Doing What Works

The author starts with "I thought desert grasslands could be best restored by removing all cattle, and that if one had to make a living off their ranch, this would require very conservative stocking to protect soil and vegetation." Then he meets Allan Savory and put Holistic Management practices into place on farm. His problem now "is getting the increased grass eaten. We are bottle-necked in trying to water the ever-growing herd this requires!" During his journey of discovery he finds highly referenced papers claiming that Holistic Management is damaging to the environment and decides to work out why the claims were diametrically opposed to his own observations. He wrote to all the cited researchers - 200 in all and challenged their scholarship. A brilliant read.

Pasture Cropping Science

The science is finally coming in. Results show that pasture cropping can successfully retain perennial grasses and ground cover while still producing profitable cropping and grazing compared with continuous pasture. The lower input costs associated with pasture cropping reduced the effects of crop failure on farm profit.

Host Your Own Pasture Cropping Event

Like the idea of pasture cropping and no-kill farming - then why not consider hosting an event with Colin Seis, Bruce Maynard and Angus Maurice - the experts. You get to come along for free!

A Different Approach to Farming

General Jeffrey brought together people from agriculture, science, and Government Departments. The result was a task force, Outcomes Australia to promote alternative farming like Natural Sequence, Holistic farming, permaculture and biological agriculture. They don't yet have scientific evidence to back the methods, but he says many scientists are interested, and the anecdotal evidence is "there before your eyes." [Exactly, so why wait for the science, its already on the ground in action???]

Shades of Green

Drawing on data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the dairy science literature, a calculator has been developed which estimates "avoided impacts" when a cow on a typical conventional dairy farm is switched to organic management. For example, the 120,000 cows on organic farms in the US in 2008 avoided 40 million pounds of synthetic
nitrogen; 785,000 pounds of pesticides; 1,776,000 fewer cow treatments.

Dust Storm Calculations

One FTSU subscriber sat down to do some mental arithmetic... using an interesting way of viewing the recent dust storms!

• Weight of the dust is twice that of water per cubic decametre (100 mm X 100 mm X 100 mm) where a cubic decametre = the volume of a litre. 1 litre of water weighs 1 kg.
• ‘Fertiliser value' of the dust per kg is 50% of, say, DAP and it all ends up in our soil
• Market value of DAP is currently $500 per tonne

• Number of hectares - 385
• Amount of dust retained on our place: 2 mm X 3,850,000 (square metres) X 2 (twice the weight of water) = 15,400 tonnes. NB: In effect this is saying that we received 4 kg topsoil per square metre.
• To be conservative, let's assume dust was actually 0.5 mm, meaning we received 1 kg per square metre, meaning 3,850 tonnes in total
• $ value of dust is thus 3,850 (tonnes) X $500 = $1,925,000

Dust Storm Warning

Concerns have been raise about the recent dust storms having been whipped up across the Woomera district - including the site of the Maralinga Nuclear bomb tests where lethal plutonium from failed cleanup attempts remain active. It also raises questions about dust management at Olympic dam where concentrated forms of radioactive materials are planned to be dumped. The waste from these sites have the capacity to spread and contaminate huge populations. One FTSU subscriber has suggested people consider disconnecting downpipes into their water tanks until the remains of our recent dust storms are washed away...

Dust Storms and Disease

Dust storms like the one that plagued Sydney are blowing bacteria to all corners of the globe, with viruses that will attack the human body. Yet these scourges can also help mitigate climate change by seeding oceans with iron...

Slow Money

Slow Money takes its name from a culinary movement called Slow Food, where people take time to savour food and take pleasure in eating locally sourced products. There is an exploding demand for what small farms and food producers have to offer. Yet, banks see agriculture as a risky business, and brokers trade stock in agribusiness giants, not small, local operations. Slow Money an investment system in which profit expectations are redefined so that big money can help small agricultural producers provide people with local, wholesome food. [What fun. My call to those interested in pulling out their superannuation money from the stock market a few months ago (read under Miscellaneous) has resulted in a project which is about to begin doing just this. Imagine everyone's super being put to work on 'real' on-the-ground projects].

