Biodynamic
AgriCulture Australia
Events Calendar – Summer –Autumn 2004
'Organic Federation of Australia' - Organic Update March 04 |
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New OFA Board |
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Resignations of Sid Cowling and Annie Dunn
Sid Cowling has resigned as the Chair and from the board due to health reasons. Annie Dunn has resigned from the OFA board due to her huge workload running the Organic Growers Association in Western Australia.
Under the OFA constitution the office bearers are elected by the board. The board elected a new Chair and Vice Chair at its meeting on Monday Dec. 15th.
The New Board members for 2004
Chair Andre Leu, Vice Chair Liz Clay, Secretary Nick Andrews,
Treasurer Gerhard Gasser, Committee: Cheryl Kemp, Hamish Mackay, Rod May, Keith Morris and John Sergeant
Although Sid has resigned from the board, he still intends to remain an active member of the OFA. There are a number of current tasks, which he will finalise on behalf of OFA. These include reports to RIRDC on the national Conference and the Sydney Fine Food Fair and the negotiation of the Memorandum of Understanding between certifiers. Sid will continue to represent the OFA on the Community Consultative Committee of the Agricultural Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority, providing organic industry input into recommendations on the use of agricultural chemicals. However on his doctor’s advice he has had to drastically reduce his workload. We all wish him a speedy return to good health.
On behalf of the OFA board and members I would like to thank Sid for the many hours that he has put into the organisation as Chairman over the last year and as treasurer before that.
OFA Subcommittees for 2004
The following members were elected to chair or participate in subcommittees
Sam Stratham will continue to chair the GE subcommittee.
Cheryl Kemp is the Chair of the education subcommittee.
The finance subcommittee consists of Gerhard Gasser, Hamish Mackay and John Sergeant.
The constitutional review subcommittee consists of Sid Cowling, Keith Morris, George Devrell and Bill Hankin.
Best Regards
Andre Leu
Chair
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OFA Achievements for 2003 |
Introduction
The OFA is the peak body for the Australian Organic Industry. It is the only fully representative national organic body that includes all sectors of the industry such as horticulture, broadacre agriculture, meat production, wholesalers, exporters, retailers, consumers, certifiers, processors, inspectors, education and research.
The OFA is run by unpaid, dedicated volunteers who give a significant amount of their time to ensure that the Australian organic industry has a positive future. It continues to achieve an impressive range of positive outcomes for the Australian organic industry. The organization is currently expanding and gaining greater acceptance from nearly all sectors of the organic industry as the only representative umbrella organization for this very diverse industry.
The following list is a summary of some of the activities undertaken by OFA committee members on behalf of the whole Australian Organic Industry
1: 2nd National Conference Adelaide Oct 2-4
The 2nd National Conference was a major event attended by around 300 people from around Australia and overseas. One of the most important functions of having a national conference is that it is a great opportunity for all the participants in the Australian organic industry to get together in one place to socialise and network etc. The full report is soon to be finalized.
2: Media
Various board members have been involved in a range of media to promote organics. These include TV interviews, Radio and Print Media.
3: Organic Update
The OFA Organic update is a regular newsletter about organic issues in Australia and around the world. It continues to increase in membership with over 1250 subscribers.
4: New Website
Nick Andrews, the OFA webmaster and Secretary is currently re designing the OFA Website to give it a better front page and to make it easier to access information
5: OFA Info line:
On average 1500 email enquiries throughout the year averaging some 5 enquiries per day. Sorts of enquiries include:
6: OFA Telephone
OFA has a Sydney based phone number diverted to members of the board answering a range of enquiries. Over 1200 telephone enquiries are taken each year.
7: OFA stand at Fine Food Fairs
The OFA has coordinated three very successful stands/exhibitions on behalf on the whole Australian organic industry in Sydney 2001, Melbourne 2002 and Sydney 2003. These are a very important service to the industry as they promote the wide variety of quality organic produce to both trade professionals and to consumers in both Sydney and Melbourne.
8: Lobby Activities
Over many years the organic industry has put a case to the Federal government to have an enforceable regulation of the industry to protect consumers from products marketed as organic under false pretences. The Commonwealth Government has repeatedly resisted all the organic industry’s requests for regulation.
