#88 News Leaf_News Leaf - Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

News Leaf 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd 

dirtgirlworld joins BAA 

True Excellence in Growing Food 

Sprouts… Living food at its best! 

Biodynamics Comes to Schools 

SPRING 2011 ISSUE #88 rrp $11.00 inc gst

News Leaf is the Official Journal of 


and published quarterly for each season. 

Editor ......................................................................................................................(02) 6655 0566 

PO Box 54, Bellingen NSW 2454 ................bdnewsleaf@biodynamics.net.au 

Proof reading 

John Hodgkinson 

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OFFICE 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd Ph. (02) 6655 0566 

PO Box 54 Fax (02) 6655 0565 

Bellingen NSW 2454 

bdoffice@biodynamics.net.au 

ABN 42 588 901 426 

www.biodynamics.net.au 

Account Enquiries Leonie Milne ..........................................................Ph. (02) 6655 0566 

bdaccounts@biodynamics.net.au 

Preparations Co-ordinator Alan Johnstone.....................................Ph. (02) 6655 0566 

bdpreps@biodynamics.net.au 

Preparation Orders Please phone, fax or email to office. Orders are posted Monday 

to Thursday each week. See Biodynamic Preparations and Product List on page 54. 

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News Leaf #88 ~ Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd


is the official journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd 

and is published quarterly to coincide with each of the four seasons. 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd is a not-for-profit company limited by 

guarantee supporting Australian farmers and gardeners to regenerate the land 

and produce quality food and fibre. 

The objects of the association are to foster, guide and further develop biodynamic 

farming and gardening in Australia based on indications given by Rudolf Steiner. 

Submission of articles for consideration, requests for permission to reprint, 

and enquiries regarding the placing of advertisements in News Leaf can be 

emailed to bdnewsleaf@biodynamics.net.au or, if in hard copy, mailed to the Biodynamic 

Agriculture Australia Ltd office, attention to ‘The News Leaf Editor’. 

Advertising Rates: See inside front cover for details. 

News Leaf is printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC Australia), certified 

paper using vegetable based inks. FSC certification ensures products are derived 

from ethical and ecologically sustainable sources. 

Copyright: Reproduction in whole or in part may only occur with the written 

permission of the editor. 

Disclaimer— While every effort is made to publish accurate information, Biodynamic Agriculture 

Australia Ltd accepts no responsibility for statements made and opinions expressed in this journal. 

Furthermore, Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd accepts no responsibility for results or perceived 

results on individual properties as the implementation of the biodynamic techniques is ultimately the 

responsibility of the individual. 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd does not necessarily endorse the product or services being offered 

within advertisements in this magazine. Acceptance of advertisements is at the discretion of Biodynamic 

Agriculture Australia Ltd. 

Cover photos: combination of two photos by mirabbi from morguefile.com 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd ~ News Leaf #88 

1

Features 

9 Gardening in the Light of Findhorn 

John Hodgkinson 

A personal story of growth. 

11 Nutrition 

Richard Thornton-Smith 

Report from our National Conference 

Keynote Speaker. 

16 Beef Cattle Grazing 

Shane Joyce 

Feedback from a National Conference 

Break-out Group 

20 Biodynamics Comes to Schools 

Diane Watkin and Ian Wallis 

Exciting biodynamics work in schools. 

21 True Excellence in Growing Food 

Hugh Lovel 

Why biodynamic growers strive 

for self-sufficiency. 

30 Sprouts – Living Food at its Best 

Isabell Shippard 

Find out about this fabulous living food. 

34 Biodynamics in the Home Orchard 

From northfarm.com.au 

Successful workshop run in Bellingen. 

2

Regulars 

4 Welcome to Spring 

5 Letter from the Chair 

7 Seasonal Notes 

42 Preparations Report 

46 Letters to the editor 

49 Membership Form 

54 Preparations & Products List 

36 Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd welcomes dirtgirlworld 

A great new partnership that will excite the kids 

to get out and get grubby. 

3

Welcome to Spring 

We love Spring! More sunshine, growth, the promise of warmer weather and Summer 

to come. A time of regeneration. Here at Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd 

we are growing too. Times have been tough for us all this year; however the Board 

has reacted to ensure the continued success of your Company with new developments, 

some of which you’ll start to see in this edition of News Leaf. 

The beautiful sunflower on the front cover is a symbol we will become more associated 

with. When our revamped website is launched within the next month, you’ll 

see more of it and it shines a new light on Biodynamics in Australia. 

This edition we are very excited to be starting our collaboration with dirtgirlworld. 

Those of you with children would be familiar with the ABC TV program, and we 

hope to bring you a few pages each month that offer children a way into the world 

of gardens and Biodynamics. Don’t miss the competition to win one of three dirtworldgirl 

CDs! Also on children there’s an article and photographs from some work 

Sydney Biodynamics Inc has been doing with a Sydney council in schools. Very exciting 

for the future of Biodynamics. 

Feature articles this month include more from Richard Thornton-Smith, this time on 

nutrition, an excellent article from Hugh Lovel on true excellence in growing food 

and Shane Joyce takes us through some of the conclusions from a workshop on Biodynamics 

and cattle. 

This News Leaf has been a true collaboration with staff, directors and supporters 

working together to bring you something we feel is fresh and exciting, as Cheryl 

Kemp has resigned to work on her own business. Special thanks go to Alan Johnstone 

and Leonie Milne who have added to their workload to pull this through and 

to Robin Ellis, our designer and typesetter who is, as always, invaluable. We thank 

Cheryl Kemp for the time she spent guiding News Leaf and we wish her well in her 

own business. 

We hope you enjoy some of the new features and welcome your feedback and suggestions 

– send them to bdnewsleaf@biodynamics.net.au. Oh and don’t miss the 

dirtgirlworld competition! 

Enjoy Spring, 

Warmest wishes 

The BAA Team. 

4 News Leaf #88 ~ Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd

Letter from the Chair 

Dear Members, 

I’m writing to update you with some exciting developments at 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd. 

2011 has certainly been an interesting year, with extraordinary 

weather events and continuing economic turmoil and BAA has felt the effects. 

However your Board is being proactive in ensuring we strengthen the financial 

base of the Company and continue taking Biodynamics out to a wider audience. 

Thank you to those of you who completed our online survey and others who send 

us suggestions; this has been extremely helpful in setting our new direction. 

We have been fortunate to gain the services of an experienced marketing and management 

consultant, Cheryl Dooley. Cheryl has worked within Australia and internationally 

on marketing projects that range from the very small to the multi 

million. Returning from Sydney to near her hometown, Cheryl semi-retired to a 

small acreage on the north coast of NSW, where she grows her own fruit and vegetables 

organically and has a keen interest in Biodynamics. After a chance meeting 

with one of the board we asked if she would like to work with us to strengthen 

our marketing and business plan and Cheryl started working with us in July. 

Cheryl started by conducting a functional audit of the operations and presented the 

Board with a report that incorporates strengthening our branding, improving packaging 

for a number of products and taking those products to a wider audience via 

online and third party mechanisms. The Board has whole-heartedly endorsed the 

plan and the staff and Board are working with Cheryl Dooley on its implementation. 

Long standing BAA member, Cheryl Kemp, who has been working with the organisation 

has decided this is the time to take her leave and return to her own business 

ventures. We would like to thank Cheryl for her contributions to the 

organisation and we wish her every success for the future. If you have been communicating 

with Cheryl Kemp on Biodynamics please now forward those enquiries 

to bdoffice@biodynamics.net.au. 

Alan Johnstone and Leonie Milne, long-term key staff members, continue to drive 

the organisation and are excited about the opportunities the new marketing plan 

offers for the future. One such opportunity is potential partnerships with individual 

members in promoting their products and BAA as a joint venture. The BAA 


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website is being redesigned and will be much more user-friendly and we are also 

launching into social media. Stay tuned for updates. 

News Leaf will be revamped, with new inclusions. We are taking a long look at our 

workshops to develop new programs that meet your needs and that will also encourage 

new members into the organisation, strengthening our position across Australia. 

We are keen to develop trainers within each State and would love to hear of 

people you feel could take on this challenge. 

I’m personally very pleased with the direction we are taking and feel it will bring 

renewed pride and enthusiasm to the organisation and all our members and thus 

to the development of Biodynamics across Australia. 

Recently, my wife and I attended a 2 day workshop presented by Brian Keats (the 

author of the Antipodean Astro Calendar) at North Farm in Bellingen. After time spent 

during the day studying the Astro Calendar and listening to the huge amount of information 

pertaining to sidereal and planetary movements and their influence on 

life on Earth, time was spent on Saturday night star and planet gazing. I would recommend 

to anyone having the opportunity to attend one of Brian Keats’ workshops 

to take the time to learn of the vast and growing knowledge presented by Brian. 

If you have any questions please contact me on (02) 6869 7635. If you would like to 

know more about marketing opportunities or have a suggestion for a local trainer, 

please be in contact with Cheryl Dooley at marketing@biodynamics.net.au. For any 

advisory questions contact Alan Johnstone bdpreps@biodynamics.net.au. The office 

number is (02) 6655 0566. 

Last, but by no means least, I’m delighted to tell members that Hugh Lovel has 

been appointed by Standards Australia to represent the biodynamics sector on the 

national Organic and Biodynamic Standards Committee, FT-032. This committee, 

comprising representatives of the food industry, the organic/biodynamic certifiers, 

consumers and associated parties, meets from time to time to assess the National 

Organic and Biodynamic Standard. 

Ray Unger, 

Chairman of the Board, December 2010 

***** 

Our Website is about to undergo a change. Within the next month or so we will 

be turning on a brand new look with much easier to use online ordering and a 

cleaner, fresher look. Watch this space: www.biodynamics.net.au If you have any 

suggestions, send them to marketing@biodynamics.net.au 


Seasonal Notes 

South Australia and Victoria – this season seems to be like last year’s Spring and 

Summer – lots of rain and unsettled weather. Let’s hope you have got all your 

soil preparations and compost out and organised by October, and don’t let up 

on your preparation sprays at every chance you can get. 

Coastal mid and SE Qld also looks like it will be wet with extreme weather at 

times as well. We haven’t got the 2012 Calendar yet – so I can’t tell you what 

January will bring, but going on this pattern it certainly won’t be any better than 

last Summer. 

October: The wild weather of the last week of September may move into further 

disturbances in early October. We are between two Supermoons – from end of 

September to end of October. This means we will most likely be having very unsettled 

and dramatic weather events worldwide. Prevailing local weather conditions 

are accentuated. Possible floods, high tides, fires earthquakes and 

volcanic activity. Hope you got all your preparations out by the 3rd week of September, 

as this month of October may be a rough ride. Brian Keats suggests that 

when planets are crossing the Equator into the Southern Hemisphere we can expect 

increased disturbances. Mercury comes south 28th September, same time 

as the New Moon and perigee happens as well! Watch how a Mercury crossing 

south affects your area so you will know for future crossings. Make notes on 

your calendars so you can watch the progress. 

In the first week of October, a polar low coming up from below Tasmania towards 

east coast Victoria and NSW, may bring in further cold weather – even 

some late frosts and possible rains. Hold the vegetable planting in high regions, 

and have your preps out Moon opposite Saturn 12th October, to build resilience. 

Tasmania may be getting another dose of cold and wet and windy weather from 

another polar low off the east coast around the 7th. A tropical low may develop 

off Darwin near the 17th and will follow the line of Mercury right down to below 

SA – bringing further wind and rains. A little break until the last week when the 

New Moon on 27th is also the Moon perigee (Moon closest to earth) so this New 

Moon will be a Supermoon – watch for increased moisture, start of mildews and 

fungal infestations. 

I would be applying preparations at every break in the weather, to try and keep 

the balance and to support the land and plants. Don’t worry about correct times 

– just spray as soon as you can get out on the land. Add the Biodynamic Seaweed 


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as a tonic and support as well. Grape growers and soft fruit growers will particularly 

need to keep their Equisetum/Casuarina teas and Seaweeds out, once 

flowering is finished then time to apply the atmospheric sprays – 501, and Summer 

Horn Clay especially with the Equisetum/Casuarina teas: all preventative 

sprays to protect against mildews and fungal infestations. The Horn Silica will 

be very necessary over these next few months as it will probably be cloudy and 

wet, affecting flowering and fruiting. 

