86 News Leaf - Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Features9 Welcome Floods on theDarling Downs, QldRandolf OlsenRestoration and rehabilitation offlood plains pays off.11 Surviving Weather Extremeswith ResilienceShane JoyceGood land and animalmanagement plus Biodynamicsgives the land resilience.16 Faring the FloodsBloss HicksonSurviving an extraordinaryseason.19 Monto Vetiver Grassfor Soil and WaterConservationBruce CareyCatch the silt and weeds withVetiver.25 Field BroadcastingDiscussion – A ResponseHugh LovelTo Darius Outhred’s letter onLife and Death forces.36 Buffalo Flies in CattleCheryl KempFurther ways to deal withthis pest.2 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Regulars4 Welcome to Autumn6 Office News29 Preparations Report32 Seasonal Notes45 Book Review54 Preparations & Products ListDiminishing overland flow, Clifton QldPhotograph by Louise Skidmore38 Diatomaceous Earth –an Amorphous SilicaCheryl Kemp, Alan JohnstoneJohn Priestley discusses variousways to use Diatomaceous Earth.42 Moon and Solar Cyclesfor Harvesting HerbsHugh LovelBest times to harvest herbs foroptimal oil content.46 Know Your Farmer –Know Your FoodTablelands Farmers Co-opBDFNQ sells local produce tolocal community.Washed away fence line, Huntley, Glenidolboundary Photograph by Bloss HicksonNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia3

Welcome to AutumnFrom the EditorFollowing our very intense summer of flooding rains and cyclonesand extreme heat and fires in Western Australia I wonderedhow all have survived.The Viticulturists in South Australia and Victoria have probablyhad the worst time of it all – as they had rain and floods when it is normally hot anddry and found Downey Mildew and then Powdery Mildew spoiling their vines. Theyhave been very busy with weekly, sometimes daily spraying, as the hot and wet, thencold and wet exacerbated disease tendencies. Some held out till February, thinkingthey had made it, but no – finally it was too much to pull off. Much has been learntand I hope that we can all share and discuss and organise ourselves for the next season.Preparation and vigilance is obviously a major issue, but we did notice that thosewho have been practicing Biodynamics over 4 years or so, had a lot more resilienceon their land and had different outcomes.Three of our farmers from Queensland have written their stories of how they survivedwith the floods and wet, and they all felt that the application of biodynamicpreparations over the years, plus good grazing management certainly does makeour soils resilient. Biodynamic preparations regularly applied ORGANISE the atmosphereand the soil in the treated areas. Amazing to look at Randolf Olsen’s photosof all the silt that entered his land, but none left and there was little if no erosion.Now all he has to do is spread it out!Hugh Lovel has given us a short response to Darius Outhred’s letter about the Questionof Life and Death – next issue Hugh will write more about the forces involvedin Field Broadcasters and Radionics. Intriguing and of great interest to some of us.While searching for something in my emails, I found this lovely little piece of Hugh’s,where he answers a lady about the best time to harvest herbs – although 13 yearsold, it is still of interest and relevance now.John Priestley has been talking about the use of Diatomaceous Earth for some timenow, so I thought we had better get all this information together and hear John’sideas on how to use it. Alan and I also found out much information for other uses aswell – such as animal health, bees and viticulture.So enjoy your read, and thanks to our photographers for the wonderful photos ofthe effects of the ‘Big Floods’.Best wishes for the season ahead,Cheryl4 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia presentsNATIONAL BIODYNAMIC CONFERENCEVital Soils – Vital HealthApril 9-10, 2011 Greenmount Beach Resort, Coolangatta QldKeynote Speaker: Richard Thornton Smith – UK Author Cosmos, Earth and NutritionDAY 1 morning: Harnessing energy from our soils – a fundamental objective of Biodynamics“Incorporating the living quality in our soils – as receptors of cosmic forces, the real nature ofchemical elements and their uptake by plants and how the Biodynamic preparations relate tothese processes.”DAY 2 morning: A Biodynamic perspective on Nutrition – insight into diseases of our time“What constitutes quality food? Is failed nutrition at the heart of modern diseases? Evidence oforganic and biodynamic food quality. Steiners insights into nutrition.”DAY 1 afternoon: Farmers circles – where experienced Biodynamic Farmers can share with otherson their transitions to and biodynamic management – for grazing, cropping, dairy-ing, horticulture,home gardeners, schools, viticulture & market gardening.DAY 2 afternoon: Specific interest groups with speakers – Preparation making, Beginners,Land and Tree regeneration, Animal health, peppering and homeopathy, Biodynamic Calendar,Beekeeping, Subtle energies, Urban Gardeners, Soil testing and weeds and Fermented foodcookery.All welcome – a great chance to learn and discuss more of Biodynamics,Accommodation at Greenmount Beach Resort – www.greenmountresort.com or otherNearest airport Coolangatta.Qld.For further details go to: www.biodynamics.net.au or ring 02 6655 0566.BAA National Office. Email: bdoffice@biodynamics.net.auBookings close 1.4. 2011 Registration fee : $440 ( incl GST)See enclosed flyer for registration formNOTE: Biodynamic Agriculture Australia AGM – Friday 8th April 2pm at Conference venuewww.biodynamics.net.au ~ using our websiteWe are gradually upgrading the website and urge members to look at it frequently for newinformation. You can set a preference for www.biodynamics.net.au as your home page on startup,or bookmark / make it a favourite in your web browser.• For information about workshops being held all around Australia by all teachers and trainersin Biodynamics – see Events and Workshops.• If you would like to include your local group activities or training workshops – email yourinformation to; bdoffice@biodynamics.net.au• Biodynamic activities such as weather alerts or issues – see Seasonal Activities.• Biodynamic and technical information – see under Articles of Interest.• If you want to see the latest board minutes or constitution or financial reports – see AnnualReports.• We would like to organise a forum or discussion group/blog. Email us if you are interested –or send a question – to; bdoffice@biodynamics.net.auNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia5

Office NewsOur Chairman, Ray Unger is having a break this issue, (well – he is in the middle ofshearing!) so I thought I would fill you all in on what has been happening in the officeover this past few months.The BAA Board has been meeting monthly on phone conference calls and Louise(Secretary) has been following up with all the legal and Board business. You canfind notes from the recent Board meetings on our web site, once the minutes havebeen passed each month. The Board is planning a Face to Face Board meeting midMarch in Bellingen, and we shall be working on our new Strategic Plan. To preparefor the strategic plan we have recently sent the survey out to our membership andsome past members. We had a good response of over 440 – with quite a few interestedin rejoining now that they see BAA back on board and working with the membership.We will be discussing the outcome of the responses and the StrategicPlanning at the plenary session after the AGM in April at the National Conferencein Coolangatta. This Plenary session will be a time for all your questions and ideasfor the BAA. I do hope many of you can come – and join us to work for a relevantBiodynamic Association in Australia.Our Treasurer Ted Clarke has been working with us to develop new pricing for thepreparations and other products and membership. There has not been an increase forover ten years, and our prices need to be relevant to the costs of service and industry.Thank you Ted, for a very comprehensive and clear working out of the pricing system.Alan has also been working on better ways to service our members, including a systemof Pre-ordering Preps. Often members say that they forget to order in time andthen the optimal time to spray goes past and they have missed time to get out theirimportant biodynamic preparations. Now you can send in your spray program, orjust say in time for Moon opp Saturn each month, and the ordered preps will be ontheir way to you in time to go out!I am in the midst of planning workshops for the rest of this year. We did getFarmReady approval for our Basic Biodynamic course, at the end of last year, butthen FarmReady funding was all spent until the next lot comes in July, 2011. We willbe planning some earlier workshops and some Preparations Making workshops beforeJuly. See list enclosed and also on the website.Over 50 new members have joined the BAA since December, 2010 – welcome to youall, hopefully we shall meet up at the workshops around the country or that you6 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Welcome Floods on theDarling Downs, QueenslandBy Randolf Olsen, CliftonAbout 350 acres of our home farm is black soil floodplain with natural waterholesand springs. Average rainfall is 680mm, mostly during summer months. Overlandflows from three easterly directions meet on our farm and proceed westwards acrossthe property towards a permanent creek beyond our boundary. When we arrivedhere in 1986 the previous owner told us ‘you’ve got to get rid of the water’; he hadbuilt drains and diversion banks all over the farm to collect and accelerate overlandflows. Inevitably, fast water causes turbulence which erodes topsoil; there was plentyof evidence that was happening! It’s still happening in properties upstream of us.After a couple of years with reasonable rain and consequent runoff from higherground and 430mm over Easter in 1988 we began to understand how wrong thiswas. In the meantime, in 1988 we became members of BFA and by 1990 the propertywas certified A organic. Ten years later we joined BAA and engaged in Biodynamics.We embarked on a long-term programme to restore and rehabilitate our floodplain.We realised that any overland flow is a bonus and wanted to keep it on the propertyas long as possible. We abandoned small cropping paddocks; in fact we abandonedcropping, returning to pasture of indigenous bluegrass, paspalum and exoticstrawberry clover, fenced where possible according to direction of flow and to soiltype. Over the years, mostly drought years, we filled in the drains, flatteneddiversion banks, de-silted the natural waterholes when they dried up, spread andleveled the harvested silt and installed water-spreading ponds where fast turbulentwater enters the property. These water-spreaders take the momentum and energyout of incoming water and enable it to spread widely and slowly over the wholearea maximizing infiltration and preventing erosion. For us, an important functionof water-spreaders is minimising the spread of incoming weed seed; of course weedseed still crosses our boundary swept in with fast water, but now this seed drops inthe water-spreader with silt and can be slashed or hoed out if it survives togermination. We planted double rows of Monto Vetiver grass across spillways tostabilize them with their two metre root systems and to filter seed and silt from thespreading water.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia9