Future Farming for Kids

Victoria's Department of Primary Industries website has a Kids Zone which has an animated video of their vision for our Farming Future....see what you think, I recoiled in horror. I get the impression that someone involved in this doesn't think too highly of our farmers today - the talking cow is just the start! 

And this one is about energy - perhaps not as offensive as the farming one, but not sure I would want my kids getting these messages quite this way...

GM Canola Escape

Genetically modified canola has escaped from its containment areas in southern NSW, just over a year after a moratorium on growing the crop was lifted by the State Government. Asked if the discovery constituted a biosecurity breach, Mr Macdonald said in a statement that stray roadside plants were easily destroyed by slashing them down or with herbicides. [Mmmm, I thought they were designed to resist herbicides...]

The Incomparable Honey Bee

The author of the book 'The Incomparable Honey Bee - An the Economics of Pollination' has alerted me to the book's launch this October. Since prehistoric times humans and bees have been inextricably linked. Rapid decline in bee populations threaten the planet's agricultural balance. Dr Reese offers solutions and hope for people and honeybees.

Persistent DDT?

Tracking deformed roadkill (see last week's newsletter under Deformed Wildlife) prompted thoughts on observed deformed Skeleton weeds at Ochre Arch near Grenfell. An outside observer suggested it might be DDT damage, which is interesting given the area has not be farmed or sprayed for 3 years...

Nanoparticle Risks

An unforeseen danger has begun to emerge with the growing use of nanoparticles causing a new form of unregulated pollution that has the potential to harm the environment.  A research group tested commonly used nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide, zinc peroxide, aluminium oxide, fullerenes and carbon graphite fibres on tobacco plant cells and found that at varying levels the molecules were toxic to the plant.

A Toxic World

No matter where you live, the air you breathe, the water you drink and the food you eat is likely to be contaminated. The list of ingredients in your chemical cocktail is growing. But the sad truth is, even the world's best environmental scientists simply don't know how to clean up the mess. They don't even know how many sites are contaminated, but they're happy to share their best guesses. [After skimming through hundreds of articles a week, most of which do not reach this newsletter - you are certainly left with a strong impression that literally everything is toxic]

How to Use A Refractometer

The refractometer is an invaluable tool in sustainable agriculture to monitor plant health and inherent pest resistance. Brix levels are a guideline to nutrient density, disease resistance, frost protection, soil fertility, crop quality and yield. This is an information dense video that touches on the role of minerals and insects, and of course human health.

Combining Fertilisers

The idea is to build 42 fertiliser plants to make pathogen-free granulated fertiliser out of just about anything, from chicken manure to urban waste streams and possibly even human biosolids; and even mix that with inorganic fertilisers. [While a good concept on first read, I was concerned that it claims not to require composting, which I can only see as a likely problem for soil biology dynamics. I guess it's a cheap way to spread and bury landfill]

GM Beets Rejected

A US federal judge overturned government approval of a variety of sugar beet genetically engineered to resist a popular weed killer produced by agricultural giant Monsanto. "The potential elimination of farmers' choice to grow non genetically engineered crops, or consumers' choice to eat non genetically engineered food ... has a significant effect on the human environment." [The same argument could certainly apply to canola, if not all GM food crops]

UFO Evidence

Could this be it? Scientists at the Purple Mountain Observatory in Nanjing, China believe it is a real possibility that this footage of an unidentified flying object is the evidence we have all been waiting for. The clear, daylight sighting occurred over Deqing in Guandong Province where at least nine students photographed it too.

