A New Farming Revolution

The deputy director of the CSIRO's Sustainable Agriculture Flagship says we are facing an agricultural revolution similar to the Green Revolution that followed World War II. "As we go forward it's a much greater challenge to think about maintaining productivity levels when you have issues around limited resources...So our second Green Revolution has to be built on increasing our resources' efficiency, getting much greater productivity out of the inputs we use, [while being] conscious of our environment." [Mmmm, I like this comment that was sent with the email alerting me to this article. These are some of my own thoughts on resources and populations]

But perhaps the most interesting aspect of this initiative is the incredible amount of funding that it going towards it - $70 million. One subscriber comment goes: "It's interesting that not long ago (at every opportunity, including Federal Senate Inquiries), CSIRO said it was not possible to build soil carbon. Now it is apparently going to be the way of the future - with help from Bayer!!! I wonder what that will involve? A little bit of gene manipulation and a lather of toxic chemicals, just in case we don't have enough already?...Will the Federal Government ever invest in management practices that we know work but which don't require chemical inputs - hence no money to be made by multinational corporations?"

Well it appears that it is not going to be about building natural healthy soils and landscapes - but soley a focus on new generation crops....whatever that means. It has a whiff of biotechnology about it. So when you think through it, government money (our money) is going towards supporting (aka assessing) a for-profit business to develop new technology to sell to the world... or am I too cynical?

Farming the Future Report

The House of Representatives 'Farming the Future' Report has some interesting conclusions which suggest an air of double-speak. One subscriber cynically reports that "the second conclusion of the Committee is that this research effort needs to be coordinated (ie 'direct all funding through CSIRO') and the third conclusion is that the level of research funding is inadequate (ie 'give more money to CSIRO'). The Committee were impressed to find that "A significant part of the adaptation response is already taking place outside the realm of government policy and formal research networks. An effort needs to be made to capture, evaluate and disseminate these responses". No mention of any funding being directed to assist with the only REAL adaptation that is actually taking place. Rather, the intention is to 'capture' and control it." [Go CSIRO, innovating farmers move aside!]

Grasses, Trees, Climate and Food

The Carbon Sense Coalition has put in a submission to the Inquiry into Native Vegetation Laws, Greenhouse Abatement and Climate Change Meaures. It's certainly an interesting read with some great landscape pictures to make some points. It highlights the need for grasslands, points out the consequences of regulating native vegetation and drought relief policies and mentions the experiments of PA Yeoman and Alan Savory (who were able to work their magic because there were no regulations saying they couldn't). I like the recommendations at the end.

Compost Guidelines

In a natural ecosystem, the litter layer supports organisms that efficiently recycle nutrients back into the plants. When this layer is removed under industrial agriculture practices, nutrients are leached away and lost from the denuded soil, in addition to those removed in the crop. Manufactured fertilisers then become necessary. It is possible to use compost to totally replace the need for manufactured mineral fertilisers, if the nature of the compost is fully understood. [Some generic rules for making compost are included with this article]

Using Worms and/or EM for Composting

A study of eradacation of plant waste by earthworms and microbes (EM - Effective Microbes) was divided into 4 experiments: (1) control set as natural plant waste eradication (2) eradication by earthworm (3) eradication by microbe EM and (4) eradication by earthworm and microbe EM. Comparing plant waste disposal periods between 4 experimental sets revealed that the eradication of plant waste by earthworm and microbe EM provided the best results with 5 day eradication for 3 kg plant waste. The second best result was eradication by earthworm with 7 day eradication. Eradication by microbe EM and control set took 9 and 13 days respectively. [The unusual wording is because the paper has been translated from Thai, but the information is interesting nonetheless...]