(Vetiver grass deserves an article of its own; see fact sheet in this News Leaf Page 19)The 412mm which fell in December 2010 on soils already saturated from over 100mmof November rainfall and a further 200mm in early January 2011 tested our systemwell and truly and it’s working! We lost some fences – twice. We gained tonnes ofstubble (free organic matter) but unlike many upstream neighbours, no erosionhappened, and our farm was top dressed with tonnes of good quality silt droppedby slowed incoming flows.The weight of debris pulled strainers & posts4ft out of the groundPaspalum re-establishes in the silt within two weeksSwathes of silt deposited after 1.5m of overland flowOver 40cm of deposited silt10 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Surviving Weather Extremeswith ResilienceBy Shane Joyce, Dukes Plains, QueenslandArea: 7900ha Soil type: black & brown clays, sandy loams Country type: brigalow& vine scrubs + eucalypt forest Height above sea level: 300 metres“I love a sunburnt country, of drought & flooding rains!”On our beef cattle producing property at Theodore in Central Queensland, I recentlyreflected on a long-term caretaker we are blessed to have come to us fromBurpengary. Marshall first came here in 2002 during the drought, soon to be helpingfight bushfires and repair the resulting damage to fences. Luckily he was here overChristmas & New Year to mind the property while Shan, my wife and myself wereaway having a family Christmas at Yandina and attending Woodford Folk Festival.Theodore hit the local, national, & international news with the Christmas/New Yearfloods! We were inundated with enquiries from ex Wwoofers, Grey Nomads andfriends! Fortunately we live high in the landscape & are spared the ravages of thefloods (though the lack of water has been a challenge in the dry years!).Now the real how did you fare at paddock level?Our first outbreak of cattle tick for Dukes Plains came in November (we are in acattle tick area and have not needed to treat for cattle tick for 28 years.) Our stocknow as I write are clean (tick free) without having been treated!! I was amazed thatwe got tick here as I thought with our paddock rotation that we were absolutely ontop of them. I guess once in 28 years is not too bad though!Sandflies from the Dawson River have been our major annoyance for stock as theriver has been in and out of flood since 1 September 2010.Buffalo fly have been present, however have not reached high levels due to thepredominance of easterly & sou’easterly winds. Our peak flies come on northerly winds.Anticipating a ‘flooding’ of the market with stock in the new year we pulled out allstops to get as many cattle into the market prior to Christmas. This was done withquite a few challenges as rains seemed to delight in happening around our truckingdates! We did however meet all our dates and sold 3/5 of our 2 year olds prior toChristmas and given what has unfolded since we can now afford to sit back andNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia11

A pic of one of 15+ landslips. We have not seen this type of event in my lifetime (60 yrs).These slips started high on the ranges (actually quite near the top). These slopes are coveredwith scrub (semi evergreen vine thicket) and are not grazed nor ever been cleared.Yes we have seen the occasional rock fall before, however not landslips like these.Cattle Creek which comes out of the ranges. Blue Gums (60 + year old) have been uprooted, the creekhas carved out in places a new channel. We thought that this creek system was relatively stable!How wrong we were! The banks were grassed right to the sandy bed.12 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Left: Stock doing well ongood grass growthBelow: Another pic of oneof our 15+ landslips(buffel grass) on wetter areas, provides theopportunity of more diversity. By resting theseareas it allows for development of seedlingsinto strong tussocks, whereas under grazingthese new plants are invariably ‘selectivelygrazed’ by stock, effectively weakening them.Areas which are not grazed for an extendedperiod (Sabbath paddocks) will later be usedfor stock with lower nutrition requirements(dry cows), while higher nutrition areas will bereserved for growing/fattening young stock.Photographs by Shan JoyceOur experiences are not so much confined tothis season, or entirely due to Biodynamics,however are a combination of our past 28 years of landscape management.Our goal back in 1982 was to have the soil on our farm in ‘best possible condition’.This has led us down a path of pasture management, timber retention, variable stocknumbers, a new grazing system with redesigned paddock and water layout, organicaccreditation and the use of Biodynamics.Over the years through all seasons the resilience of our landscape has been building& landscape performance has been progressively improving.Along the way (1993) we adopted a new goal ‘to have pastures in better conditionat the end of drought than it was at the start!’14 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Some seven years ago we adopted Biodynamics and started the organic certificationprocess.What have been the results along the way?• Better water infiltration• Increased grass growth.• Increased pasture diversity • Better nutrient status of soils.• Improved soil structure• Improved animal health.• An overall better landscape with adequate shelter from retained/regrown trees.• Increased fauna diversity & populations.• Decreased external inputs (reduced cost of production).Which brings us to the current situation of extreme wet. How has our landscaperesponded to the drenching? The key here is ‘resilience, resilience, resilience!’No matter what the management, the landscape, the enterprise, whether we areorganic, biodynamic, or conventional, unless we manage for resilience then we cannot hope to get the best out of any weather event. It has been the resilience of ourlandscape that has been outstanding through all seasons.Yes we have sustained some damage to old dams built in the 1960s, none of whichare now vital to our water infrastructure and most recently we have almost totallylost one of our three water systems due to flooding. This system waters ten of ourone hundred paddocks and nine of these paddocks can be watered simply byopening a ball valve to allow water from another system to reticulate to all but onetrough. So there is a need for resilience in stock water systems as well.Another observation (I am a reflective thinker)… There is some sandy eucalypt forestcountry which gets ‘spewy’ in extremely wet conditions and which we in the pasthave taken out of grazing till it dries somewhat. This year (January 2011) we hadadjoining forest country and scrub clay soils (four paddocks) with a common watersystem. We put our breeding cows and calves in these paddocks on January 6thleaving all gates open so that the stock could choose. I was amazed when one weekafter they were put in, they chose to use the sandy forest paddocks… yes they leftthe clay soils which they had grazed first (and which still carried an abundance offeed) and grazed the forest soils. The firmness of the soils and lack of ‘spewyness’surprised me. That these soils were able to have large animals on them without theanimals ‘falling through’ I can attribute to soil structure and the vigorous and largeroot systems of the grass on these paddocks. Approximately 20% of our grazed areais on these soils so being able to utilise them at this time is exciting.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia15

Left: Mudslides on the hills behindHuntleyCentre: Scalded patches before treatmentin 2007Bottom: Scalded patches after treatmentand floods in 2011Photos by Bloss Hickson16 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Faring the FloodsBy Bloss Hickson, ‘Huntley’, RollestonCentral Tablelands, QueenslandLiving at the top of the catchment has always been relatively safe and uneventfulfor me during big rainfall events; in fact they are a welcome change when the waterhas time to soak in thoroughly before running down through the Fitzroy catchment.Huntly is situated in a valley in the Carnarvon Ranges, a part of the Central Highlandsof Queensland. It is a beautiful valley surrounded by sandstone escarpmentsand rich in soil nutrient with plentiful grass producing quality fat cattle.The country is a part of the Brigalow Belt, which has been developed for 50 yearsafter the tenured areas where split up into ten thousand acre blocks and balloted.Leguminous brigalow trees were felled and burnt and imported grasses flourished.It was considered ‘Gods Country’. The brigalow trees fought back vigorously, butfarmer’s machinery got bigger and better and now remnant brigalow scrub is ascarce sighting.Over the past 50 years fragile patches have developed along the eastern slopes ofthe valley. Scalded areas have grown larger and the soil has become as hard as concrete,stopping any water penetration and gradually killing all the trees and grasscover. Many people have come up with reasons: one, that it is a form of sodicity, animbalance of the calcium and magnesium. I have had soil tests done that do notshow any deficiencies or imbalances.Cheryl has suggested that it is potassium poisoning. After the hot fires race up theranges they leave a load of potash which filters down through the sub soil structure.On Hugh’s recommendation we installed a radionics tower and an atmosphericharmoniser.I started working on the scalded area on many levels about 5 years ago. When I tookto using biodynamic preps, I sprayed it regularly. When I stick raked other areas ofthe property, I took the entangled shrubbery and placed it across the gullies to reducethe water flow and build up some sediment. At the end of 2009 we ripped along thecontours, planted seca stylo and built small banks to hold the water. We sprayed asregularly as possible with a potentised brew of 500, CPP, seaweed tea, worm juice,anything and everything we could find.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia17

