Willows De-Mythed

Research demonstrates that a cleared river reach has significantly worse ecosystem benefits than either a willow lined or mature native vegetation lined stream. Clearing will mobilise sediment, nutrients and organic matter, will make heterotrophic streams more autotrophic, will threaten habitat values for invertebrates and fish and will threaten pool-riffle sequences. There is a better way to manage willows; succession. [This really is a must read for anyone involved in river restoration projects]  Wilson NSF Willows 29/09/2009,02:31 168.44 Kb

Farm Practices and Soil Microbes

Changes in microbes can give a relatively early indication as to whether an alternative practice is helping or hurting soil quality. Microbial communities respond within a few years to changes in land use or cropping systems, while it can take 10 years or more for changes to occur in other soil properties. Microbes - bacteria, fungi and protozoa - release enzymes that drive the important carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur cycles in soil and help form organic matter.

Toorale A Carbon Research Station?

Toorale Station should become a Carbon Research Park. Toorale could be the place to prove, or disprove, an internationally important point about soil carbon sequestration in rangelands. It might conceivably also offer a new tool for conservation. If properly managed livestock prove to be carbon builders, as so many graziers have come to believe they are, Toorale could be the place where environmentalists, pastoralists, scientists and politicians come together in the understanding that agriculture and the environment really can exist in the same space.

Dust Storm News Hits Britain

Concerns about radioactive dust has spread to Britain. Apparently mining companies have responded by saying they carefully monitor their dust levels....[so, they monitor and find it is high, then what?] An environmental toxicologist allays concerns by pointing out that the radioactive dust is diluted with other dust...[sure, its dilute, but its still radioactive, and the more that lands, the more there is]

Drought Due to Population, Not Climate Change

The drought that gripped the Southeast US from 2005 to 2007 was not unprecedented and resulted from random weather events, not global warming. "I am not going to criticize any governments for what they did or did not do... But if you have more people and the same amount of water storage, you are going to increase the impact of droughts."

Hormone Milk Safe and Green??

No surprises that the company that produces the growth hormone, rbST, for the dairy industry claims that it is safe, but I found it curious that it is also claiming it to be 'green'.  "The hormone promotes sustainability and is an example of efficient production that will help meet the food needs of the burgeoning global population."

What's in a Label?

Differentiating between good fats and bad fats has been tossed on its head over the years, and omega-3s are coming out quite triumphant, but there is now a storm brewing about what is a functional dose, and defining the quality of the source. Twenty one of the world's leading omega-3 scientists have petitioned the European Commission in a last-ditch effort to convince EU rule makers its omega-3 nutrition labelling plans are flawed and should be significantly revised. [And these issues are only part of the whole omega-3 story!]

Adelaide on Bottled Water?

As early as next week, water from parts of the Murray river may become too dangerous to drink, which would require the water authority to begin delivering supplies to Adelaide's hospitals, clinics, aged care facilities and local supermarkets in plastic bottles. 

Removing Dams on Rivers

In a development that could herald the largest dam removal in modern history, 29 parties signed a draft agreement today to destroy four dams on the Klamath River to restore salmon and steelhead runs that have been partially blocked for the better part of the past century on the California-Oregon border. It calls for the breaching and removal of four Klamath River hydroelectric plants owned and operated by PacifiCorp. [Big things can be changed it seems!]

Disease is Not in Our Genes

Six years after the complete human genome was sequenced, more evidence than ever suggests it's not just our genes that affect our susceptibility to disease but also our environment. In our battle against disease could we be fighting the wrong adversary? The good news is: "With genetics, you can't actually fix it, whereas with an epigenetic change it is potentially reversible." But more importantly, as our understanding of the science improves, it may require us to rewrite the theory of evolution itself to include a role for environmental effects [Evolution is a pet topic of mine and solutions are coming forth that finally answer what Darwinsim and creationism could not answer...]

Radionics

I have included this article because I know many people are using radionics on farm, and for health. Matrix Energetics utilizes the principles and science of Subtle Energy, Quantum Physics, active imagination, and focused intent to produce positive shifts that often defy rational explanation. Ultimately it is about trusting yourself - your thoughts and where your attention is, ie 'notice what you notice'. 