Trees For Earth

Apart from being a dear friend, Matt Kilby of Trees for Earth is also on a mission to heal the earth. In former lives he was responsible for the tree plantings on the Woodford Folk Festival site, and expanded that into landscaping private and commercial properties. He spent many years discovering the connection between soils and healthy trees (I'm sure he only dreams of trees actually) taking on a range of mentors such as Jack Mitchell, Graeme Sait and Geoff Lawton.

With unwavering passion and energy, Matt has designed a 'Plant Pink' tree planting system that has almost a 100% success rate. He consults on all sorts of projects, from commercial projects through to private landscaping - tropic to arid - if you are thinking trees, pick up the phone and talk to Matt. Check out the video, everyone will learn something from it.

By the way, if you are interested in using videos for marketing, or other online services, including web design - contact Tim Lester of Nuganics (he also happens to be a bit of a biological agronomic advocate too!)

Quoll-Proof Poultry Shed Grant

A grant scheme managed by the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland is offering financial assistance of up to $750 to non-commercial poultry owners to help them build sheds that protect their stock and thus keep quolls safe too.

Victoria's Organic Product Directory

Victoria is Australia's leading organic state and home to over 22% of the country's certified producer. Business Victoria has put together an organic products directory that includes the products and services of growers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and input providers - a great resource.

BNS Crop Tour Summary

Bionutrient Solutions have provided a summary of their recent crop tour of liquid injection options. The summary includes a run down of the reasons for and types of minerals used, as well as a method of crown rot management. An informative read. They are also wanting to reduce log jams that occur around planting periods by offering two free sap tests in return for simply giving an indication of product needs for the upcoming season. That way they can plan ahead and be able to say 'yes' at critical times of demand.  Indication of Needs - Summer 09 23/09/2009,17:57 126.82 Kb

Swine Flu and Whooping Cough Seminars

As well as covering swine flu concerns, Meryl Dorey of Australian Vaccination Network will be questioning the whooping cough vaccine. Last year, Australia's childhood vaccination rate for whooping cough passed 95% for the first time ever. Unfortunately, Australia is also in the midst of its worst whooping cough epidemic ever, with more than 19,000 cases reported so far this year. The vaccine does not seem to be working. Why are we having this outbreak? Ballina 20th October, Lismore 22nd October. 

Making Waves in Agriculture

PrincipleFocus is conducting a 3 day bus tour of some Central West NSW farms 12th - 15th October ex Dubbo - Day 1 visit Colin Seis's and Angus Maurice's farms near Wellington, Day 2 visit Peter Andrew 's Tarwyn Park farm where Natural Sequence Farming began, Day 3 visit Nigel Kerin, 2008 NSW Farmer of the Year outside Yeoval

National Organic Week

Its Australia-wide from 16th - 25th October and simply needs your imagination and creativity to be involved. NOW is 10 days of targeted media and locally-staged activities designed to increase awareness of the benefits of organic products and farming production systems and accelerate the uptake of these in the wider Australian community and environment. You could also be in the running for an award.

Composting Course

There will be a one-day composting course in Warwick 8th October. It is an Austrian system of composting. To book, telephone John Garnham on 0432 341 338 or email him on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

World Food Day Invitation

A strategic approach to food - policies & pitfalls. Jeanette Longfield of UK's Sustain contributes to a number of food policy committees, liaises with the Food Standards Agency, and appears regularly in the media representing a public interest view on food policy issues. She was awarded an MBE for services to food policy in 2007. You are invited to hear her speak in Carlton 16th October.   World Food Day Invitiation 09 23/09/2009,23:32 885.29 Kb

Land Restoration Field Day

A wonderful chance to visit Mulloon Creek Natural Farms outside Bungendore on 1st November and walk with Peter Andrews down one of his Natural Sequence restoration sites. You will also hear from Tony Coote (owner and projects manager), Dr John Field (giving research facts), Dr Michael Wilson (talking about willows), Nick Ritar (discussing permaculture), and Matt Kilby (Trees for Earth). What a day! But numbers are strictly limited so jump in quickly and bring the family.  MCNF Field Day 2009 27/09/2009,23:49 220.63 Kb

Emotional Freedom Technique Course

EFT is a new discovery that has provided thousands with relief from pain, diseases and emotional issues.  Simply stated, it is a unique version of acupuncture except you don't use needles. Instead, you stimulate well established energy meridian points on your body by tapping them with your fingertips. Janine McDonald of Fernhill Wellbeing Centre will be holding a course in Inverell 7th November - phone Sam Bucknell on 67213656.

