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ORGANICS & BIODYNAMICS

How are Organic and biodynamic Livestock Grown?

Organic and Biodynamic livestock are grown in biological farming systems which use sustainable and natural agricultural resources to develop fertile, humus-rich, structured soils in which micro-organisms flourish.  This soil enables a wide variety of plants to grow which provide the natural nutrients, minerals and vitamins necessary for growth of healthy livestock.

• Synthetic herbicides and pesticides are prohibited as they can do enormous harm to soil organisms - weeds are controlled by grazing, slashing, or cultivating the soil.

• No genetically modified organisms, reproductive or growth hormones are permitted.

• The use of artificial fertilizers is prohibited - the soil is kept fertile by using rotational grazing, composted animal manures, sheet composting, legumes, green manure crops, residual crops, applications of naturally occurring minerals and mechanical cultivation.

• It is prohibited to feed products or by-products of a species to the same species (excluding milk).

• Force-feeding of grains (i.e. feedlot) is not permitted.

• Animal husbandry practices must reflect the behavioural needs and ethical treatment and welfare of livestock.

• Livestock are supplied with high quality organic feed at all times to allow them to build up a resistance to diseases.

• Medicinal remedies consist of plant extracts or essences, homeopathic treatments or mineral and trace element supplements.  Animals treated with veterinary pharmaceuticals (as a last resort to prevent suffering) cannot be sold as “Organic" or "Biodynamic” and must be quarantined from other livestock on the farm.

What is Biodynamics?

Biodynamic farmers use Organic methods and, in addition, use biological soil activators named “500” to “507” respectively.  The principal soil activator “500” is a natural cow-manure based, re-liquified solution that is energized by having been stirred in body temperature water and sprayed over the pasture.  This is used as a soil enhancer and activator rather than a manure or fertilizer. These “biologically-dynamic” activator preparations influence soil development and structure and allow plants to feed naturally with their fine hair feeder roots from the soil humus, not artificially with their thicker more vertical roots from water soluble fertilizers.

The plant’s metabolism is governed by sunlight and warmth – it revs up metabolically and takes in more nutrients when the sun provides warmth, and slows down or ceases feeding when it becomes cooler.    If the plant is naturally fed from the soil humus it never indulges or eats too much as it would be forced to do if fed with water-soluble artificial fertilizers, and consequently does not contain large quantities of unprocessed nitrates. 

In a living soil, worms and microbes continue to make new humus out of old organic matter, clay particles, and with the contribution of their own bodies. 

The main aim of biodynamics is to restore the harmony and balance of the earth’s organisms within the soil.

From healthy soils come healthy plants which produce healthy animals.  This health is then transferred to the consumer of alive, vibrant and dynamic food.

For more information on Organics and Biodynamics:

Australian Certified Organic

 www.australianorganic.com.au

Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association of Australia

www.demeter.org.au

Biological Farmers of Australia

www.bfa.com.au

National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia Ltd

www.nasaa.com.au

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