Buy in a bulk lot all the preparations you will be needing for the Spring and Summer 

so you are not having to order in a hurry. Make sure you have suitable storage 

containers ready in advance. Contact the office if you need help with this. 

November: More heavy rain possible for SA around the 7th and Darwin 1st, 

with lows in those areas. Is this the start of Tropical wet season? There should 

be quiet weather for the 2nd week. There is likely to be a Victoria east coast low 

and possibly into southern NSW around the 20th. Highs over WA – looks like it 

could be still a dry Summer again. 

Perigee 2 days ahead of New Moon, so I would expect it to still increase the 

moisture content of the earth and plants, but not as strongly as the Supermoon 

of last month. 27th on brings tropical low to mid Qld coast which will probably 

stay stuck for a while and not go east as Mercury is going retrograde in her cycle 

which slows forward movement from 24th. 

December: Wet and stormy weather expected over SA for the first week of December 

– with a Mercury Retrograde pushing against the Sun and blocking the 

high in the lower southern oceans. The second week should be dry and mild. (Put 

more preps out!) Lunar eclipse joins Full Moon on the 11th, with peak South node 

10th, hopefully keeping the ‘high and dry’ in place, not such a wet Full Moon. 

Lows are starting to come in over tropical Australia. 

22-24th December lots of activity around the New Moon, Moon crossing ecliptic, 

and perigee on 22 – Brian expects extreme weather build up over Irian Jaya 23rd. 

On 29th we expect a major Tasman low – hope the Sydney-Hobart yachts get a 

fast trip to Hobart before this comes about. Could be a wet and wild New Year 

for east coast. …Continued page 19 

Our thanks to Brian Keats for his assistance with these seasonal notes. Brian is developing 

a weather MSLP map for every day of next year and once it is available we will 

let you know. 


Gardening in the Light of Findhorn 

By John Hodgkinson 

I am re-reading The Findhorn Garden having first read it about twelve years ago when 

I was running my market garden/partly self-sufficient polyculture on the Dorrigo 

plateau. At that stage I was seriously burdened by a hefty mortgage which had 

funded my then wife’s whim to own a cafe/health food shop in Dorrigo; by a 60km 

round trip to town; by physical overwork and by multiple and often conflicting 

priorities. 

Reading about Findhorn then was more a tease than a model I could adopt. 

Nevertheless I consider it a story of fundamental importance to humanity. 

Hodge Podge Farm was based on a permaculture design, was run on BD principles 

and applied preps and was BFA certified for stone and pome fruits, nuts, berries, 

potatoes, culinary herbs, all vegetables and maize. The stories of Peter, Eileen, 

Dorothy, Roc and David receiving direct guidance from the angelic, devic and 

elemental kingdoms was so far from my own solo effort that it became for me a sort 

of fantasy, way beyond my ability to implement on the complex physicality of my 

farm. So eventually it failed, we divorced and we sold. 

But wait… Mini Hodge Podge arose from the ashes in 2005 around my house in 

Bellingen. Lawns and shrubs and pool gave way to vegetables. My various esoteric 

practices and BD quickened a typical urban setup into my usual cornucopia of 

produce, with emphasis on salad mixes and various bunched leafies – an urban 

boutique market garden. 

Now I’m not one to doubt the value of BD in creating the production of nutrient 

dense, high life force ‘food as medicine’. Yes I’ve read Steiner and taken to heart his 

Agriculture Course. But what a small part of his teachings are these eight lectures, 

quite apart from his subtext, which I take to be that the physical preps are only a 

crutch we need as novices until we ultimately enter into co-creation with the 

spiritual hierarchy as our birthright on Earth. And yes, I’ve seen the ‘proof’ of the 

BD technique in the chromatograms I’ve done of preps, compost and produce and 

via my dowsing. 

But naturally I went ahead and voraciously read a heap of other Steiner works 

(Occult Science, How to Know Higher Worlds, etc). Also The Secret Life of Plants, Secrets 


9

of the Soil, Callahan’s stuff, the Koliskos, Maria Thun – a library of relevant texts on 

soil dynamics, cosmic rhythms and influences, orgone/ether/zero point field, Gaiaas-living-entity, 

divination… Until I put the reading aside and just surrendered to 

BEING an integral part of the garden rather than the BOSS. 

Intellect aside, when I’m feeling sad I notice the garden is suppressed and vice versa 

when joyful. When I deny sadness, the garden still reacts. When I put particular 

attention on a species it responds in a quite obvious way. For example, Alan 

Johnstone and I decided to grow the prep flowers chamomile and dandelion because 

the commercial ones have doubtful quality and a high price. As soon as I directly 

addressed the dandelion deva in my garden earlier this year the plants went into 

growth and flowering spurts and much to my daily delight I’m picking heaps of 

large blooms! 

As for peppering, I began merely to ASK. That’s all. I feel the trick is not to be 

impatient. The sequence: attention (very focussed), imagination (mental pictures), 

intent (asking), waiting patiently, and manifestation. It’s worked with slugs and snails, 

flea beetles, various caterpillars and with Satin Bowerbirds so far. Mind you, these 

plant eaters are still present and numerous – they just leave my market plants alone. 

So back to Findhorn and what a thrill to find the second reading was as if the book 

had become angelic – all radiant and ethereal. Why not buy a copy if you’re 

interested in examining co-creation. I reckon the Findhorn ‘experiment’ is essentially 

a Steinerian construct, where the garden is a metaphor for demonstrating 

communion and cooperation with nature, based on transcendence beyond material 

form and phenomenal aspects of gardening and farming. I think it’s a territory 

towards which Steiner beckoned us in his fruitful life. All that remains for us, as it 

did in the case of Roc, is to consciously take up our apprenticeship in a context of 

openness and surrender and stillness. 

***** 

The Findhorn Foundation is a spiritual community, ecovillage and an international centre 

for holistic education, helping to unfold a new human consciousness and create a positive 

and sustainable future – for more information go to http://www.findhorn.org/ 


Nutrition 

By Richard Thornton – Smith 

Lecture 2 – National Workshop – Greenmount Beach Resort, Coolangatta. 

April, 2011. From notes collated by Alan Johnstone. 

On Sunday at our National Conference held at Greenmount Beach in Qld Richard 

Thornton Smith talked about Nutrition. 

His talk covered 

• the complexity of health issues 

• why people buy organic food 

• evidence of organic and biodynamic food quality 

• methods revealing energy within matter 

• the need for holistic understanding of nutrition 

• insights into contemporary medical conditions 

Factors causing health issues – these are numerous and many are interrelated. 

Richard listed some significant factors:- 

• stress 

• occupational hazards 

• medical – antibiotics and immunisation 

• local environmental hazards – water quality; pathogens; air pollution 

• change in the mobility of people – lifestyle; exercise 

• poor diet – malnutrition – imbalance in what is needed for a reasonable diet 

• harmful consumer products eg cosmetics with synthetic hormones; water from 

plastic water bottles with biphenyl A leachate causing pancreatic and cardio 

vascular disorders 

• processed foods and food additives – our bodies cannot recognise or properly 

digest synthesised carbohydrates and proteins 

• chemical and pesticide residues in food often lead to chronic fatigue 

Where you live and work determines a lot of health problems eg living with malaria 

in tropical countries. Increased cadmium in drinking water leached from excessive 

use of superphosphate and nitrate has led to one third of the Sri Lankan’s population 

having kidney problems. 


11

How do we identify quality food? 

All aspects of our being are involved in food choices: 

Our Etheric/Vital body contains our memories and is the seat of our habits and our 

addictions, eg our habit of eating meat or addiction to morning coffee. 

Our Astral body is the level of consciousness and our senses. We feel hungry. When 

we shop this hunger transfers to what food appeals to us. We are usually looking 

for perfect looking fruit and vegetables. 

Our Ego body or individuality is based on knowledge of the benefits of organic food 

or vegetarianism or eating fermented food. It allows us to explore new options and 

break out of old habits. It allows us to be in command of food desires rather than a 

victim of our cravings. 

Why do people buy biodynamic and organic food? 

There are different combinations of reasons including: 

1. Support of environmentally sound agriculture – living in tune with nature. 

2. Concern over pesticides and weedicides and their residues. Often negative media 

stories cause people to change their habits. 

3. Concern over environmental and wildlife impact of intensive farming systems and 

the harsh treatment of animals and use of antibiotics in intensive animal systems. 

4. Perceived health benefits especially of the young mother for her children. 

5. Already into alternative medicine and informed about the health benefits of 

organic food and whole foods compared to processed foods. May be allergy 

sufferers eg gluten intolerance. 

6. Informed by friends who grow and/or eat organic food especially fruit and 

vegetables whose superior flavours convince them. 

7. Concerned about the energy impact and carbon footprint of chemically mass 

produced food leading to the support of local food networks with minimal food 

miles and a diversity of organically grown food. 

8. Organic/biodynamic food is often more expensive – buying it can be a status 

booster and can also set up a placebo effect by making me feel that because I paid 

more for it; it is going to be good for me. 

Evidence of organic and biodynamic food quality 

There is much evidence of the quality of biodynamic and organic food including: 

• Nutrient Analyses – Studies have shown consistently higher levels of true 

protein; antioxidants; mineral salts; vitamins and accessory nutrients (flavour) 

in organic foods and lower levels of nitrates. 


• Keeping Quality – Degradation tests show that organic produce has a longer 

shelf life. 

• Animal Health Experiments and Observations – fertility of cows at least twice 

as long (12-15yrs) for organic cattle compared to chemical cattle (5-6yrs). Organic 

cattle thriving on 4lbs biodynamic rolled oats per day supplement compared to 

neighbours chemical cattle on 11lbs/day. 

• Human experiments and observations – Danish organic farmers had highest 

sperm quality as had organic tea plantation workers in Colombo; students in 

Dornach and Africa performed better in exams (memory retention) when fed 

organic food; German Nuns more emotionally balanced and better digestion on 

an organic diet; gluten; red wine and milk intolerances have been cured by 

eating organic food; biodynamic foods are used at cancer clinics in UK and 

Australia contributing to high incidence of cure. 

How to test vitality of food 

There are many ways to test the vitality or life forces contained in food. They include: 

• Picture Forming Methods. These include chromatography and sensitive 

crystalisation. 

• Light Emission Methods, eg Kerlian photography where internal electric 

energies are activated using an applied external electric current. 

• Biophoton images where for example light is shone on leaf and an emission 

spectrum in received back via camera based equipment. 

A wholistic understanding of nutrition 

A fundamental point of divergence between the picture of nutrition offered by 

Rudolf Steiner and the orthodox one is the principle that we need food for the lifegiving 

forces it contains as well as for its physical substances. Food grown 

biodynamically offers the greatest source of life forces. 

Steiner explained that the benefit we gain from food’s inner forces is proportional 

to the effort expended in digestion and food that contains vital forces involves 

greater digestive effort on our part. 

Compared with vegetable protein, animal protein requires less effort to digest; thus 

we gain less benefit from it and since it contains a residue of the animal’s astrality, 

it can burden the body in a way that vegetable protein does not. Vegetarian diets 

can therefore be recommended for giving us greater vitality without ‘side effects’. 

Raw fruits and vegetables release the highest levels of vital forces together with 

intact vitamins and a complete inventory of salts. 


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Earthly and Cosmic Nutritional Pathways 

Steiner distinguished between earthly and cosmic nutrition in animals and human 

beings. The food and liquid we consume – earthly nutrition – has a complex but 

broadly threefold function. It firstly provides, via carbohydrates and fats, fuel and 

warmth for the body to conduct its various tasks. Meanwhile the body requires 

liquid intake for maintaining its vital functions and to facilitate the excretory process. 

Secondly with a vital contribution from mineral salts it nourishes and provides a 

physical basis for the nervous system. This nervous system allows the brain to 

deploy cosmic forces to direct the functioning of bodily processes as well as our 

higher capacities. 