Why Democracies Fail

I found this to be such an interesting read. It was written into a US Army Training Manual in 1928 and explains the difference between a republic and a democracy. Curiously in the 1930s the government ordered the book be withdrawn from the Government Printing Office and the Army posts. Ronald Reagan's quote at the end is rather telling too. If interested, this essay goes into more detail.

Organics Canada Newsletter

September's newsletter is now online with a range of articles. Some that might be of particular interest are "Efficacy Comparison of Some New Natural-Product Herbicides for Weed Control at Two Growth Stages" and various articles on the European Union Integrated Project "Quality Low Input Food". There is also a Handbook for the control of internal parasites in sheep.

Stop the Powerline

A petition to stop the proposed Bonshaw-Tenterfield-Lismore transmission line is now open. If you are opposed to this, please feel free to add your name. Personally I see it as providing to unrealised populations - the very thing that allows resources to be consumed at ever increasing rates despite natural limitations. What about working towards microgrid systems instead?

Biological Farming and Healthy Soils Workshop

Maarten Stapper will be presenting this workshop which is aimed at anyone using soil to grow plants and covers the ins and outs of creating and maintaining healthy soils through biological farming practices with examples of achieved successes. Tamworth 22nd October.  Fertile Farm Stapper 09 29/09/2009,18:18 420.39 Kb

 Media Release 06/10/2009,01:33 574.50 Kb

Rehydrating The Landscape

These workshops kick start with a keyline and yeoman's plough demonstration at Firefly 24th October, then I get my opportunity to talk about the many theories I have about landscape hydration - a synthesis of ideas from Christine Jones, Peter Andrews, Alan Savory, Alan Lauder and many many more. I'll be in the Manning area 30th October and Bunyah 31st October. Would love to see you there.  Rehydrating the Landscape 30/09/2009,02:31 109.92 Kb

Resilience Thinking

This workshop at Moonie 9th November and Goondiwindi 10th November gives simple strategies for entrepreneurial rural women. This workshop is for women living and working in rural, regional and remote communities who want to develop their entrepreneurial business skills, and increase their confidence to create a secure future.

EFT in North Queensland

You hold the key to your own happiness. 6-hour workshops are held on the last Saturday of every month in Cairns that combine Emotional Freedom Techniques with the Law of Attraction. Reduce stress, resolve anxiety. Resolve anger, overcome trauma. Relieve depression and step towards personal peace.

Understanding Grazing Systems

Find out how grasslands and pastures respond to grazing and fertility management with Dr Judi Earl of Holistic Management Australia. Judi worked in the horse industry, managing breeding studs, before gaining a PhD in pasture ecology. The first day at Rathdowney 8th October covers plant growth and pasture dynamics; water use efficiency and soils and soil nutrients. The second day at Rathdowney 9th October covers a local case study including a farm tour, where production has dramatically increased; soil carbon levels have increased while costs have been held constant.   Understanding Grazing Systems 01/10/2009,03:41 528.45 Kb

The Future in Agriculture - A Journey of Discovery

What does the future hold for agriculture? One thing is absolutely certain - that it will involve change. RCS invite you to participate in a new 'think-tank' styled workshop program where we jointly tackle challenges and identify farming business opportunities for the future. This course is designed for those who are actively looking to change. They may be graduates of other courses which RCS offers, or other holistic and natural farming system training programs. The first forum will be at Nundle 26th - 28th October.  A Journey of Discovery Program 06/10/2009,00:14 978.00 Kb

Liquid Inject Tour

After the success of our crop tour around Moree we would like to invite you to the second "All Things Liquid" Crop Tours to visit farms in the Darling Downs region. Hear it straight from other farmers - no gloss or spin just the real-life experiences of others. Starts at Jondaryn 8th October. Numbers are limited to 20 - so book in quick. Contact me for the program (the file size is too large).

Health

Mercury Everywhere

According to a new U.S. Geological Survey study, scientists detected mercury contamination in every fish sampled in nearly 300 streams across the United States. More than two-thirds of the fish exceeded the U.S. EPA level of concern for fish-eating mammals. For the most part mercury in the fish and the environment is related to the fact that the majority of electricity is generated from burning coals which releases the mercury into the air and then into the waterways once it rains.