After a dry decade the rains began in early 2010, starting off gently, allowing vegetationto grow. The rains persisted all year, tripling our annual rainfall. First a woodyplant known as daytura, grew in the rips and I was a bit disappointed, thinking itwould come and go. The seca and win cassia were patchy. However mustering thepaddock last week I was amazed to see how much the scalded areas had grassedup. There were places I saw and wondered why I had even ripped it, I could see nobare patches at all.On Boxing Day evening we had 10 inches of rain overnight. On top of 60 inches forthe year, it was all surplus. Clematis Creek broke its banks and the overflowed, flatteningour boundary fence for about 4 kilometres and burying half of it in silt anddebris. The water ran 3 to 4 kilometres wide and a metre deep over the northern cornerof the property. The satellite imagery was taken on the 31st of December, just 4days after the rain event and shows clearly the course taken by the creek.In the early hours of the 27th of December the roars of landslides filled the valley asthousands of rocks tumbled off the escarpment leaving bare tracks in their wake.Only occasionally has anyone seen a slide but on this day there were literally hundreds,all in fairly close succession. It is quite a sight to see.So living on top of the catchment was far from uneventful this summer. Theextreme weather has changed our landscape completely. The scalded patcheswhich usually show up like neon lights on satellite imagery are completely grassy.The mountains are scarred and Clematis Creek has changed its course. Whowould have thought it could be so dramatic.The cattle survived and thrived, the waters and landscape were replenished, thewild life has exploded, especially the frogs, and even though our road to town is stillcut four months later, I feel lucky to have experienced and witnessed such an extraordinaryseason.In Remembrance of Eddie GreshamKybong, GympieEddie passed away late February 2011. He was one of our first Biodynamic dairyfarmers and has been a member of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia for overfourteen years. He very quietly cared for his land and animals and did his job well.18 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Monto Vetiver Grass forSoil and Water ConservationBy Bruce Carey, Dept Natural Resources and Water, QueenslandEd: Protecting our soils from erosion, plants acting as weed seed traps and slowing silt movementare all issues that have come up with the extreme wet weather that we have been experiencingover the past few months. I have often discussed this issue with Louise and Randolf,as they planted their Vetiver grass on their dam banks and water spreaders. To see how effectivethis was in erosion protection during the latest flooding was exciting – especially whenyou see how much silt came in from their neighbours’ properties. It can also be a great cattlefeed or mulch for compost as it can be cut back each year. There is lots of information in thisfact sheet and you can find more when checking on the Internet.Vetiver grass, or khus khus (Vetiveriazizanioides L.), is native to South andSouth-East Asia, where it has been usedfor centuries to mark boundary lines. Itsroots and tops have also been harvested.The fragrant, insect-repelling roots yieldan oil which is valuable in the perfumeindustry.Traditionally, these roots were woveninto mats, fans and fragrant screens,while the tops of the grass were used forhandicraft, thatch, mulch, fodder and animalbedding. Vetiver is still cultivatedfor these purposes today in South andSouth-East Asia, Africa, the Pacific, theAmericas and the Caribbean.In the last 50 years, attention has been focussedon vetiver’s unique soil conservationproperties. When planted in singlelines along the contour, hedges of vetivergrass are found to be very effective in soiland moisture conservation. The stiffstems of the thick hedge slow the movementof runoff water and spread it out,trapping silt behind the hedge, (see Figure1). This allows more water to be absorbedinto the soil, thus reducing runoffand erosion.Vetiver is non-invasive, has no runnersnor rhizomes, and only spreads by tillering.Vetiver is being widely used for steepslope stabilisation and rehabilitation ofdegraded and disturbed lands in manyplaces including the Caribbean, Fiji, India,Africa, Malaysia and Thailand. Other relatedgrasses, namely lemon grass and citronellagrass, have also been used thoughless successfully as vegetative erosionhedges. The success of vetiver is due to itsspecial characteristics as described below.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia19

Vetiver is adaptable to a wide range ofsoil and climatic conditions. It can be establishedon very acid, sodic, alkaline, orsaline soils. Vetiver also tolerates veryhigh levels of aluminium, manganese,and a range of heavy metals in the soil.Vetiver can be grown in areas with an annualrainfall greater than 450 to 500mm.Due to its extensive and deep root system,it is very tolerant to drought. Establishedplants can stand extreme heat (50°C), and frost (−10 °C), although plantsare susceptible to frost during the establishmentphase.Vetiver can withstand burning, slashing,and moderate tractor traffic. It is quite resistantto fire when green, and resists infestationfrom most pests, diseases, andnematodes. Vetiver is very sensitive toshade as this severely retards growth, especiallyin young plants.Growing conditionsQueensland applicationsExtensive research and field trials on theadaptability and application of the Montostrain of vetiver grass have been conductedthroughout Queensland since1989.Under Queensland conditions, Montovetiver has been successfully used for:• gully stabilisation• waterway and drainage channelstabilisation• steep batter stabilisation• improving water quality by filtrationof sediment from runoff water thatmay be carrying nutrients andchemicals• reduction of flood damage in stripcropping layouts• rehabilitation of contaminated sitessuch as old rubbish dumps• rehabilitation of old quarries, anddegraded and disturbed lands• spreading and diverting of runoffwater• rehabilitation and control of erosionon acid sulfate soils• rehabilitation of mine spoils andtailings• disposal of effluent and waste waterfrom domestic and industrial sources.20 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Palatability to grazing animalsVetiver is palatable to stock, especiallyhorses. It is most palatable when growingactively and prior to flowering. Matureplants are less palatable but will beeaten by stock in drought conditions.When planting new areas of vetivergrass, stock should be removed until theplants are well established.Weed potentialTo reduce its weed potential, a sterilecultivar was selected from a number ofvetiver cultivars available in Australia.Registered as Monto vetiver, its releasehas been approved by the EnvironmentProtection Agency.Although Monto vetiver flowers undercertain conditions, it sets no viable seedand its sterility was rigorously testedunder climatic conditions ranging fromthe wet tropics of north Queensland tothe temperate region of Victoria. Othervarieties available in Australia do set viableseed and therefore should not beused. Currently there are a number ofsuppliers of vetiver grass. Buyers shouldensure that they are purchasing theMonto variety.Vetiver grass has been an introducedspecies in many tropical countries forover 100 years. It has been grown ingood and poor soils, on dry andswampy lands, and has never become aweed. In Fiji, where vetiver hedges havebeen used extensively for 50 years, farmersand agriculturists know of no incidencewhere it has spread of its ownaccord. Once established, vetiver plantsstay where they are planted.Though plants and hedges are long-lasting,with some plants known to be 60years old, they can be removed with littleeffort. It is sufficient to simply removethe crown with a shovel or plough bladeor treat it with glyphosate herbicide, towhich vetiver is very sensitive.PropagationAlthough vetiver can be planted as bareroot slips by splitting up older plants, abetter establishment rate is obtained byraising young plants first.• Break up young pre-flowering vetiverplants into planting slips of two tothree tillers (for best results the tillersshould be well rooted and contain atleast one stem).• Cut back the tops of the vetiver slips to200mm length, and the roots to 50mm(see Figure 2).News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia21

• Plant each slip in a small tube or pot ofapproximately 50−60mm diameterand 100mm depth. The pottingmedium should be a well-drainedsandy loam, free of weed.• Water the pots daily and allow them togrow for a period of approximately 3weeks in summer and 5 weeks in winter,prior to planting.• Vetiver is ready for planting when atleast two new shoots appear (Figure 3).• Plant in a full sun position if possible.Another propagation method is to establishthe slips first in a sand bed of approximately150-200mm depth. Whenready for planting, vetiver plants are removedfrom the sand bed exposing theirnewly established roots.The advantage of this method is that thevetiver slips can be established in the sandpit faster, and at a higher density than potting,and there is less weight to transportto the planting sites. A disadvantage ofthis method is that the exposed rootsshould be planted into wet soil and keptmoist during the first few days.Planting material can also be obtainedby splitting up older plants. Bare rootplanting costs less than other methods ofpropagation, but is restricted to the followingconditions:• slips are best planted within 24−48hours of being dug up (alternativelythe roots can be immersed in water fora week until roots start to shoot)• a slightly larger slip size (at least threetillers) should be used• slips should be planted in wet soil or irrigatedwell immediately after planting.If older plants are dug up from a clay soilwhere the soil is still attached to theroots, they can be kept in a moist environmentby sprinkling every few days.The plants will start to shoot after a fewweeks and can then be cut up into slipswith a small axe. Each slip should haveat least three green shoots. The stem materialcan be pruned as previously discussed(but not the roots). The slipsshould be kept moist until they havebeen planted.Ground preparationWeeds compete with the vetiverseedlings for moisture and nutrients andcan shade the seedlings out. To eliminateweed competition, plant closely andweed until the plant shades the area.PlantingTIMING• In southern Queensland avoid plantingfrom April to September when the22 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