It seems that the best option is to adopt a code of practice conduct under the auspices of the ACCC. This would allow the industry to have control over the national organic standard and having a mechanism of dealing with fraud. This solution looks preferable to the government enforced systems of the USA and other countries. The organic industry will be in control, rather than government.
9: Education and awareness programs
10: Funding and research liaison
11: Representation - OFA continues to represent the industry in a range of forums
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GMO Issues |
The OFA GMO subcommittee has been very active. There have been two main issues. GMO Canola and sugar cane.
GMO Canola
The government regulators have permitted trials of 2 types of genetically modified canola. These trials will cover 5000 hectares each, in other words 10,000 hectares. This makes a complete mockery of the concept of a trial and is in reality the commercial release of these plants.
Rather than continue its voluntary moratorium on the release of GM canola, the Biotechnology Industry is now on the offensive. The Gene Technology Grains Committee (GTGC) has proposed an organisation to oversee these trials, called the Canola Reference Group Limited. This committee will consist of the biotechnology industry and its supporters. It will result in presenting plans for the containment of GMOs through "non-prescriptive", loose and "living" principles, managed by the biotechnology corporations.
The OFA has decided not to participate in this committee as we do not want to give defacto endorsement of these ‘trials’ by being participants in the organisation that is supposed to oversee them.
Sam Stratham, Chair of the GE subcommittee has prepared a detailed position paper on behalf of the OFA that has been submitted to the Gene Technology Grains Committee. This paper can be viewed on the OFA Website.
GMO Sugar Cane.
The other major issue is the proposed trials of genetically modified sugar cane.
The current proposal is to grow sugar cane that has been modified to produce polymers for making plastic. The leaves will be harvested to extract the plastic and the cane itself will be crushed to extract the sugar. There are a range of concerns, especially the contamination of sugar with the genetically modified polymers.
The perception of even minute traces of GMO residues in food, especially plastic in raw sugar, will deter consumers and will result in lower sales for Australian sugar. This ‘solution’ will see a further decline in an industry that is in serious trouble.
On the other hand there is a shortage of organic sugar on the world market. Because the organic industry is the worlds fastest growing agricultural sector, supply cannot meet demand. As a result good quality organic raw sugar sells for around double the world price. Australia currently imports most of its organic sugar from Brazil. The sugar industry should be putting more resources into organic sugar, especially supporting our organic sugar farmers. Instead they are letting our competitors have all of the valuable organic markets while they put enormous financial resources into technology that will drive consumers away from Australian sugar.
Australians Do Not Want GMO crops
The recent poll in the Sydney Morning Herald shows that opposition to GMO’s continues to grow. 83% of respondents are opposed to GM crops. This is up from 73% 3 months earlier.
The Poll on October 21, 2003 to the question: Do you support GM crops?
Answers: Yes - 22% No - 73% Undecided - 5% Total Votes: 3713
The Poll on January 14, 2004 to the Question: Genetically modified crops: Are you for or against? Answers: For - 13% Against - 83% Undecided - 4% Total Votes: 4520
These polls show that government and industry are clearly out of step with the Australian Public. The vast majority do not want GMO’s. At the same time the organic industry continues to expand rapidly and sustainably as the fastest growing agricultural sector in the world. Our governments State and Federal continue to pour hundred of millions of dollars into GMOs and avoid organics.
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GM the Hidden Science |
By Andre Leu
The GMO protagonists would like you to believe that it is a simple matter of selecting the gene that is needed and neatly inserting it into the target species. This is a completely false perception promoted by the GMO industry. All current GMO’s are a complex construction of segments of bacterial and viral genes.
The simplistic propaganda of just inserting a single gene to get a desired trait into a plant, animal or microorganisms is a massive lie. At this stage our science is not sophisticated enough to insert a single gene and get it to work. Researchers use what can be best described as a shotgun approach. They either shoot the genetic material into the target cells, insert it after weakening the cell membrane with an electric shock/chemical or use a modified microorganism to infect the target cell with the new genes.
The problem with these approaches is that the researchers do not know where the new genes have landed and if they will work.
