Intelligent Farmers

The comment that 'farmers in our culture have been taught to subscribe to only one ethic - produce as much as possible regardless of the cost' is one that I often suggest is ruling our farm life, but I get derisively dismissed with 'we're in it for the money, so that can't be right!'. But the evidence is there time and time again - most growers simply cannot entertain the idea of reductions in yield or production at any cost, even if the (lowered) cost actually puts more money in their pockets! It constantly fascinates me. There are other interesting questions that seem to steer our agricultural mindset from the logical to the illogical and this is a brilliant lecture by the self-proclaimed farmer and philosopher Frederick Kirschenmann, Director of the Leopold Center, USA. For example he notes that today agriculture is perceived more as a public problem than a public good, and it is certainly not seen as an integral part of society like it once was - instead it is run as isolated factories separated from the rest of nature. Questions We Aren't Asking 14/11/2007,11:16 192.12 Kb

Climate Change and Agriculture

Far from seeing agriculture as a solution to climate change, many are viewing it as the poor cousin to other industries needing propping up by genetic engineering to survive the perils of climate change. This is a frustrating article, outlining a range of technofix approaches. For example, their claim of baking hot land simply would not be a problem in the first place if it was all planted up and rehydrated - as demonstrated beautifully in Jordan....At least management changes have been acknowledged, like reducing fertiliser use, minimising tillage, building soil carbon - which interestingly are all techniques being used successfully by biological farmers world-wide already. Isn't it simply a matter of converting conventional agriculture over to biological agriculture, without the drama and technological meddling?

These are wonderful stories about the success of working with nature: Cooroy Climate Change. Absolutely fabulous examples of real people and their remarkably successful projects that encapsulate the comments made above, but also the overall outlook that no doubt permeates throughout these newsletters.

Man-Made Climate Change?

This is an interesting interview with an astrophysicist, the originator of the revolutionary solar weather technique of long-range forecasting and founder of Weather Action Long Range Forecasters (who kept winning climate forecast bets), who rejects the carbon-dioxide theory of global warming and also questions the limitations of climate modelings.

And an Australian geologist (second article down) raises some more interesting points about weather and climate generation, and how man's small contribution is unlikely to play any role. He also states that you would be hard pushed to find any geologist that did not agree with his conclusions, but they choose to keep quiet.

The cherry picking of data by the IPCC is also noteworthy in regards CO2 data collection (which is also alluded to in the interview above) using only ice cores, when there is a good history using highly accurate chemical analysis. This article is a little too extremist in its overall views for my liking, but I love discovering suppressed data/facts. While the role of water vapour is alluded to in all the above links, its connection with land use is not unfortunately.

Ethanol Woes

The recent boom in ethanol production using agricultural crops seems to be rapidly going bust in the US, with investments nose diving by up to 57% and many distilleries shutting down. One suggested solution is to export ethanol - which will no doubt have implications for those countries beginning to set up their own industries - like Australia (much like the current effect US subsidised crops have on other countries). This is all aside from a range of other problems being identified with the biofuel industry - environmental concerns and food price rises.

Free Range Eggs

The news is in - free range pastured eggs are more nutritious with 1/3 less cholesterol, 1/4 less saturated fat, 2/3 more Vitamin A, 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids, 3 times more Vitamin and 7 times more beta carotene. Unfortunately conventional growers are using the term 'free range' very loosely though, as is starting to happen in the local pork industry, where shedded birds given limited outdoor time and fed processed feed are included.

But the news is more heartening in the livestock industry where in the US 'grass fed' labeling rules will be enforced - it is to only include animals that eat nothing but grass after being weaned.

The Real Dirt on Farmer John

I am sure that this, or a sample thereof, has been previously shown on SBS in the past, but it is a really worthwhile film that has won many awards and documents Community Supported Agriculture and natural farming. It has certainly generated a lot of discussions around the traps. Farmer John is touring Australia with his film, supported by the Slow Food Movement. Dates and venues are listed below in Events. The trailer for the film (see link) gives a hint at what its all about.

Moon Calendar Poster

Its that time of year again. The 2008 Astrological Calendar and Moon Planting Guide is now available for order. They are popular Christmas gifts and ideal for those wishing to plant at prime times of the year. It is all very easy to read and understand and remains the same price as last year - $8.50inc + postage. Contact me to place your order, ideally before the end of November.

Conservation Farmer of the Year

A little late, but...applications for the Southern Queensland and Northern NSW conservation farmer of the Year close November 23. First prize is $2000 cash while the runner-up receives a three-year Conservation Farmer Inc membership. The applicant must own/manage land in the southern Queensland and northern NSW area lying within the shire boundaries between Roma and Chinchilla in the north; Barraba, Narrabri and Walgett in the south; Lightening Ridge, Dirranbandi, Surat and St George in the west and Glenn Innes, Tenterfield and Toowoomba in the east.

Basics of Biodynamic Farming

On Saturday November 24 Beechmont Qld biodynamic farmer Dick Marriott is hosting a 1-day workshop about healthy soils and biodynamic growing (as developed by Alex Podolinsky), at his biodynamic farm. It will be a hands-on very practical day. There will be a follow up one-day on 8th March.

Havana Field Day

Bionutrient Solutions invites you along to a field day on 5th December on 'Havana' Merah North NSW to network with other farmers and learn from a growing pool of experience;
see equipment on hand specifically in use for Biological inputs;
and evaluate products used for specific purposes within the farming system. It will be a great opportunity to ask lots of questions about broadacre biological farming and inputs.