isk of frost is high (well establishedplants can survive severe frost)• For central and northern Queensland,plant throughout the year providedwatering is carried out during the establishmentphase.PLANTING TIPS• Use a level to ensure accurate plantingon the contour (see Figure 4)• Plant into wet soil or irrigate well immediatelyafter planting• Plant into a furrow dug with a maddockor small tyned implement. Alternatively,push a spade into thepreviously cultivated soil and thenpush it forward to create a wedgeshapedhole in which to insert the slip.• Plant well-rooted slips or bare rootplants 150 to 200mm apart to ensure aclose hedge within 12 months of planting• Cover the roots with 20−30mm of soiland compact the soil firmly• A mulch around vetiver plants will assistestablishment• After planting, if there is no rain, watertwice weekly for at least 3−4 weeks.• Control weeds around the hedge untilthe plants are established• Restrict stock assess until plants arewell established.Be generous in caring for the plants duringthe establishment phase. After approximately18 months to two years, astrong permanent hedge will haveformed. A line of vetiver plants cannotfunction as an erosion control barrieruntil the individual plants have growntogether and closed up into a hedge.Trimming the young plants stimulatesearly tillering and the hedge will closeup faster. The mature hedge requires nofurther fertilising or watering.MaintenanceA vetiver hedge should be considered aliving barrier which requires some maintenance,but once fully established onlyminimal maintenance is needed.Due to vetiver’s sensitivity to shading,control of broad leaf weeds is requiredduring the first year, and climbingweeds during subsequent years.To promote spreading, the hedge shouldbe topped to a height of 500mm everyyear at the end of winter. Under goodgrowing conditions, hedges may need tobe trimmed every 3−4 years (by deepripping the upper edge of the vetiverNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia23

contour), to keep their width between0.3 and 0.5 metres. If this is done, thehedge will not take up too much land,farm machinery can be driven across itand it will not harbour vermin.Young plants are palatable to sheep, cattle,and particularly horses, therefore thehedge should be protected from these animalsfor at least the first two summers.Important points to remember• Use a level to ensure accurate plantingon the contour• Only plant well-rooted plants• Avoid planting during hot, dry periods• Plant into wet soil or irrigate well afterplanting• Fertiliser is recommended for plantsgrown in poor soils• Apply mulch to planted areas wherepractical• After planting, if there is no rain, watertwice weekly for at least 3−4 weeks.• Control weeds around the hedge untilestablished.Further informationOther fact sheets about the control of soilerosion are available on the Departmentof Natural Resources and Water web siteat .Monto Vetiver root divisions are availableonline fromhttp://greenharvest.com.au/Reference:http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/factsheets/pdf/land/l34.pdf© The State of Queensland (Department ofNatural Resources and Water) 2006Fact sheets are available from NRW servicecentres and the NRW Information Centrephone (07 3237 1435). Check our web site to ensure you havethe latest version of this fact sheet. Whileevery care is taken to ensure the accuracy ofthis information, the Department of NaturalResources and Water does not invite relianceupon it, nor accept responsibility for any lossor damage caused by actions based on it.24 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Field Broadcasting DiscussionA ResponseBy Hugh LovelMany thanks to Darius Outhred for his article opening what has been a long overduediscussion about field broadcasting. At many points I agree with him, not only aboutthe key point of the discussion—life and death—but also about many of the details.However, there is a point where I feel the discussion wanders into misunderstanding,and I hope I can help us all obtain more clarity.The point is well made that death and life are as different as night and day. Withdeath things run down, come to a halt, seize up, fall apart and disintegrate. With lifethey run up, gain potential, build energy, grow more complex and become increasinglycoherent. On the one hand we have entropy, and on the other syntropy.I believe Darius and I both agree that nearly everyone is conditioned to accept thatall things run down, while in scientific circles there is little acknowledgement thatliving forces defy this trend and flow from dispersion to concentration.Anyone who does not believe syntropy occurs should watch thunderstorms coalesceout of what earlier in the day may well have been a blue sky rich in dispersed moisture.At some point rising spirals of warm, moist air coalesce when they reach aboundary with a cooler upper layer of air and turn into puffs of clouds that grow,gathering more and more moisture into themselves until their warmth gives rise tolightning, lightning to thunder and water vapour to rain.Of course, unlike clouds, plants, animals and microbes have their life processes quitefirmly embodied within their physical boundaries, as they are anchored in frameworksof carbon and surrounded with siliceous skin or cell wall.Presumably we need to distinguish between living forces that are relatively free orunfettered, as with clouds; and living forces that are bound or incorporated.Steiner starts his Agriculture Course pointing out that plants are embedded in theirenvironment and are completely dependent on the forces at play around them. Theytake in sunshine, carbon dioxide, water and nutrients and they yield habitat for symbiotes,oxygen, various acids and alkaloids, and sugary root exudates. The plant ispassive, though it attracts a variety of animal partnerships that provide digestionNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia25

and nourishment to the plant from outside itself. Plants embody living forces calledether, which link all substances in the universe.Animals, however, are aware and mobile. They move about and select things theywish to eat, surrounding and taking these things into their body’s core and digestingthem. They are quite aware of their surroundings, but are being their inner naturewithout seeing what this is. Thus a cow is being a cow without trying to be anythingelse. Animals embody living astral forces, which contact and enfold the universe beyondthe animal in an envelope of awareness.Human beings add an extra dimension of being aware of their own awareness,which allows them an understanding of who and what they are by comparison towhat they might wish to become.I would say we have free living forces, such as those at work with clouds, as well asbound living forces at the etheric (plant), the astral (animals) and at the human(egoic) levels. I think Darius and I agree up to this point. We differ, I believe, on theissue of whether field broadcasters and radionic instruments work with living forcesor not. I reckon Darius believes they cannot, while I believe they can, and when usedwith the biodynamic preparations I believe they do. I would like to write an articlethat presents my belief regarding field broadcasters and radionic instruments, andI would like to hear Darius’s views concerning his assurance that these instrumentscannot work with life.I would also like to lay to rest two side issues.First, in my experience, farmers using field broadcasters are not trying to hide thisfrom the public or from certifiers. If there was a biodynamic certification classificationfor farms using radionics and field broadcasters, I believe farmers would behappy to have this distinction certified and labelled. I’d like to see this exploredmore fully.Second, I have the impression that some look down on field broadcasting as easyand likely to promote less rather than more application of the biodynamic preparations.The opposite is true in my experience. Because field broadcasting is easy farmersembrace it more readily and use the preparations more rather than less, thusgaining more experience with using them in a wider variety of ways and learning alot more about how they work and what they do. And not only do individual farmersuse more preps in more ways, but they spin yarns about using preps with a wideraudience and thus getting more farmers on board with using BD preparations.26 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

NEWS LEAFMEMBERSHIP ~ SUBSCRIPTIONBiodynamic Agriculture Australia is a not-for-profit, membership organisation supportingAustralian farmers and gardeners to regenerate the land and produce qualityfood and fibre.Support our work by becoming a member of ourorganisation or subscribing to News Leaf.News Leaf is the quarterly journal ofBiodynamic Agriculture Australia and isavailable only by subscription. It is printedto coincide with the seasons of Autumn,Winter, Spring and Summer and covers a diverserange of topics for the commercialfarmer, small holder and home gardener.A mix of practical advice, farm and garden profiles,reports on both local and international biodynamic activities, nutrition and researchas well as book reviews, information on the use of the planting calendar andreports on the making and use of the biodynamic preparations all help keep our readersinformed and connected.Membership of our organisation is open to any group, farmer, gardener or any otherindividual wishing to support Biodynamic Agriculture, and is divided into threecategories:Farm membership $130 p/a*for farm and commercial enterprises(over 5ha)Garden membership $65 p/a*for smallholders and home gardenersIncludes:• News Leaf subscription• Access to biodynamic preparations• Advice, education and support• Opportunity for diverse individuals tomeet and share common interests• Voting rights at AGMsNews Leaf subscription only $44 p/a• Non Voting* Farm and Garden membership subscriptions incur an additionalone-off $15.00 administration fee.For Membership and News Leaf subscription form (including gift subscription)www.biodynamics.net.au Ph: 02 6655 0566News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia27

Application for Subscription – MembershipMembership Type: Farm ($130 + $15) News Leaf Subscription ($44)Garden ($65 + $15) Gift News Leaf subscription ($44)Personal Details:Name: ...................................................................................................................Address: ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Home Ph: ........................................... Email: .............................................................Business Details:ABN:............................................Trading Name: .............................................................................................................Farm Address: .............................................................................................................Work Phone: .............................................................................................................Farm size: ................ Ha Certified Area:................. Ha Productive Area: .............. HaCertifying Body Number: ...............................................................................................Produce: .......................................................................... Grade: ..............................Processing: ...................................................................... Grade: ..............................Yes, I am a WWOOFer HostYes, I use casual labourYour expertise/ profession/ interest/ skill/ business is: ..........................................................................................................................................................................................I am also a member of this local/regional Biodynamic/Organic grower’s group:....................................................................................................................................Recipient of Gift Subscription:Name: ...................................................................................................................Address: ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Home Ph: ........................................... Email: .............................................................Payment Details:* I enclose my CHEQUE / MONEY order for $...................OR charge my: VISA BANKCARD MASTERCARDExpiry Date: ___ / ___Cardholder’s name: .................................................. Signature: ...................................POST TO: Biodynamic Agriculture Australia, PO Box 54 Bellingen NSW 2454 Ph 02 6655 056628 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