Intimacy Courses

Janine McDonald is also hosting a range of courses for women and couples as part of Pathways to Bliss. A 2-day Level 1 women's course - Journey to Rapture in Coffs Harbour 10th - 11th October, a 2-day Level 2 couple's course - Journey to Intimacy in Inverell 14th - 15th November. 

What's New...

What a combination - an acupuncturists and organic fertiliser manufacturer!! Peter Higgs of Sea Magic no doubt has your health ultimately in mind when he produces organic fish and seaweed concentrates for both soil conditioning and foliar feeding. Biodynamic principles and compost preparations are incorporated into all 3 products and each are organically certified with NASAA. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it directly for more information.

Health

Vitamin D and Swine Flu

So far, Swine flu, H1N1, has killed thirty-six children in U.S. and analysis of CDC data indicates Vitamin D deficient children are at higher risk of death. [Solution: get your daily dose of sunshine]

Vaccination Concerns

It is remarkable that more and more public people are stepping up and seriously questioning the whole mass vaccination push. An ex Major General in the US army sets the scene, then interesting footage from 2005 is revisited - predicting what was to come - and  it did. This link has been taken off YouTube twice already. Hopefully you will get a chance to catch it before it goes again and ponder it's relevance.

Hidden Facts About Squalene

Right now there are clinical trials underway on four continents with 'fast-track' swine flu vaccines that contain an oil called squalene. Pharmaceutical companies selling vaccines mixed with squalene say it's safe; as do governments in Europe and China. Animals injected with squalene develop crippling diseases. The morbidity rate is 100%. The biography of the author/journalist, Gary Matsumoto, for this site says a lot!

Vaccine Ingredients

Make your own vaccines at home ...while this is a light-hearted take on vaccines, it certainly leaves you thinking about what actually goes into vaccines.

Medicos Won't Take Vaccine

Even scientists who helped develop other vaccines are not planning to have the swine flu vaccine! Interestingly, while many GPs are not likely to have the jab, they will certainly be positioned to make some good money from doing it to others - over $10 per jab!

More Vulnerable if Vaccinated Last Year

Unpublished Canadian data are raising concerns about whether it's a good idea to get a seasonal flu shot this season. The data appear to suggest that people who got a seasonal flu shot last year are about twice as likely to catch swine flu as people who didn't.

Mercury in Swine Flu Vaccine for Vulnerable

The US Secretary of Health is temporarily suspending Washington's limit on the amount of mercury (thimerosal) allowed in H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine given to pregnant women and children under three. "Mercury-free H1N1 vaccine may not always be in stock, and we want to be sure there are no barriers to protecting people." Pregnant women and children under three are at the top of the list to get the vaccine because they're at high risk for serious complications from swine flu. [Gosh, I thought it was the vulnerable that were more prone to side-effects from toxins like mercury?!]

Flu Vaccine Exposed

A simple factual 8 minute documentary about the ineffectiveness of flu vaccines - which steps through how it is made each year, and then reports on peer-reviewed studies which question the results of the vaccinations.

Resistance of Conventional Medicine

This is a great case study from New Zealand where a swine flu patient was recently saved from death using intravenous Vitamin C - the hospital opposed it the whole way though, even after lawyers were brought in. You have to stand your ground sometimes!

VeriChip Shares Jump - A Coincidence?

