Twin-N

The new nitrogen-fixing product, Twin-N, continues to prove itself in conventional and organic farms. Guy Webb of Gaia Consultancy has put together a wonderful 'How To' brochure to ensure best results. TwinN Application Procedures 26/09/2007,16:15 175.82 Kb Non-legumes plants are literally turned into legumes! It is truly remarkable and at $24inc/ha it is definitely worth checking out. Contact either Guy or myself for more information or read more here.

CaP Release

Another of my favourite products that works just as well in conventional systems is CaP Release. It has had a recent price rise, but is still remarkably cheap at $155ex/tonne ex Moree. It provides substantial phosphorus, zinc and calcium boosts to all soil types - way beyond what would be expected based solely on its analysis. There is a field day at Tallawanta (outside Moree NSW) on 4th October where CaP Release will be on display, both in compost windrows and in the paddock. The big news is that it has just passed the GM-free test - so it now fully complies with organic requirements. Spread at between 150kg - 500kg/ha, it really is great value. I can organise loads of CaP Release for delivery on farm, just contact me.

Global Warming and Water Vapour

Indisputably, water vapour is a major greenhouse gas - and as I have argued, it is more so than CO2. With declining vegetation and soil carbon, land-held water is being released into the atmosphere in huge amounts. Normally this water vapour would be seeded into clouds and cycled back - but there is evidence to suggest that pollution interfers with the seeding process, and aerosol seeding from vegetation (see article on Trees and Rainfall Link?) is declining with tree removal - all of which is leading to massive amounts of water vapour left circulating in the atmosphere... This paper documents increases in atmospheric water vapour, but unfortunately falls short of dismissing CO2 as the global warming driver. All the effects attributed to CO2 could equally be attributed to water vapour. I suspect that they have assumed that water will only enter the atmosphere after it is heated and evaporated (hence they still see CO2 as the driver), but they are missing the fact that soil carbon depletion and vegetation removal 'forces' water out to the atmosphere, providing enough water vapour to kick start the global warming process.

Carbon Trading

While I am not convinced that it is CO2 that is driving climate change - a recent fortunate spin off from it has been the focus on restoring soil carbon through trading. RCS's CarbonLink Pty Ltd is a foundation accumulator and broker on the Financial and Energy Exchange (FEX) in Newcastle, which was officially opened last Wednesday by Al Gore. Let soil carbon accumulation begin!

In the meantime, more questions are being raised about the ethics of planting trees for carbon sequestration. A Federal government scheme for tree planting allows non-natives, but more worryingly has no legal mechanism to prevent them being chopped down at any time.

GM Back on the Agenda?

Totally unsurprisingly, GM supporters and UK government ministers are claiming that GM crops are on a renewed wave of public support due to environmental concerns. As part of their 'spin' they are even claiming that Australia is a place where public opinion on GM technology has turned around. "There's a country that has gone through the moratoriums, has gone through the we're-not-sure, the NGOs have been in there and caused mayhem, and come out the other end saying this is a useful technology and the public support it." It sounds like someone already knows the results of our moratoriums before we have even started the review process, or are they simply playing up what is happening elsewhere to hoodwink their audience, like they do here when they talk about the US and Canada!!!

This article provides an interesting insight from a Monsanto insiders perspective - he was headhunted by Monsanto and went in as a researcher thinking he would help save the world, but ended up leaving terribly alarmed, particularly about the potential of GM crops to form prions (altered proteins) as found in mad cow disease. It is quite a disturbing read.

What is truly scary is how little is known about genes - this article on epigenics quashes any notion that we are a product of our genes and in fact it makes it clear how little we actually know about DNA and gene expression - yet GM technology is striding into a new frontier using very outdated information. The implications of epigenetics stretches from environmental and emotional effects on our well-being and even beyond into cross generational effects. This is a wonderful article that gives you a glimpse of what is to come. I also strongly recommend reading Bruce Lipton's 'Biology of Belief' which is a fascinating read about epigenetics and how it affects who and what you are.

Robust Science?

So much information on what is good for you and what is not comes from a field of research called epidemiology that is disturbingly flawed, but is cheap and is powerfully used to convince consumers and professionals alike. While stories about, say, coffee being good for you one week, then not the next may be confusing but not life-threatening, the fiasco over HRT (hormone replacement treatment) and other claims have been. These claims are given an air of authority because they are 'science' based and usually conducted within scientific facilities. Beware of what you read or see on TV, science based or not!