Future Production Systems Field Day

This is going to be a practical in-the-field day on 22nd November in Yelarbon Qld, hosted by Alan Lauder (see under Carbon Grazing in the last newsletter). There are 25,000 saltbush seedlings being planted into a degraded farming paddock. This fenced off farming paddock is in the middle of a larger paddock and the integration of the saltbush into the whole area will be explained. It should be noted that saltbush is used a management tool, not a fodder supply as it is often mistaken for. Field Day Map 14/11/2007,14:23 35.33 Kb

Blackberry Field Day

This field day at Cottonvale on 30th November is a chance for landholders to learn more about Blackberry control and for landholders to see the new quickspray unit now available for hire from the Stanthorpe Shire Council. Information about herbicides and control options will be available on the day. The Moreton Darling Downs Rabbit Board will also be available to answer questions about rabbit control and to talk about electrification of sections of the rabbit fence.

First Aid Training

NSW Farmers Association are offering first aid training by home study and a one day practical workshop. Participants are issued with a Senior First Aid certification which is valid for 3 years. It is aimed at making your farm a safer place to live and work. They will be held in Gunnedah 5th December and Armidale 6th December. Gunnedah 5th Dec 16/11/2007,16:01 54.64 Kb Armidale 6th Dec 16/11/2007,16:01 54.67 Kb

African Drum and Dance Workshop

What fun and a great way to enter the festive season! To be held 25th November in Gunnedah NSW.

Sofenica - Part 18

Coincidently, while I have been posting our experiences of connecting up to solar power for our proposed new house, I was alerted to this extraordinary deal which may interest many of you. You get $14,000 worth of solar panels (+inverter, + meter) installed on your house for $499!!

The trick is to get 50 other houses to join the deal within a 10km radius of each other anywhere in Australia - ie create a community. I have registered Inverell as a community and have around 20 interested households already, with more coming on line as the word spreads throughout the town.

It requires a bit of work by the co-ordinator checking out regulations with local council and local energy suppliers, as well as finding the 50 interested householders - but well worth the effort. Lets turn Australia solar and start up communities all over the country!

Health

Forced Medication

It is impossible to imagine being forced to administer powerful anti-psychotic drugs to your own child, or else have your child taken away. Then there is the weird codification of diagnoses being used by psychiatrists that seems to be exacerbating the problem with new conditions being recorded each year. This year's new batch include: mathematics disorder, caffeine disorder, disorder of written expression etc...The world has gone mad!

Carbon Monoxide in Meat

I was horrified when I heard of the practice of using carbon monoxide to keep meat looking red on the supermarket shelf indefinitely, and it may have been justified as the scientists continue to scratch their heads about what is actually happening to the meat...they still cant explain some of the phenomenon, but at least an inquiry has prompted industry to start labeling the inclusion so the consumer can make a choice.

Corporate Ads

The International Bad Products Award is handed to those products and companies with the most misleading advertising for the year. For example, this year Coca-Cola was one winner, for marketing its bottled tap water (Dasani) as something that is vastly superior to the water out of your tap...check out the others, they are just as bizarre!

Codex

While many plead that Codex is merely a Code with little authority, its recent effect on trade between countries is interesting. Germany has ruled that garlic capsules are supplements (ie, for therapeutic use), and not a food, but when this created a trade block, it was taken to court. Germany lost and now has to toe the line. All in all, harmonisation has been reached. But the fall out from this will be quite enormous for any country wanting to administer their own laws.

Vaccines

The idea of being barred from an education if you are not vaccinated was evidently not exaggerated reporting (see recent newsletter). In Maryland US thousands of children will literally be forced to have vaccinations for chickenpox and hepatitis B, or the parents will be thrown into jail. Interestingly, both these vaccines are not on the Australian vaccination schedule, but perhaps it wont be long...

Since posting the above, the event has occurred and it really was a police/military style event... In the background there seems to be a debate about whether vaccine schedules are 'recommendations' only or whether they are 'law', which is interesting in light of these developments.

Miscellaneous

This is an interesting apolitical approach for working out how to vote this Saturday. There is a list of 20 questions all centred around major election campaign issues (unfortunately nothing linked directly with agriculture though!). These questions have also been given to all campaigners throughout Austraila. The idea is to match you up with those candidates with similar points of view....its quick and easy, and fun, and it all starts with your postcode.

Events

For all November events

For all December events

* The Dirt on Farmer John film - Sydney NSW 21st November 2007.

* The Dirt on Farmer John film - Glenbrook NSW 22nd November 2007.

* Future Production Systems Field Day - Yelarbon Qld 22nd November 2007.

* The Dirt on Farmer John film - Bowral NSW 23rd November 2007.

* Basics of Biodynamic Farming - Beechmont Qld 24th November 2007.

* African Drum and Dance Workshop - Gunnedah NSW 25th November 2007.

* Blackberry Field Day - Cottonvale Qld 30th November 2007.

* The Dirt on Farmer John film - Brisbane Qld 1st December 2007.

* Havana Field Day - Merah North NSW 5th December 2007.

* NSW Farmers Association First Aid Training - Gunnedah 5th December 2007.

* Basics of Biodynamic Farming - Beechmont Qld 8th March 2007.

* NSW Farmers Association First Aid Training - Armidale 6th December 2007.

Postscript

This is a really amusing video of a kid imitating George Bush and his understanding of global warming. I once saw another comedian doing this same interview, but this kid really does a great job of hamming it up, and the recording of George Bush is just so realistic - perhaps it was an actual recording of a George Bush interview?!