PREPARATIONS REPORT by Alan JohnstoneWeatherSo far this year the weather has been very variable and extreme which is very challengingfor farming and gardening. Our best wishes go out to those of our memberswhose lives and farms have been severely affected by January’s weather extremes.Keep your spirits up and we wish you a speedy recovery. In Bellingen we have hadhigher than average rainfall a heatwave and then a cool change with daytime temperaturesdropping over 10º C. Leafy greens are having trouble except for those hardyAsian greens such as Ceylonese Spinach; water spinach; sweet potato greens and ediblehibiscus. Green beans are struggling where the more tropical snake beans andsword beans are thriving. If we can’t grow lettuce we need to substitute more hardyAsian greens or sprouts which can be grown in a more controlled environment.Human adaptability seems like the key to this chaotic 21st century weather.The biodynamic preparations in which ever way you choose to apply them are helpfulin quickly bringing balance back into the soils and the atmosphere. All our qualitypreparations and products are in good supply and awaiting your orders!Note: We now have for sale dried Equisetum arvense which has been wild harvested in NewZealand at $15/100gms.Autumn Preparation MakingWe will be burying horns on Tuesday March 29th, Wednesday March 30th and ThursdayMarch 31st at the BAA office and on Saturday 2nd April at Cheryl Kemp’s propertyin North Dorrigo.Wednesday 30th from 9.30am at the BAA Office, Nobles Lane, Bellingen.We will be burying the Yarrow (502), Chamomile (503), Nettle (504) and Dandelion (506)Compost Preparations at the office on Wednesday March 30th with the help of localmembers and the Coffs Harbour TAFE Organic Farming students. We will be diggingup Nettle Preparation (504) and Summer Horn Clay, Horn Basalt and Horn Silica (501).All members and interested friends are welcome to attend. Please contact the office ifyou are attending for catering purposes as lunch will be provided. Please wear appropriatework clothes. Note: the Preparation Making day will be postponed until Wednesday6th if a big weather event occurs.Saturday 2nd April, 9.30am at Cheryl’s place, North Dorrigo Horn burial for 500. Bringlunch to share – refreshments provided. Ring office to let us know if you are coming.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia29

Buffalo Flies in CattleCompiled by Cheryl KempFlies can bother livestock to the point thatthey become stressed and growth or overallhealth is affected.Fly control probably follows the 20/80 rule(20 percent of the effort produces 80 percentof the results). It will not be economically feasibleto declare total war on flies, but somefairly simple practices can greatly reducetheir numbers.• Feed a balanced diet.• Provide a free choice mineral and trace element supplement to pasture. Dried seakelp is an excellent source of these. Face flies are particularly attracted to animalsthat are deficient in cobalt and zinc because both of these deficiencies cause excessivetears to run down their cheeks and leave a sticky mess to which flies go.• Treat for worms and other parasites as required.• Move cattle frequently so they are not forced to lie in their own manure (dirty animalsattract flies and parasites) or made to graze where their own manure isbreeding more flies.• Train livestock to not gather under trees to avoid manure concentrations.• If possible, move into paddocks successively upwind, into the prevailing wind.i.e. a wind that blows predominantly from a single general direction. The tradewinds of the tropics, which blow from the east throughout the year, are prevailingwinds. This will mean the animals are normally upwind from where fliesmay be breeding in manure left in recently vacated paddocks.• If manure piles are required, sprinkle them periodically with diatomaceous earth.• Earthworms and dung beetles should be encouraged to consume or bury manureas quickly as possible.• If a centralized watering point is provided, consider building a fly trap to catchflies each time the animals move through it. ‘Walkthrough Trap to Control BuffaloFlies on Cattle.’ This type trap has been found to work for most kinds of flies.http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/27_15553.htm36 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

• If you use insect repellents on yourself, why not on your livestock? Use repellentsor pesticides as required, including insecticide ear tags. However, these should beused to supplement good pasture management, not instead of it.• Some animals just seem more susceptible to attracting flies than others. Cull out.Joel Salatin, a livestock producer in Swoope, VA, reports excellent results for cattleusing the following free choice mixture: Two parts salt (for help in regulating heat),two parts dried kelp (for minerals and trace elements) and one part diatomaceousearth (to help control internal parasites). The diatomaceous earth will pass throughthe animals, also helping to regulate fly larvae, independent, immature insects thatundergo a profound change, or metamorphosis, to assume the typical adult form.Larvae occur in almost all of the animal phyla; because most are tiny or microscopic,they are rarely seen.Healthy animals have far fewer problems with flies!Mr. Salatin also uses a unique approach to reduce fly larvae which escape his diatomaceousearth treatment. He built a mobile chicken coop on a trailer frame. Thebottom of the coop is wire mesh, so droppings fall through on the ground. Nest boxesare built onto the side with a lift-up top offering access from the outside. He movesthis mobile coop through his paddocks four days behind his cattle. The four day lagis timed to optimize the hens eating emerging fly maggots in the cattle’s manure.The amount of insects the hens are able to glean from the manure and pasture hascut the feed consumption of the hens by 60 percent with no decrease in egg production.The hens are given whole shelled corn free-choice and have access to some meatscraps for supplemental protein. Water is also provided. He has had no problemswith predators (the hens are locked in the coop at night) and theorizes the predatorslike to stake out the coop for several nights before bothering it and his frequentmoves keep them off guard.Ed: Peppering for Buffalo FliesWe have tried many ways – potentised, in water, different times and don’t seem toget a great result. So my latest idea is to collect the Buffalo Flies – about 1 cupful,(use a car vacuum cleaner over the cattle) and squash in a mortar and pestle. Placesquashed Buffalo Flies in one litre of water in a jar, lightly covered in the sun on thewindowsill for a few days. Shake a few times daily. Should ferment. Strain off theliquid, add to 100-1000 litres with some Horn Silica 501, stirred one hour in waterin flowform. Spray this to the boundaries or smaller boundaries within a large onewhere the cattle are and where they will be moving in the next week or two. Youcould fly out for very large areas. Could also be added to their water troughs. Usethe Diatomaceous Earth salt mix as per Joel Salatin above. Let me know of yourresults please!News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia37

Diatomaceous Earth – an Amorphous SilicaCompiled by Cheryl Kemp and Alan JohnstoneDiatomaceous Earth (DE) consists of the fossilisedremains of millions of microscopic singlecelled plants called diatoms which were depositedmillions of years ago on the beds ofoceans and lakes. A rich deposit of DE is beingmined at Mount Sylvia in Queensland. Its usesin agriculture are many. It is a useful additionto compost heaps and the soil because it is aonce living form of silica and has high paramagnetism.It stimulates healthy growth ofplant root systems. It conditions the soil bymaking silica available to plants and helpingthe soil to retain water.It is used as an insecticide against hive beetle inbee hives, red mite and lice in chicken sheds, ingrain storage and as an essential ingredient ofbiodynamic tree paste. We have suggested mistspraying it at the rate of 840gm per hectare in 35Electron microscopic view of diatomsmaking up diatomaceous earthlitres of water against cherry slug, aphis and other insect infestations of vegetables,orchards and vineyards. We are awaiting feedback as to its efficacy in these situations.The insecticidal properties of DE stem from the fact that the hard silica skeletons areextremely sharp and abrasive, wearing away the exoskeletons of insects and dryingthem out as well as interfering with their breathing. Because of these properties it isalso being experimented with for worm control in all livestock. It becomes especiallypalatable when mixed with other stock feeds or with liquid molasses.Refer to the website www.mtsylviadiatomite.com.au for further uses.DE fines (30 micron) or Absorbacide (10 micron) from Mount Sylvia is now available forsale from the BAA Office if you want smaller quantities than pallet loads.John Priestley has used DE or Diatomite as a foliar spray and soil spray. It seems tomake the silica available to the soil and plant and when used with the Horn Silica501, the plant is able to absorb the silica well.38 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Make up the fine DE for spraying out at 1 litre in vol : 100 litres water. It is able togive the plant Si immediately. The fine application will leave a fine white residue onthe leaves and fruit. If it is coarser diatomaceous earth and blocks the spray nozzle,then leach the DE 1 part to 20 parts water or 10 kg DE to 200 litres water, leave for afew days and stir frequently. Take water off the top to spray to land or plants. Feedthe residue to animals or add to compost heap.For Gardens It will deter grasshoppers in the vegetable garden and stay as a residualmineral in the soils.For Fruit Trees Over winter it builds up a reservoir of available carbon in winter tospring and helps kick start with this storage of carbon availability. Takes carbon fromatmosphere (via photosynthesis) and stores it in the soil over winter. Leads to betterfruit set and fruit holding.For Viticulturists Use with 501 as an anti fungal spray into canopy during humidand wet conditions.Post harvest spray: Spray at end of harvest, before leaf drop to increase photosynthesisto store carbon over winter, ready for a good start next season.For Floriculturists Increases colour, strengthens stems (no need for wiring) strengthensagainst fungal diseases.For lucerne growers DE and 501 sprayed out at two – four leaf stage will give solidstems and strengthen against fungal disease and insect attack.Seed coating Mix up liquid Biodynamic Soil Activator with some seaweed tea withDE or Absorbacide, Dolomite (in equal quantities) to make a tacky wet mix and coatseeds in it and allow to dry. Add a calcium based nutrient with frequency.Also protects against insect attack or damping down in the soil.Storing grains Diatomite is finding increasing use as an insecticide. The DiatomiteFines Grades product is used in commercial sprays against a variety of broad acrepests. The product Absorbacide has been registered with the APVMA as an AbsorbentDust Insecticide for the control of various stored product insect pests in farm-storedfeed and seed grain, and grain for human consumption. This product is active againsta number of insect pests for which we are currently seeking APVMA registration. Seewebsite for more information. www.mtsylviadiatomite.com.auFor Animal CareHorses Hair splitting in horses – ½ teaspoon DE moistened in water add to their feedeach day. In one case John helped with, in 3 weeks all the old hair had dropped outNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia39