And it is often these epidemiological studies that are used to determine the safety of supplements and foods - which is rather worrying, especially now that Australia and New Zealand are poised to 'harmonise' with Codex. Coincidentally, after having read this article I contacted a local natural supplement supplier who happened to have the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Association) in the office at the time 'policing' their labels. It will be interesting to see if products that have been used for years without incident suddenly start to be withdrawn from the market...

Thirsty Landscapes Need Native Grasses

The 5th National Native Grasses Conference is being held in Mudgee on 7-10th October. It brings together natural resource managers, landholders and government agencies. The inherent suitability of native grasses to provide profitable, sustainable and functional systems will be presented by successful landholders and scientists.

Carbon Accreditation

Dr Christine Jones will outline how to secure the future of farming in a drying climate in a special guest appearance at the Taroom Shire Landcare Group AGM on Thursday 27 September. Dr Jones launched the Australian Soil Carbon Accreditation Scheme (ASCAS) in March this year. As part of the ASCAS project, farmers will be financially rewarded for changing land management practices and experimenting with innovative techniques to sequester soil carbon.

Organic Cattle for Agistment or Sale

A biodynamic grazier on the Victorian border needs to unload a B-Double of organic cattle in the next few weeks. If anyone knows of organic grass available, these cattle are up for sale or agistment. Contact me.

Maarten Stapper Talks

Maarten was renowned as the last anti-GM scientist at the CSIRO in Canberra and is a passionate speaker with an ability to convey complex concepts in simple terms. He will be talking on a range of topics from GM technology to soil fertility as part of sustainable farming systems and landscapes at Wollongbar 8th October, Dyraaba 9th October, Seelands 10th October, Coffs Harbour 11th October, Wauchope 12th October, Newcastle 13th October.

The Soil Health Forum

Spend two intensive days, 1st & 2nd November in Uralla NSW, exploring how to increase the biological life and carbon sequestration capacity of your soil. This event looks at the use of bio-chars, broadacre composts, compost teas, pasture cropping and grazing techniques to improve the health and drought resilience of land AND the importance of healthy soil to human health. Guest speakers include Dr Maarten Stapper, Graeme Sait, Dr Christine Jones, Adam Willson.

Organic Roadshows for BFA

Weed Management Field Day

Charles Sturt University's Graham Centre will host a GRDC field day on October 18 in Wagga Wagga to showcase new research tactics for improved weed management in cropping and mixed farming systems. These include both chemical and non-chemical strategies to reduce threats of herbicide resistance. While some of the information does sound beneficial, I note that there is a section on the integration of GM crops - oh dear!

International Crop Nutrition Award 2008

Every year the IFA (International Fertiliser Industry Association) grants an International Crop Nutrition Award for research that has led to significant advances in crop nutrition and has been communicated successfully to the farmer in the form of practical recommendations. IFA is interested in research in the field of efficient, balanced and environment-friendly fertilisation. Any individual researcher involved in crop or soil science is eligible. Applications must be submitted to an IFA member by 15 January, 2008. The candidates will be judged by an independent selection panel on the basis of research quality, originality and practical application.

The recipient of the Award will receive € 10,000 and will be invited as a guest to the IFA Annual Conference in Vienna, Austria, from May 19 to 21, 2008. The recipient will also be sponsored to participate in one international conference during the same year.

It would be great if some 'biological' consultants/researchers were to be nominated - any thoughts?

$5m for Smart Water Ideas

The Victorian Government is providing $5 million to encourage smarter ways to save water through the Smart Water Fund. This provides seed funding for water conservation, water recycling, research and development projects and bio-solids management projects. Individuals, community groups, businesses and research organisations are encouraged to apply for funding for water saving initiatives. Applications close on 9 November 2007. For further information or to request an application pack, freecall 1800 882 432, visit www.smartwater.com.au or email

Sofencia - Part 10

Trombe walls can work effectively without being sealed up against a window - it simply requires a solid wall in front of a window to allow the winter sun to heat the air in front of it and then passively move it into the house space. The walls then continue to radiate heat during the night.

