Methane Argument

One FTSU subscriber has put finger to typewriter and submitted his reasons for being against the inclusion of enteric methane in an Emissions Trading Scheme. I just love the conclusion that every 12 years all farmers should get repaid their carbon taxes back - afterall that is the length of the methane cycle!

I made the following comments though: I would argue that increased livestock does not necessarily result in more methane ‘pollution'. If livestock are managing pastures properly, their increase in numbers should mean more active CO2 sucking pasture growth - the total amount of carbon circulating might increase, but the excess/pollution would not. I would also argue that pasture production, if managed well has an enormous capacity for increase across our whole landscape, and if anything, would actually be stimulated along by excess CO2 in the atmosphere. Both points are premised on well managed pastures as advocated by the likes of Christine Jones and Allan Savory - as this submission does refer to without too much detail though.

Carbon Farming Handbook

The Carbon Coalition is pulling together a definitive handbook on carbon farming and inviting like-minded companies for their sponsorship. It is expected to be published at the end of May and covers just so so many wonderful topics related to farming carbon. If you are interested in supporting this project contact Michael Kiely directly, or I can forward on the 'Advertiser's mockup' for your consideration.

Cool Farms Factor

While cities create a warm bubble known as the urban heat island, most farms have an opposite chilling effect called the "cool farms factor", and blamed for lessening the effects of climate change!! It is also suggested that projects that plant trees to cool the planet need to be approached with caution.

Organic Manure vs Conventional Manure

Organic dairy manure in this particular study had higher levels of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium than conventional manure. Organic dairy manure also contained more types of phosphorus found in association with calcium and magnesium.

Are Suicides Linked to GM Crops?

Over 1,500 farmers in the agricultural Indian state of Chattisgarh have committed suicide after being driven to debt by crop failure. The state was hit hard by falling water levels too. Some claim: "Farmers' suicides are increasing due to a vicious circle created by money lenders. They lure farmers to take money but when the crops fail, they are left with no option other than death." But interestingly, this cycle seems to stem from unsuitable GM crops that require loans and more water - unlike generation to generation seed-saved crops of the past.

Flu Vaccine and GM Corn

Iowa State University researchers are putting flu vaccines into the genetic makeup of corn, which may someday allow pigs and humans to get a flu vaccination simply by eating corn or corn products. As stated the modified corn should induce an immune response - but is that what you want your body to do every time you eat some corn flakes in the morning???

Banning Glyphosate

An environmental group's push to temporarily ban glyphosate in Argentina, citing a scientist's preliminary study in embryology, has sparked concern in the country's huge soy industry and generated disagreement within the government.

Atrazine is also the subject of a possible class action suit because of its water polluting potential.

Glyphosate and Soil Biology

This article cites many scientific papers showing links between glyphosate use and toxicity to mammals, aquatic plants and animals, and more particularly for me, soil biology such as nitrogen-fixers and mycorrhizae. The chemical applications used in no-till farming are not likely to be enhancing soil fertility!

Soft Rock Prices Dropping

Nutri-Tech Solutions have announced price drops for their colloidal Soft Rock Phosphate which is great news.

2010 Nuffield Scholarships

Primary industries members from a wide range of commodities can now apply for the 2010 round of Nuffield Scholarships. The scholarship offers successful applicants a six week global focus program visiting agricultural powerhouses such as the US, European Union, China and Brazil, after which scholars will pursue their individual study topic for a further 10 weeks. Applications close on June 30, 2009.

Rural/Remote Manager Award

The Rural/Remote Manager of the Year is for managers who live and work 75 kilometres or more outside of their nearest AIM network or provincial city. This category seeks remotely based business owners, and professional managers in local business, community organisations, rural tourism or primary industries.

Compost and Compost Tea Workshop

An apology. The date for the upcoming compost and compost tea workshop in Barraba is actually 17th July (not the 20th as I advertised in my previous email).

Permaculture and Earthworks

Mulloon Creek Natural Farms in Bungendore near Canberra, recently held the 14 day Permaculture Design Certificate Course, presented by Geoff Lawton and it was a great success. Further courses by Geoff are now being offered. "Introduction to Permaculture & Food Gardening" Sat 30th & Sun 31st May; "Earthworks for directing water flow, storage and hydrating soils" Mon 1st - Wed 3rd June.

Regenerative Soil Management Workshops

A comprehensive four-day training in cutting-edge biological soil management hosted by Sonia Lee of Vital Soil Consulting. Building biologically-healthy, well-structured carbon-rich soil is among the most important steps to increase resilience in a changing climate and increase, over time, farm profitability. The trainings will be held in the Bass/Corinella area (West Gippsland, Victoria). Dates are: Workshop 1: Thursdays & Fridays: 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th June Workshop 2: Saturdays & Sundays: 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th June. Sounds absolutely fabulous!  Regenerative Soil Management Workshop 11/05/2009,05:01 547.77 Kb

Carbon on Farm

A series of FREE Carbon on Farm workshops will cover the implications of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme for agriculture, explain carbon science and the carbon cycle, how to measure farm emissions and carbon sequestration, outline mitigation and adaptation as possible responses to climate change. Mitchell May 19, Roma May 20, Injune May 21, Taroom June 2, Surat June 3, Billa Billa June 4, Emerald June 10, Springsure June 11, Clermont June 12 and Chinchilla June 14.

