Biodynamic farming is a method of organic farming that holistically views the farm (soil, plants & animals) as a self nourishing system. “Regarded by some as the first modern ecological farming system and one of the most sustainable, biodynamic farming has much in common with other organic approaches, such as emphasizing the use of manures and composts and excluding of the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants. Methods unique to the biodynamic approach include the use of fermented herbal and mineral preparations as compost additives and field sprays and the use of an astronomical sowing and planting calendar. Biodynamics originated out of the work of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy.” The above information came from Wikipedia. Here are a few applications of Biodynamic farming in plain English: There are no chemical sprays or chemical fertilisers allowed in biodynamic farming. There are special preparations that are used, as well as the manure from the cows. Mulgundawa Holsteins have 130acres of land on a pivot rotation system – this is known as strip farming. Their cows stay on a quarter of this land for 10 days, then the electric fences move to the next quarter for another 10 days and so on. Irrigation (from the waste liquid caught at the dairy) is sprayed on to the vacant strips to dissolve the dung. A tractor is then driven over the strip to rake and break up any remaining dung. This not only fertilisers the land but also ensures all faecal matter has broken down before cows graze on the land again. The waste from the dairy itself goes into settling ponds for solids and liquids. The trapped solids are put in compost for 6 months then spread over the farm. The liquid goes back into irrigation system to be reused and sprayed on the farm. Biodynamic farmers do not use conventional medicine to treat animals. Instead they rely on health of the farm to prevent illness, and use homeopathic preparations if required.Cheese available divinedairy.au/where-to-buy/state-distributors/
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 04:25:57 +0000