Green Agriculture Stewardship Scheme

The Federal Government could fast-track the adoption of innovative, productive farming
technologies that confer resilience in a variable climate, increase gross margins per hectare and improve the international competitiveness of the agricultural sector, via the underwriting of a Green Agriculture Stewardship Scheme (GASS). Incentive payments of $200/ha would go to land management practices that foster plant growth in both summer
and winter, produce high quality food, improve soil water holding capacity, enhance
biodiversity AND sequester more carbon than emitted. This is a submission being put forward by Dr Christine Jones [Check out the details which include descriptions and photos of likely land management practices - a must read for all primary producers]

Outcomes Australia - Restoring Our Landscape

The momentum continues to build. Former governor-general Michael Jeffery has brought together 80 farmers and rural practitioners to lay the groundwork for Outcomes Australia - Restoring Our Landscape. He hopes that within a decade a third of Australia's farmers - and eventually all - will have stopped using artificial fertilisers, dramatically boosted vegetation species, substantially reduced or ceased irrigation and adopted a more holistic, natural approach to farm management. [I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this meeting last weekend]

Keyline Ploughing with Compost Tea

This appears to be an Australian first - combining the principles of keyline ploughing with Elaine Ingham's use of compost teas. Ben Falloon of Taranaki Farm claims that it is an excellent method for broad-acre biological soil building. The plough performs deep ripping with minimal plant disturbance. The compost tea re-populates the damaged soils with the necessary microbial biota. All the workshop modifications are documented with photos and he is keen for continued discussions with other interested people. [Keep the ideas rolling]

Beware Biochar

Implementing a biochar initiative could be dangerous, basically because saving the climate turns out to be not just about curbing the rise of CO₂ in the atmosphere that can be achieved by burying carbon in the soil, it is also about keeping oxygen (O₂) levels up. Keeping O₂ levels up is what only green plants on land and phytoplankton at sea can do. Turning trees into charcoal in a hurry could be the surest way to precipitate an oxygen crisis from which we may never recover. [Green living carbon pumps are the way forward - as the GASS article above is all about]

Conflicting Nitrogen Policies

"One [US] federal initiative says we have to cut the export of nitrogen from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. Another federal policy says we have to increase biofuel production. There's just no way we can meet hypoxia goals at the same time that we're trying to meet biofuel goals...The bottom line is that if we look out to 2022 and we provide all of the necessary agriculture for food in addition to biofuels and do the best we can replacing corn with cellulosics. . .we still need to take mitigation steps to solve the hypoxia issue." Some researchers are looking into alternative nitrogen sources.

Excess Nitrogen and Disease

The news is now hitting our rural magazines - Surging levels of nitrates from nitrogen fertilisers and food additives have been strongly linked to a "pandemic" of diseases related to insulin resistance, including Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Nitrates are present in high levels in many modern foods, particularly root vegetables, because of overuse of nitrogen fertilisers. They are also added as sodium nitrite, a preservative and food colouring, to products like bacon and manufactured meats.

A Licence to Farm?

A "licence to farm" and a bundle of other possibly "disastrous" laws could be created by negotiations kept confidential until now. A 70-page draft of The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Welfare of Sheep will be turned into law for Australian sheep producers within two years.

Big Food vs Big Insurance

Even the most efficient health care system that the US administration could hope to devise would still confront a rising tide of chronic disease linked to diet. That's why our success in bringing health care costs under control ultimately depends on whether Washington can summon the political will to take on and reform a second, even more powerful industry: the food industry. For example, the government is putting itself in the uncomfortable position of subsidizing both the costs of treating Type 2 diabetes and the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup. But changes in health insurance could change the playing field for the benefit of us all. [Oh Michael Pollan has done it again - a must read!]

Organic Food Robust

The USDA said that the organic market has proved resilient, even despite the recent downturn, with "double-digit growth for well over a decade", and that organic consumers have become "increasingly mainstream". "Organic products have shifted from being a lifestyle choice for a small share of consumers to being consumed at least occasionally by a majority of Americans."

