Last Meeting Tuesday 3 July 2012

Bio-Dynamic Farming

Susan Rodger

Powerpoint slide on Biodynamic preparation '500'

Guest Speaker: Susan Rodger of Onyx Park (Australian Lowline Angus Cattle)

BioDynamic Farming
Susan is a first-time farmer. She has a scientific background (medical and biochemist) – and homeopathy. Susan bought Onyx Park in 2010. It is a 265 acre property bounded on one side by Belli Creek at the northern end of the Sunshine Coast. About 240 acres are available for cattle raising and 40 acres (bordering on Mapleton National Park) is left as bushland. Susan is a biodynamic farmer. She explained some of the basics of preparing biodynamic applications and how she integrates these practices into general organic cattle grazing ideas.  She aims to spread he cattle dung after every grazing and rotates cattle through small paddocks regularly.  She has found many native grasses returning to her paddocks as she does not let cattle graze down past ankle height. She does a soil test twice a year  (Spring and Autumn) and at these times adds ‘500’ to the pastures. Tests show great differences in soil structure over the last 2½  years. She still needs to treat for ticks but has found she does not have to treat as often.  The presentation mostly showed the real advantages of using biodynamics – such as improved carrying capacity and healthy contented cattle. Susan also pointed out that biodynamics improves the soil by increasing organic matter (humus) which, in turn greatly reducing the loss of minerals through leaching in these wet times. The ultimate aim at Onyx Park is to feed 50 families per year.  There were a lot of questions following the presentation – especially on how to use biodynamics in the garden (rather than the farm). There is also a DVD available from the local library on biodynamics, called “One Man, One Cow, One Planet’.	Diary Dates and Other Info   * At next month’s meeting Shaun Morrow will be talking about frog ponds and other backyard ponds. * Sunshine Coast Transition Towns is having another ‘dinner’ (picnic!) Thursday 12 July 5:30-8:30 at the Big Pineapple. * Eudlo Seedsavers will have a blackboard of future activities at the TT stand at the Big Pineapple.    The “Homegrown” Café in Palmwoods is run by Sarah Wright, one of the original Eudlo PC group. The café gets its name from the fact that they try to serve greens and other veggies from the own garden (out the back). However, there is not always enough in the garden. So, if you’re a permaculture gardener, and have more in your garden than you actually need, call in and see Sarah to sell or exchange some veggies. Phone  0458270368   Contact Fleur at nambourorganics@gmail.com to order your organic pantry goodies by Sunday evening before the next meeting! Some of the lovely produce available from our members. At next month’s meeting Shaun Morrow will be talking about frog ponds and other backyard ponds on Tuesday 7th August 2012 at the Eudlo Community Hall from 7pm.