Australian Water Crisis

Is our growth model working and should water be treated as a commodity - sold to the highest bidder globally? What a fabulous speech given by Maude Barlow 1st April. Change is desparately needed!  Maude Barlow 2009 06/04/2009,00:12 73.93 Kb

US Food Safety Bill

Its a Bill that was introduced by the wife of a Monsanto researcher, and here are some more details about what this Bill will include if it passes - it allows the government (via a newly created Food Safety Administration) to force small farmers to use "government approved" inputs (ie fertilisers) and dumps a whole heap of paperwork on them so that adherence to the "Food Safety Plan" can be proven. And if a farmer refused to use a government approved fertiliser, say an organic farmer, the legislation allows for $1million fines PER DAY for non compliance, or alternatively the farm could be seized (or both).

Organic Markets Still Strong in Australia

While supermarkets seem to be recording contracted sales (see Organic Sales Down in last week's newsletter), other players in the organic market are still experiencing increases, particularly organic meat suppliers. One theory is that people are forfeiting eating out for eating in during the economic downturn...

Food Inc

"Food, Inc." is a horror movie for the socially conscious, the nutritionally curious and the hungry. Robert Kenner's documentary does for the supermarket what "Jaws" did for the beach. The film "marches straight into the dark side of cutthroat agri-business, corporatized meat and the greedy manipulation of both genetics and the law." This trailer whets the appetite to see more.

Cornography

This is a funky short video covering corn and its dominance in American agriculture and products...quite eye-opening.

A Farm for the Future

Wildlife film maker Rebecca Hosking investigates how to transform her family's farm in Devon into a low energy farm for the future, and discovers that nature holds the key. Realising that all food production in the UK is completely dependent on abundant cheap fossil fuel, particularly oil, she sets out to discover just how secure this oil supply is. Alarmed by the answers, with the help of pioneering farmers and growers, Rebecca learns that it is actually nature that holds the key to farming in a low-energy future - natural pasture, permaculture, and layering. Absolutely inspiring. 

Organic Wagyu

Gundooee Organics is certainly hitting the gourmet markets! Rob Lennon is an amazingly passionate producer east of Dunedoo NSW with a mission for quality not quantity. Listen to a recent interview with him talking about the role of marbling in grassfed wagyu - rather unusual in itself, and the reason for turning organic and how he found his markets by literally walking the streets of Sydney.

Cancer in Vegetarians

While eating meat has been getting a bad rap lately, a new report states that the incidence of colorectal cancer was higher in vegetarians than in meat eaters. Admittedly, the incidence of all cancers combined was lower among vegetarians than among meat eaters.

Real Food vs Ticked Food

I just love Cyndi O'Meara's philosophies on food and health, and she is exporting her knowledge from Australia to the UK (which is a refreshing change). She has just done some checking up on what it means to have the Heart Foundation's tick of approval, and as you may have guessed it doesnt exclude many unhealthy options despite your views on fats and salts.

Detoxing McDonald's Potatoes

McDonald's Corp, the largest purchaser of potatoes in the United States, has agreed to take preliminary steps to reduce pesticide use in its domestic potato supply.

Glyphosate Reduces Mineral Uptake

I just discovered RLF's newsletter with the March issue (attached) covering an interesting aspect of glyphosate damage. Recently, it was noted that Glyphosate Resistant Crops (GRC) are more susceptible to trace element deficiency than their related nontransgenic cultivars. This appeared to be partly due to their loss of ability to produce some enzymes and chelates that assist in trace element uptake (a side effect of genetic manipulation).  RLF March 09 06/04/2009,02:08 279.04 Kb

Glyphosate Residues Kill Cells

Residues of Monsanto's Roundup herbicide found in GM food and feed can cause cell damage and even death, even at very low levels. Worryingly, these residues are authorised as residues contaminating GM foods and feed.

GM Harms Soil Biology

The soil, its fertility, and the organisms which maintain the fertility of soil are a vital aspect of the environment. A study compared the soil of fields where Bt-cotton had been planted for 3 years with adjoining fields with non GMO cotton or other crops. It was found that populations of Actinomycetes decreased by 17%. Actinomycetes are vital for breaking down cellulose and creating humus, and bacteria were reduced by 14%. The total microbial biomass was reduced by 8.9%, along with other enzymes that support microbial activities.

Who Owns Life?