Thirdly, while the bulk of what we eat is excreted, our digestive process releases a 

spiritual essence into our etheric circulation. Carbohydrates, after digestion, in 

addition to releasing energy, provide the body with what it needs to create and 

maintain bodily form while fats fill this form with substance. 

From the proteins in our everyday food an essence is gathered from which our body 

forms its own protein. The protein we eat should be completely destroyed by our 

digestive system. An essence or ‘blueprint’ of this protein passes through the 

intestinal wall and into the body’s etheric or life energy system. Here it encounters 

‘cosmic nutrition’ which comes from outside us, is drawn in through our senses and 

is transmitted by the nerves. In Dr Hauschka’s words ‘our senses reach out to 

perceive and absorb spiritual sustenance in the form of creative forces preceding 

from the divine cosmos. Like a plant; this grows down from the head out of spirit 

into matter, condensing as flesh and blood’. 

The digestive –nutritional process is thus one of unbelievable accomplishment with 

the ascent of earthly substance engaging with the descent of influences from the 

cosmos. Cosmic forces strike firstly into our astral organism (the sentient body), 

physically represented by the nervous system. They then unite with forces absorbed 

into the etheric body from the food we have eaten. Our endocrine glands regulate 

between the incoming cosmic forces and our vital etheric organism. 

Steiner notes how important the inner and outer planets are to life processes in 

plants and animals. Human beings need a proper balance of these planetary forces 

in their food for well balanced nutrition. Biodynamic agriculture achieves this 

balance which is lacking in food produced conventionally. 

A true definition of quality food is that which enables a proper working of the 

different elements of our nutritional system – earthly and cosmic. 


Steiner said that as we are developing our organs up to the age of 12 carbohydrates 

are required. After that carbohydrates are not required to give our system energy. 

Proteins will transmutate into carbohydrates as the body needs them so we can 

survive as adults on fats and protein without carbs! 

Nutritional relationships between plants and the human being 

Rudolf Steiner spoke of plants and human beings as exhibiting a broadly threefold 

division. The plant root connects with the nerve-sense system – directed by the head. 

Stems and leaves stimulate the rhythmic system of heart and lungs from the 

diaphragm upwards, while the flowers and fruit influence the lower metabolic and 

reproductive parts. Seeds encapsulate the whole plant and as such are nourishment 

for the entire body. 

Thus for example, through poor nutrition (lack of root vegetables with sufficient life 

forces in the diet) those functions directed by the head, spiritual as well as physical 

may well be compromised. This may cause a lack of ability to concentrate and 

nervous disorders and possibly malfunction of organs. 

Insight into current health problems 

There is reason to believe from the nutritional principles outlined above that a 

number of medical conditions such as infertility, cancer, chronic fatigue, diabetes, 

obesity, hypersensitivity to food, antibiotic resistance, food poisoning and mental 

disorders could be alleviated or reduced in frequency by awareness of 

environmental risks and by adoption of appropriate diets containing significant 

amounts of biodynamic or organic food. 

Recommendation for maximising intake of vital forces 

• Eat fresh biodynamic or organic foods and ferments. 

• Maximise intake of raw foods. 

• Use whole foods rather than processed foods. 

• Cook gently on gas or woodfired stoves. 

• Drink highest quality of water possible. 

• Have positive thoughts of loving gratitude when preparing and eating food. 

Acknowledgements: For more in depth research on nutrition read Richard Thornton 

Smith’s book – Cosmos Earth and Nutrition available from the Office. 

Richard Thornton Smith’s 2 days of talks from the National Conference are available from 

the office as a 4 CD set for $44.00 inc gst + pp. Other speakers talks are also available from 

the office – phone 02 6655 0566. 


15

National Conference Beef Cattle Grazing 

Breakout Sessions 

By Shane Joyce, Director, Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd 

At our National Conference one group spent some time in a break-out session 

discussing Biodynamics and beef cattle. Topics included: 

animal selection, grazing system, parasites, pasture/crop selection, selling end 

product, free choice minerals, using animals to spread preparations, foot problems 

associated with wet conditions, how best to introduce new animals, animal 

performance, low stress stock handling, and predators. 

Other issues, which may apply to a broader range of agricultural systems, were 

financial constraints, mobile fences, water, different environments, monitoring, 

timing of application of biodynamic preparations, compost, time, dung beetle 

activity, unwanted plants, people issues, weather extremes and resilience, 

knowledge, inability to apply preps due to extremes of weather or terrain, keeping 

rain on farm, labor and time availability, how to rehabilitate land. 

I will cover the cattle specific issues in this article, leaving the other points for a 

later time. 

With animal selection we strive for environmental adaptability first and secondly 

salability. Our animals must thrive in our environment, and to be able to manage 

our variable seasons we must have animals that we can sell at any age or stage. 

A must-have for a grazing system is REST. That is adequate rest for plants to 

recover after grazing. 

Parasites are largely managed by breaking up their life cycle through animal 

grazing management. 

Pasture/crop selection is done on the basis of wanting 3P grasses (palatable, 

productive, perennial). Any introduction of new species (e.g. luceana) is only done 

after a rigorous cost benefit analysis. 

On selling end product we were recently caught out with only having certification 

for Australian market and 1/5th of our annual turnoff were sold as non organic. 

We now have upgraded our certification. An expensive lesson in relation to 

producing product without having ensured we had a market. 

Free choice minerals we do not now use, preferring to use the P/PC balance rule 

(production/production capability). I prefer to balance the stock nutrition by 


alancing the soil/pasture through the use of biodynamic preparations and animal 

grazing management. 

The use of animals to spread the biodynamic preparations has become our passion 

here at Dukes Plain as our landscape is not conducive to application with ground 

spray rigs. 

Foot problems associated with wet conditions. This to us is not an issue and we 

tend to get more foot problems here in dry conditions. The advice I have received 

is that for this problem one can use diatomaceous earth (as a foot bath in dairy) or 

suspend a vial of horn silica above the water trough in more extensive grazing 

situations. 

Introduction of new animals we do have quite a lot of experience with and the 

methodology we use is as follows: our water troughs in the cattle yard are pre 

primed with biodynamic preparations to give new stock a ‘tonic’ to begin setting 

up their rumen for our environment. We also like to expose them to ‘local’ cattle to 

help with this process. As animals have an ‘inbuilt homing device’ we spend the 

first 3 days ‘living’ with them to re-set their compasses. This allows us to get to 

know the animals, settle them to their new environment, and get them grazing and 

drinking in a relaxed manner. 

Animal performance and low stress stock handling fit like a glove with the 

introduction of our new animals routine. 

Predators. Our main predator here is the dingo and our management is through 

maintaining a population of ‘alpha’ dogs throughout the property and maintaining 

for them a food source other than cattle (wallabies, kangaroos, rabbits, feral pigs, 

emu, etc.) 

In conclusion I would like to touch on a matter close to my heart and that is the 

application of biodynamic preparations. 

As I have stated it is not possible to get the preparations sprayed over our land 

other than by aircraft which has led to the development of alternative methods, 

however in our travels and conversations with other biodynamic practitioners and 

workshop attendees I keep coming across people having difficulty getting the 

preparations out for various reasons. 

Among these reasons are not being able to spray at the correct phase of the Moon 

and planets. We have chosen on many occasions to ignore the planetary cycles, 

choosing instead to just get the preparations out. Now this may not be the ideal 

time, however on the other hand I see no validity in letting the planetary cycles be 

what stops us getting the preparations out. 


17

High-density short duration grazes with animals carrying the biodynamic preparations. 

Weaners off mum one day and being low stress handled by Darrell Hunt. 


When to apply the preparations then I recommend that any time of day between 

1 January and 31 December is a good time, on a descending moon for ground 

preparations and an ascending moon for atmospheric preparations is a better time, 

and moon opposition Saturn is best! 

I work on the theory that our planet has the intelligence to select what it needs at any 

time from all the preparations we apply, regardless of when and how we apply them. 

Further on this issue we now apply all our preparations as one mix and in one 

application. Yes ground and atmospheric preparations all together and we will start 

up our flowform in the early hours of the morning and spray all day. As the saying 

goes, the proof is in the pudding! We are getting results by doing this and you will 

be amazed at how relieved some people are to be able to apply their preparations 

in this manner. 

We can then strive for perfection when we have established a rhythm of applying 

our preparations, and do task specific applications when appropriate. 

***** 

Seasonal Notes continued from page 8… 

Using Moon opposition Saturn (2 days prior to) 

Oct 2011 Mon 10 – Tues 11 

Nov Mon 7 – Tues 8 

Dec Sun 4 – Mon 5 

Using Descending Moon – an alternative spraying time when the 

Moon’s influences are working below the earth into the soil. 

Oct 2011 Sun 2 – Mon 17 

Oct/Nov Mon 30 – Nov, Sun 13 

Dec Thur 1 – Sat 10 

Dec Sat 24 – Sat 31 

Moon opp Saturn dates for spraying biodynamic preparations out: 

increases soil activity. Also best time to plant seeds out – 

Moon = fertility and germination and Saturn = form and strong structure. 

Animal Peppers When Venus is in Scorpio in highest point behind the sun – Specific 

times for vertebrate animals. Oct 29 – Nov 22 

Peppering Dates for Weeds Oct 5 – 12, Nov 3 – 10, Dec 3 – 10 

Insect Peppers Not the right time to prepare – collect them only. 


19

Biodynamics Comes to Schools 

By Diane Watkin and Ian Wallace, Sydney Biodynamics Inc 

Children in today’s cottonwool 

world exhibited a 

hunger to get their hands in 

the soil and dig – in short, 

to get dirty – to handle tools, 

as well as showing wonderful 

enthusiasm for stories, 

A three-month project for a Sydney Council 

has just been completed. We were contracted 

to deliver 22 School Eco Gardens in their 

Catchment Connections program. Now 

these schools – both public and catholic – 

have a slow-maturing BD compost heap 

built by their students, who also helped stir 

and distribute BD500 on their gardens and 

grounds, as well as having weeded and 

planted vegies, herbs and fruit trees. 

earth songs and drawing plans on wetweather 

days. Follow-up programs have 

been set up for each individual school. 

The project will hopefully be repeated as 

well as being taken up by other Councils. 

Above left: Stirring the biodynamic preparations. 

Above right: Adding biodynamic preparations to the 

compost heap. Left: Building the compost heap. 


True Excellence in Growing Food 

By Hugh Lovel 

Obtaining true excellence relates to the way nitrogen works within each farm. This 

can be complex and sophisticated or crude and rude. Nitrogen is the essence of 

protein chemistry, which is what gives us the character and flavour of what we 

grow. Each farm has its unique protein signature, especially when it generates all 

its own nitrogen inputs. The wine industry calls this terroir as it comes from the 

earth. It is the key to protoplasmic density and nutrition. However, few farms today 

are consciously run with this in mind, and few people think about maximizing sophisticated 

nitrogen and minimizing the crude and rude stuff. Nevertheless the 

benefits implicit in robust nitrogen self-sufficiency – production cost, market share, 

profitability, nutritional excellence and social evolution – are enormous. 

Vibrant Personality 

Kicking things off may require inputs from off the farm, but these should be thought 

of as medicine rather than fertiliser. Growers already addicted to nitrogen fertilisers 

need to adopt this line of thinking so they wean themselves from buying nitrogen. 

After all, who wants to keep paying the bill? The key to quality is getting the soil biology 

really cooking and keeping it cooking with the most minimal outside inputs. 

There are roughly 7.3 tons of nitrogen over every square metre (1500 lbs/ft 2 ) of soil, 

and it makes no sense to ignore this abundance. 

The chemistry of plants parallels the chemistry of our bodies. Both are carbon based 

life forms. While plants harvest energy and build carbon chemistry, animals digest 

and transform this harvest. In the process both depend on the nitrogen in DNA and 

RNA for memory and sensitivity. Maximum in-place nitrogen fixation requires 

abundant energy, which plants supply. Animals, particularly protozoa, digest nitrogen 

fixers and supply amino acids so chlorophyll and haemoglobin can build 

chloroplasts and red blood cells. This complex plant/animal symbiosis suffers 

whenever it is short-circuited. 

