

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, Melbourne scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.

Not to be outdone by the Victorians, in the weeks that followed, a Sydney archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after, a story published in the Sydney Morning Herald read:

"New South Wales archaeologists, finding traces of 130-year-old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network 30 years earlier than the Victorians".

One week later, the Courier Mail in Brisbane , Queensland , reported the following:

"After digging as deep as 30 feet in his pasture near Beenleigh , Queensland , John Brown, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. John has therefore concluded that 130 years ago, Queensland had already gone wireless."

Just makes you proud to be a Queenslander!

Yours Sincerely,
Carolyn Ditchfield