Organic Production is Profitable

Frank Martin, a commercial organic sheep producer in Victoria, is one of the few people who can shed some light on an industry that returns premium prices, demands impeccable quality, yet still fails to be recognised as a "serious" agricultural industry. He states "Regeneration is what I am looking for. To be sustainable is not enough." What an inspirational story.

Why the US Farm Bill Got Rolled

With average US farm incomes expected to reach US$90,000 per year and knowing that most of congress, including President Bush, were keen to see a Farm Bill reform, people are scratching their heads wondering what happened to allow the Farm Bill to become even bigger in this round...it is curious, and of course involves power, politics and money.

Romania Backtracks on GM

Romania, which has been one of the most receptive markets on a skeptical Continent for genetically modified crops, is moving toward a reversal of its stance, in what would be another setback for the beleaguered biotechnology industry in Europe. Apparently countries like Romania and Ukraine are dreaming of producing organic products and to export them for the profits they can bring. This article also provides an interesting overview of the non-acceptance of GM by Europe. Quite interesting.

We Decide What you Want

For 12 years America and Canada have been punishing the EU for banning hormone-treated meats - and recently the WTO ruled that the EU has no right to continue a ban on the meat. A weird world when you are forced to take something you choose not to....science is the only authority recognised here.

Mines to Share Labour with Agriculture

The draw of labour away from farms to the mines is creating concern throughout rural communities, and it appears that the National Farmers Federation is attempting to alleviate the problem by negotiating different ways of 'sharing' jobs between the two industries, which could prove interesting.

CO2 Negative

In academic and industrial labs worldwide, researchers are working on technologies to reach carbon negative goals - what happened to just planting a seed and letting plants to the job? Sure, its not high-tech, but its still a wonderful way to become carbon negative...though admittedly in this article they do talk about biochar, but more from a input focus. Then there is the factory production of algae to soak up CO2 - which is getting closer to using nature naturally, but relies on artificial environments.

Global Dimming

Last week I posted a story on black carbon pollution - and suggested it was like global dimming, but this article explains that dimming is more related to smaller hazier aerosols particles. I am not particularly taken by the historical or technological ideas in this article, but it points to some interesting thoughts on the crossed paths of global dimming and global warming.

Nano Food

This is an interesting overview of nanotechnology particularly its potential use in food. What I found remarkable is the naive belief that scientists know enough about how things work to know what to manipulate and how. For example, is it really a good thing to get rid of all the cholesterol in our food....evidence is suggesting that current theories are terribly wrong. What happened to just eating real food - that can also 'fix' obesity etc too. There is quite a debate stirring about it nonetheless and it has the food industry nervous.

Apple Breeding

Specially bred apples for high antioxidant levels are very bitter therefore close to inedible, but they are being used as ingredients in processed food products. They are also looking at breeding more edible versions for the fresh fruit market, which is good news.

Weather Watch

I came across this new weather watch forecast called Weekly World Wheat Weather, and the forecast for Australia sits well with Ken Ring's weather by the moon forecast of rains in April. Will be interesting to see how it pans out. Weekly World Wheat Weather 02/04/2008,11:34 21.51 Kb

A Different Solar Panel Deal

Solar companies are upending solar's traditional business model by supplying systems to homes and businesses at minimal or no cost, owning and maintaining them, and charging customers for the power they use - much like a utility. Yet unlike a utility, these firms typically charge a bit less than standard electric rates. Some are looking to panel up warehouse roofs etc. Not a bad idea.

What Plant is That?

Geoff Cunningham, co author of reference resource guide "Plants of Western New South Wales" and will be discussing native grasses at Walgett on 8th April. Topics will include what species and where, plant values including uses, protein and nutrition, and increasing perenniality in pastures and reducing annual weeds.

Agriculture, Greenhouse & Submissions Trading Summit

The Australian Government has committed to a national emissions trading scheme (ETS) by 2010. The role of agriculture will play in the scheme hasn't yet been determined. So how can the agricultural sector harness the opportunities and avoid the threats posed by an ETS? Should farm business work to be included as direct participants in a national ETS? Or should business push to remain non-participants? The Australian Farm Institute is holding a summit to discuss these issues at the Sunshine Coast 21-22nd April.

Conservation Farming Workshop

Get to know your land better, increase in farm efficiency: "producing more with less", reduce costs, reduce soil erosion, increase timeliness of weed control, planting and harvesting operations, increase cropping intensity, increase moisture conservation, increase water use efficiency, improve management of weeds, improve soil biology, facilitate greater ease of farm management - Ashford 22nd April, Inverell 23rd April and Glen Innes 24th April.

How Healthy is Your Cropping Soil?

Queensland farmers are being asked to help trial Mid-Infra-Red (MIR) analysis to predict and compare the relative proportions of active, humic and resistant fractions of organic carbon in soils by attending workshops in Capella 3rd June, Springsure 4th June and Banana 5th June. The workshops will cover all aspects of what constitutes a healthy soil and 2 soil samples per property will be included.