Our amino acids are supplied by digestion – which is hugely dependent on symbiotic 

microbes living in a synergistic relationship with us. Vibrant health depends 

on generating blood in our own bone marrow, while blood transfusions are purely 

a stop-gap measure. Similarly, nitrogen in plants is provided at the cellular level 

by endophytes, which live in between plant cells, as well as symbiotes. For example, 

we may talk about plants fixing nitrogen, but the actual fixation and digestion 


21

Overgrazing during drought 

Soil Biology 


comes from endophytes and symbiotes that plants share their energy with. If we 

treat the farm – no matter how large or small – as its own entity this accumulation 

of energy means life force and farm vitality. 

How Plants Grow 

Chemical agriculture tries to feed the plant directly, while the soil is there simply to 

hold the plant up. This amounts to hydroponics on a weekly or monthly schedule instead 

of a daily or hourly timetable and it ignores the importance of the soil foodweb. 

At first glance the chemical method seems simple and easy, but it is guaranteed to 

achieve less than optimum quality even when it delivers quantity. Soluble inputs use 

up humus and nutrient reserves while they take the soil foodweb on a rollercoaster 

ride between excess and shortage. Chemical fertilisers amount to the residual waste 

of the microbial network that releases minerals, fixes nitrogen and stores insoluble 

but available nutrients in humus. The result is soil depletion when we meant to encourage 

an optimum response. Our rule of thumb should be to feed the soil foodweb 

so it feeds the plant. This far surpasses anything we can do either chemically or mechanically, 

and it is wasteful and unjustifiable not to feed and maintain this complex 

biological system. 

The principle components of protoplasm are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and 

sulphur while minerals such as silicon, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium 

and traces make up only a few per cent. Carbon – which stores energy – enters into 

plants from the atmosphere while nitrogen – which provides awareness and coherence 

– enters from the soil. This carbon/nitrogen duality means plants depend on a 

dynamic interplay between 

what goes on 

above with what goes on 

below. Humus provides 

a reservoir that acts as a 

biological flywheel that 

stores momentum. 

The more we build it, 

the better the soil foodweb 

nourishes the plant, 

and the more ably the 

plant grows and feeds 

carbohydrates to the soil 

foodweb. 


23

Soil Biology and Vitality 

Nitrogen, which is inert in the atmosphere, is basically restless and elusive. It is most 

content when sharing its beauty, cleverness and sensitivity with itself. Nitrogen fixing 

microbes require abundant energy to seduce it away from this narcissism and engage 

it with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and sulphur to form proteins and links with minerals. 

But unless nitrogen is in use, or stored in clay/humus complexes, it goes to waste by 

volatilizing or leaching. 

Waste nitrogen suppresses 

nitrogen fixation, and growers 

who think they must use 

nitrogen will find that using 

it requires more use. 

Feeding crude nitrogen to 

the soil foodweb along with 

humic acids or clay/humus 

complexes is the safest way 

to tie it up as amino acids 

An example of clovers under particularly abundant conditions 


and minimize its effect on crop complexity, flavour and vitality. From there high production 

growers should watch closely, leaf testing every three or four weeks, to phase 

these nitrogen inputs out. The goal is to encourage thriving fixation and protozoal digestion 

so there is always an abundance of freshly digested amino acids to build the 

farm’s terroir. Since this is a complex and delicate process, we need to know how to 

enhance it. 

Boundaries 

Life builds up on boundaries and surfaces, both in the plant and in the soil. The 

greater the habitat, the greater the diversity – which ramps up the synergy where 

ten plus ten becomes a hundred or more. Sulphur containing amino acids play a 

key role in this boundary process even though they are not especially plentiful. Sulphur 

also has an intimate relationship with the transition metals essential for enzymes 

and hormones, which makes it the premier catalyst of life chemistry. As the 

ignition key to growth sulphur deficiency holds back all other biological processes. 

This led Rudolf Steiner (1861 – 1925), a biochemist way ahead of his time, to group 

sulphur with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen as essential for life. 

Biochemical Sequence 

Beyond sulphur, the minerals plants need from soils have a certain hierarchy of importance. 

One thing must work before anything that depends on it can. The earlier 

deficiencies occur in this sequence the more everything else is affected. For example, 

silicon provides the capillary action that allows plants to draw water and nutrients 

from the soil. All biological transport vessels – to say nothing of cell walls and connective 

tissues – are rich in silicon. Silicon is most stable when it forms four chemical 

bonds. However, boron, which loves to react with silicon, can only form three 

bonds. This leaves silicon unsatisfied and seeking a fourth electron partnership. It 

only takes a small amount of boron to make silicon thirsty for water and electrolytes—which 

means boron is the key to sap pressure. Without it silicon cannot 

take up water and nutrients from the soil. 

Of course, both boron and silicon are essential for plants to take up other nutrients 

such as calcium and amino acids. Without adequate boron and silicon, the protein 

chemistry and enzyme activity of the plant – particularly chlorophyll and photosynthesis 

– will suffer. 

Furthermore, phosphorous is essential for all energy transfers in both soil and 

plants, from soaking up energy via chlorophyll, to microbes breaking down soil 

carbon for energy. Because phosphorus transfers energy, it energizes the complex 

processes in soil and plant chemistry. It is essential for utilizing iron, copper, zinc, 

manganese, cobalt, molybdenum and traces of lesser significance. Even though en- 


25

ergy first enters via photosynthesis, phosphorous and the various trace elements 

play a huge role in the soil foodweb in providing nourishment for crops from root 

emergence onward. 

Lastly, potassium, the electrolyte, is responsible for all the electronic communication 

and movement processes going on in the plant starting with nutrient flow and the 

opening and closing of doorways in cell walls. 

Understandably NPK fertilisation, which breaks down organic matter and disrupts 

the soil foodweb, works in the short term because it solubilizes reserves, but in the 

long term it peters out and loses effectiveness as reserves are depleted. This ignores 

the biochemical sequence as well as the relationship of micronutrients with sulphur 

and phosphorous. The truth is NPK fertilisers destroy soil biology and ignore the 

biochemical sequence, as N, P and K are not of primary importance. 

Soil Biology 

It shouldn’t need emphasis, but nitrogen fixation depends on soil biology. It requires 

abundant energy as well as the availability of calcium and certain trace elements. 

The abundance of energy is determined by the efficiency of photosynthesis, which 

depends on sap pressure and amino acid rather than salt nitrogen uptake from the 

soil. Sap pressure depends on microbial symbiosis to access boron and silicon at 

crop roots. Probably the most important microbes in this regard are the Actinomycetes, 

which are the source of many antibiotics and are responsible for the clean smell of 

healthy soil. By forming a fine fuzz growing outward from young roots, they build 

as well as provide access to the nutrients in clay/humus colloids. Often they live as 

endophytes within crop tissues and may be found in their seeds. Because they work 

at the beginning of the biochemical sequence to break down clay/humus structures 

and release boron and silicon, the Actinomycetes and mycorrhizal fungi, provide 

optimum plant nutrition. In return this ensures plentiful root exudation in the active 

root zone and an excellent habitat for nitrogen fixing microbes and other microbial 

symbiotes, which again provides optimum plant nutrition. This activity can be seen 

as soil adhesion around plant roots and a delicate, dense, finely branched root development. 

This never occurs with heavy applications of soluble NPK fertilisers as 

they create salty conditions that inhibit both Actinomycetes and mycorrhizal fungi. 

More of the Story 

Although the Biochemical Sequence can help to determine the key deficiencies 

when soils do not perform, in living soils everything happens in an integrated way. 

Above ground phosphorous follows magnesium, but in the soil foodweb phosphorous 

is the key to energy availability. Soil microbes need phosphorous to release energy 

from the carbohydrates crop seeds give off as they sprout. Thus most planting 


formulas include phosphorous and its co-factor trace elements to get seeds and 

their symbiotes off to a good start. 

However, if the soil reserves of phosphorous and its co-factors are depleted, the 

Actinomycetes and mycorrhizal fungi will struggle instead of providing access to 

nutrient reserves. 

Compost 

Lest we forget, the rule of thumb is to feed the soil foodweb and let it feed the plant. 

This is best done with humified compost, although the term ‘humified’ deserves 

explanation. 

Many people imagine that composting is a process of breaking down organic materials 

until somehow they stabilize. This is over-simplified and poorly informed. If 

breakdown of organic materials was all that occurred the result would be carbon 

dioxide, methane, ammonia and residual mineral salts and oxides. Cellulose, for 

example, is a long chain polymer of glucose, a simple sugar. If all it did was break 

it down the resulting glucose would be used up. However, beneficial fungi and 

Actinomycetes build up large humic acid molecules much like bees store honey in 

the comb. All sorts of amino acids and minerals are tied up in humus formation, 

and the clay/humus complexes that result are so stable that bacteria cannot break 

them down. Protozoa and higher animals may release their nutrients, but in a 

healthy soil foodweb the mycorrhizae and Actinomycetes that stored them have 

primary access. This provides insoluble but available nutrition, as they are so stable 

they may last for decades or even centuries. Most soil tests do not reveal what’s 

there in humus rich soils without a total aqua regia digest. 

The fungi and Actinomycetes that build humic complexes grow particularly well 

on clay surfaces, so making humified compost requires some sort of clay or soil dispersed 

throughout the materials being composted. The resulting humified compost 

makes a perfect medium to restore missing micro-nutrients and rebuild the soil 

foodweb. It also makes a good microbial feedstock to combine with applications of 

gypsum, rock phosphate, lime, basalt or granite dusts. Even at a ton per hectare (2.5 

tons/acre) such compost can be spiked with 2-3 kg borax or solubor, 5 kg each of 

copper, zinc and manganese sulphates and 0.5 kg of cobalt sulphate to feed the 

foodweb of a senescent soil and restore it to robust interaction with crops. Adding 

5 litres of sea minerals left over after the evaporative extraction of sodium chloride 

from sea water can round out the picture with minor traces like selenium, molybdenum 

and fluorine and ORMEs (Orbitally Rearranged Monoatomic Elements). 

Without feeding these inputs directly to the soil biology via compost, soluble inputs 

at five times this dosage may miss the mark and wash away. 


27

The Keys to Success 

Syntropy is a process where order arises out of chaos and energy accumulates at 

boundaries. Chaos theory shows that infinitesimal changes at the borders of chaos 

can effect large scale changes in a medium. The richer soils are in surface area and 

internal order the more strongly they draw a syntropic energy stream to themselves. 

The boundaries inherent in the surfaces and patterns of soil particles are where microbial 

life arises. As islands of order amidst an ocean of chaos, living organisms 

depend on syntropy to grow and multiply. Carbon particles are particularly rich in 

internal order, and carbon based life forms provide a dynamic dimension to this order, 

as life begets more life. 

Synergy is where two or more organisms working together generate a greater joint 

product than their products taken separately and added together. Synergy shows 

us that the greater the diversity and interaction between living organisms the more 

we can expect ten plus ten to equal a hundred or a thousand. When we take syntropy 

and synergy seriously the self-sufficiency of kissing nitrogen inputs good-bye is 

achievable – even while we harvest and sell eight or ten per cent of our total annual 

biomass production. 

Food of true excellence and sophistication supports the development of human potential 

so we produce art, music and poetry of incredible beauty and poignancy 

and perform seeming miracles. Clairvoyance, telepathy, healing at a distance or accessing 

the akashic record need not be rare if we nourish our children so they have 

the physical capacity to develop their abilities more fully than we, with our dietary 

handicaps, have managed. As a by-product I believe we will reclaim the Sahara 

Desert, but first we must reclaim the deserts in both our souls and our bodies. 

In nature there are many master plants and animals, and by isolating these and 

farming them as mono-crops modern agriculture has done a few things. By themselves 

grains, fruits, vegetables, fibres, even bees, cows, and earthworms are impressive, 

but we really don’t know what is possible until we integrate them into a 

concert of life. If we work like members of a vast symphony orchestra to achieve 

true excellence in food, the progress we make may amaze us. 

How We Get Our Nitrogen 

At birth we each have a unique nitrogen signature stamped upon the assembly of 

our proteins and the replication of our DNA. We digest proteins into amino acids 

and re-assemble them according to our individual DNA patterns. Our protein chemistry 

has our singular identity stamped upon it. Everyone is a bit different, and our 

immune systems maintain this personal integrity. 


