Merry Christmas

I was looking for an appropriate animated Christmas picture as an opening to this newsletter, and stumbled across this 1/2 minute video. While it is not specifically Christmas oriented, it certainly has a fabulous agricultural/food theme, and it is Australian. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas to you all.

CaP Release in Bulka Bags

It has finally happened! CaP Release is being done up into bulka bags making it ideal for those not wanting huge quantities, and especially for those only interested in trialing it first. Instead of the bulk price of $155ex/tonne, ex Moree, it will be $205ex/tonne, ex Moree. If interested, please place your orders with me so I can ensure that Bionutrient Solutions have everything ready to go. Don't hesitate to ask for more information, it is an all round fertiliser I find hard to go past due to both cost and performance.

Twin-N Benefits

With rising fertiliser costs, a timely fact sheet has just been issued on Twin-N (a nitrogen-fixing bacteria product) and its many benefits ranging from accurate delivery, ideal nitrogen format, improved crop quality and health, improved water use efficiency, increased phosphorus availability, minimal leaching and volatilisation, less disease and insect pressure, improved soil friability, cost effectiveness and of course its minimal carbon footprint. At $25/ha, its certainly a bargain. Twin-N Fact Sheet 12/12/2007,16:13 208.40 Kb

And these photos have just been emailed through from a Twin-N trial at Caffrey's Flat NSW (George Cassar, Karova Simmentals). Both areas had exactly the same treatments - fertiliser, seed, compost teas etc, except Twin-N. The first photo shows a 'green' cow pat spot in the middle of the non-Twin-N side. The grass all around is not performing as well. The second photo is where Twin-N was applied. No cow pat spots are visible, and according to George the whole trial area looks like this, and he is thrilled.

 Confused Agriculture

The conventional farming representative bodies are now ready to enter the climate change debate it seems - but only if their emissions are pushed to one side in the debate (citing the importance of food supplies). As stated, farming is estimated to contribute 17% of our carbon emissions, and it is true that sequestration is not really accounted for on farm, but the NFF are not willing to concede that farming practices need, and can be, changed from the power house mentality to a biological mentality where sequestration does outpace emissions (and food becomes healthier). We should not be standing up for business as usual - that system is broke, we need a voice of reason and change.

ABARE agrees, agriculture must come on board for any carbon trading scheme despite their current protests. The Victorian Farmers Federation also agrees. The opportunities for carbon positive agricultural practices is fast approaching.

But the role of trees is sadly still being over emphasised with Elders recently joining the CarbonSmart bandwagon. They are missing the amazingly profitable carbon negative farming opportunities that are now becoming available.

New Pest Paradigm

This is another wonderful paper from Stuart B Hill (University of Western Sydney) - see Tinkering on the Edges in a previous newsletter - that looks specifically at pest management and highlights two different ways of looking at it. 1) Pests are enemies to be detected and managed or eliminated, primarily by means of biocides developed by, and under the advice of, technical experts. 2) Alternatively pests are simply messengers...a great Xmas read. Pest Management 18/12/2007,13:01 122.00 Kb

Artificial DNA

As the title suggests, scientists are on the threshold of 'creating' 100% synthetic DNA from raw materials such as sugars, nitrogen-based compounds and phosphates. One plan is to mass-produce a plain genetic platform able to direct the basic functions of life, then attach custom-designed DNA modules that can compel cells to make synthetic fuels or other products. It has been described as the next 'computer' revolution. An interesting, yet terrifying read.

Land Management Does Work

I have seen versions of this powerpoint presentation over the last few weeks and was completely bowled over by them - the visual evidence is awe-inspiring alongside the obvious story of course, but I could not work out how to attach it to this newsletter. Kindly a subscriber has forwarded on a webpage link which allows you to download it. How could anyone not be impressed with this and want to start working with nature?

CarbonLink Update

Soil sampling remains the main focus of CarbonLink, and they are adopting very stringent standards for the establishment of their soil sampling protocols. They will be undergoing more extensive baseline testing from March 2008 to help identify the variance in different farming practices. The focus is in areas with average rainfall above 550 mm and from Central Queensland south. If you would like to find out more about carbon trading or to register your interest in being involved in baseline sampling in 2008, go to www.carbonlink.com.au.

FarmBis Update

The Queensland, NT and WA FarmBis programs will finish in June 2008. All applications for training must be received by March 30^th. This means that you need to register for any courses by then so that you can receive your rebate at a later date. The national program is in operation in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT at the moment. This program will be operating in the other states from July 1^st.

Cash Cows and Crops Follow Up Field Day

In August 2007, there were fields of wheat sown directly into perennial pasture that over 150 producers viewed at the Baragonumbel Field Day. This is your opportunity to see these same pastures after harvesting on 23rd January in Wellington NSW. Terry McCosker along with Matt Barton will be discussing the many benefits and options available with Pasture Cropping.