Glyphosate Tricks

It was back in a 2007 newsletter that I outlined some strategies that can be used to minimise the impact of glyphosate on the environment. I was recently asked to offer more details on the methods being used by others and this was the result:

Many thanks for your reply to my query on sustainable glyphosate herbicide recipes. I have tried the following mixture with very satisfactory results, using a Herbi mister sprayer; 5 litres tank collected rain water to which was added 1gm Citric acid to bring pH down to 4 - 4.5. I half-filled the sprayer tank with this water then added 120 mls Glyphosate, 6gms Fulvic acid powder (heaped teaspoon) and 10 mls feed grade Molasses, the latter two substances dissolved in hot but not boiling water, first. This was added to the tank and volume made up to 5 litres with the Citric acid water. As you described, the weeds were slower to die (about 2-3 weeks) but the results were so effective that I will next time cut the Glyphosate 450 used by 20% to experiment.

Stopping the Amazon Destruction

Forest clearing remains stubbornly high while beef production has continued to expand, enabling the industry to become an economic and political juggernaut, seemingly unstoppable. But over the past 20 years industrial corporations have replaced poor farmers as the primary agents of deforestation - and producers have now left themselves exposed to consumer backlash which is finally starting to work.

Anti-Methane Stockfeed

Sea plants, including algae and seaweeds, don't need to carry nearly as much structural cellulose as land plants because they are supported by water. And some of these algae can grow at four times the rate of sugar cane on a dry matter basis. Researchers looked at these ideas and arrived at the possibility of a "reef and beef" solution: why not make better use of algae to mop up aquaculture effluent, and then feed them to cattle to reduce methane production?

But of course, kelp meal has been used as a livestock supplement for eons. Apart from its methane reducing potential, kelp also promotes the development of valuable gut microbes that help the animal more fully digest the nutrients in its food.

Corrupt Carbon Trading

As predicted, corruption is inevitable...Australian company Carbon Planet and its Papua New Guinea partner, Kirk Roberts, have been embroiled in a widening controversy over mocked-up carbon credit certificates, some of which were used in negotiations with Papua New Guinea landowners.

Fined for Exceeding Carbon Footprint

Britain's first employee carbon rationing scheme is about to be extended, after the trial demonstrated the effectiveness of fining people for exceeding their personal emissions target. The rationing scheme monitors employees' personal emissions, including home energy bills, petrol purchases and holiday flights. Those who exceed their ration pay a fine for every kilogram they emit over the limit.

Voluntary Carbon Trading for Farmers

The Victorian and NSW governments have inflicted an embarrassing blow to the commonwealth government's policy on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, by backing research that supports farmers' ability to claim and trade carbon credits. "It's inexplicable that the government continues to exclude green carbon offsets or soil carbon offsets from its model. It's time to set up a voluntary scheme now."

The Sun is Quiet, What Next?

The sun has gone quiet, with a sharp decline in sunspot numbers in the past couple of years - possibly heralding the start of a solar depression that could lead to cooler weather on Earth. Pro-global warmers and skeptics alike are bracing to see what our climate ends up doing.

In the meantime NASA now warns we could be heading for something like the infamous 'Maunder Minimum" when the sun went so quiet in the Middle Ages that the world froze.

It is Cooling

Prof. Latif is one of the leading climate modellers in the world and a lead author for the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Yet at the recent UN's World Climate Conference, Prof. Latif conceded the Earth has not warmed for nearly a decade and that we are likely entering "one or even two decades during which temperatures cool." And it looks set to continue a cooling phase for 10 to 20 more years. "I am not one of the skeptics," he insisted. "However, we have to ask the nasty questions ourselves or other people will do it." [So the admission is that there is a question mark over this one...]