Last week's article Microchip at the Tip of the Needle - may have seemed a bit too far fetched for many, but this report is unsettling... Shares of VeriChip Corp tripled after the company said it had been granted an exclusive license to two patents, which will help it to develop implantable virus detection systems in humans. The patents relate to biosensors that can detect the H1N1 and other viruses.

Eat Saturated Fats

Do saturated fats really increase your risk of heart disease and raise your cholesterol? In a word, no. In fact, humans need them in a range of life-sustaining functions. The truth is, saturated fats from animal and vegetable sources provide a concentrated source of energy in your diet, and they provide the building blocks for cell membranes and a variety of hormones and hormone-like substances.  

Asparagus Treatment

Its supposedly been documented as having remarkable effects on a wide range of cancers, and even kidney stones. But regardless of theories, it is true that asparagus used as suggested is a harmless substance and the FDA cannot prevent you from trying it, and it may possibly do some good...

Adding Gluten to Dough

As more and more of the population wakes up to gluten intolerances I just discovered that the bread industry is actually adding extra gluten into some products! I was particularly curious that low-protein flour needs it, because I suspect most our wheat have lower protein than actually tested (remember, they actually only test the nitrogen content of grain, not protein). They also claim that it is an important food protein, used in a range of foods from breakfast cereals to meats, and from cheese to snack foods. Goodness, no wonder we are seeing gluten intolerance popping up everywhere!!

Autistic Rates Same in Adults

One in every hundred adults living in England has autism, which is identical to the rate in children. If the MMR vaccine was to blame, autism rates among children should be higher because the MMR has only been available since the early 1990s. And despite popular perceptions, rates of autism are not increasing. 

The Law Enters Fluoridation Debate

The plan to fluoridate the English North-West has stopped dead in its tracks. Fluoride pushers across the country are worried. The first legal challenge of any aspect of water fluoridation to come before a UK Judge since Lord Jauncy effectively banished fluoridation from Scotland twenty six years ago. There are even signs that the Department of Health may be preparing a face-saving exit strategy.

Cartoon

Miscellaneous

It appears that there is no oversight in the US Federal Reserve - the Inspector General of the Federal Reserve has no idea who the recipients are of the one trillion dollars bailout. And when questioned about the $9 trillion worth of credit extended by the Federal Reserve in the past eight months (which equals $30,000 for each man, woman and child in the U.S.) no answer is forthcoming. I wonder what is happening in Australia?

Who's watching Graham Dyer's wave counts for the stockmarket? The predicted multi-month rally from March seems to be just reaching its end, and now it's time to hold onto your hats - we are about to see a real stockmarket crash, not the practice run of 2007/2008. If you want more information, contact me.

Events

The calendar is playing up (though there is light at the end of the tunnel), so most of the links below are directed back to other websites where possible or to a contact email address.    

* Composting Course - Warwick Qld 8th October 2009.

* Making Waves in Agriculture - Dubbo NSW 12th - 15th October 2009 .

* World Food Day Invitation - Carlton Vic 16th October 2009.

* National Organic Week - Australia 16th - 25th October 2009.

* Swine Flu and Whooping Cough Seminar - Ballina NSW 20th October 2009.

* Swine Flu and Whooping Cough Seminar - Lismore NSW 22nd October 2009.

* Land Restoration Field Day - Bungendore NSW 1st November 2009.

* Emotional Freedom Technique Course - Inverell NSW 7th November 2009.

Postscript

A quick look at toilet paper roll art.... then,

Housework was a woman's job, but one evening, Jenny arrived home from work to find the children bathed, one load of laundry in the washer and another in the dryer. Dinner was on the stove, and the table set. She was astonished! It turns out that Ralph has read an article that said, "Wives who work full-time and have to do their housework are too tired to have sex."

The night went very well. The next day, she told her office friends all about it. "We had a great dinner. Ralph even cleaned up the kitchen. He helped the kids do their homework, folded all the laundry and put it away. I really enjoyed the evening."

"But what about afterwards?" asked her friends.

"Oh, that...Ralph was too tired."