But you can get even more complicated by sealing the trombe wall against a window - putting in a top vent and a bottom vent to 'force' heat circulation around the house during the daytime (as described in the last newsletter), but by putting an external vent near the top, you could also cool the house in summer by collecting internal hot air in the roof space then opening up the 2 top vents - one in the wall and one in the window, effectively venting the hot air out through the 2 vents to the outside. This system requires a lot more vents and active participation by the human inhabitants in opening and closing the vents when appropriate!

We were now totally bamboozled and decided it was time to do some on-the ground investigating. We had seen photos of a house that was part of the Sustainable Living Expo in Armidale that featured trombe walls, and so a day trip was organised...

Health

Toxic Lead Paint

Parents are being whipped up into a frenzy of fear about lead tainted toys from China, while at the same time more pervasive poisons continue to be legally administered and sold to kids locally....this is an insightful article on the top 20 things that are more dangerous to children than lead paint in Mattel toys. It says it all very succinctly!

Vaccinations

This is a blog site, so it may not stay up for long - but it has some very pertinent arguments about the use of tragic stories to promote certain points of view. In the case of vaccinations there are tragic stories on both sides - children harmed by disease, and children harmed by vaccines - but parents of diseased children tend to get support and sympathy while the parents of vaccinated kids are ignored or criticised. Recently Oprah bravely aired the grievances of parents with autistic children who blame vaccinations. Then there is an interesting discussion about mandatory medication and human rights with a disturbing commentary on a professor who supported the Nuremberg Code, where arguing for 'common good' is not suffice to justify forced medication, but he is now advocating forced vaccinations for the so-called 'common good'!

This blog argues that mandatory vaccination creates the same pressures for disease resistance as over prescribing antibiotics - and this resistance seems to be already occurring, though the vaccine companies and supporters are quick to suggest that superbugs that are not vaccinated against are the emerging problem - either way a big problem is being created!

Wi-Fi Radiation

I am noticing more and more news reports around the world warning about the health hazards of wi-fi radiation (wireless) technology. It is even being touted as having similarities to past denials about smoking, asbestos and lead in petrol - certainly something to be aware of.

And evidence continues to accumulate about the health dangers of living close to high-voltage power lines.

Aspartame

This is a story about aspartame (Equal, Nutrisweet etc) and the way it created MS symptoms in a lady, but also highlights its contribution to disorders such as ADD and ADHD and possibly Gulf War Syndrome. Alarmingly it is often recommended to diabetic patients - the worst thing you could do! My advice is to avoid all sugar free products, but it is not always easy - it is now impossible to find chewing gum without artificial sugars for example.

Miscellaneous

It is interesting that in the face of so many toxic crises, ranging from SARS to contaminated food to lead paint on toys, China may finally be changing its response from denial and evasion towards transparency and responsiveness. The government is even starting to tap into international image advisors to help!

I have posted a few alarming stories about the unsustainability of the current global monetary system. This video highlights the additional problems occurring in America. The Comptroller General of the United States warns that funding shortfalls for the Medicare program are five times worse than Social Security, and it will take $8 trillion to pay for what is promised today to beneficiaries - but there is no money in the bank and wont be...

Events

For all September events

For all October events

* Carbon Accreditation - Taroom Qld 27th September 2007.

* Tallawanta BNS Field Day - Moree NSW 4th October 2007.

* The 5th National Native Grasses Conference - Mudgee NSW 7th-10th October 2007.

* Biological Farming Workshop (Maarten Stapper) - Wollongbar NSW 8th October 2007.

* Biological Farming Workshop (Maarten Stapper) - Dyraaba NSW 9th October 2007.

* Soil Fertility Management (Maarten Stapper) - Seelands NSW 10th October 2007.

* Soil Fertility Management (Maarten Stapper) - Coffs Harbour NSW 11th October 2007.

* Soil Fertility Management (Maarten Stapper) - Wauchope NSW 12th October 2007.

* Secret Plant Business (Maarten Stapper) - Newcastle NSW 13th October 2007.

* Weed Management Field Day - Wagga Wagga NSW 18th October 2007.

* BFA AGM - Brisbane Qld 27th October 2007.

* The Soil Health Forum - Uralla NSW 1st - 2nd November 2007.

* BFA Roadshow - Denmark WA 9-10th November 2007.

* BFA Roadshow - Armidale NSW 30th November 2007.

Postscript

This is a lovely tribute to 'today' - the beauty of life right now! Sit back and bathe in the wisdom of the message and images.