Courageous Conversations

This is a remarkable concept that I participated in last year. It brings people together from all walks of life to discuss and debate the big issues. Last year we got to co-mingle with some of the international players of climate change, as well as representatives from local councils and other decision making bodies. This year the theme is 'Bioneering Business - Seeding & Growing A New Economy'. It will be held at Byron Bay from 19th - 23rd May. I highly recommend it to anyone. It is very stimulating, and empowering.

Biological Farm Position

There is a position on offer on the Liverpool Plains (just outside Quirindi NSW) starting in 2008. The role will involve performing all farm work, both cropping and livestock, as well as general repair and maintenance. Most of the farm/s is in transition from conventional to biological approaches and ideally the applicant will have knowledge of holistic management and/or biodynamic concepts, though education and training will be offered, and be self motivated and able to work under instruction. The package includes a house and work vehicle. All inquires can be directed to John McKenzie on 0428 474 685 or 02 6747 4685.

Sofenica - Part 22

So now that a cool cupboard is being integrated into the house plans I was back to contemplating refrigerator needs. It was obvious that most of the items we currently store in a fridge would be perfectly fine in a cool cupboard, so a fridge would only be needed for dairy and meat products, and perhaps the odd cold drink. We were now in a position to downsize, which was great news.

But I was still concerned at the wasted efficiency of conventional fridges - small or large. Basic physics states that cold air sinks - so that when a fridge door is opened all the cold air inside pours out the bottom and is replaced by warm air. A lot of energy is required to keep cooling the air inside when the fridge door is opened and closed multiple times each day - thanks to kids and adults alike!

It has been pointed out that a chest freezer is a remarkably efficient way to cool things because all the cold air sinks to the bottom and stays there, even if the lid at the top is left open accidentally (which has happened a few times in our household). Many people in fact have converted chest freezers into efficient fridges by altering the thermostat, but after years of digging down into chest freezers to find long lost items....I was not very keen on the idea. There had to be a better solution...

Health

More food additives for Australia

Food tinkering never ceases! I guess it all comes down to ownership and money - and of course nutritionally depleted food products. ANZFA is set to approve a host of new food additives such as: L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, ferric sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, Acrylaway, and calcium in gum. All trying to either alleviate problems with food processing or mimicking natural substances found in 'real' food. The need for labeling of these ingredients is not mentioned.

Meanwhile Codex is working on botanicals looking to ban up to 60 plants because of their supposed toxicity - many such plants that have been used throughout history... The confusions in the whole food thing seems to be increasing, not harmonising!

Olive Leaf Extract

Many people already use olive leaf extract, and this small Australian publication documents its many benefits, properties and uses. Olive-X - Super Strength Olive Leaf Extract 500ml is available for $41.50inc + postage. Contact me.

You can also find other interesting publications and miscellaneous information at Nuganics.

Immune System and Cancer

It obviously comes as a relatively radical thought, that the immune system can keep cancer at bay .....I continue to be amazed at where conventional medicine is really at. Its certainly not in front of the 8-ball!

No Safety Results Published

Nearly two years after a clinical trial of the cholesterol-lowering drugs Zetia and Vytorin was finished, the results have still not been released by the drugs' makers - Merck and Schering-Plough, yet together, the drugs have acquired close to 20 percent of the U.S. market for cholesterol-lowering drugs and raked in a lot of profit. Due to concern over the lack of safety data for the drugs by doctors, they have promised to publish a portion of the results in March. Only a portion?!

Toxic Skin Care Ingredients

This is a short list of some common toxic skin care ingredients which most products still continue to include.

Miscellaneous

This would have to be one of the most persuasive videos I have seen. It is extremely simple, but extremely clever and it explains in absolute layman terms the story of stuff - how things are produced and the effects of it, starting at the natural resources that supply the raw materials, through production, distribution, consumption and disposal. Awesome!

Con. Ron Paul is starting to ruffle some political feathers in the US - this is another interview with him about his emerging success. Love the logo!

Events

For all December events

For all January events

* Cash Cows and Crops Follow Up Field Day - Wellington NSW 23rd January 2008.

* Bioneering Business - Seeding & Growing A New Economy - Byron Bay NSW 19th - 23rd May 2008.

Postscript

Thoughts on Science by John Honner, S.J.

Science as Power

Scientists want to know answers. But to whose questions. Some scientists get an idea about possible answers to their questions and then devise theories and experiments to confirm their intuitions. They end up only being more sure about what they thought they knew in the first place. This limited form of knowledge is science as power, the science of confident certainty.

Science as Knowledge

Science as knowledge closes doors, covers over unanswered questions, pretends to be in control but always crumbles on the shaky ground of its own provisional and biased certitudes.

Science as Wisdom

Other scientists however, seek to find what is there, not just what they think might be there. They search for answers to the most profound of all questions; why it is that something 'is', and how it can 'be'. This is science as wisdom, science always open to revision, science always humble before more questions. Science as wisdom is an unveiling of reality, and an unlayering of skins, a partnership in revelation.