The same is true of a farm or even a suburban garden. It develops its own nitrogen 

character. Its nitrogen fixing microbes take in nitrogen from the atmosphere and 

build proteins according to that location’s unique stamp. All the animals at that location 

eat, digest and transform this into their unique organisations. The soil microbes 

and plants that recycle these animals’ digestive products get an even more enhanced 

nitrogen organization. As the terroir builds, its plants and animals, and ultimately 

the people that eat them, take the enhancement of nitrogen round after round higher. 

When we bring in artificial nitrogen fertilisers we water this down significantly. 

Even manures, humates and other biological fertilisers brought in from off the farm 

have to be integrated into the farm’s identity. Instead of getting nitrogen from elsewhere, 

we want to produce crops within each farm or garden’s nitrogen cycle. This 

makes the most out of biological enhancement. On any given farm the more we increase 

the density and variety of plants and animals and build self-sufficiency, the 

more we ensure the farm’s depth of character. If we keep this in mind, we will 

achieve true excellence. 

Eden is far too shrouded in our past to see from present vantages. Nor can we return. 

But, having experienced the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and 

savoured its bitter lessons, we stand on the threshold of creating future Edens. 

Part II: Practical Suggestions For Market Gardeners coming in a future edition. 

***** 

Announcements 

AGM and National Workshop 2012 

Work has commenced on the National Workshop and BAA AGM to be held in Albury 

NSW in late July 2012. Please mark your diaries and plan to join us for what will be 

a great event. We will be announcing our guest speakers when they are confirmed. 

2011 Raffle 

This annual fund raising event is on again! Funds raised previously have greatly 

helped us to continue our important work of spreading the biodynamic message. 

We are calling for donations of prizes preferably relating to Biodynamics in some 

way. We have had offers of farm stays, biodynamic wines, cosmetics, flow forms, 

books and olive oil in the past. We really appreciate offers of what you produce or 

process if it is easily transportable. Sponsors will be mentioned in News Leaf and 

on our Web page. Please ring or email the office if you wish to donate a prize. 


29

Sprouts... living food... at its best! 

By Isabell Shippard 

Sprouts are very special. Sprouts are live food, comprising essential and balanced 

nutrients for alive people, as life proceeds from life. Life and health go together. Good 

health is precious. Recently, a lass I was speaking with, summed it up so well, 

saying, ‘Our body is such an exquisite gift’. What a wonderful and thought 

provoking statement. Every person needs to work at maintaining health; therefore, 

we need to learn all we can about nutrients and how the body functions. 

My interest in sprouts began over 20 years ago, when I read a riddle that fascinated 

me. It caught my attention and started my interest in wanting to learn all I could 

about sprouts. The riddle went… what will: 

• grow in any climate at any time of the year 

• require neither soil nor sunshine, but is still rich in vitamins and minerals 

• not be subject to chemical sprays while growing 

• be extremely economical and in preparation has no waste 

• rival meat in nutritive value 

• grow indoors within a minimum amount of space 

• multiply 400% or more in 5 days 

• mature in 3-5 days… the answer… sprouts! 

About the same time, I attended a demonstration on growing sprouts, with such a 

variety of seeds and tasty ways of enjoying them. I discovered that beneficial 

changes in nutrients take place when seeds are sprouted: the starch converts to 

simple sugars, the protein provides amino acids; the fats break down into essential 

fatty acids; and minerals chelate or merge with protein in a way that increases their 

function. All these actions increase the nutrient value, and enhance digestion and 

assimilation. Due to these dynamic influences, sprouts are considered pre-digested 

food. As I became more aware of the value of live food, I started to see that little 

things, like sprouts, can have a big impact on health, as they provide a high degree 

of vitality and rejuvenation to the body. 

After I completed writing the book, How can I use herbs in my daily life? in 2003, 

people were interested in knowing more about wheat grass and sprouts, which I 

had mentioned in the book. I showed them how I sprouted seeds, particularly 

fenugreek, which is my favourite sprout. Everyone was keen to know more about 

how to make sprouts and to learn of the various benefits. And from that interest, 

this book on sprouts has come to be. 


• Sprouts, which we can grow in our kitchen as fresh food, provide concentrated 

quality nutrients, and by weight, are an extremely rich source of vitamins, 

minerals, protein, fibre, essential fatty acids and antioxidants; in fact, they have 

a much greater nutrient content than the original seed. 

• Sprouts increase our ability to reach our full health potential, supplying an ideal 

balance of nutrients to nourish the brain and every other organ of the body. 

• Sprouts help to alkalise the body, clear acidic toxic wastes enabling the body to 

heal itself and build a stronger immune system… these are some of the benefits 

I found when I started research for the book, How can I grow and use sprouts as 

living food? 

Everyone can grow sprouts in their kitchen, to provide a ready source of food, 

teeming with living enzymes that are essential for building energy and vitality. We 

require lots of enzymes for the body to work efficiently, so that the body can meet 

its highest potential. Enzymes act as biological catalysts & are essential to the 

digestion of protein, carbohydrates & fats. 

When we are born, we are provided with a limited supply of enzymes. Then, the 

pancreas produces a fluid, called pancreatin, which contains enzymes for digesting 

food. However, if the pancreas becomes exhausted, then foods are not digested 

properly and the immune system suffers. Fortunately, we can have a back-up 

supply, if we eat enzyme-rich foods. As we consume enzyme-rich sprouts, we can 

actually make enzyme deposits… like money in the bank. To get the benefits of the 

enzymes, the food must be raw, as heat above 45 degrees centigrade can destroy 

the enzymes. If a person eats mainly cooked and processed foods, the main gland 

that produces digestive enzymes, the pancreas, is often enlarged, due to overwork. 

The first signs of lack of enzymes may be: indigestion, bloating and diarrhoea. 

Enzyme deficiency has been implicated in over 200 diseases, including lack of 

energy, chronic fatigue, pain, arthritis, gout, irritable bowel, diabetes, heart disease 

and cancer… to name a few. 

Don’t underestimate the importance of enzyme-rich foods. Our very life span is 

governed by the total enzyme supply, their process and activity. As we age, the 

digestive enzymes can decrease 30% or more, by age 80. Research shows that 

people who consume a diet high in enzyme-rich foods, have increased vitality, as 

when acid wastes are discarded from the body, there is an increase in oxygen and 

alkalinity, which brings energy and wellbeing. Eating sprouts regularly can help 

to freshen the breath, cleanse the blood, lower high cholesterol and blood pressure 

and act as a tonic to the body. Sprouts have been called ‘the fountain of youth’ and 

acclaimed as the most enzyme-rich food on our planet. People who are fatigued 


31

and lack ‘get-up-and-go’ may well be lacking enzymes, as the vitamins and 

minerals in the food they eat may not be utilised efficiently, causing toxicity, 

tiredness, pain and disease. 

A. Alkaline state in the body 

Healthy, happy cells receiving 

essential nutrients and oxygen. 

B. Acid state in the body 

Unhealthy cells, deprived of 

nutrients and oxygen, due to a 

build up of fluid and toxins around 

the cells. This state is the cause 

of all pain and disease. 

Enzymes are extremely important, as they are the very basis of every action in our 

body, from digestion to the repair of tissue. Without enzymes, efficient nutrient 

absorption is impossible and all metabolic functions slow down, making the body 

age faster and become more susceptible to diseases. Real benefits to health will 

come from eating sprouts regularly, as they are rich in living enzymes. 

Enzyme-rich foods generally are alkaline, which is another important factor in health. 

Just as most plants in the garden grow well in a neutral pH (where the soil is not 

acid), so too, our body can be more efficient, if given alkaline foods. In an acid state, 

the cells cannot adequately take in nutrients and oxygen, and they cannot expel 

toxins. When researching for my sprout book, I came to see that it is in the miracle 

action of seeds sprouting, that they change from acid seed… to alkaline sprouts. 

Acidity (acidosis) is common in our society, due to high intake of cooked, processed 

and take-away foods, with fruit and vegetables being very neglected, causing an 

acid state in the blood, tissues and lymph. This is the cause of all pain and disease. 

An overly acid state reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the cells can 

receive. When a cell is oxygen deprived, all kinds of serious health problems may 

be created, including cancer, as cancerous cells are acid. However, when acid wastes 

are discarded from the body, there is an increase in oxygen and alkalinity, which 

brings energy and wellbeing. 

Healthy cells are alkaline. If the food we eat is rich in alkaline minerals of calcium, 

potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium and manganese, this will help the pH of the 

body to be alkaline. An alkaline body is a clean system that is able to play a vital 

role in maintaining natural immunity and optimum health. Eating a variety of 


sprouts regularly is most beneficial, as they are nature’s 

wonder food, rich in essential alkaline minerals, the 

most nutrient dense foods we can eat. When we 

eat sprouts at a meal, we can know, without a 

doubt, that they will be the best food on the 

plate... with the highest nutritional value. 

Degenerative diseases plague many people 

today. We need to realise that pills and surgery 

are not fixing all the problems. What we can all 

do is correct the acid/alkaline balance in the 

body, and sprouts are the easiest, most economical 

way to do it... it’s so easy to sprout seeds... every 

person can do it, and even children can learn to grow sprouts. 

The sprout book challenges readers to make quality food choices, to nourish the body 

with natural foods and create a more vibrant life. People will find the book easy to 

follow, it is illustrated with photos in colour, and covers how to sprout over 100 kinds 

of seeds, the best methods, nutritional and medicinal benefits, and how to use sprouts 

in simple, practical recipes. Every person who wants optimum health will be inspired 

to use sprouts... as a pro-active health approach, and for disease prevention. 

Life is a precious gift and health is a valuable asset. Sprouts are for people who 

want quality tomorrows. Staying biologically young and healthy... is a matter of 

keeping enzyme activity in our bodies at a maximum. Living enzymes of sprouts, 

from so many varieties of seeds are very economical and ready to eat in several 

days. Sprouts are alive... food can’t get any fresher than that! 

Our very grateful thanks to Isabell Shippard for allowing us to reproduce this article from 

her website. www.herbsarespecial.com.au 

We carry three of Isabell’s books in 

the office; 

How can I grow and use SPROUTS 

as living food? Price $37 

How can I be prepared with 

Self-Sufficiency and Survival Foods? 

Price $37 

How can I use Herbs in my daily life? 

Price $45. 


33

Biodynamics in the Home Orchard 

From http://northfarm.com.au/news/biodynamics-in-the-home-orchard-3 

The great synergies between chooks and 

fruit trees, and the challenge of managing 

fungal problems in a hot humid climate 

were just two of the many topics covered in 

a Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd 

(BAA) workshop on ‘Biodynamics in the 

Home Orchard’, held at North Farm near 

Bellingen. The workshop covered key practical 

skills in orchard management, such as 

pruning, as well as principles of orchard design 

and species selection. 

Other topics covered included chemical-free 

management of fruit fly and the encouragement 

of beneficial insects in the orchard. We 

also had great fun making manure concentrate 

and compost for use in boosting soil 

health in an orchard. First, we mixed fresh cow manure and various mineral ingredients 

in a concrete mixer for an hour, then built a cow pat pit and filled it with the 

mixture. Also demonstrated was the fine art of making (and breaking) a vortex during 

stirring of BD preps for use in manure concentrate – harder than it looks, but 

very satisfying when a nice deep vortex emerges! 

The workshop format was really interactive, 

with BAA presenters Alan Johnstone 

and John Hodgkinson inviting 

participants to each share their own 

special insights into fruit growing. 

For example one participant, an experienced 

horticulturalist, noted just how 

many people start by buying fruit trees 

– whereas if they were to invest six to 

twelve months in site preparation then 


the fruit trees they plant 

would more than catch up 

with any trees planted prematurely 

in compacted or 

demineralised soil. When it 

comes to fruit growing, patience 

is definitely a virtue! 