Percy Schmeiser's battle against Monsanto raised some really interesting and new legal distinctions: For example it was ruled that no matter how a farmer, a forester, or a gardener's seed or plants become contaminated with GMOs; whether through cross pollination, pollen blowing in the wind, by bees, direct seed movement or seed transportation, the growers no longer own their seeds or plants under patent law, they becomes Monsanto's property. Percy became the first farmer in history to successfully counter-sue Monsanto for liability over damages done to his seeds and crops by Monsanto's GM crops. And recently the Canadian National Farmers Union has warned farmers not to buy Monsanto's GM seeds because of their aggressive attitude. The real story of the Schmeissers is extraordinary and full of intimidation - well worth a read for the likely future for all farmers.

Farmers Shirking Chemical Dependency

Throughout the world, farmers have become increasingly dependent on artificial fertilizers and pesticides to boost production. But the costs are high - and many poor farmers end up buried in debt. While the Indian government continues to subsidise chemical suppliers, farmers are taking charge and converting to low input systems including composting and SRI - System of Rice Intensification, that has no patents or intellectual property involved - it's free for farmers to use.

Crop and Pasture Journal

More from Crop and Pasture Science Vol. 60 No. 2:

Potential to improve root access to phosphorus: the role of no-symbiotic microbial inoculants in the rhizosphere. Free-living rhizosphere microbes can directly increase the availability of phosphate to plant roots via mechanisms associated with solubilisation and mineralisation of P from inorganic and organic forms of total soil P. Many soil-borne microbes also increase P availability indirectly by producing phytohormones that increase root density and function.

Bee Colony Collapse Explained

The researchers are pulling together an explanation of the sudden onset of Colony Collapse Disorder - and it doesn't involve mobile phone towers or GM crops. The growing consensus is that multiple factors such as poor nutrition and exposure to pesticides can interact to weaken colonies and make them susceptible to a virus-mediated collapse. 

The Cows Knew First

The cows knew. Long before any scientist tested the water. The dairy herd refused to drink from the creek near their barn, consuming only enough liquid to survive. The problems were traced to chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, seeping into the creek and well water from truckloads of waste asphalt and concrete buried on the farm in the 1960s during reconstruction of a highway.

GM Canola in Canada

In response to the article about GM Canola costing more (see GM Crops Will Cost You in last week's newsletter) a Canadian subscriber added this:  "I can still grow conventional canola and receive a $15 a tonne premium to grow it. GM canola is less profitable in the same way that organic farming is less profitable. If you don't manage the system correctly, of course you'll lose money. I have clients generating a $1400 ha net return on their GM canola this year. This was achieved through optimum grain prices, excellent and responsible agronomy, no fungicides, no insecticides and an optimal growing season, which was only 105 days long"

Another point of interest he makes: "After comparing water use efficiencies in New Zealand versus Canada in kgs grain/mm of rain,  New Zealand can produce 25% more grain with the same amount of moisture in wheat and barley, in fact you could argue that they can produce higher yields in every category except one with the same amount of moisture. In Canada with 12 inches of annual rainfall and a growing season that is 200 days shorter, we can produce 60% more canola for every mm of water we receive compared to New Zealand. Coincidentally, we've had a GM canola breeding program in place for 15 years and they haven't, yet their climate is a lot more favorable than ours in every way"

Epigenetics

Epigenetics researchers are dethroning the gene as biology's center of the universe. "Genes are no longer the center of everything." Epigenetics will elicit a far deeper molecular understanding of what underlies the similarities and differences among individuals and why different people respond differently to drugs, nutrients, and other environmental exposures. It is also inheritable - toxic exposure or hardship can be inherited for several generations despite the DNA. Unfortunately this article doesn't emphasis that any epigenetic expressions can also be reversed by environmental changes, except in the last sentence - the drug culture is very persistent! I wonder when people will link this back to GM manipulations that rely on outdated gene theories.

Meat Ants to Control Cane Toads?

Cane toads are far more susceptible than native frogs to being killed and eaten by the Australian meat ant. The results are interesting because they reveal the cane toad's Achilles' heel - a weakness that could be exploited to help control the spread of the toxic pest without the need for imports.

Biosolids to Pellet Fertiliser

While it sounds like a great waste solution it is expensive and has some obvious problems...Nashville has a new plant that converts sewage sludge into fertiliser, but no major companies will accept vegetables grown on it, and there is the fear of heavy metals, let alone residual drugs.

Burning Trash to Clean Slums

Kenyan designers have built a community cooker that uses trash as fuel to feed the poor, provide hot water and destroy toxic waste, as well as curbing the destruction of woodlands. Technicians have spent three years modifying the firebox to produce enough heat to destroy toxins in the rubbish, particularly plastics, although they are striving to get the temperature higher still.