and new hair quickly grew with no splits, all shiny and healthy. Also their hoovesimproved – no splits and were much stronger. (Good for our (human) finger nailsand hair too! Maybe a little less sprinkled on porridge or muesli.)Poultry DE acts as a wormicide as well as external parasitic. Put some in the dustbowl so they can cover themselves. Controls lice and red mites. Add ½ teaspoon to2 tablespoonful to the chooks drinking water after washing container out well. Keepswater clean.Sheep Also try using as a rub to the skin after fly strike. As DE absorbs moisture andoils rapidly it may also help in those animals that have hollows in their neck or backthat hold water and smell and attract flies. Maybe it could be puffed on as the animalsare checked for flystrike and at crutching.Cattle Can be used as a drench same as for sheep. 1 salt : 1 DE. Can be added to therubbing roll with oil against Buffalo Fly. Also try spraying the paddocks boundarieswith DE (soaked if not using Absorbacide which is finer at 10 microns) and Horn Silica501. Repeat when moving to new paddocks.Bees: ABSORBACIDE HELPS KILL SMALL HIVE BEETLEA recent article produced by the NSW Dept of Primary Industry describes the use of a trap atthe base of bee hives which helps to control the Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida). Similartraps are available commercially. When the beetle falls into the trap, it is killed by the presenceof diatomaceous earth in the trap. Mount Sylvia Diatomite is the only manufacturer ofinsecticide grade diatomite in Australia and is available at a reasonable price compared withimported alternatives.Google a link to NSW, DPI article by John Rhodes or for a link to the Mount SylviaDiatomite advertisement in The Australian Beekeeper www.mtsylviadiatomite.com.au/news/Sheep: DIATOMITE TO TREAT PARASITIC WORMS IN SHEEPCharlie McCowen runs sheep at Bolivia in Northern NSW. He has been experimenting withdiatomite in various forms since 2006. In the winter of 2008 Charlie started to feed his flock oftest sheep a mixture of Diatomite (DE) and salt. Results have been quite dramatic with asignificant reduction in the requirement for drenching. You can take a look at Charlie’s sheepand his website which describes his trial at http://www.efficiency1st.org/diatomite.phpMount Sylvia has done some egg counts and cultures on Charlie’s test sheep. You can find thedata (in site above). You can see that the average egg count is around 220. Given that a countrate for Barber’s Pole worm of 300-500 is considered moderate this data is very encouraging.We recognise that any data without appropriate controls is equivocal. Accordingly MountSylvia Diatomite will be involved in ongoing trials.This advertorial appeared in the summer edition ofThe Australian Organic Journal No.68 of 2006.40 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Diatomaceous Earth seams, Mount Sylvia near Toowoomba, South East Queensland.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia41

Moon and Solar Cycles forHarvesting HerbsBy Hugh LovelFrom BDNow: Email siteQuestion from a lady in the UK who wanted to know what phase the Moon should be in whenshe should harvest the Melissa (lemon balm) so its essential oil would be at its peak.Actually not only do lunar cycles influence herb harvest, but solar cycles do as well.That means the Moon’s phases and signs, and also the time of year and time of dayare important. And since in gathering herbs you are interested in the life forces theycontain you are looking for their etheric properties, namely their warmth, light, toneand life, which are the etheric characteristics of fire, air, water and earth.Here are some general guidelines:There are, of course, the lunar cycles that you ask about. When the Moon is full itleads things out, and when it is new it draws them in. Thus below ground crops aregenerally planted, where feasible, toward new Moon and above ground crops towardfull Moon. If harvesting crops (herbs, fence posts, etc) to cure out or dry this isgenerally a good third or fourth quarter activity, while harvesting to extract or tinctureis generally a good first or second quarter activity. Tincture and extract makersusually like to start their tinctures and extracts on new Moon and carry them all theway to full Moon, while cutting flowers and herbs to dry is best done from full Moonto finish at new Moon. And there is also the constellations the Moon falls in to consider,and whether you desire fire (warmth ether, fruit), earth (life ether, root), air(light ether, flower) or water (tone ether, leaf) characteristics. For medicinal use flowersand fruits tend to get rid of conditions, while leaves and roots bring in conditions.Thus chamomile flower tea is used to get rid of indigestion whilst nettle leaf tea istaken to strengthen the blood.Plants build up vitality (esp. tone and life ether) in the roots over the winter and giveoff vitality (as warmth and light ether) in the tops over summer. During their vegetativephase, which generally is strongest in Spring and summer, they are storingsugars due to photosynthesis and the complexity of their chemistry, which takesplace in the leaves (where tone and life interact with warmth and light), reachingtheir peak when they begin to bloom. Throughout the blooming phase plants are42 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

giving off their warmth and light and ‘burning up’.In Autumn, warmth and light wane as the flow oftone and life comes back to the roots with whateverwarmth and light may be saved. This is the annualSolar Cycle. It is modified by the character of eachconstellation the Sun passes through, and of coursethere are many individual variations amongst thespecies of plants.There is also the daily Solar Cycle to consider. Freeether streams into the Solar System continually fromthe widest expanses of the Cosmos through the planetaryvortexes. It enters the Earth Vortex at the EasternHorizon (otherwise known as the Ascendant, or sometimes,when casting horoscopes, the Rising Sign) and it travels from east to west, followingthe Sun. At Sunrise the ether, which is always streaming toward the Sun, isflowing parallel to the Earth’s surface and undergoing transition from tone and lifeether to warmth and light ether. At high noon the ether is flowing forth from the Earthas warmth and light toward the Sun. At Sunset the ether again is flowing parallel tothe Earth’s surface and undergoing transition from warmth and light to tone and life.At midnight the ether is flowing into the Earth as tone and life.Plants live in the free tone and life ethers while giving off warmth and light over thegrowing season. That is they absorb the moisture and fertility of the soil turning itinto bound ether which they volatilize as free warmth and light at their surfaces andextremities.Animals do just the opposite as they automatically absorb the free warmth and lightethers while having to drink and digest to concentrate sufficient tone and life etherin bound form.Another way of looking at this is that ether works entirely the opposite of substance.Where free matter is ever-dispersing from high concentration to low concentration,free ether is ever- condensing from low concentration to high concentration. Whereplants concentrate and build up bound substances they disperse and dispense freeether. True to the rule, where animals break down and disperse free substances theyabsorb and condense bound ether.Always living organisms are made up of a subtle interplay of bound earth, water,air and fire elements and bound warmth, light, tone and life ethers. Every livingorganism has a bit of every element and every ether, but with different organismsNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia43

different elements and ethers predominate, and different combinations work in differentways.Let’s say you want to grow highly aromatic lemon balm and harvest it at its maximumaromaticity. The aroma is an astral quality which relates to the air element andthe light ether. But since it is an astral characteristic it can be enhanced by growingthe lemon balm in the vicinity of a very astral herb, namely stinging nettle. Or, onemight give the lemon balm patch stinging nettle mulch or stinging nettleferment/tea.To harvest at its maximum build-up of light ether the lemon balm should be cut justas it is going to bloom in a waning Moon or just after Full (for drying) and preferablyin an air constellation. Quite naturally the first harvest of the season will be thestrongest, though I imagine a second harvest is possible in some places. As for timeof day, just before the dew burns off in the morning might be ideal, as once the fogor dew lifts the light ether goes up into the atmosphere and the plant tends to losesome of the aromaticity it built up overnight.MISSINGDoes anyone knowthe whereabouts of theBAA Horn FillingMachine?Last seen in Victoria.Please contactAlan on02 6655 056644 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

