Page 19 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37

TROPIC • AGRICULTURE

1. Credit: Mungalli Creek Dairy
2. Biodynamics FNQ
3. Credit: Mungalli Creek Dairy

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1 a special spray (BD 500), while over
Summer, horns are filled with silica
Farming Biodynamics is rooted in the work of from ground quartz crystals and placed
underground. “The BD 500 improves soil
philosophy philosopher and scientist Dr Rudolf structure and microbiological activity
and builds humus,” Michelle said. “A tiny
Steiner, whose name you might be
familiar with because of the Steiner handful will fertilise an acre. The silica
BIODYNAMICS
schools. His teachings revolved around preparation enhances the structure of the
How buried cow horns and human evolution and treating the plants, enabling better photosynthesis
lunar cycles are at the forefront earth as an entire connected organism and mineral absorption.” While science is
still out on the benefits to productivity of
of one of the Far North’s most – a balance between flora, fauna, the many biodynamic methods, what is clear
weather, soils, seasons and even the
treasured food producers. moon and planetary influences. is that the system is good for the land as
“It focuses on the farm as a self- well as its animals. Australia’s Humane
Words: Renee Cluff
sustaining, living ecosystem which Society International has determined that
Mungalli Creek Dairy has been producing works with all the cycles of nature,” said accredited farmers are meeting ethical
biodynamic dairy products for more than Mungalli’s Michelle Bell-Turner. livestock needs. “We have contented cows
two decades and has picked up plenty “It’s a holistic view that sees the farmer as that produce creamy milk, are naturally
of awards and accolades along the way, part of the greater cosmos who works in cared for with herbal and homeopathic
as well as a very loyal customer base. harmony with all the elements of nature, remedies grazing on lush biodynamic
Brothers Rob and Dan Watson created to bring vitality and life to the soil and pastures,” Michelle said. “They’re healthy
the business after taking over the family’s land to produce the healthiest and most and happy because they’re not pushed
then conventional dairy in 1987. life-giving food possible.” beyond their limits. “We believe we have
As early pioneers in regenerative Biodynamic farming also involves the a responsibility to look after the land and
farming, they upped the ante by planting of pastures by lunar cycles, leave it better for future generations.”
converting the farm to the ecological, and the use of special preparations that
and regenerative approach to agronomy improve the soil. In Winter, manure- MORE: mungallicreekdairy.com.au
known as biodynamics. filled cow horns are buried to create

What do horns do?

Science is still largely at a loss to explain why
cow horns create a nutrition-rich substance
high in microbes, while burying manure in
other containers doesn’t. One study yet to
be peer reviewed suggests the keratin of the
horn supercharges the beneficial bacterial
and fungal communities in the manure.

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19 • tropicnow.com.au