No ETS Please

This is one of the best presentations I have seen on global warming and I highly recommended you check it out. There is information in this that I have not come across before, that is really quite interesting. You need to click on the Powerpoint link. I am particularly impressed that the presentation states up front that it is not about demonising renewables, ignoring current pollution problems or thinking that the planet doesn't need help...my thoughts exactly. We need change urgently on all these fronts, and that is where the focus ought to be, not worrying about CO2.

Host Your Own World Premiere

Hollywood doesn't want you to see Not Evil Just Wrong. So the producer's have decided to by-pass Hollywood. They're throwing the world's largest simultaneous film premiere party in history October 18th at 8pm EST. You get to host it in your own home or community hall.

Supermarkets Want GM Secretly

The big UK supermarkets have held secret talks to pave the way for the introduction of controversial GM crops on to their shelves. The stores banned GM ingredients more than ten years ago in response to public anxiety about their impact on human health and the environment but it appears pressure is mounting to reverse that decision - and its not because customers are changing their minds...

Biomimicry

Being inspired by nature. Is it technology that is amazing, or nature itself that scientists are starting to learn to watch and understand? As pointed out, its not always about a lack of knowledge, but rather an integration of knowledge from different sources. And often the answers to our questions are actually everywhere, but you just need different lenses on to see. What a way to see the world and stimulate the mind.

The Race for Epigenomic Monitoring

Who says we know how the gene works? Chemical modifications of DNA and its packaging proteins, known as histones, vary with tissue type, development, environmental conditions, aging, and cancer. These modifications cause dramatic changes in gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. The race is now on to map the epigenome - in comparison, the Human Genome Project was a mere walk in the park. [Most of this research is angled towards understanding human conditions - but I'm waiting to hear how plants are affected - GM plants perhaps?]

Phone Boxes Charge Up Cars

The rise of the mobile phone has left the streets of Madrid littered with increasingly redundant telephone booths. But these underused installations are now set to play a key role in Spain's electric car revolution. Phone boxes are often ideally placed close to the curbs of pavements and already have their own electricity supply, making them relatively easy to adapt.

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada 

OACC's July-August newsletter has been published which includes a range of articles covering an organic R&D inventory; sustainable parasite control measures; greenhouse emission comparisons with conventional and organic; benefits of perennial plants; and animal welfare. 

BioControl

Just discovered, this company outlets certified organic biocontrol products in Australia and the world. Certified Organics produce highly effective, ecologically friendly products for: the control and eradication of agricultural and commercial pathogens and sustainable replacement of industrial chemicals and poisons. BioWeed is a new generation, wholly plant derived, knockdown and pre-emergent herbicide. Most resellers seem to be based in southern Australia to date.

Graeme Sait in His Garden

Nutri-Tech's ‘Free Media' section may be of interest to you as it contains many agricultural articles and a new video on Graeme in his garden.  This video outlines the benefits of their 5 star Life-Force Vitality Program and the proof can be seen in the footage.

What's New...

Ian Moss is launching his own independent agronomy consultancy, F.A.R.M, in South East Queensland. He has a Diploma in Applied Science (Agronomy) and a wealth of practical experience as a cotton agronomist, has run a rural merchandise store and managed cotton logistics. In 2003 he developed and managed a commercial organic egg farm, and eventually joined Bionutrient Solutions to expand his interest  and experience in innovative biological farming principles. With the full support of Bionutrient Solutions, he is now stepping out as an independent offering a wide range of services to those interested in shifting their production focus towards biological and/or carbon accumulating processes.  Fertiliser Choices 09 13/09/2009,19:33 43.00 Kb

Comprehensive Testing

Back in June I sent out a call for anyone interested in attending a Hugh Lovel Comprehensive Soil Test Workshop. The response was fantastic - thanks. It took many months, but Hugh has been pinned down to 13th & 14th October in Guyra. This approach puts you in the detective's role of biochemically teasing out what  may be limiting a soil's fertility. A very powerful tool that I am extremely eager to learn and understand. 