Antibiotic Resistance Marker Genes
The most common method of discovering if the new gene will work involves using Antibiotic Resistance Marker Genes. These genes come from bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. The marker genes are attached to the gene with the desired trait (herbicide resistance as an example) and they are shot into the target cells. These cells are then cultured and an antibiotic is added. The cells that live have adopted the new genes as they a resistant to the antibiotic/antibiotics.
These are then grown out as plants. The big problem with these plants is that every part of the plant has genes for antibiotic resistance. Many scientists and medical professionals have expressed concerns about these genes being horizontally transferred into the gut and mouth bacteria of humans and animals eating genetically modified food. They are worried that this could create bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotics needed to cure infections.
Horizontal gene transfer is where microorganisms take up genes directly through their cell walls rather than by the normal method of reproduction. It has been shown to occur with the antibiotic resistant super bugs that are now found in many hospitals.
When the potential danger of this was pointed out to the genetic scientists they dismissed it as impossible. Several studies have since shown that these antibiotic resistance genes can be transferred to bacteria in as little as two hours after eating genetically modified food.
New Scientist in July 2002 reported on a scientific experiment that showed that this can happen to bacteria in the human digestive system: ‘For the first time, it has been proved that bacteria in the human gut can take up DNA from genetically modified food.’
Currently every commercially released GMO plant has the antibiotic resistance genes in every cell. They should be banned for this reason alone.
Queensland researchers have developed a fluorescent marker gene that comes from a jellyfish. This gene can be used to select the cell with the desired trait as they fluoresce under an ultraviolet light. This will be a major improvement in the safety of GMO’s over the current technology, however it does not address the most serious problem.
The cauliflower mosaic virus promoter. (CaMV)
When foreign DNA is inserted into organisms, three things usually happen. The most common one is that the foreign DNA is digested to provide energy and building blocks for the cell. It can also be rejected. The other response is to close over the foreign DNA and deactivate it.
All of these responses are defense mechanisms to overcome attacks by pathogens (disease). The host organism defends itself by getting rid of the foreign material. This is the reason why transplant recipients have to take anti rejection drugs. When the cells in our bodies are invaded by organisms that have foreign DNA a whole range of responses, collectively known as the immune systems can be activated to repel or destroy the invaders.
These are the things that tend to happen when foreign genes are shot/infected into a cell. They tend to be digested, rejected or closed over. Either way this means that the target organism will not have the desired trait from the new gene.
To overcome this, genetic scientists build a construction with a section of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) along with the new gene and the antibiotic resistant marker gene. The CaMV gives the signal that activates or ‘promotes’ the new gene. It ensures that the gene is active so that its desired trait, like herbicide resistance, works in the new plant.
There are several problems with this. Every current GMO plant is part virus. Every cell of their bodies contains active sections of a virus. With billions of these plants now released into the environment, many scientists believe that there is a great risk of horizontal transfer of the viral genetic code from GMO plants into invading viruses, creating new virulent transgenic viruses.
The Union of Concerned scientists states:
‘Recombination can occur between the plant-produced viral genes and closely related genes of incoming viruses. Such recombination may produce viruses that can infect a wider range of hosts or that may be more virulent than the parent viruses.’
According to Dr Mae-Wan Ho of the Institute of Science in Society, London: ‘GM constructs … are designed to cross species barriers and to invade genomes. In other words, GM constructs are more likely to transfer horizontally’.‘… genetic engineering will accelerate the generation of new viruses and bacteria’
When GMO scientists and researchers are questioned on this the standard reply is that the cauliflower mosaic virus is harmless and doesn’t affect humans. We know that many harmless viruses change into to forms that can be serious. The flu is the classic example. Fifty years ago AIDS was restricted to monkeys and didn’t effect humans. SARS is a slightly modified common cold virus and is now a seriously fatal disease with the potential for massive epidemics.