The Secret Life of Roots

Maintaining a healthy root system is essential for healthy plants, especially when conditions are not ideal. Monocots, such as grasses, bananas, palms, ginger and onions, tend to have fibrous root systems with little variation in thickness, unlike Dicots. Root distribution is determined also by root initiation, growth and death, and by evolutionary adaptation to a particular environment. [Good generic information, but focus's a little too heavily on tap roots as evolutionary solutions, rather than the 'sponge' effect of perennials that we know actually dominated much of our dry environments in the past]

Soil Fun for Kids

Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History was on display from July 18, 2008 through Jan 10, 2010 with much of the content now online. There are some great interactive games and information, but I just loved the Chef's Challenge Video where two top chefs compete to create the best soil recipe from the same secret ingredient [scroll down featured topics on the right-hand side].

Formation of Soil Pellets

Wet-and-dry cycling has a profound effect upon the morphology (physical structure) of our soils. Soils subject to such wetting and drying cycles tend to form a strong “texture-contrast” soil known as a podzol, podzolic or kurosol. Often there are various hard “shotgun pellets” (sometimes flattened) of a black, red or iron colour. Sometimes these are so abundant as to form most of the soil. This is not partly weathered rock: these stony inclusions are formed in situ, and appears to be the result of chemical reactions. [Very interesting]

Half the Soil Carbon Story

Amazing - the liquid carbon highway is still completely ignored by our institutional soil scientists!  Farmer's Guide to Soil Carbon is one of their latest information downloads on soil carbon. The information is good, but it only tells half the story (in fact the small half of the story) which limits the frames of references they analyse within (e.g. is poor soil carbon accumulation under fallow just the result of less biomass on top, or due more to no live plants pumping carbon in?). They still only measure and talk about decomposition of biomass (ie composting of stubble), the least efficient way of accumulating soil carbon and miss the nuances of the plant itself - e.g. how long is it actively 'green' and how does THAT relate to soil carbon accumulation? So unsurprisingly they continue to caution that soil carbon sequestration is limited... They miss the massive liquid carbon highway - where atmospheric CO2 passes through a living green plant and is dumped into the rootzone? And what about the biology, especially mycorrhizae that convert that active carbon directly into stable carbon, even at great depths in the soil? Will someone please tap them on the shoulder!

Aerial Views

If you're curious about what your property looks like from the air or you need an aerial photo for planning purposes, you can look on-line at the NSW Land and Property Management Authority website. [I started by doing a 'Suburb' search]

Reality Tourists

In recent years, reality tours have shuttled sightseers to the slums of Rio de Janeiro, through gang-plagued neighborhoods in Los Angeles and on "toxic tours" of factories, refineries and brownfields in Oakland. The aim of the new Urban Ocean Boat Cruise is to ply Southern California's most compromised waters to show the environmental effects of trade, fishing, industry and other human activities. Reflecting later, some visitors said they would take the enlightenment of the urban-themed cruise over a whale watch or dolphin safari any day and plan to bring others once daily excursions begin Memorial Day weekend.

Our Toxic World

The air we breathe, the food we eat, the house we live in, the grass we walk on — all contain toxic substances that could be harmful to our health. These environmental toxins are a part of our daily lives, mostly invisible and in some cases, seemingly unavoidable. Five environmental toxins that national and local experts express concern about are listed and include information on where they’re found and how you might be able to avoid them. [Interestingly carbon monoxide is first on the list, and they don't mention amalgms as a source of mercury]

Poisoned

Fruit and veges are supposed to be the healthy option. But what if we were to tell you that Australia's fruit and vegetables are sprayed with chemicals that are considered so dangerous they're banned around the world? [This 60 Minutes story is just a fraction of the horrifying poisonings I witness over my desk each day - the world is truely poisoned and it's difficult to escape it] A subscriber has been so moved by this that she has pulled together a list of government contacts and invites others to join her in bombarding them with complaints to tell them these products should be banned.

New Generation Pesticide?

Researchers are working on an entirely new generation of pesticides, one that promises to target individual species while leaving other animals unharmed. These could be sprayed onto plants like conventional pesticides or genetically engineered into crops. The key to the new pesticides is gene silencing, or RNA interference (RNAi).