A tour of fruit trees at North 

Farm proved to a good conversation-starter 

– and definitely 

highlighted some ‘what 

not to do’ lessons. For example, 

an apple tree planted inside 

the big netted orchard 

was suffering badly from 

woolly aphid because of lack 

of airflow; a very tough prune 

and a generous application of 

Biodynamic Tree Paste may 

or may not fix the problem… 

People came from as far away 

as Queensland, Inverell and 

Grassy Head, and the workshop 

had a distinctive permaculture 

theme because several 

participants had recently 

completed Robyn Francis’s 

acclaimed Permaculture Design 

Course. The dialogue between 

the Biodynamics and 

Permaculture practitioners 

was a good reminder that we 

all have something to learn 

from each other when it 

comes to the fine art of growing 

great food. 


35

News Leaf Welcomes 

dirtgirlworld is Australia’s number one kid’s show about sustainability and we are 

thrilled to announce that we are combining with dirtgirl to include some fun for 

kids in each edition of News Leaf. 

Don’t know dirtgirl? Tune into ABC 1 at 3.45pm on weekdays to enter dirtgirlworld 

and meet all the characters including Ken, Scrapboy, Hayman, Grubby and Spider. 

Gum boot wearing is expected, awesome food is grown, compost made and all are 

invited to ‘go get grubby’. (Check your local TV guides as program times and availability 

may vary.) 

It’s full of positive messages about alternative power, growing your own food and 

generally working with the environment. We have wanted to go out to children 

more with the biodynamic message and we think dirtgirlworld is an ideal partner 

to inspire children to want to be involved in what we all do. 

To kick things off we are offering the chance to win one of 3 of the newly released 

‘dig it!’ CDs or one of 4 stationery packs consisting of a pad of 20 birthday party 

invitations and 5 birthday cards. To enter send your name, the name of the child 

you’d like to receive the prize and their age, your full postal address details and a 

phone number to bdnewsleaf@biodynamics.net.au or PO Box 54, Bellingen, NSW, 

2454 by 5pm November 4th, 2011. All entries will go into a barrel and the prizes 

will be drawn at 10am Tuesday 8th November at our office in Bellingen, NSW. Prize 

winners will be notified within 48 hours of the draw. 

Do your children have some questions they’d like to ask dirtgirl? Send them into 

the editor as we have a special interview coming up with dirtgirl in our next issue 

and some more giveaways. 

Can’t wait to see if you’ll win? Purchase a CD from www.dirtgirlworldshop.com.au 

for $19.95 plus P&H – they are printed using soy inks on recycled stock. You’ll also 

find T-shirts, DVDs and plenty of other cool stuff. The CD includes ‘every little drop’, 

recent winner of the children’s music category of the International Songwriting 

Competition – congratulations go to Hewey Eustace. Hewey and his life-partner, 


Cate McQuillen are the 

show’s co-creators and live 

in the northern region of 

NSW. The album contains 13 

songs and the message is 

‘It’s time to dig the planet’. 

Our thanks go to the 

dirtgirlworld team for 

sharing their magic with 

our members and 

supporters! For more 

dirtgirlworld visit 

www.dirtgirlworld.com 

You’ll find a great 

colouring in page 

overleaf, which includes the 

sunflowers we love so 

much. 

Have fun kids! 

Win one of 3 of the 

newly released ‘dig it!’ CDs 

or one of 4 stationery packs 


37


Many Thanks, Cheryl Kemp 

Following our AGM in Melbourne, June 26th 2010, the 

board was faced with a very challenging transition. The 

newly elected board members – John Priestly, Carolyn 

Ditchfield, Cheryl Kemp and Ray Unger – campaigned on 

the promise of new blood and more membership involvement 

along with refocusing on our mission as a national 

umbrella group providing information, education and support – especially preparations 

– for biodynamic growers. As a whole the Board was inexperienced regarding 

the day-to-day operations of the company. How were we to proceed? 

Cheryl Kemp volunteered, stepped down from the Board, set aside her consultancy 

business and co-ordinated the transition in the Bellingen offices. Along with Alan 

Johnstone (preparations) and Leonie Milne (office and accounts) she became one of 

three full time workers who kept the Bellingen office running. She edited the following 

issues of the News Leaf and created a FarmReady approved workshop program. 

Above all, her mandate was to find and train someone with IT and marketing 

skills to interface with the membership and broaden the outreach of the company. 

It is hard to imagine how a smooth transition could have occurred without Cheryl. 

Partly her job was telephone advisory and problem solving, as well as the News Leaf. 

But the big challenge was setting up a new workshop and training program. 

Anyone who hasn’t tried it cannot grasp how much work goes into creating a 

FarmReady approved training program in basic Biodynamics. With every new 

round of government programs the goalposts shift and the details get more complex. 

This took an enormous effort along with help from various quarters, and Cheryl deserves 

admiration for her success. At the same time she organized a very successful 

April AGM and National Conference at Coolangatta with Richard Thornton Smith 

from the UK as our keynote speaker. This was an excellent choice as Richard gave 

a round of lectures from a global perspective that resonated extremely well with the 

mind-set of our members. 

Also on her watch a survey of the membership revealed a wealth of useful data and 

more volunteers than anyone was prepared for. The wheels of change turn slowly, 

and most of these volunteers are still to be contacted, but the signs are very hopeful. 

What we need at this point is to identify a volunteer who can co-ordinate volunteers. 

Though it has taken longer than we hoped, we now have on board an IT and marketing 

person of talent and experience who is ably fulfilling Cheryl’s mandate. 

Through the mysterious turnings of fate this person’s name is also Cheryl – Cheryl 

Dooley. At this point, Cheryl Kemp is to be saluted for bravely stepping forward 


and putting her shoulder to the wheel in a difficult transition, doing an awesome 

job and passing the baton at the right moment. Her resignation, which was not unexpected, 

is accepted with many thanks for a job well done. 

* * * * * * 

Grant would fund trials on soil revitalisation 

and weed control 

Your Board, with special thanks to Company Secretary, Louise Skidmore, continues 

to apply for grants for various works. One of the more exciting applications is a to 

fund 4 Comparative Demonstrations: Biodynamics for Soil Revitalisation & Weed Control. 

If approved, this Federal Government grant will enable us to conduct the first 

documented and independently tested trial here in Australia. 

Each trial will cover 5ha on two major soil types, Krasnozem and Podsol including 

a 5ha untreated control site on each soil. Progressive soil tests on each site will analyse 

soil and soil micro-organisms over the eighteen month project. We’re planning to 

hold public demonstrations to explain methodology and discuss with land managers 

and to collate comparative results in a detailed report at the end of the project. 

The four sites are close to the Bellingen office enabling Alan Johnstone, Preparations 

Coordinator, to conduct the trials. First steps will be marking and GPS mapping 

sites, setting up photo points and doing benchmark soil tests: a) Mehlich nutrient 

soil analysis plus total analysis at Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Southern 

Cross University b) Soil microbiology testing Soil Food Institute, Food web analysis 

and report for micro-organism activity present in soils and c) Soil and plant tissue 

in-house chromatology testing and analysis. Testing will be carried out at start-up, 

12 months and 18 months, at the four sites plus untreated control sites. 

The trials aim to produce comparison data from use of traditional biodynamic 

preparations, BAA’s own Biodynamic Soil Activator, a field broadcaster and potentised 

biodynamic preparations alongside untreated control sites. Over 18 months 

the project will measure the extent to which each of these methods achieves selfsustaining 

fertile productive soil with active soil biota without the use of unsustainable, 

imported, water-soluble fertilisers. 

By balancing fertility with biodynamic preparations and natural soil amendments 

(depending on soil tests) we also hope to show that the local noxious fireweed germination 

can be reduced to a level which can be controlled through grazing and fertility 

management. Publication of the project outcomes will be a unique and 

enduring resource and will be available on the website and to share with news 

media, community agricultural groups, Landcare etc. 


41

Preparations Report 

By Alan Johnstone, Preparations Manager 

Biodynamic Soil Preparations 

Spring is when the days are lengthening; the sun returns to warm the earth and us 

and the growth forces are moving from below the soil into the new plant growth 

above. This is one of the essential times to be putting out our biodynamic soil sprays. 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd makes and sells four types of soil sprays. The 

following explanation may help in choosing which one to use. 

Biodynamic Horn Manure (BD500) 

This is the original soil spray made from fresh biodynamic cow manure stuffed in a 

cow horn and buried in rich biodynamic topsoil for 4-6 months over the Winter. In 

Winter the soil is filled with Sun life-forces. These forces cause seed germination; 

root development and growth of the plant as well as humus formation in the soil. 

These forces described by Steiner as ‘an immense Ethereal and Astral force’ enter 

the cow manure in the horn and transform it to horn manure. 

To unlock these preserved forces the horn manure is placed into a rhythmical Sun 

movement created in water. We create this rhythmical movement by hand or using 

a stirring machine or flow forms. The stirring is a spiralling in and out by creating 

vortices in the water first in one direction then in the opposite direction. The water 

becomes infused with these immense forces after an hour of stirring. We are then 

able to spray these forces out with the water onto our soil. 

Horn manure should be used over the entire farm at least twice per year in Autumn 

and Spring around the equinoxes – 21st March and 21st September. It can also be 

used every time soil is being cultivated before planting the crop. 

Horn manure is the essential spray for all biodynamic practitioners. 

Biodynamic Manure Concentrate – (MC) 

This compound preparation was developed by Maria Thun; who called it Barrel 

Compost. It is a way of getting the influence of cow manure; the biodynamic compost 

preparations; potentised basalt dust and a living form of calcium in the form 

of crushed eggshells, out onto the soil. Because the manure concentrate is prestirred 

for an hour in its manufacture it only needs 20 minutes stirring in water before 

being applied to the soil. 


We also use manure concentrate to treat effluent ponds and septic tanks; as a liquid 

manure; a foliar spray; a seed bath; in tree paste and as a root dip before planting trees. 

Many biodynamic farmers and gardeners stir manure concentrate with horn manure 

as a way of getting the influence of the biodynamic compost preparations as well as 

that of the horn manure out onto their soils in the one application. We feel that these 

two soil sprays are very compatible. It is also associated with neutralising the effects 

of nuclear radiation fallout. 

Manure Concentrate is a way to spread the influence of the compost preparations 

and we recommend its use as a soil spray in combination with Horn Manure Preparation 

500. 

Biodynamic Soil Activator (formerly Biodynamic Pre-Mix) 

This preparation was developed by Greg Willis in the USA for the treatment of badly 

degraded soil either from chemical use or erosion or compaction through stock or 

excess mechanical cultivation. It contains, in minute amounts, all of the biodynamic 

preparations – 500 to 508, as well as horn basalt; horn clay and crushed eggshells. 

These are pre-stirred twice during its manufacture which is a form of potentisation. 

Greg found that this was an excellent soil spray to use as the first spray when beginning 

with Biodynamics. The effect is to sensitise or kick start the soil so that it 

becomes receptive to the other biodynamic sprays. In Greg’s words, ‘It sets up the 

soil to receive the other biodynamic soil sprays much like a damp sponge will soak 

up more water than a dry sponge’. 

Another advantage of the soil activator for the beginner is that it only needs to be 

rhythmically stirred for 20 minutes. This stirring is quite easily done by hand for small 

areas and lends itself to home garden situations. We also advise farmers who are interested 

in beginning a biodynamic program to start with soil activator around their 

home including their vegetable garden and home orchard and home paddock before 

they invest in the stirring and spraying equipment needed to cover large acreages. 

Biodynamic Soil Activator is an excellent spray to begin your biodynamic practices. 

Biodynamic Combined Soil Preparation – (CSP) 

This compound preparation was developed by Biodynamic Agriculture Australia 

Ltd to incorporate the benefits of the horn manure; the manure concentrate; winter 

horn clay and fermented equisetum into the one soil spray. Each of these ingredients 

is included at the same rates as if they were to be used separately; ie 1 ha of combined 

soil preparation contains 85gm of horn manure; 150gm of manure concentrate; 


43

10gm of winter horn clay and fermented equisetum 508. I believe that a synergy develops 

between these ingredients when they are mixed together and that the effect 

of the combined preparation is greater than that of its individual components. 

Combined soil preparation is rhythmically stirred for one hour and sprayed out like horn 

manure at least two to four times per year after 3pm and prior to planting a new crop. 