According to Helen Pearson writing in the journal Nature, April 2003: "… in a simple overnight experiment, researchers transformed a coronavirus that is lethal to cats into one that infects mouse cells by replacing a single gene.The result strengthens the idea that the SARS coronavirus might have arisen when an animal and human virus met and swapped genes, says the study's lead scientist…"
The Jan. 13 2001 issue of New Scientist has a lead article titled ‘Disaster in the making: An engineered mouse virus leaves us one step away from the ultimate bioweapon’
The article described how Australian researchers in Canberra, accidentally created a deadly virus. They spliced a gene for the protein interleukin-4 into a vaccine made from the harmless mousepox virus. The researchers killed all the test mice when they injected this vaccine into them. This generically engineered transgenic virus was so lethal that it killed half of the mice that had been vaccinated against mousepox.
When commenting on this event, New Scientist 13 Jan. 2001, wrote an editorial, titled ‘The genie is out, Biotech has just sprung a nasty surprise. Next time, it could be catastrophic’. The editorial stated that only five years before this event, when researchers were asked if genetic engineering could create ‘a virus or bacteria more virulent than nature’s worst’, they replied it would be ‘difficult if not impossible’.
The fact is no scientist can predict what would happen if transgenic viruses and bacteria emerged from GMO plants. It was only a short time ago these same scientists were saying pollen drift from GMO’s would not affect nearby crops and that the horizontal transference of antibiotic resistant genes from GMO’s into gut microorganisms was not possible.
Dr. Mae-Wan Ho further states: ‘This CaMV promoter is also known to work for genes all across the living world: in plants, bacteria, fungi, and, as we discovered recently in the literature more than 10 years old, also in frog eggs and human cells. It is able to substitute, in part or in whole, for the promoter of many other viruses. Viruses are not only everywhere in the environment, they also lie dormant in the genomes of all organisms, bacteria, plants and animals without exception. And there is evidence that such dormant viruses can be reactivated as a result of genetic recombination.’Unstable GM Constructs
A serious problem with the CaMV is that it has been proven to be unstable within the chromosomes of GMO plants. Researchers from the John Innes Center, UK one of the world’s major biotechnology research centres, have found that during field trails of GM plants, that later generations became unstable and variable.
The CaMV moves from one part of a chromosome to another and activates the new gene next it. This means it randomly causes genes within the plant to work in ways that would not normally occur. It could lead to all sorts of future problems like making plants that have small amounts of beneficial phyto nutrients, express them in toxic amounts, cause hormones and other regulatory functions to be pushed out of balance and cause future chaos in the genetic make up plants and animals that we do not understand. It is the equivalent of Russian Roulette with DNA,
Conclusion
Dr. Mae-Wan Ho sums up the potential dangers of this technology:
‘GM constructs… are designed to cross species barriers and to invade genomes. In other words, GM constructs are more likely to transfer horizontally.
‘Horizontal gene transfer will increase the opportunity for genetic recombination. The GM constructs are already of mixed origins, with base sequences similar to the genetic material of many pathogenic bacteria and viruses. That, again, as every geneticist should know, will greatly increase the probability for genetic recombination, and with a wide assortment of bacteria and viruses.’
What is most concerning with this is that this viral promoter gene and other GM constructs have escaped into the wild relatives of GMO plants and also contaminated a sizeable proportion of non GMO crops like corn, canola and soybeans.
The potential danger is being completely ignored by regulatory authorities, with no ongoing research looking at these potential pathogenic transgenic viruses and bacteria.
Dr. Mae-Wan Ho warns:
‘The scientists set up guidelines, based largely on assumptions, all of which have fallen by the wayside as the result of new scientific findings. Instead of tightening the guidelines, our regulators have relaxed them as commercial pressures built up.
It does not take a great feat of imagination to see why genetic engineering will accelerate the generation of new viruses and bacteria.’
We a looking at a large scale uncontrolled experiment and we do not know the outcomes. Logic and commonsense would state that we need a moratorium on the release of all GMO’s until there is good quality, long term peer reviewed science that ensures that there are no risks. To do otherwise is to leave a massive problem for future generations.
Never forget that the scientist who invented DDT received a Noble Prize. We are still paying the hidden price of a lack of understanding of the long term consequences of this discovery.
References:
Haijema, B.J., Volders, H. & Rottier, P.J.M. Switching species tropism: an effective way to manipulate the feline coronavirus genome. Journal of Virology, 77, 4528 - 4538, (2003).