Bees and Pesticides

Honey bees are being hammered by some mysterious environmental plague that has a name -- colony collapse disorder – but no established cause. A two-year study now provides evidence indicting one likely group of suspects: pesticides. It found “unprecedented levels” of mite-killing chemicals and crop pesticides in hives across the United States and parts of Canada.

An Alternative to Honey Bees

Can a Town Feed Itself

Interest in local food has grown steadily in recent years, with people seeing not just its nutritional and taste benefits, but also its political role, alongside its ability to strengthen local economies. A paper has been put together to look at Totnes and District in Devon, England, to assess the degree to which the area could be self reliant for food and other essentials. The conclusions identify the need for a rethink of how agriculture is practiced, as well as the urgent need for research into new models of food production.

Buying Local Spells Disaster

Advocates of the local movement - which includes backyard gardeners, community gardens, farmers markets and local produce businesses - say buying local is better for the environment and builds community spirit. But a researcher for the Institute of Public Affairs says there is no evidence buying locally is better for the planet, and the movement could ruin Australia's export industry. [Forget the carbon footprint as a reason - buy local and bring down the GDP (exports are better) economic illusion I say!]

Hunter Gatherer Dinner Club

Fiddling with carbs, portion sizes and low-fat products misses the point of eating for pleasure and health, Deb Newell believes, and so she has formed the Hunter Gatherer Dinner Club. The underlying motto of the club might be, “never reach for a packet”. Instead, Ms Newell wants to encourage people to eat fresh food from sustainable sources, wild or farmed. [Yes!]

Pumping Chicken with Salt Water

The practice of pumping up poultry with salt water is basically a hidden tax of up to 15% that extracts about $2 billion from American consumers each year. This isn’t about "enhancing" chicken, it's about enhancing profits. In addition, the salt used in processed foods – including salt water plumped conventional chicken – is the highly processed variety, and NOT at all the same as the natural salt your body actually craves to perform these vital functions. [The same is done to pork in Australia - to make it juicier, and consumers actually are charged a premium for it! See Pumped up Pork in a 2007 newsletter]

Atomic Bomb Helps Wine Growers

Australian scientists claim that atomic bomb testing has left traces of radioactive carbon in grapes that could help the wine industry combat fraud. Atomic bomb testing from the late 1940s up to 1963 significantly increased the amount of carbon-14 (C-14) in the atmosphere. This radioactive carbon is absorbed by grape plants and eventually finds its way into wine itself. By measuring the relative amounts of carbon-12 and carbon-14 in wine produced from the early 1960s, they are able to pinpoint the vintage of a wine.

Grass Fed vs Grain Fed Cattle

Of all the animals that humans eat, none are held more responsible for climate change than cows. But grass-fed cows may have the opposite effect. Grass is a perennial. If cattle and other ruminants are rotated across pastures full of it, the animals' grazing will cut the blades, spurring new growth, while their trampling helps work manure and other decaying organic matter into the soil, turning it into rich humus. And healthy soil keeps carbon dioxide underground and out of the atmosphere. [Yay, it's finally hitting mainstream media - this is from an article in Time Magazine]

Largest Die-Off of Great Whales

Experts are meeting this week to try to solve the mystery of the largest ever recorded die-off of great whales. Possible causes being examined include biotoxins - naturally occurring poisons which include the venom of some snakes and spiders and the "flesh-eating" bacteria Necrotizing fasciitis - disease, environmental factors, and lack of prey, particularly the tiny krill which make up the bulk of the southern right's diet. Another theory put forward has been the effect of gulls, which can act like parasites, gouging skin and blubber from the whales' backs. [This time Climate Change is not specifically listed as a culprit, which is refreshing!]