BOOK REVIEWTRANSITION FARMSBy Bev BuckleyReview: by Robert PekinChief Executive, Food ConnectFoundationPublisher: Castelen PressAvailable from BAA office $37.00Agriculture in Australia is transforming. It hasbeen for the last 40 years or so! Over the last 10years this transformation has gathered pace andmost of our ‘agri’ institutions have been leftbehind: scientific, government, multinationalcorporations, think tanks, industry and research institutions, wholesalers andretailers are all fighting to stay in the game. The problem is that the game is up.What they’ve failed to realise is that agriculture is now on a trajectory of workingwith nature, not against it. Real farmers live and work with the land and there isa movement occurring that is exciting, challenging and morally just. It’s amovement that is, at long last, finally putting ‘culture back into agriculture’.The farmers in this book epitomise the ingenuity and courage of the pioneeringagricultural farmers who have gone before them. They are seeking solutions sothat they can farm in harmony with nature, grow high quality, nutritionally-densefood, and more importantly leave the landscape in better shape than it was whenthey started.If the farmers in this book were to be measured in the same way as our sportingmen and women, these farmers would be our Olympians. Most of them wouldhave a medal around their necks. Of course, these farmers are so humble abouttheir achievements, that they would be embarrassed or even annoyed by mesaying that. This is all the more reason why this book should be read.Bev Buckley is like these farmers. She is one of a growing number of landholderswith amazing ability to grow great food ecologically and is connected to the landin a way that drives her to endlessly research better ways.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia45

Know Your Farmer – Know Your FoodTablelands Farmers Co-opOrganic and Biodynamic Farmers Atherton, Far North Queensland• Started June 2010, out of the market gardeners and beef and pork growers, membersof the BDFNQ – Biodynamics Far North Queensland.• Mission: to sell local Biodynamic food to local community to reduce food miles.• Sold about 20 x $1,000 shares to rent and develop shop.• Shareholder growers receive 25% off their own purchases.• All the growers also work as volunteers in the shop ½ to one day per week and loveto hear the feedback from their customers.• Locals are very happy with the quality and are returning customers.• The growers now have a steady market and making a good return on produce sold.• The farmers are supporting each other to grow best quality Biodynamic produce.• Now they are organising crop rotations to keep supply to the shop of all produce allthe year.• Fresh is best – farmers deliver daily with the greens and salad vegetables.Contact: Susan Curtain 0417 434 537 susan@happyfood.com.au,www.happyfood.com.auBDFNQ – Biodynamics Far North Queensland. The local group of Biodynamic farmers hasbeen running in the Tablelands for the past 11 years, under an amazing committee with AdamCollins as Chair. They have over 200 members and run monthly Field days or workshopswith a very dedicated membership.Photos left: From top to bottom; outside of the shop with their signs.Adam Collins Kaban lifting potatoes ready for the shop.Dry crops and refrigerator displays in the shop.Happy Beef sign for Susan Curtain’s meat.Photos right: From top to bottom; Local root crops for sale.Some of the fresh vegetables in the refrigerator cabinet.Susan Curtain’s meat.46 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia47

Courses in Biodynamics and OrganicsMembers: to see the latest workshops coming upin your area and all over Australia, go towww.biodynamics.net.auand click on left: Events & WorkshopsCalling members and member groupshosting sustainable & biodynamic activitiesWant to share them on the BAA website? – It’s easy – here’s how:Design a pdf document listing contacts, workshops, field days and activitiesfor the next 3 months, October – December, and email it to the office.We will list your group name for free on the events page with a link to yourpdf information. Then, simply submit a new pdf for each calendar quarter.Biodynamic Gardening a Way of LifeIf you live in Brisbane and are interested in practicing biodynamicmethods in your garden and you would like to meet like mindedpeople to discuss biodynamics, share in stirring preparations,building compost heaps and cowpat pits…contact Mezz on 3311 1462 or mezzmay@optusnet.com.auor Erik on 3217 3278 or erikberrevoets@hotmail.com48 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Courses in Biodynamics and OrganicsIN AUSTRALIABiodynamic Education CentreThe Biodynamic Education Centre offers a series of competency based courses for biodynamicfarming and gardening.Courses: • Introductory workshop – one day workshop• Foundation Course – Designed as 3 learning modules each covering 2 days.• Distance Education Certificate Program – Comprehensive two year study courseallows you to study in your own environment.Contact: info@biodynamiceducation.com www.biodynamiceducation.comor phone (02) 6297 2729Victorian TAFE Certificate IV in Organic AgricultureAvailable at selected Victorian TAFE collegesContact: Organics Australia, Bairnsdale Ph: 03 5152 2276.Bachelor of Ecological Agricultural SystemsCharles Sturt University, Orange NSW CampusOutline: Biodynamics together with units on Organics and PermacultureDuration: 3 years full time by distance, or up to 6 years part time by distanceContact: Kerry Cochrane Ph: 02 6365 7579 Email kcochrane@csu.edu.auwww.csu.edu.au/courses/undergraduate/ecological_agriculture/IN NEW ZEALANDTaruna College ProgrammeTaruna College is a centre for Anthroposophical Adult Education offering a variety of long andshort-term courses based on the work of Dr Rudolf Steiner.Courses include Preparatory Course for Teachers, Health Studies, Art and AnthroposophicalHome Nursing and Diploma in Biodynamic Agriculture (8 month full time course)Outline: Intensive introduction to biodynamic methods and their application to agricultureand horticulture. Practical, experiential approach to understanding natural processesand dynamics.Contact: www.taruna.ac.nz Ph: 646 877 7174 Fx: 646 877 7014Email: info@taruna.ac.nzNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia49

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia does not necessarily endorsethe product or service being offered within advertisements.FOR SALE• 3 concrete Vortex Flowforms +pumps & plumbing 10 yrs old• 800L Plastic Spray Tank3pt linkage 15 yrs old• 200L Stainless Steel Drum withSpray Pump on trailerRay Gresham 0428 835 451Kybong, Gympie, QldFOR SALE• 3 Fibreglass Vortex Flowforms onstand + submersible pump & plumbing• Spray Rig with 200L Round StainlessSteel Tank with Sureflow Pump$3500 THE LOTStephen McCann 0427 350 027Wauchope, NSWWANTED TO BUY60 GALLON BD STIRRING MACHINEPlease contact Rhondda Nicholas 0414 488 542Southern Highlands NSW50 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia does not necessarily endorsethe product or service being offered within advertisements.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia51

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia does not necessarily endorsethe product or service being offered within advertisements.BIODYNAMIC EQUIPMENTSTIRRING MACHINE• Copper Tank • Galv.Steel Frame • 60 Gallon Capacity • All new material used• Electric motor base mountedSPRAY TANK• Stainless Steel – 60 Gall. • Mounted on 3 pl linkage • Swing out boom armsManf. B.D. equipment for 20 yrs. Contact KEVIN WILLSPhone (02) 6550 5179 Email kdwills@bluemaxx.com.auSimple, cost effective, large area applicationof the biodynamic remedies, remotepeppering of weeds, animal and insect pests.Locally built new by an Aussie farmer to the latest design– treat up to 4000 acres for cents per acreCall for information or pricingSetting up and Installation arranged at reasonable costLLOYD CHARLES 02 6955 3225 0429 444 152lcharles@clearmail.com.auBiological / Organic Fertiliser Nutri Tech Master DistributorField Broadcaster Sales and Service (Hugh Lovel trained)All Biodynamic growers / gardeners will receive a special 10%discount on all fertilisers. Check our web page or call us.www.holisticfarming.com.au info@holisticfarming.com.au(07) 5488 4315 – mention that you are a BAA member52 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Nungra GardensPort StephensResearch & DevelopmentBiodynamic Agriculture Australia does not necessarily endorsethe product or service being offered within advertisements.NUNGRAGARDENSSPRAYINGSERVICEBIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONSORGANIC FERTILISERSWe come to you, fully equipped withmobile flowforms & spray equipment.March – VictoriaApril – Sth NSWMay – Nth NSWGiving people a good start –helping to build soil fertility naturallySuppliers & installers of‘Living Water’ flowformsIndependent Organic Farm InspectorsBuilding a Sustainable FuturePhone: Shane Martin 0421 228 499H2O2HYDROGEN PEROXIDE35% FOOD GRADEFOR FARM AND GARDENAUSTRALIA’S BEST PRICECONTACT: JAN GORONCYNTP HEALTH PRODUCTSPHONE: 02 4997 2530Email:marketing@ntphealthproducts.comNews Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia53