Viral Battery

Researchers have trained a tiny virus to build a more efficient and powerful lithium battery. They changed two genes in the virus, called M13, and got it to do two things: build a shell made out of a compound called iron phosphate, and then attach to a carbon nanotube to make a powerful and tiny electrode. Eventually  "We could run an iPod on it for about three times as long as current iPod batteries. If we really scale it, it would be used in a car." And they claim that the technology is inherently green because it involves a live virus.

SFI Newsletter

The Soil Foodweb Institute's April newsletter is out and includes: details on the upcoming two week Certificate course at Southern Cross University, Lismore (15th - 26th June); arbuscular mycorrhizae; bacteria:fungi ratio in the Lachlan Grazing Management Project (a brilliant project to track!); SFI newsletters to finally come online; reducing chemical input strategies; fungi at work on grapes in New Zealand; and Elaine Ingham's planned talks around Australia from May to June.  SFI April 09 Newsletter 02/04/2009,23:55 825.99 Kb

Organic Egg Producers Wanted

Free Range Egg Farms currently distribute a range of brands - including the antibiotic-free egg variety 'ecoeggs' - into 600 retail outlets on the Eastern Seaboard. They now want to go organic - ''We are now looking to get a group of producers on board who are already involved in, or simply have an interest in, organic egg production." Interest in organic egg supply would be welcomed from Victoria, NSW and Queensland. 

Free Range Piggery for Sale

What an amazing opportunity! It has been quite a few years in the building, and over that time I have discovered a wonderful like-minded friendship with the owners. Melanda Park Free Range Pork is up for sale as a going concern. I think the photos tell part of the story, and its reputation just continues to grow. I can only hope the rest of the McCosker's story continues to unfold with continuing improvements to the standards of piggeries in Australia, and a universal definition of 'free range' agreed upon throughout the industry.

Bio-Agronomist Wanted

Fertile Farm is growing, and is now in need of a bio-agronomist as well as someone to help with administrative work in the Gunnedah/Tamworth district. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it directly.

Looking for Ajistment

Wanted: ajistment for 100 weaners for 12 weeks. There must be good fencing and usable cattle yards. Please contact Glenn on 0448345366 during the day or 0268427888 at night.

Embrace Your Space

Imagine a space where you can be your self. What is the feeling of being in this place? Where is it and how can you get there? These are some of the intriguing questions that architect/teacher Peter Cowman will throw your way during this interactive 1-day workshop at Richmond 11th April, a stimulating mix of instruction and entertainment that will forever change the way you see yourself and the space around you. Using positive solutions and practical examples he dares us to create a living architecture where we can live our lives in harmony with nature and to discover the true meaning of sustainability.

Living Sustainably Saturday Workshops

Connect up with the diverse array groups operating in the New England community, rehabilitating our environment and caring for native plants and animals. These workshops have a practical focus and are all free! You can attend any one or all six of the workshops in Armidale. Backyard Sustainability 2nd May or 30th May; Warm House Cool House 27th June or 25th July; Healthy Homes 29th August or 26th September; Ecosystems and Local Biodiversity 31st October or 28th November.  Living Sustainably Workshops 09 07/04/2009,21:05 641.12 Kb

BFA Organic Roadshows

Hear about the latest in organic industry developments, ideas about value-adding, chances to network, inspiring presentations by leading organic producers, researchers and consultants, opportunities to strut your organic stuff, the latest news on innovation, information and regulation and a chance to rub shoulders with like-minded people. 2009's BFA Organic Roadshows have started and venues and dates are below.

Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2009  

Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2008 was Australia's biggest, most informative, and most enjoyable gathering of domestic and international carbon market specialists and practitioners last year.  Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2009 at the Gold Coast 26 - 28 October, will be the best value and most cutting-edge carbon market gathering in Australia this year.  

Health

 Vinyl floors and Austism

Children who live in homes with vinyl floors, which can emit chemicals called phthalates, are more likely to have autism. Infants or toddlers who lived in bedrooms with vinyl, or PVC, floors were twice as likely to have autism five years later, than those with wood or linoleum flooring. The researchers found four environmental factors associated with autism: vinyl flooring, the mother's smoking, family economic problems and condensation on windows, which indicates poor ventilation.

More Girls Born in the Tropics

A global survey of birth data shows that more girls are born in the tropics. Variations in temperature and day length that depend on latitude could explain the differences.