Clouds of Unknowing

There are lots of uncertainties in climate science. But that does not mean it is fundamentally wrong. [This is a wonderfully reasoned discussion about the many aspects of climate science that are simply not known, but suggests many trends still do support anthropogenic CO2 climate change. I still can't buy into the CO2 CAUSE story (there are additional problems that are not discussed in this article), but anthropogenic climate change (damaging our natural feedback systems, and making all environments toxic to all lifeforms), on top of natural fluxes which in turn causes CO2 level fluxes - yes, that sits better with me]

Prescribed Burns Can Reduce CO2

Most people know that forests sequester carbon and that forest fires pump enormous amounts of that stored carbon skyward. But researchers are coming to a somewhat contrary conclusion: Carefully controlled burns can help reduce forest carbon emissions. "If we reintroduce fires into our ecosystems, we may be able to protect larger trees and significantly reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by major wildfires."

Disappearing Nuclear Waste

A new type of nuclear reactor that could permanently “destroy” atomic waste is being developed by French scientists. Though there is this caution: “Nuclear waste cannot be 100 per cent eliminated, but the volume, the toxicity and the biohazard could be reduced by 99 per cent.”

Bloom Box

In the world of energy, the Holy Grail is a power source that's inexpensive and clean, with no emissions. Well over 100 start-ups in Silicon Valley are working on it, and one of them, Bloom Energy, is about to make public its invention: a little power-plant-in-a-box they want to put literally in your backyard. It has a lot of smart people believing and buzzing, even though the company has been unusually secretive--until now. [You just have to see this 60 Minutes segment - it really has an air of excitment to it]

What's New...

A big welcome to PrincipleFocus, new sponsors of the FTSU newsletter and website. They are also proud to announce their recent merger with Dubbo- and Warren-based accounting and advisory firm, Bridgeway Group, which has elevated PrincipleFocus to become the largest and most diverse regional consultancy of its type in the country. It uniquely delivers an integrated suite of agricultural and business consultants, accountants, financial planners, bankers, commodity risk advisers and software specialists. “Our purpose is to educate and empower our clients by creating holistic business solutions that balance people, profit and environment.”

Biodynamics Agriculture Australia Update

There have been more developments over the past few weeks leading into the EGM planned for 16th April. They include some letters from members of the BAA Board, which have now been commented on by concerned members highlighting many inaccuracies. ASIC have sent warning letters to the BAA office, and a press release has been prepared. Apparently many BAA members are righly dismayed at what is happening, and the politicking that seems to be occurring - but it should be noted that a group of people who normally would not have entered politics at any level have elected to step into the fray - they could not see any other way of ensuring that their BAA remained open, inclusive and supportive. Please don't sit back and hope for the best, your vote is vital for directing BAA away from commercial certification issues (which rightly belong to dedicated certification bodies) and back towards education, support and networking. Please take the time to read the information and make an informed decision for our future.

Small Farms Gathering

Gwymac's newly formed small farms group will have their 3rd gathering at Darryl Priest's property where they will can see and question: native tree propagation, site preparation, tree planting methods, straw bale garden methods, fruit tree orchard and include a farm walk. Inverell 28th March.

Winter Plant 2010 Grower Meeting

Concerned about the rising costs associated with growing your crops? Want to know how to increase your nutrient use efficiency? Are you interested in reducing your spend on Nitrogen inputs? Bionutrient Solutions will be answering these questions at Bongeen 30th March. They will discuss what they discovered from 1500 sap test results in the 2009 winter crop and which nutrients made the money. There will also be discussions on liquid fertiliser systems.

Cyndi O'Meara's Health Retreat

I so admire Cyndi's work on health through nutrition, that I think this weekend retreat at Mount Coolum (23rd - 25th July) would be exceptional. The retreat includes inspiring talks from Cyndi as well as six other professional speakers. The weekend will be focussed on caring for your body, first and foremost, by what you put into it. The menu is vegan based (however, two delicious meat dishes have been included for dinner), additive free and mouthwatering!

