Mountains and land masses are born from the ocean in massive geological upheavals called diastrophism. Then, in nature’s typical cyclical fashion, the process of erosion through wind and rain ensures the gradual return of minerals and topsoil in a relentless flow back to the ocean. Many of the seventy (+) minerals that were present in the first cell that developed in the Precambrian Ocean, are no longer present in our soils. The ocean, however, retains this mineral motherlode and creatures and plant life which live within this elemental soup contain the broad-spectrum minerals so lacking on land! (more…)

Zinc is the second largest mineral deficiency amongst Australians (just behind magnesium), but this shortage is not all linked to soil deficiencies. It can also be related to food processing, toxicity (the detox and immune systems are zinc dependent) and through over-consumption of cereal grains (which contain a natural acid called phytic acid which can make zinc insoluble). Zinc is commonly deficient in broadacre soils and foliar sprays are often used to compensate for soil deficiencies. However, most growers involved in intensive horticulture are aware of the importance of this trace element. (more…)

If you own any form of food growing operation, from home garden to pasture property or horticulture enterprise, then you will benefit from the following information as it is highly likely that you have neglected trace mineral nutrition. We know this to be the case because our team of agronomists are involved in thousands of soil and leaf analyses each year and the vast majority of these are lacking trace minerals. (more…)

The introduction of a field day involving farm visits, as an optional 5th day tag-on to the four day Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture, has proven a resounding success. This social and educational journey provides the perfect way of winding down from four days of intensive learning and allows for the potential development of relationships that may extend way beyond this experience. Our November seminar featured visits to a ginger farm, a blueberry farm and an avocado/macadamia/custard apple grower. (more…)

Nutri-Tech Solutions P/L has emerged as a “front-runner” in the soil fertility stakes. Their refreshing approach involves the provision of education, constructive advice, soil test analysis and other essential tools for cost effective, sustainable agriculture. This information-sharing policy, backed up by an impressive high-tech product range, has won many converts. The exclusive NTS range, representing state of the art organic fertilisers, is surprisingly cost-effective – the price does not reflect the exclusivity. In fact, some of these products can provide considerable benefits for less than $10 per hectare. (more…)

The term ‘phenomenon’ describes something extraordinary or remarkable. It is often used when reporting record-breaking sporting successes or the marketing achievements of pop culture icons. The term is rarely used outside of this reporting of events and persons. Australian swimming star, Ian Thorpe, is a sporting phenomenon, and the rocket-like rise of the Internet is a media phenomenon. Now a rapidly accumulating body of scientific research suggests that a single, low-molecular weight, organic material, called fulvic acid, could justifiably be termed an agricultural phenomenon. Solid science has now catalogued a vast array and variety of benefits associated with this material, and some of these will be analysed in this article. (more…)

Market leaders in sustainable agriculture, Nutri-Tech Solutions, have allocated substantial research funds to the development of a revolutionary, new breed of liquid fertilisers. The Nutri-Tech Triple Ten™ range combines the best of conventional inputs with cutting-edge organics, to provide a unique high-production option for both fruit and vegetable producers and broadacre farmers. A base formulation has been appropriately modified to produce a crop-specific range, which now includes individual blends for a wide variety of different crops, ranging from avocados to zucchinis. Triple Ten™ is a breakthrough in liquid nutrition. (more…)

This article focuses on trace elements. Iron, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum and cobalt will be covered in depth. The interrelationship between these elements will be considered, as will their respective functions, the conditions creating deficiencies and the symptoms of these deficiencies. The best sources of each trace element will also be listed. (more…)

American author/consultant, Gary Zimmer, has made an important contribution to high-production agriculture with his book “The Biological Farmer”. The book summarises thirty years of research and practical experience and includes several new findings not previously considered in this arena. Perhaps the most significant of these relates to the efficiency and performance of calcium – the king of all nutrients. (more…)

The Nutrition Farming® approach is being developed as the industry standard for increased yield of nutrient-dense foods, obtaining longer shelf-life and achieving premium prices. Nutrition Farming® is all about working from the soil up and improving the natural balance – mineral and biological. (more…)