Combined Soil Preparation is a way of getting all of the soil preparations out in 

one trip and we recommend it for use as the basic biodynamic soil spray. 

ALSO RECOMMENDED FOR THE SOIL ARE: 

Equisetum arvense – (BD508) 

Equisetum is the ninth of the biodynamic preparations indicated by Rudolf Steiner 

in his lectures. Its purpose is to regulate the watery element brought on by too strong 

or too weak Moon forces. In other words use of equisetum is able to curb the strong 

Moon forces (too much water) and encourage those forces when they are too weak 

(not enough water). 

In the American biodynamic experience using Equisetum actually attracts or encourages 

rain provided that it is used in a water constellation (Cancer; Scorpio or 

Pisces) or curbs the conditions of excess water when used in the fire constellations 

(Aries; Leo or Sagittarius). This has the effect of encouraging the growth of beneficial 

fungi in the soil in the fermented form and minimising the occurrence of detrimental 

fungal diseases on plants when sprayed on them as a fresh concoction. 

This preparation needs to be used with all of the other 8 preparations as a totality in 

order to achieve a harmony and balance of forces on the farm or garden. 

In Australia where Equisetum arvense has been declared a noxious weed Biodynamic 

Agriculture Australia Ltd has been able to import dried equisetum from New Zealand 

for sale. We sell this dried form with instructions for making your own equisetum 

preparation. 100gm dried equisetum costs $15 and is sufficient to make up fresh equisetum 

for the plants and atmosphere or fermented equisetum for the soil for 10 hectares. 

We also sell 5ml vials of 8x potentised form of fresh and fermented equisetum. 

In Australia we are able to substitute the needles of the male casuarina (She-oak) 

tree for the equisetum. The recipe can be obtained from our office and will also be 

available on our updated webpage. 

Winter Horn Clay 

Horn clay is the key in boosting the ebb and flow of the plant’s sap resulting in a 

lively exchange between the roots and tops. Winter horn clay is made from horns 


stuffed with clay and buried with horns stuffed with manure over the Winter. It is 

sprayed on the soil by adding it to the horn manure at 10gm/ha before stirring it 

and spraying it out. 

Note: Winter horn clay is part of the Combined Soil Preparation at the correct ratio. 

Basalt/Rock Dusts 

These igneous rock dusts remineralise the soil and often supply trace elements that are 

lacking. Because they are very fine they are easily taken up by the soil food web. Many 

rock dusts also benefit the soils with their paramagnetism. They can be just spread out 

on the soil or incorporated into the compost as it is being made in fine dustings. They 

have also been demonstrated to help buffer the soils against nuclear radiation fallout. 

We sell basalt dust in small amounts for the garden or compost heap or for making 

manure concentrate or in 10kg bags. 

Biodynamic Fish Concentrate and Biodynamic Seaweed Concentrate 

These liquid manures, fermented using the biodynamic compost preparations are an 

excellent tonic for all plant growth and also stimulate the soil life. They supply trace 

elements and sea minerals essential for plant growth and strengthen the plant in times 

of stress. They are usually applied as soil sprays but can also be used as a foliar spray. 

We sell these as separate products and in a combined form of 2 parts fish concentrate 

to 1 part seaweed. 

Atmospheric Sprays 

It is important to balance out the biodynamic soil sprays with the biodynamic atmospheric 

sprays of horn silica (501), summer horn clay and fresh equisetum (508). 

Always put these sprays out after using the soil sprays and especially after times of 

excess water. I will say more about atmospheric sprays in the Summer News Leaf. 

SPRING PREPARATIONS RETRIEVAL 

October is the month that we will be unearthing the horn manure, winter horn clay 

and compost preparations that were buried last Autumn. It is always amazing to 

see the transformation of what we have buried in the soil and subjected to the winter 

life forces. It is also the time that we begin to make the Yarrow Preparation by stuffing 

Yarrow flowers the bladders of Red Deer stags and hanging them in the summer 

sun. We also bury the Horn Silica (501) and the summer horn clay. 

Dates for Preparation Retrieval 

We will be retrieving horns and the other preparations on Wednesday 19th October 

at our Bellingen Office – 25 Nobles Lane East Bellingen. All members and interested 


45

friends are very welcome to join us and will be supplied with lunch and morning 

tea as well as some stirred Combined Soil Preparation to spread on your garden. 

Bring old clothes and let us know if you are coming for catering purposes. 

We will also be retrieving horns at Cheryl Kemp’s property in North Dorrigo in late 

October and will need some help there. Please ring the office for details. 

Chromatography 

Hugh Lovel has helped us set up a lab to make paper disc chromatographs to help 

us ascertain the quality of the preparations that we unearth. We will be comparing 

the pictures created by this year’s preps with those from last year. 

Any members who are making their own horn manure can send us a 100gm sample 

and we will do a chromatogram of it. 

As we gain experience with making and interpreting chromatograms we will be 

testing soils and produce as a way of showing the life forces that are present. 

Home Garden Workshops 

John Hodgkinson and I have conducted two successful 1 day workshops Biodynamics 

in the Home Garden and Biodynamics in the Home Orchard in Bellingen 

where participants can learn about working with Biodynamics on a small scale to 

maximise soil health and quality of produce in the home garden and orchard. 

Contact the office if you would like to organise similar workshops in your region. 

LETTERS 

A Question on Peppering Blackberries… 

Would it be possible to publish an article in News Leaf on the eradication of blackberries 

by means of biodynamic methods? I find that provided one is patient, most annual 

weeds are eventually controlled by a combination of correct cultivation and biodynamic 

enhancement of soil fertility, but not so the blackberry. The problem is exacerbated 

by the insistence of statutory authorities that blackberries be eradicated. 

Kind Regards, John Watson 

Hi John, 

First issue is – where are the blackberries? If they are in a steep hillsides or gullies with 

a creek at the bottom – what are you going to grow instead and how are you going to 

care for it? You will also need to be able to remove them or at least be patient and wait 

for many years for other trees to grow over the blackberries. 


Blackberries are phosphorus and iron accumulators, they grow where native bush 

has been cleared, and the naturally low phosphorus levels (that our natives thrive on) 

are only attractive to species that bring their own phosphorus and or attract birds to 

help with the phosphorus. eg gorse, phytolacca (ink weed), wild tobacco bush, lantana, 

privet, camphor laurel etc. You will find all of these at edges of native forest and 

cleared land. Problem is that we can’t just pepper them, as they are perennials shrubs, 

not annuals, so they are permanently rooted there, however we can affect their seed 

bed – more later. 

Plan of action: 

1. Make up a weed tea of the blackberry – chop up branches and leaves and some 

roots and fill a 200 litre drum. Cover with water and add a set of Biodynamic 

Compost Preparations. Stir after a week and then as often as possible till the brew 

stops foaming and breakdown has occurred. (Don’t even think about adding a bubbler 

– it oxidises the minerals that we wish to keep.) Brew for about 6-8 weeks. 

John Priestley also suggests that you could add a couple handfuls of iron filings 

(from machinery shop – wash well) Add to the weed teas and as they oxidize, the 

iron becomes plant available. Or you could just throw the iron filings out over the 

bushes. It will weaken the blackberry bushes. 

2. Also collect a handful of dried berries to make a pepper. Burn when Moon is in Leo, 

preferably in August (Sun in Leo as well) Just make sure that Mercury is not retrograde 

as it was this last August. 

3. Grind the burnt black ash and potentise to 10x – see Biodynamic Resource Manual. 

4. Work out how you can clear the area – fire, mechanical – slashing, whipper snipper, 

cane knife – whatever works for you. You may need to do small areas at a time if 

you have large areas to deal with. 

5. Apply the Weed Tea 1 : 40 dilution – this will put back the phosphorus that the 

plant was providing to the soil. Then apply the weed peppers potentised to 

10x @10mls per 20litres – 500 litres tank water – they could all go out together with 

the Biodynamic Soil Preparations. Do this coming up to Full Moon if possible. 

6. Sprinkle over ag. lime lightly and a grass/legume mix. You will still have shoots 

coming up, but if you can let animals in to graze once the grasses come up, then 

they will chew the blackberry shoots as well. The peppers will hopefully stop new 

seeds coming up. If you are able, spray the peppers out at Full Moon each month 

for at least three months. And repeat again next year for 3 years. 

7. If the area is too steep to allow animals in or clear mechanically another way, but 

slower, is to grow trees to shade out the blackberries. You could still spray out the 


47

weed teas and iron filings and peppers. Clear some of the area in the centre of each 

blackberry bush. Plant a tree seedling and also a Tobacco bush or wattle (fast growing 

native). The Tobacco bush will come up fast and shade out the blackberry and 

the new tree and weaken the blackberry system. 

8. Intent is always important. Think positively about what you are doing, without anger 

or revenge. Thank these bushes for the work that they have been doing in covering 

the ground and feeding and sheltering the birds and animals. You are moving the 

bushes along so that you can now take care of this part of the earth in another way. 

9. If you tell the Weeds Officer what you doing, he will usually just be happy that you 

are doing something and not being a negligent farmer. 

Let us know how this works so we can all learn more. 

Best wishes Cheryl Kemp 

* * * * * * 

New Workshops/Field Days 

We are developing new workshops for you. Though we can still provide the formal 

two-day Biodynamic Basics Workshop that is FarmReady approved, we are developing 

a range of exciting new workshops that will be shorter in length, cheaper to 

attend and cover specific issues that are relevant to you. 

Topics include peppering, weed management, fruit and vegetable growing for the 

home gardener. We’ll also be developing industry specific workshops and would 

also like to run more field days. 

What do you think? What courses do you need? Do you know of good field day locations? 

Send in any suggestions to bdpreps@biodynamics.net.au 

* * * * * * 

Your Stories 

Many of you will have read John Hodgkinson’s story (Page 9) about part of his journey 

and we would like to encourage you to send in your own stories. Successes 

you’ve had with Biodynamics. Things you feel others could benefit from. Things 

you wished you had known. Tips and tricks. Sharing is great and people love real 

stories so please share yours with us. Send them to bdnewsleaf@biodynamics.net.au 



MEMBERSHIP ~ SUBSCRIPTION 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. 

We are a membership organisation supporting Australian farmers and gardeners 

to regenerate the land and produce quality food and fibre. 

Support our work by becoming a member of our 

organisation or subscribing to News Leaf. 

News Leaf is the quarterly journal of 

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd and is 

available only by subscription. It is printed 

to coincide with the seasons of Autumn, Winter, 

Spring and Summer and covers a diverse 

range of topics for the commercial farmer, 

small holder and home gardener. 

A mix of practical advice, farm and garden profiles, 

reports on both local and international biodynamic activities, nutrition and research 

as well as book reviews, information on the use of the planting calendar and 

reports on the making and use of the biodynamic preparations all help keep our readers 

informed and connected. 

Membership of our organisation is open to any group, farmer, gardener or any other 

individual wishing to support Biodynamic Agriculture, and is divided into three 

categories: 

Farm membership $130 p/a* 

for farm and commercial enterprises 

(over 5ha) 

Garden membership $65 p/a* 

for smallholders and home gardeners 

Includes: 

• News Leaf subscription 

• Access to biodynamic preparations 

• Advice, education and support 

• Opportunity for diverse individuals to 

meet and share common interests 

• Voting rights at AGMs 

News Leaf subscription only $44 p/a 

• Non Voting 

* Farm and Garden membership subscriptions incur an additional 

one-off $15.00 administration fee. 

For Membership and News Leaf subscription form (including gift subscription) 

www.biodynamics.net.au Ph: 02 6655 0566 


49

Application for Subscription – Membership 

Membership Type: Farm ($130 + $15) News Leaf Subscription ($44) 

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Personal Details: 

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Address: ....................................................................................................................... 

....................................................................................................................... 

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Trading Name: ............................................................... ABN:......................................... 

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Alternatively, call us on 02 6655 0566 to submit your membership application over the telephone. 


Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd does not necessarily endorse 

the product or service being offered within advertisements. 