Health

Tamanu Oil

In recent years a new oil from Vanuatu has emerged as a prime contender in the super oil stakes. This pacific powerhouse is called Tamanu oil. It is not only an incomparable skin healing agent but also features proven anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antimicrobial, anti neuralgic and antioxidant properties. However the most unique claim to fame for this oil relates to cicatrisation. Cicatrisation is the formation of new tissue to speed healing. Tamanu oil promotes tissue formation and this is partly why wounds heal much more rapidly and this is how the growth of healthy skin is sponsored. It is effective in treating acne scars, burns, stretch marks, eczema, diabetes sores, psoriasis, herpes sores, sunburn, insect bites and stings, cuts, abrasions and the reduction and removal of age spots on the face, neck and hands.

Gerson Cancer Therapy

Dr. Max Gerson is known around the world as the father of natural cancer cures. Through his innovative and far-ahead-of-his-time natural healing therapies, many tens of thousands of people have cured their own cancers going all the way back to the 1930s. Today, the daughter of Dr. Gerson, Charlotte Gerson, carries the torch for the Gerson Therapy and the Gerson Institute. Here she is interviewed by Mike Adams.

Essiac Herbel Remedy

In 1923 a nurse began administering a herbal remedy handed down from an American Indian to terminal cancer patients, who had been given up by the medical profession as incurable. Most recovered. She found that Essiac, as she named the herbal remedy (her own name backwards), could not undo the effects of severe damage to the life support organs, but where the life support organs had not been severely damaged, cure was complete, and the patients sometimes lived another 35 or 40 years. Some are still alive today. In fact, it nearly became legal in Canada - bar 3 votes. This is a remarkable story [This remedy is also outlined in the wonderful book Outsmart Your Cancer which I have copies of]

EFT and Cancer

This is a wonderfully uplifting short video of a woman supporting children with cancer in a hospital in Mexico using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). Knowing the technique personally, I can only imagine the positive impact this must be having on all those involved!

The technique is explained by Suzanne Scarrow (and ex Inverell resident!) in her online seminars. Coincidentally, I read about a similar technique being used by American Indians in a book I read many years ago. It was used to alleviate fears, and no doubt was used by many natural cultures. (I'm trying to remember the title of that book...)

McDonald-Weight Watchers Alliance

In a world-first, McDonald's has signed a deal with Weight Watchers to promote some of its meals, such as Chicken McNuggets, as ideal for dieters. The move comes three years after McDonald's paid $330,000 to put the Heart Foundation's tick on seven meals, including burgers and nuggets. But nutritionists and obesity experts say the partnership is a marketing ploy to lure people into McDonald's where they will buy more fat-laden foods.

Toxic Flea Treatments

Pet flea treatments, including the popular Frontline and Advantage brands can endanger some dogs and cats. Investigations concluded that certain pets – small dogs between 10 and 20 pounds – are most susceptible to the problems. Most of the problems were minor, such as skin rashes, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, but about 600 dogs and cats died in incidents reported in 2008.

Shopping Receipt Hazards

Most fears are focused on BPA's use in clear plastic products like baby bottles and sipping cups because it potentially can leach into beverages, but it is also used in shopping reciepts and other carbonless paper supplies. One company's decision to halt use of BPA in its thermal paper has given the company an edge up with buyers increasingly attuned to "green" office supplies.

Quote

"Contaminated and polluted water now kills more people than all forms of violence including wars" - United National Report 'Sick Water?' 2010

Cartoon

Can you find the man in the coffee beans?

It is claimed that this is a test of your brain development - though the evidence is lacking.

Still - he is really there....how long did it take you?

Miscellaneous

These 15 facts about China will make you stop and wonder... Some of them are impossible to to get your head around.

Events

* Small Farms Gathering - Inverell NSW 28th March 2010.

* Winter Plant 2010 Grower Meeting - Bongeen Qld 30th March 2010.

* Cyndi O'Meara's Health Retreat - Mount Coolum Qld 23rd - 25th July 2010.

Postscript

Yours Sincerely,
Carolyn Ditchfield