More Birth Defects with Spring Babies

Babies conceived in the spring and summer are more likely than others to be born with a range of birth defects. A possible reason: The levels of pesticides and other agrichemicals in surface water happen to peak at the same time. Another study found that women exposed to pesticides through gardening or proximity to agricultural crops have an increased risk of giving birth to offspring with neural-tube defects and limb anomalies.

Bedbugs Not Confined to Just Beds

Resistant to many pest control efforts, the hardy pest is spreading to hotels, homes, subways and movie theaters -  and five-star hotels are just as susceptible as little cheap ones. The hardy bugs can live up to a year without feeding, have developed resistance to some insecticides and are not attracted to bait traps because they only feed on blood.

Why Indoor Workers Get Melanoma

Although melanomas are blamed on the sun, it mainly occurs in indoor workers, or in places the sun never sees. But what is missed is that UV radiation comes in two forms - UVA and UVB and interestingly only UVA can penetrate windows and causes the most damage, while protective Vitamin D cannot be produced without UVB - a double whammy.

Fabricating Research Results

Scott S. Reuben, a prominent Massachusetts anesthesiologist, allegedly fabricated 21 medical studies that claimed to show benefits from painkillers like Vioxx and Celebrex. Aside from saying, "Dr. Reuben deeply regrets that this happened," the doctor's attorney had little in way of explanation except to say that a peer review committee "justly and fairly considered" a set of "extenuating circumstances."

Illegal Drug Trials

It was used as the basis for John Le Carre's blockbuster 'The Constant Gardener', but the real life story continues with Pfizer having to pay US$75million dollars in damages to African parents for the deaths and damage done to their children by their drug. The lies and fabrications of Pfizer over the years are becoming all too familiar in the pharmaceutical world - but in this case they were exposed, but not without a drawn out battle.

Why You Shouldn't Swallow Toothpaste

What an admission from a dentist and self-admitted aggressive water fluoridation supporter. He did some research beyond what he was taught - and did an about turn on his thinking. The warnings are all there, but the links are not made in most people's heads.

Cartoon

And in response to the buy up of toxic debts:

So what does a trillion dollars actually 'look' like? Click on this link - these pictures really help.

Miscellaneous

It is not economic prosperity but peace that guarantees press freedom. That is the main lesson to be drawn from the world press freedom index that Reporters Without Borders compiles every year. "The post-9/11 world is now clearly drawn," Reporters Without Borders said. "Destabilised and on the defensive, the leading democracies are gradually eroding the space for freedoms." Interestingly Australia is ranked above the United States but below both the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Many European countries are at the top.

And on a slightly different topic - ABC's Background Briefing with Stephen Crittenden analyses the link between the boom in MBA schools and the current financial meltdown - what an insight! I didn't realise that the idea that shareholders come first grew out from these schools and only got going in the 1970s. Talk about narcissism and dehumanising concepts - well worth a listen.

Events

For all April events

For all May events

* Embrace Your Space - Richmond NSW 11th April 2009.

* Backyard Sustainability workshop - Armidale NSW 2nd May 2009.

* BFA Organic Roadshow - Daylesford Vic 13th May 2009.

* BFA Organic Roadshow - Swan Hill Vic 14th May 2009.

* BFA Organic Roadshow - Adelaide SA 15th May 2009.

* Backyard Sustainability workshop - Armidale NSW 30th May 2009.

* Soil Food Web Interactions & Benefits to Plant Production - Lismore NSW 15th - 26th June 2009.

* Warm House Cool House workshop - Armidale NSW 27th June 2009.

* BFA Organic Roadshow -  Lismore NSW 26th August 2009.

* BFA Organic Roadshow - Dubbo NSW 28th August 2009.

* BFA Organic Roadshow - Canberra ACT 29th August 2009.

* Healthy Homes workshop - Armidale NSW 29th August 2009.

* BFA Organic Roadshow - Toowoomba Qld 17th September 2009.

* BFA Organic Roadshow - Cairns Qld 19th September 2009.

* Healthy Homes workshop - Armidale NSW 26th September 2009.

* Carbon Market Expo Australasia 2009 - Gold Coast Qld 26th - 28th October 2009.

* Ecosystems and Local Biodiversity workshop - Armidale NSW 31st October 2009.

* BFA  Organic Roadshow - Perth WA 14th November 2009.

*Ecosystems and Local Biodiversity worksho - Armidale NSW 28th November 2009.

Postscript

New Speed Limit Device

(cheaper than, and arguably just as effective as speed cameras)