Phthylates From Washing Machines

Dust that sloughs off hundreds of every day household products - including cosmetics, vinyl flooring, shower curtains and furniture - accumulates on people's clothing and goes down the drain with the laundry-room suds. A study concluded that residential washing machines send about 2,110 pounds of phthalates to wastewater treatment plants each year.

Cervarix Kills

A 14-year-old girl has died after being given a cervical cancer jab as part of a national UK immunisation programme. "A number of other girls also reported being unwell and some were sent home." The local NHS said there would be a "short pause" in the vaccination programme but it would then continue.

One Jab is Dangerous

A new study found that primates that received just ONE vaccination containing Thiomersal, the mercury-preservative found in many vaccines including the new AH1N1 (swine flu) shot, had significant neurological impairment when compared with those who received a saline solution injection or no injection at all.

Weighing the Risks of Vaccination

This recent Gardasil death underlines the cruel reality behind any vaccination campaign: there's always the risk that a small number of vaccine recipients will suffer an adverse reaction - and that it sometimes can be deadly.

Swine Flu Vaccine Concerns

Infectious disease expert Dr. Kent Holtorf goes on the record stating that neither he nor his children will take the swine flu shot, because the health risks are simply too high. Also evidence-based science shows, again and again, that when it comes to preventing infectious diseases, antibodies on their own cannot, and do not, equal immunity.

Excreted Tamiflu in Rivers

The premier flu-fighting drug is contaminating rivers downstream of sewage-treatment facilities. Concerns are now building that birds, which are natural influenza carriers, are being exposed to waterborne residues of Tamiflu's active form and might develop and spread drug-resistant strains of seasonal and avian flu. Once ingested, virtually all Tamiflu will end up in the environment in the active form.

EPA Changes Tact

The EPA has outlined a raft of new proposals aimed at fixing the system that is "failing" in its oversight functions - including lifting the burden of proof from the agency to prove a substance poses a risk and instead forcing chemical companies to prove its safety. In addition BPA and phthylates will be reviewed shortly.

Omega-3 Benefits

Omega-3 deficiency is the sixth biggest killer of Americans, according to a new study. Omega-3 deficiency can cause or contribute to serious health problems, both mental and physical, and may be a significant underlying factor of up to 96,000 premature deaths each year - more than breast cancer deaths.

Cartoon

Miscellaneous

This is an essay bemoaning the use of belief over science to determine the end date of the Mayan calendar. "Based on nothing more than belief a culture has subsequently emerged around the December 21, 2012 date, since it serves as an ideal projection screen for fantasies, fears and hopes rather than something that can be proven and understood scientifically based on the patterns of the Mayan calendar." The alternative count, October 28, 2011, can be rationally understood and verified by predictions.

Events

The calendar is playing up, so most of the links below are directed back to other websites where possible or to a contact email address. If there are no links, look to the related article above.  

* Understanding Grazing Systems Day 1 - Rathdowney Qld 8th October 2009.

* Liquid Inject Tour - Jondaryn Qld 8th October 2009.

* Understanding Grazing Systems Day 2 - Rathdowney Qld 9th October 2009.

* Biological Farming and Healthy Soils Workshop - Tamworth NSW 22nd October 2009.

* Rehydrating the Landscape - Keyline - Firefly NSW 24th October 2009.

* The Future in Agriculture - A Journey of Discovery - Nundle NSW 26th - 28th October 2009.

* Rehydrating the Landscape - Manning Area NSW 30th October 2009.

* Rehydrating the Landscape - Bunyah NSW 31st October 2009.

* Resilience Thinking - Moonie Qld 9th November 2009.

* Resilience Thinking - Goondiwindi Qld 10th November 2009.

Postscript

Strange But True Newspaper Headlines

Here is a sample of a list of 39:

"He was naked, on crack and in alligator's mouth"

"Alton Attorney Accidentally Sue Himself"

"Teen-Age Girls Often Have Babies Fathered By Men"

"Male Infertility Can Be Passed on to Children"

Then there is this list...

And one I just found, with photos, is about a monster washed up on the beach. Weird!