Sofenica - Part 37

Well we finally get to celebrate a serious milestone in this building project...admittedly small, but significant!

We decided to go down the 'build-our-own-house' path over 3 years ago and figured that it would be sensible to purchase an interim house in town to do our planning from and take full advantage of the first home owners subsidy while it still existed - creating our headquarters, so to speak. We expected to be out of the house within the year....but 3 years later, after unbelievable solicitor delays to purchase the block of land, then extended delays in drawing up the house plans, we finally feel that we are moving ahead.

Our beautiful temporary town house was sold last week - freeing up some cash to help start preparing the block for building. We can happily rent back the town house for another year, which is a relief as it saves us having to move 2 times - but excitingly, the clock is now officially ticking.

We are trying to plan our attack - starting with fencing the block off, getting power and water onto the block and perhaps starting some tree plantings (remembering that the block is completely devoid of any trees, except a lone briar bush).

What's New...

Updates on these product have been a long time coming. They all come under a number of guises, depending on who is making it, and what ingredients are used. The original concept was devised by Graeme Sait as a DIY fertiliser and is still sold by Nutri-Tech Solutions under the LifeForce Base Blend name. It's a blend of raw humates, paramagnetic basalt, soft rock phosphate and brewed beneficial microbes.

I have recorded a number of interesting field results using this blend that suggest that the microbial component is releasing far more than a typical analysis of the product would initially suggest is available. Soil biology in action!

The mix has since been modified by including additional, often local, ingredients such as composted cotton trash and manures. One blend from Bionutrient Solutions was cleverly called CaP Release (due to its remarkable ability to release calcium and phosphorus). This particular mix has been re-modified recently to create Solid-Start Compost which mimics a typical MAP analysis. For the price and results these blends are hard to ignore - and at 100-500kg/ha, they are cost-effective even in dryland broadacre situations. Contact me for prices, logistics or orders.

Geomantica

The latest Geomantica magazine is out which includes upcoming dowsing and natural architectural events in both Australia and Ireland.

Health

Parkinson's and Pesticides

Scientists have found further evidence of a link between Parkinson's disease and long-term exposure to pesticides.

Dad's Role in Pregnancy

The burden of a child's health is often lumbered onto the the mother from pregnancy onwards, but it appears, unsurprisingly, that the father's contribution also has lasting effects on the next generation, therefore his lifestyle plays a big role. Interestingly, epigenetics pops up again and starts to explain the appearance of so-called genetic weaknesses for cancers etc. It is often the experiences and choices of one generation that pass through to future generations - male or female.

Soy vs Soy

Not all soy products are healthy, and in fact most of those on the supermarket shelf are completely the opposite to health giving. Fermentation seems to play a big role in whether soy is good for you or not. The deceptive heart health claim on many soy products originated from the low rates of heart disease and certain cancers seen in East Asian populations. However, in reality, Asians do not consume nearly as much soy as has been generally assumed, and what they do eat has been fermented for long periods.

Vaccinations

This article pulls together the science that seriously questions the safety of excessive vaccination, particularly in regard to autism and other neurological anomalies.

And these are startling statistics - autism will be diagnosed in more than 25,000 U.S. children this year, more than new pediatric cases of AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. While genetics is thought to play a big role in the development of autism, researchers believe something - a trigger - sets off autism in a child...

Chewy-Creamy Icecream

This is being heralded as a new thing on the market - it's made with a water ice mixture combined with the texture and flavours of a regular jelly candy. It can be used for a variety of different product formats - from water ices on a stick, to sorbets (both tub and cone). It is described as a "smooth texture and warmer mouthfeel" and seems to combine confectionery bars with ice cream. Not sure about the chemical ingredient being used though - a description is not forthcoming.

Then there are those introducing probiotics into ice confectionery products. Not sure that that sounds appetising!

Miscellaneous

The wonderful art of storyteller is surely due for a revival - "Today your employees, suppliers and customers have access to limitless information. The role of leader has therefore shifted from being the information source (although this is still sometimes important and necessary) to now helping people make sense of information; to help people understand what is important and what is not; to explain the data in such a way that it makes sense and resonates with them. This can be done effectively, yet quite simply, with storytelling." This this is an organisational storytelling consultancy site...

Events

For all April events

For all May events

* What Plant is That? - Walgett NSW 8th April 2008.

* Agriculture, Greenhouse & Submissions Trading Summit - Sunshine Coast Qld 21st - 22nd April 2008.

* Conservation Farming Workshop - Ashford NSW 22nd April 2008.

* Conservation Farming Workshop - Inverell 23rd April 2008.

* Conservation Farming Workshop - Glen Innes 24th April 2008.

* How Healthy is Your Cropping Soil? - Capella Qld 3rd June 2008.

* How Healthy is Your Cropping Soil? - Springsure Qld 4th June 2008.

* How Healthy is Your Cropping Soil? - Banana Qld 5th June 2008.

Postscript