51

BIODYNAMIC EQUIPMENT 

STIRRING MACHINE 

• Copper Tank • Galv.Steel Frame • 60 Gallon Capacity • All new material used 

• Electric motor base mounted 

SPRAY TANK 

• Stainless Steel – 60 Gall. • Mounted on 3 pl linkage • Swing out boom arms 

Manf. B.D. equipment for 20 yrs. Contact KEVIN WILLS 

Phone (02) 6550 5179 Email kdwills@bluemaxx.com.au 

Simple, cost effective, large area application 

of the biodynamic remedies, remote 

peppering 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 acre 

Call for information or pricing 

Setting up and Installation arranged at reasonable cost 

LLOYD CHARLES 02 6955 3225 0429 444 152 

lcharles@clearmail.com.au 

THE ECO REAL ESTATE NETWORK 

Property and Real Estate Specialists in 

Organics / BioDynamics / Permaculture 

/ Sustainable Housing 

Lifestyle / Organics / Conservation Properties 

All Around Australia also Market Research, 

Project Development, Property Consulting 

email admin@eco.com.au 

website www.eco.com.au 

Real estate and property in Australia has become a major topic of discussion in our 

lives, for some even a hobby. For others it is one of the most major investments both 

personally as our home as well as financially as one of our investments. 

When it comes time to sell, or to even think about selling, who gives you the best advice 

and resources to make the right decisions and at the right time? 

If you feel you would like to have a very enjoyable experience and to be able to say 

that I have passed your property on to new owners who not only love it but appreciate 

the assets you have created you may be interested in real estate with a difference. 

Throughout Australia properties and property owners now are being recognised for 

features they have and work they have done in contributing to sustainability. 

Biodynamic businesses and organic farms, or homes with organic management of 

the gardens are welcome as one of the most highly recognised now as ECOproperty. 

National office ph (03) 5348 1546 or mobile (61) 0409 528 692 


Employment Required 

Learning is most important. 

In Victoria Oct 2011 to Oct 2012. 

Skilled BD/organic farmer 

and grape grower. 

Very keen on getting hands dirty. 

For more information please contact 

jaredjconnolly@gmail.com 

H2O2 

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 

35% FOOD GRADE 

FOR FARM AND GARDEN 

Biodynamic Agriculture 

Australia Ltd does not 

necessarily endorse the product 

or service being offered 

within advertisements. 

AUSTRALIA’S BEST PRICE 

CONTACT: JAN GORONCY 

NTP HEALTH PRODUCTS 

PHONE: 02 4997 2530 

Email: 

marketing@ntphealthproducts.com 


53

Biodynamic Preparations & Products List 

BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS 

Prices as at March 2011. All prices include GST 

Portion size Non Member Home Garden Farmer 

Horn Manure 500 35gm/0.5ha $8.25 $5.50 

85gm/ha $18.15 $12.10 $7.70 

1kg $130.50 $87.00 

>10kg/kg $123.00 $82.00 

Horn Silica 501 1gm $7.20 $4.80 

2gm/ha $13.20 $8.80 $5.00 

100gm $315.00 $210.00 

Biodynamic Soil Activator 30gm $9.00 $6.00 

includes Horn Manure 500, Horn Silica 501, 

502-507, Equisetum 508, Horn Clay and 

Horn Basalt, Basalt Dust 

75gm/ha $11.00 $7.00 

100gm $30.00 

1kg $127.50 $85.00 

Combined Soil Preparation 100gm $20.25 $13.50 

includes Horn Manure 500, Manure Concentrate, 

245gm/ha $37.50 $25.00 $16.00 

Winter Horn Clay and Fermented 508 

1kg $90.00 $60.00 

Manure Concentrate Cow Pat Pit (CPP) 60gm $6.75 $4.50 

Cow Manure, Preps 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507 

150gm/ha $13.50 $9.00 $7.50 

Ground Egg Shells, Basalt Dust 

1kg $67.50 $45.00 

Horn Clay 4gm $3.30 $2.20 

Winter Horn Clay for soil or 

10gm/ha $7.50 $5.00 $2.20 

Summer Horn Clay for atmosphere 

100gm/ha $30.00 $20.00 

Horn Basalt 1gm $2.70 $1.80 

For making Pre Mix 

2gm/ha $4.50 $3.00 $2.00 

100gm $105.00 $70.00 

Dried Equisetum Arvense makes 2 litres concentrate 100gm $22.50 $15.00 $15.00 

Fermented Equisetum 508 8X (soil) 5ml vial (up to 25ha) $6.75 $4.50 $4.50 

Fresh Equisetum 508 8X (atmospheric) 5ml vial (up to 25ha) $6.75 $4.50 $4.50 

Compost Preparations 502-507 

Small set (up to 3 tons or 12m 3 material) 1gm/prep $25.50 $17.00 $14.00 

Large set (up to 6 tons or 24m 3 material) 2gm/prep $45.00 $30.00 $24.70 

Bulk set 10gm/prep $165.00 $110.00 

Manure Concentrate 

Compost preparations for 

Preparations 1 wheelbarrow of manure – 4gm of each prep $75.00 $50.00 $50.00 

MC Preps with Eggshell 

Manure Concentrate kit 

and Basalt Dust + eggshell & basalt dust $82.50 $55.00 $55.00 

Ground Eggshell (for MC) 200gm $6.75 $4.50 $4.50 

Basalt Dust (for MC) 400gm $7.50 $5.00 $5.00 

10kg $60.00 $60.00 

Preparations & Products are packed and posted within 3 working days of receiving each order. 


Biodynamic Preparations & Products List (continued) 

OTHER PRODUCTS 

Portion size Non Member Home Garden Farmer 

Compost Preparations in 1gm Small Set in 100gm balls $97.50 $65.00 $65.00 

Manure Concentrate Balls 2gm Large Set in 100gm balls $112.50 $80.00 

Home Garden Kit small 

up to 1 acre 

Instructions & packing included 

4gm Manure Concentrate Set in 200gm balls $157.50 $105.00 

1 portion each of Combined Soil 

Preparation, Horn Silica 501, Summer 

Horn Clay, Fresh Equisetum 508 and 

1 small set of Compost Preparations $75.00 $50.00 

Home Garden Kit large As above with Hectare Portions of 

up to 1 hectare 

Combined Soil Preparation, Horn Silica & 

Instruction and packing included Summer Horn Clay, Fresh Equisetum 508 

and 1 Large Set of Compost Preparations $120.00 $80.00 

Diatomaceous Earth 20kg bag $115.00 $115.00 

1kg $7.00 $7.00 

LIQUID PRODUCTS 

Biodynamic Fish Emulsion 2.5 litres $27.00 $18.00 $18.00 

5 litres $52.50 $35.00 $35.00 

20 litres $180.00 $120.00 $120.00 

200 litres $1350.00 $900.00 $900.00 

1000 litres $6000.00 $4000.00 $4000.00 

Biodynamic Seaweed 2.5 litres $34.50 $23.00 $23.00 

Concentrate 5 litres $58.80 $39.00 $39.00 

20 litres $202.50 $135.00 $135.00 

200 litres $1500.00 $1000.00 $1000.00 

1000 litres $6750.00 $4500.00 $4500.00 

Biodynamic Combined 2.5 litres $37.50 $25.00 $25.00 

Fish Seaweed Concentrate 5 litres $60.00 $40.00 $40.00 

20 litres $210.00 $140.00 $140.00 

200 litres $1650.00 $1100.00 $1100.00 

1000 litres $7500.00 $5000.00 $5000.00 

Biodynamic Tree Paste 10 litres $75.00 $50.00 $50.00 

20 litres $120.00 $80.00 $80.00 

Nozzles for 500 5kph / 8kph / 12kph / 15kph $82.50 $55.00 $55.00 

Nozzles for 501 Small / Large $72.00 $48.00 $48.00 

Filter Bag 450mm long $55.50 $37.00 $37.00 

18mm diameter, 400 micron 

880mm long $84.00 $56.00 $56.00 

Astro Calendar 2011 per 1 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 

Packaging Charge per item $3.85 $3.85 $3.85 

Postage / Freight is charged at cost and added to the invoice. Interstate orders are sent via 

ExpressPost unless otherwise arranged when ordering. Liquid Products are sent via Freight / Post 

Please arrange credit card payment at time of ordering. 


55

www sites… 

We have a new range of websites for you in this edition and hope to bring you new places to source 

interesting information in each edition. If you have a website you think others should know about please 

drop the News Leaf Editor a line at bdnewsleaf@biodynamics.net.au 

http://www.fscaustralia.org/home 

On page 1 you will see that we ensure News Leaf if 

printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified paper 

using vegetable based inks. You can see more about what 

this means, and source products and suppliers who have 

this same social and ecological concern at this website. 

http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au 

If you enjoyed our book review you may like to read more 

about Isabell Shipard and her work with herbs here. 

http://www.wwoof.com.au/ 

Do you need casual help on your property? Wwoof 

Australia, (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) is an 

organisation you can join as a host and be included in 

the directory they provide to their members. The 

workers are often back packers looking to work their 

way around Australia and they give of their labour in 

return for food and board. Go to the website for more 

information. 

http://www.dirtgirlworld.com/ 

Did you enjoy our pages on dirtgirlworld? Go and find 

out more here. 

http://www.dirtgirlworldshop.com.au/ 

To buy the new CD, T-shirts and a range of other 

dirtgirlworld fun stuff. 

http://www.rsarchive.org/Books/ 

The Steiner book 

http://www.rudolfsteineraudio.com/writte 

nimagebased.html 

Rudolf Steiner Audio Books 

http://www.cityfoodgrowers.com.au/ 

Peter Kearney’s City Food Growers website with lots of 

information on organic growing. 

www.biodynamics.net.au 

Our own website. It will be transforming in the next 

month so keep your eye on it for some dynamic 

changes. 

http://www.biodynamics.com/ 

See what our US counterparts are doing. 

www.ofa.org.au 

Organic Federation of Australia website. Directory of 

many Organic/BD farmers and products/contacts. 

www.bfa.com.au 

Biological Farmers of Australia. Australian Certified 

Organic Standards. 

www.nassa.com.au 

The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture in 

Australia. NASAA certifies to Biodynamic and Organic 

Standards. 

Do you have some links you’d like to share? Send them to 

bdnewsleaf@biodynamics.net.au 

MAIL ORDER BOOKS 

Postage rates vary depending on destination so postage and packaging will be 

invoiced at cost. 



Your Company, Your Board… 

Ray Unger, Chair ................................(02) 6869 7635 ....ray@ipstarmail.com.au 

Carolyn Ditchfield, Deputy Chair ......(02) 6721 5111 ....carolyn@fromthesoilup.com.au 

Ted Clarke, Treasurer .........................(02) 6649 2132 ....tedpeggy@bigpond.net.au 

Hugh Lovel, Director .........................(02) 6779 1136 ....hugh.lovel9@bigpond.com 

Shane Joyce, Director ..........................(07) 4993 1880 ....sjoyce1@bordernet.com.au 

John Priestley, Director .......................(02) 4938 5116 ....jdcitrus@bigpond.net.au 

Wayne Rankine, Director....................(07) 4091 1938 ....brolgascrossing@gmail.com 

Louise Skidmore, Secretary ...............(07) 4697 3148 ....lskidmore@aapt.net.au 

An accountable, transparent and consultative Board will ensure that it has 

good policies and procedures in place so that all decisions are made fairly and 

transparently. This will help remove any perceptions that Board processes are 

carried 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 Company 

becomes more consultative with a diversity strategy to ensure that the views of 

members 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 are 

explained and widely known: 

• Board Update in News Leaf, 

• Letter from the Chair. 

Seeking input from members when key decisions are being contemplated or a 

change in direction is being considered: 

• Inviting members to join committees to make recommendations to the Board, 

• AGM and National Conference. 

News Leaf #88 ~ Journal of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd

Grace 

Seeds are quickened in the earth's dark night 

Plants spring green in vibrant air and light 

Fruits are ripened by the strong sun's might 

So quickens the soul in the heart's warm deep 

So flourishes the spirit in the wide worlds keep, 

So ripens human powers for God to reap. 

Rudolf Steiner

#88 News Leaf_News Leaf - Biodynamic Agriculture Australia

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