Harwood WA, Hardon J, Ross SM, Fish L, Smith J and Snape JW. Analysis of transgenic barley in a small scale field trial. John Innes Centre & Sainsbury Laboratory Annual Report 1999/2000, p. 29.
Ho Mae-Wan (2001), Viral Gmos, Witness Statement for New Zealand Royal Commission on Genetic Engineering, Institute of Science in Society, The October Gallery, London, UK; and Dept. of Biological Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes, UKHo MW, Traavik T, Olsvik R, Tappeser B, Howard V, von Weizsacker C and McGavin G. Gene Technology and Gene Ecology of Infectious Diseases. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 1998: 10: 33-59.
Ho MW, Ryan A, Cummins J and Traavik T. Slipping through the regulatory net. ‘Naked’ and ‘free’ nucleic acids. Submitted for publication.
Ho MW, Ryan A and Cummins J. Cauliflower mosaic viral promoter – a recipe for Disaster? Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 1999: 11: 194-197.
Cummins J, Ho MW and Ryan A. Hazards of CaMV Promoter? Nature Biotechnology 2000: 18: 363.
Ho MW, Ryan A and Cummins J. Hazards of transgenic plants with the cauliflower mosaic viral promoter. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 2000: 12: 6-11.
Ho MW, Ryan A and Cummins J. CaMV 35S promoter fragmentation hotspot confirmed and it is active in animals. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 2000: 13:
Ho MW, Cummins J and Bartlett J. Killing fields near you, terminator crops at large. ISIS Report, January 2001
Kohli, A. 1999. Molecular characterization of transforming plasmid rearrangement in transgenic rice reveals a recombination hotsport in the CaMV promoter and confirms the predominace of microhomology mediated recombination. The Plant Journal 17(6), pp 591-601.
New Scientist , GM crop DNA found in human gut bugs, 12:10 18 July 02 NewScientist.com news service
New Scientist "Disaster in the making: An engineered mouse virus leaves us one step away from the ultimate bioweapon" New Scientist 13 Jan. 2001, 4-5.
New Scientist "The genie is out, Biotech has just sprung a nasty surprise. Next time, it could be catastrophic" New Scientist Editorial 13 Jan. 2001, 3.
Pearson Helen (2003), Deadly virus effortlessly hops species, Genetic engineering helps reveal origin of deadly 'flu Nature, 2 April 2003
Union of Concerned Scientists http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/biotechnology/page.cfm?pageID=346
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Robyn Neeson's organic newsletter from NSW AG |
Rod May states "Robyn had filled an important gap in the communications within the organic industry providing some well appreciated practical information with her examination of technical issues within organic agriculture"
"Her new electronic newsletter goes beyond that of many others and focuses on the practical needs of farmers and organic operators in a well constructed coverage of research and developments in the organic field"
"Gives you something to get your teeth into!"
"For those who get a bit tired of the spin and the endless regurgitation sometimes noted in the electronic frenzy, contact Robyn for this excellent publication at robyn.neeson@agric.nsw.gov.au"
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EVENTS |
Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) is organising a series of Organic Roadshows around Australia. Contact Suzi Moore media@bfa.com.au for more information.
THE WORKSHOPS ARE:
18 March CAIRNS, QLD
19 March BUNDABERG, QLD
20 March BRISBANE, QLD
16 April SYDNEY, NSW
17 April DUBBO, NSW
18 April LISMORE, NSW
Biodynamics FNQ & OPAQ present
*Eco-strategist, Presenter, Author and Organic Farmer of 30 years*
HARRY McCORMACK, from Oregon USA, Sat 13 March, 1.00pm-5.30pm Malanda Hotel Function Room
Harry’s Sunbow Farm in Oregon USA, markets at least 80 different crops to 3-5 farmers markets, two of which he founded. Harry is a well respected organic industry elder, being co-founder of Oregon Tilth, one of the most respected organic certifiers in the world and is soon to release his fourth publication “In the Spirit of the Garden”.
