August 5th, 2010 by Graeme Sait
Nitrogen is a critically important building block for proteins, enzymes, vitamins and even DNA but if oversupplied there are several associated health issues. There are two forms of nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen but it is the nitrate form that can be problematical. When this form of nitrogen is ingested via food and drinking water it can be converted in the gut to nitrites, which then combine with hemoglobin to form methemoglobin. This compound restricts the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen and oxygen levels at the cellular level can be compromised. Professor Otto Warburg won his Nobel Prize for his discovery that anaerobism is a principle root cause of cancer. (more…)
Posted in Biological Agriculture, Human Wellness | 7 Comments »
July 29th, 2010 by Graeme Sait
NTS is a pioneer in biological golf course management and there are now many leading clubs around the globe working with these principles. I found it hard to become excited about recreational turf initially, as it seemed a frivolous digression from my work in improving animal and human health via the soil. Teaching new turf tools to green keepers seemed a paltry achievement in comparison to training food producers to lift their game. Then, I thought beyond a better playing surface and realised that there were changes we could encourage that would also reduce environmental impact while minimising chemical contamination of course workers, surrounding estates and the golfers themselves. (more…)
Tags: golf course
Posted in Biological Agriculture, Business Concepts, Farming Techniques | 1 Comment »
July 21st, 2010 by Graeme Sait
Norfolk Island is a 10,000 hectare patch of Pacific paradise with rich volcanic soils, idyllic national parks and glorious beaches. The people of this island share the strong sense of community that is so sadly missing elsewhere in this trouble world. There is no imported fresh produce permitted here so the food producers on the island literally become stewards of their community’s health and many of the local growers have recognised the significance of their role. I have visited Norfolk Island several times over the last two years to educate the local producers about the benefits of biological agriculture. (more…)
Tags: biological farming, permaculture, sustainable agriculture
Posted in Biological Agriculture, Business Concepts | 5 Comments »
July 2nd, 2010 by Graeme Sait
A system dominated by chemical solutions that treat symptoms rather than address root causes is destined to falter at some point. We are seeing this fatal flaw in the current health care crisis. More drugs are prescribed each year and yet degenerative disease continues to grow and our bulging hospitals are struggling to cope with the flood. The pharmaceutical “solution” is anything but. Last year, prescription drugs became our fourth largest killers. There is a similar bankruptcy in the management of plant and animal health. (more…)
Tags: biological farming, sustainable agriculture
Posted in Biological Agriculture | 7 Comments »
July 2nd, 2010 by Graeme Sait
The bowls club on Norfolk Island is situated in the main street across from the only shopping mall in town. Jeff Pledger has been the greenkeeper there for nine years and is so passionate about his profession that he happily works seven days a week. Jeff toiled below ground as a miner for 35 years before deciding that it was time for a change. He embarked on three years of horticultural training, as a mature student and, after graduating, was able to secure a sought-after position as steward of the only bowling greens on Norfolk. (more…)
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June 23rd, 2010 by Graeme Sait
A major mineral is missing in many soils and most soil tests do not even monitor its presence. This mineral can increase stress resistance, boost photosynthesis and chlorophyll content, improve drought resistance, salt tolerance and soil fertility and prevent lodging. lt can also reduce insect pressure, frost damage and destructive disease while lowering irrigation rates, neutralising heavy metal toxicity and countering the negative effects of excess sodium. If I were to tell you that this same missing mineral can increase (more…)
Tags: biological farming, silica
Posted in Biological Agriculture, Nutrient Strategies | 4 Comments »
June 11th, 2010 by Graeme Sait
Recently I travelled home to NZ for a family wedding. During my visit I was shopping at a health food shop and purchased a little book called “Learn to Listen”. I read the book and was fascinated with the content. When checking the author’s details I found that he lived just a few minutes from my parents’ home in Taranaki. I called to see if I could schedule a last minute interview on the morning of the wedding and the conversation below is the result of that meeting. (more…)
Posted in Human Wellness | 17 Comments »
May 27th, 2010 by Graeme Sait
What protective mineral fell free from the skies for many decades until legislation shut down supply? Ironically, this “pollutant” counters toxicity in humans and animals and helps to neutralise the negatives associated with excess nitrates in the food chain and environment. This pungent nutrient is also one of the best ways you can protect your pets from fleas! This often-neglected nutrient is sulfur and it is a keystone tool in biological farming. (more…)
Tags: biological farming
Posted in Animal Health, Biological Agriculture, Farming Techniques, Nutrient Strategies | 2 Comments »
May 14th, 2010 by Graeme Sait
Which often-neglected trace mineral can seriously reduce your fertiliser costs, decrease insect pressure and increase shelf-life of your produce (even though it is applied at just handfuls per hectare)? This same micronutrient, often ignored in soil tests, has also been shown to increase yield by as much as 600%! (more…)
Tags: biological farming, sustainable agriculture, trace elements
Posted in Biological Agriculture, Nutrient Strategies | No Comments »
May 7th, 2010 by Philippa Davis
Replanting offers a valuable opportunity to create ideal soil conditions for the re-establishment of healthy productive fruit trees, while reducing the financial risks of tree establishment failures. Old orchard soils are often minerally imbalanced and low in organic matter and could contain serious disease organisms. In addition to considerations such as variety selection, planting density and grass/weed control, growers should take advantage at this time to adopt an holistic soil health program. (more…)
Tags: biological farming, sustainable agriculture
Posted in Biological Agriculture, Farming Techniques | 1 Comment »