Biodynamic Preparations & Products ListBIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONSPrices as at March 2011. All prices include GSTPortion size Non Member Home Garden FarmerHORN MANURE 500 35gm/0.5ha $8.25 $5.5085gm/ha $18.15 $12.10 $7.701kg $130.50 $87.00>10kg/kg $123.00 $82.00HORN SILICA 501 1gm $7.20 $4.802gm/ha $13.20 $8.80 $5.00100gm $315.00 $210.00Dried Equisetum Arvense makes 2 litres concentrate 100gm $22.50 $15.00 $15.00Compost Preparations 502-507Small set (up to 3 tons or 12m 3 material) 1gm/prep $25.50 $17.00 $14.00Large set (up to 6 tons or 24m 3 material) 2gm/prep $45.00 $30.00 $24.70Bulk set 10gm/prep $165.00 $110.00BIODYNAMIC SOIL ACTIVATOR 30gm $9.00 $6.00includes Horn Manure 500, Horn Silica 501,75gm/ha $11.00 $7.00502-507, Equisetum 508, Horn Clay andHorn Basalt, Basalt Dust and Three Kings Prep100gm $30.001kg $127.50 $85.00COMBINED SOIL PREPARATION 100gm $20.25 $13.50includes Horn Manure 500, Manure Concentrate,Winter Horn Clay and Fermented 508245gm/ha $37.50 $25.00 $16.001kg $90.00 $60.00MANURE CONCENTRATE Cow Pat Pit (CPP) 60gm $6.75 $4.50Cow Manure, Preps 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507Ground Egg Shells, Basalt Dust150gm/ha $13.50 $9.00 $7.501kg $67.50 $45.00HORN CLAY 4gm $3.30 $2.20Winter Horn Clay for soil or10gm/ha $7.50 $5.00 $2.20Summer Horn Clay for atmosphere100gm/ha $30.00 $20.00HORN BASALT 1gm $2.70 $1.80For making Pre Mix2gm/ha $4.50 $3.00 $2.00100gm $105.00 $70.00Fermented Equisetum 508 8X (soil) 5ml vial (up to 25ha) $6.75 $4.50 $4.50Fresh Equisetum 508 8X (atmospheric) 5ml vial (up to 25ha) $6.75 $4.50 $4.50Manure ConcentrateCompost preparations forPreparations 1 wheelbarrow of manure – 4gm of each prep $75.00 $50.00 $50.00MC Preps with EggshellManure Concentrate kitand Basalt Dust + eggshell & basalt dust $82.50 $55.00 $55.00Ground Eggshell (for MC) 200gm $6.75 $4.50 $4.50Basalt Dust (for MC) 400gm $7.50 $5.00 $5.0010kg $60.00 $60.00Preparations & Products are packed and posted within 3 working days of receiving each order.54 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Biodynamic Preparations & Products List (continued)OTHER PRODUCTSPortion size Non Member Home Garden FarmerCompost Preparations in 1gm Small Set in 100gm balls $97.50 $65.00 $65.00Manure Concentrate Balls 2gm Large Set in 100gm balls $112.50 $80.004gm Manure Concentrate Set in 200gm balls $157.50 $105.00Home Garden Kit smallup to 1 acreInstructions & packing includedHome Garden Kit largeup to 1 hectareInstruction and packing included1 portion each of Combined SoilPreparation, Horn Silica 501, SummerHorn Clay, Fresh Equisetum 508 and1 small set of Compost Preparations $75.00 $50.00As above with Hectare Portions ofCombined Soil Preparation, Horn Silica &Summer Horn Clay, Fresh Equisetum 508and 1 Large Set of Compost Preparations $120.00 $80.00Diatomaceous Earth 12.5kg bag $70.00 $70.00LIQUID PRODUCTSBiodynamic Fish Emulsion 2.5 litres $27.00 $18.00 $18.005 litres $52.50 $35.00 $35.0020 litres $180.00 $120.00 $120.00200 litres $1350.00 $900.00 $900.001000 litres $6000.00 $4000.00 $4000.00Biodynamic Seaweed 2.5 litres $34.50 $23.00 $23.00Concentrate 5 litres $58.80 $39.00 $39.0020 litres $202.50 $135.00 $135.00200 litres $1500.00 $1000.00 $1000.001000 litres $6750.00 $4500.00 $4500.00Biodynamic Combined 2.5 litres $37.50 $25.00 $25.00Fish Seaweed Concentrate 5 litres $60.00 $40.00 $40.0020 litres $210.00 $140.00 $140.00200 litres $1650.00 $1100.00 $1100.001000 litres $7500.00 $5000.00 $5000.00Biodynamic Tree Paste 10 litres $75.00 $50.00 $50.0020 litres $120.00 $80.00 $80.00Nozzles for 500 5kph / 8kph / 12kph / 15kph $82.50 $55.00 $55.00Nozzles for 501 Small / Large $72.00 $48.00 $48.00Filter Bag 450mm long $55.50 $37.00 $37.0018mm diameter, 400 micron880mm long $84.00 $56.00 $56.00Astro Calendar 2011 per 1 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00Packaging Charge per item $3.85 $3.85 $3.85Postage / Freight is charged at cost and added to the invoice. Interstate orders are sent viaExpressPost unless otherwise arranged when ordering. Liquid Products are sent via Freight / PostPlease arrange credit card payment at time of ordering.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia55

www sites…www.biodynamics.net.auBiodynamic Agriculture Australia – Latest information onworkshops and weather information. See membershipforms, calendar of events, Preparation prices and orders,etc.www.farmerdirectbeef.com.auFrom member, Martin Warren about his farm nearTamworth, using Biodynamics and Holisticmanagement. Purchase home delivered beef.www.oregonbd.orgThe Oregon Biodynamic Group, USA. Good generalreference material.www.attra.orgVery informative site with all types of organic andbiodynamic information. You will find Biodynamics underthe alternative farming systems. See also composting,radionics in agriculture, green manuring, animal healthsystems (for USA).www.flowforms.com.auInformation on flowforms for use in gardens, landscapeand agricultural applications including mixing andstirring of the Biodynamic Preparations.www.organicfarms.com.auNatural Produce Network email newsletter from SamStatham on issues and products re Biodynamics andorganics.www.ofa.org.auOrganic Federation of Australia website. Directory ofmany Organic/BD farmers and products/contacts.www.organic-research.comKeep up to date on organic research with the monthlyOrganic Update Newsletter. Subscribe to this excellentFREE and user friendly E-zine atwww.organic-research.com/update/listserv.asp.www.organicsupersite.comThe Organic Tradeline carries trading opportunities andservice offers from organic industry organisationscategorised into four general categories and thensubcategories.www.nasaa.com.auThe National Association for Sustainable Agriculture inAustralia. NASAA certifies to Biodynamic and OrganicStandards.www.bfa.com.auBiological Farmers of Australia. Australian CertifiedOrganic Standards.www.astro-calendar.comBrian Keats’ site for more information on using the BDplanting calendar.email: bdnow@igg.comBD Now! Email list – biodynamic discussion group – freelinks biodynamic farmers all over the world. Everyonewho joins BD Now! is required to register with their fullname and the city/state/country they live in. Please sendyour subscription request to bdnow@igg.com.MAIL ORDER BOOKSPostage rates vary depending on destination so postage and packaging will beinvoiced at cost.56 News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia LtdYour Company, Your Board…Ray Unger, Chair ................................(02) 6869 7635 ....ray@ipstarmail.com.auCarolyn Ditchfield, Deputy Chair ......(02) 6721 5111 ....carolyn@fromthesoilup.com.auTed Clarke, Treasurer .........................(02) 6649 2132 ....tedpeggy@bigpond.net.auHugh Lovel, Director .........................(07) 4095 5767 ....hugh.lovel9@bigpond.comShane Joyce, Director ..........................(07) 4993 1880 ....sjoyce1@bordernet.com.auJohn Priestley, Director .......................(02) 4938 5116 ....jdcitrus@bigpond.net.auCheryl Kemp ......................................(02) 6657 5306 ....bdlady@aapt.net.au(standing down until March 2011)Louise Skidmore, Secretary ...............(07) 4697 3148 ....lskidmore@aapt.net.auAn Accountable, Transparent and Consultative Board will ensure that it hasgood policies and procedures in place so that all decisions are made fairly andtransparently. This will help remove any perceptions that Board processes arecarried out in undue secrecy or that things are being hidden…Using the website to publish information about your Company and the Board:• The minutes of each Board meeting are published here:http://www.biodynamics.net.au/annualreports.htm• Board members’ Disclosure and Conflict of Interest declarations are on the website,• Financial statements are available on the website,• Lists of members by State are available upon request.Practical measures that the Board has put in place to ensure your Companybecomes more consultative with a diversity strategy to ensure that the views ofmembers are adequately represented on the Board:• Emails and letters circulated to Board members,• Phone numbers of Board available if members want personal contact,• Letters to the News Leaf Editor.Maintaining a communications strategy to ensure that Board decisions areexplained and widely known:• Board Update in News Leaf,• Letter from the Chair.Seeking input from members when key decisions are being contemplated or achange in direction is being considered:• Inviting members to join committees to make recommendations to the Board,• AGM and National Conference.News Leaf #86 – Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

It may appear, at first sight, presumptuous to wish to addanything to what Rudolf Steiner gave from his comprehensivespiritual insight.However, Steiner never left any doubt that he did not wish hisindications to become hardened dogmas, but that they shouldrather be seen as laying the foundations for a new type ofagriculture and as being open to further development and tomodification according to circumstances. We may reasonablypresume that he expected his pupils to develop their ownpersonal activity out of the needs of each new situation.From the back cover of Hugo Erbe’s New Bio-dynamicPreparations, Mark Moodie 2003