*Cost: *$40pp or $60 per couple (from same family or farm enterprise)
*Bookings: *Ph Michelle on 07 4095 2194 (It would be appreciated
if you could complete and return the registration form attached to this email
by the 8 March or earlier)
Upcoming Dr Arden Andersen workshops
10 March – Fri 12th March , 3 day soil management school – Leongatha VIC - $990
Contact: IQ Ag Pty Ltd, 22 Young Street Milton Queensland 4064, P: 07 3511 6666, M: 0427 258 159, W: http://www.iqag.com.au
The 1st International Symposium for Organic Fruit and Wine Growing
May 12th-13th 2004, Stuttgart, Germany
The German Winegrowers Association (DWV) and Ecovin are jointly
organising this conference, which will be held as part of INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA
2004. Contact: Ecovin - Tel.: +49 (06133) 1640 Email: ulrike.gebert@ecovin.org
Food Artisans discuss Organics
at Brisbane¹s Fine Food Queensland
On Sunday March 21st 2004 some of Australia¹s leading organic food artisans
will discuss and debate the agony and the ecstasy of organic/biodynamic producing
at this year¹s Fine Food Queensland. The day of discussion panels,entitled The
Organic Table will be held in the Brisbane Convention Centre,South Bank and
will feature some of the country¹s top food artisans.
Panellists include the creators of such quality products as Sol Breads, Cook¹s
Pure Organic Apple Juice, Kenilworth Gourmet Cheeses, and great names in organics
such as Barambah Organics, Demeter Farm Mills, HeavenlyOrganics, OBE Beef, Red
Gum Flour Milling, Mondo Organics, Bauer¹s Organic Farm, Deborah Preston and
David Roby. ŒPaddock to Palettes¹ creator DebNewell will host the day.
The day will be divided into four sessions. Choose one or all sessions. $60
per session, per person or four sessions for the price of three. To
guarantee a seat please book before 19th March 2004. General public welcome
to sessions but Fine Food Fair open to Trade only. Starting 10.45am the day
will be divided into four sessions:
11.00-12.15
Session I
Baking, Bread & Spreads
12.30- 1.45
Session II
Cheese & Milk
2.45-400
Session III
Meat & Poultry
4.15- 5.30
Session IV
Fruit & Vegetables
Enquires and Bookings contact:
Catriona Macmillan, catrionamac@optusnet.com.au
Ph 02 9365 7668 Fx 02 9365 7828 Mobile 0402 404 361
Biodynamic
AgriCulture Australia
Events Calendar – Summer –Autumn 2004
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Date |
Workshop Details |
Location |
Trainers |
Cost |
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6/7 March, Sat/Sun 2004 |
Biodynamic Broad-acre Cropping & Stock Mgt |
SE Qld Mundubbera |
Hamish Mackay John Priestley |
$550 pp |
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9/10 March Tues/Wed 2004 |
Tropical Biodynamics for Horticulture & Grazing Biodynamics for improved soil health and nutrition; BD Compost, Liquid Fertilisers and Weed Teas; Tree Paste; Stirring and Spraying Out; The Planting Calendar; Peppering for Pests and Weeds and Animal Health Issues |
Yeppoon, Central Queensland |
Hamish |
$550pp |
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22/23 March, Mon/Tues 2004 |
Biodynamics for Dairying and Pasture Management |
Warrnambool Vic |
Hamish Mackay & Cheryl Kemp
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FarmBi$ eligible price $137.50pp subject to change |
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25/26 March, Thurs/ Fri |
Biodynamics – Basic Introductory Workshop Horticulture, Market Gardening, Pasture Management. |
Mansfield Vic |
Hamish Mackay Ian Cuming |
FarmBi$ eligible price $137.50pp subject to change |
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29/30 March, Mon/Tues 2004 |
Biodynamics Workshop- Review of past years Biodynamic conversion- Gardening, Pasture Management. |
Garfield Kim Clarke 03 5629 2680 |
Hamish Mackay & Cheryl Kemp |
FarmBi$ $137.50pp subject to change |
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19/20 March Fri/Sat |
Biodynamic Agriculture Australia. Autumn Preparation making – Burying Horns, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506. Horn Clay and Manure Concentrate. |
Comboyne NSW. Tony Frankins 161 Colling Rd, |
10am -5pm 02 65504034 for info re accommodation & directions |
Free Lots of work and a great learning experience !. Bring lunch to share |
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Sat 27 March |
Biodynamic Agriculture Australia. Autumn Preparation making – Burying Horns, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506. Horn Clay and Manure Concentrate. |