What's New...

Penicillium bilaii is a naturally occurring soil fungus that unlocks tied up soil phosphorus, but is not prevalent in all cropping soils of Australia. Novozymes Biologicals Australia Pty Ltd in conjunction with the GRDC, CSIRO, ANU, Flinders University and SARDI have developed this technology into a product that can be used as a seed dressing and is now being distributed by Fertile Farm throughout northern NSW. Jumpstart is a  P. Bilaii inoculant for cereals, sorghum and canola. Tag Team combines P. bilaii with Rhizobium bacteria in a liquid or granular form for legumes. Contact Julian for more information.

Health

The Future Pandemic?

Given the likely man-aided history of AIDS, it is interesting that the authorities are now revving up fear that the swine flue might mutate with the AIDS virus...self-fulfilling prophecies?

How Effective is Tamiflu?

The companies behind the two leading anti-flu drugs are making millions out of the crisis. But just how effective are their products? Nobody claims Tamiflu and Relenza cure flu, but they were licensed after trials that showed they mitigated its severity and reduced the length of the illness by about a day. But washing your hands regularly is in fact a better approach!

Folic Acid Concerns

Credited with lowering the rates of some birth defects, high levels of synthetic folic acid also has been linked to a higher likelihood of some cancers. With synthetic versions of the vitamin showing up in ready-to-eat cereals, bread, snack bars, multivitamins and more, some health experts fear that it's easy to far exceed the recommended daily intake of 400 micrograms.

Toxic Aeroplanes

It's the aviation industry's dirty little secret. There's no cure to the permanent nerve damage. No way of stopping the shaking. And no one knows how many people are being afflicted.

Money

I just couldn't help myself. This evolving book has me completely enthralled. Robert Kiyosaki  (author of the #1 bestselling personal finance book of all time, Rich Dad Poor Dad) is writing a new book - Conspiracy of the Rich. It is stunningly brilliant. I even sat down with my 8 year old and read out the evolution of money to her...which she fully got. It's all so blindingly obvious when someone bothers to explain it in layman terms. The book is being written as we speak, and to read up to where he is now,  you simply sign up - no further obligations. Robert has just run through the history of money and the economy and is just about to explain strategies for thriving in the upcoming Depression.

Cartoon

Not quite a cartoon....but how amazing - check out what someone can do with a chainsaw.

Miscellaneous

Your cell phone can be secretly hijacked and used against you. People can listen into your phone calls, be alerted to any phone calls that you make, can track your movement via satelllite and can even remotely turn on your phone speaker and listen to conversations when you are not even on the phone. The spyware is available online - and while it is illegal, it is proving difficult to stop.

And what about shutting down the internet! There's a Bill in the US Senate aimed at making it possible for the government to respond to 'threats' by turning off part or all of the internet. Senator Rockefeller even bemoans the introduction of the internet in the first place.

Events

The calendar is playing up (though there is light at the end of the tunnel), so most of the links below are directed back to other websites where possible or to a contact email address.  

* Carbon on Farm - Mitchell Qld 19th May 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Roma Qld 20th May 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Injune Qld 21st May 2009.

* Permaculture and Food Gardening - Bungendore NSW 30th - 31st May 2009.

* Earthworks - Bungendore NSW 1st - 3rd June 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Taroom Qld 2nd June 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Surat Qld 3rd June 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Billa Billa 4th June 2009.

* Regenerative Soil Management Workshop - West Gippsland Vic 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th June 2009.

* Regenerative Soil Management Workshop - West Gippsland Vic 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th June 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Emerald Qld 10th June 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Springsure Qld 11th June 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Clermont Qld 12th June 2009.

* Carbon on Farm - Chinchilla Qld 14th June 2009.

* Compost and Compost Tea Workshop - Barraba NSW 17th July 2009.

Postscript

Global music at its finest. Recordings of different artists, all performing 'on the street' all around the world, at different times but using headphones to contribute their bit, have been downloaded onto a computer and turned into a beautiful rendition of 'Stand By Me'. What a feel good project.

Or how about dancing - 11am Liverpool Station, England...and the public's response.

And I just love this:

"Freedom is actually a bigger game than power.  
                         Power is about what you can control,
                                     freedom is about you can unleash."
                                                          -- Harriet Rubin
The difference between freedom from and freedom to is also terribly interesting and an important distinction.