EFT Extravaganza 2009

This is Australia's biggest and most comprehensive Emotional Freedom Technique event ever. Featuring some of the world's top EFT presenters: 4 EFT Master plus the amazing Mick Hawes. Coffs Harbour 7th - 11th November 2009.

Health

Pulse Healing

How amazing to actually know someone developing a new technique in healing. Spence Reardon of Goondiwindi constantly played with biological systems on farm with great success, and continues to explore the workings of biology and energy in living systems. He 'stumbled' across a new approach to healing that he refers to as Pulse Healing. It reprograms the cells to work in unison by pulsating energy through the left wrist. The energy goes right round body visiting every cell cleansing, repairing, and healing. So far he has treated arthritis, groin strain, morning sickness, depression and back pain. Feel free to contact him directly for more information.  Pulse Healing 16/09/2009,01:44 238.05 Kb

Cancer Cells in Swine Flu Vaccine

The nutrient solution for the vaccine consists of cancerous cells from animals, and some fear that the risk of cancer could be increased by injecting the cells. Lung specialist and chairman of the health committee in the German parliament and European Council raises questions about the risk of contracting cancer and has stated that the widespread fear of the pandemic was an "orchestration."

Cell Phone Dangers

Researchers are divided on whether radiation from cellphones pose health risks or not. Now, one nonprofit organization adds some hard data to the argument: the radiation emission profiles of more than 1,200 cell phone models.

Probiotics Protect from Gut Parasites

The gut health boosting effects of probiotics may also extend to preventing and eradicating parasitic infections. Not only can probiotics modulate immune responses via your gut‘s mucosal immune system, but they occupy space in your intestine, and may therefore reduce or prevent disease-causing bacteria and parasites from attaching to your intestinal wall.

Acrylamide Concerns

Acrylamide is a suspected carcinogen that occurs in a whole host of commonly consumed foods including French fries, potato chips, cookies, breakfast cereals, roast potatoes, bakery products and coffee. Last week it was added to Canada's list of toxic substances and the EU proposed that the chemical be included on its list of Substances of Very High Concern.

Toilet Fragrance Concerns

In the US, Hispanics faced a cancer risk from air pollutants as much as five times the rate of non-Hispanic whites. But it wasn't outdoor air causing the greatest risk; it was something much closer to home: A chemical, called p-dichlorobenzene, found in many inexpensive toilet deodorizers and moth repellents in bathrooms and closets.

MRSA found at Beaches

A study has for the first time identified methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) in marine water and beach sand from seven public beaches on the Puget Sound. Seven of 13 Staph aureus samples, found on five beaches, were multidrug resistant. Until a decade ago, most multidrug-resistant Staph aureus infections were found in hospitals among severely ill patients.

Cartoon

Miscellaneous

There is growing consensus that the current Federal/State government system needs fixing, and soon.  Those pushing for reform in this area, including agricultural analyst, Mick Keogh; Nationals Senator, Barnaby Joyce, and sheepmeat exporter, Roger Fletcher, have their feet well and truly on the ground.They say that rural and regional Australia have been the most disadvantaged by the current system. "One of the huge issues with our system of government is the States are so centred on capital cities that it really leaves the regional areas as very much the poorer cousins." [Hear hear]

Events

The calendar is playing up, so most of the links below are directed back to other websites where possible or to a contact email address. If there are no links, look to the related article above. 

* Comprehensive Soil Test Workshop - Guyra NSW 13 - 14th October 2009.

* EFT Extravaganza 2009 - Coffs Harbour NSW 7th - 11th November 2009.

Postscript

A bit of silliness.... mobile phones really are becoming one stop shops!

And perhaps even more sillier...

The Smart Car

  But wait, there is choice...

The Smorvette

The Smaudi A3 AWD

The Shamborgini

The Smorsche

The Smerrari

And of course, The Smustang