Tenterfield NSW Kim Midelton Bungoona, |
10am -5pm 02 6737 6673 Bring lunch to share |
Free Lots of work and a great learning experience !. |
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¾ April Sat/Sun |
Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia Autumn Preparation making – Burying Horns, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506. Horn Clay and Manure Concentrate. |
Dorrigo Nth Cheryl Kemp 627 Tyringham Rd, |
10am -5pm 02 66550566 for info re accommodation & directions |
Free Lots of work and a great learning experience Bring lunch to share |
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16/17 April Fri /Sat |
Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia Autumn Preparation making – Burying Horns, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506. Horn Clay and Manure Concentrate. |
Thora, vis Bellingen Patanga 1033 Darkwood Rd. |
10am -5pm 02 66550566 for info re accommodation & directions |
Free Lots of work and a great learning experience Bring lunch to share |
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End of March to May – 2004. |
Contact your local group for dates for preparation making times for putting down horn manure etc. |
Local Groups – see back of News Leaf |
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10/11 May Mon/Tues |
Biodynamics and Viticulture – plus review of past years work. |
Margaret River WA |
FarmBi$ |
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13/14 May Thurs /Fri |
Biodynamic Horticulture and Pasture Management Improve Soil Health & Nutrition; Stirring & Spraying Out; Planting Calendar; Peppering for Pest and Weeds; Composting; Liquid Fertilisers & Weed Teas |
South Coast WA |
FarmBi$ refund available |
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26/27 May Wed /Thurs |
Biodynamics for Dairy and Pasture Management. |
Corryong Vic |
Hamish McKay & Cheryl Kemp |
FarmBi$ eligible price $137.50pp |
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29/30 May Sat/Sun |
Biodynamics For Horticulture and Pasture |
Harcourt Castlemaine Vic. |
Hamish McKay, Cheryl Kemp & Ian Cuming |
FarmBi$ eligible price $137.50pp |
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2/3 June Wed/Thurs |
Biodynamics for Viticulture and Horticulture 2. Review of past years work in Biodynamics and Viticulture. |
Tarrawarra Vic Kiltynane Est. |
Hamish McKay, Cheryl Kemp & Ian Cuming |
FarmBi$ $137.50pp |
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27/28/29 August Fri., Sat. & Sun 2004 |
National Biodynamic Conference and AGM |
Coolangatta SE Qld |
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19/20/21 November, 2004 |
Biodynamic Viticulture Conference |
Beechworth Vic |
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16-24 January 2005 |
Agriculture, Art and Science Conference |
TBA |
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For bookings & information
on all workshops or to host a workshop in your area, please contact Cheryl Kemp,
Education Officer, Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia
on Ph 02 6655 0566 Fax 02 6655 0565
email:
cheryl@biodynamics.net.au or visit our web site at
www.biodynamics.net.au
Course Content: At each 2 day course we cover Soil Fertility, Soil food web, About the Biodynamic Preparations and how to use them. Soil health and nutrition, making BD Compost, Liquid fertilisers and Weed teas, Stirring and Spraying out the Preparations, Spray equipment and stirring equipment, Planting calendar, Weed and Pest management, and animal health issues or specific crop issues. At Dairy farming workshops we also look at effluent management. Course runs from 9-5pm both days.
We will send out more detailed information and registration forms to members in regions and states closer to the workshops and we advertise in local papers. Workshops are open to all, whether members or not, so tell your interested friends.
We recommend early bookings to ensure your place.
Farmbi$ is due for completion in June however, funds are finite and different States will have used up their allocation on different dates, some of which will be prior to June.
Farmbi$ is a direct support to participants and not Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia. Biodynamic AgriCulture Australia will run courses where we have a minimum of 20 confirmed bookings, two weeks prior to workshop commencement