GilgaiA Passion for Solutions
(PART TWO)
Our Method1.‘Weeds’ are GOOD , and are indicators of soil health.
Our Method2. No use of Chemical Herbicides
Our Method3. No use of Chemical Fertilizer
Our Method4a. Sow Dry
May 2005 October 2005
April 2006 January 2008
Our Method
4b. Sow Dry
March 2007 February 2008
Road Paddock – Murga Ridge
Road Paddock – Murga Ridge
North Ridge – Glenara March 2007
The Better the Grass, The Better the CropNorth Ridge – Glenara 21/09/2008
The Better the Grass, The Better the CropNorth Ridge - Glenara 21/09/ 2008
And The Better the PastureNorth Ridge – Glenara 21/09/ 2008
Science DailyTexas Agri –Life Research Station
Germination Trials (September 2008)
Cam Laurie’s Results
Completed Training
• Grazing For Profit • Low Stress Stock Handling• “Quickchecks” – Land Health Monitoring• Holistic Resource Management• Farm Management Systems (CMA)• Soil Foodweb Interactions and Benefits to Plant
Production• Compost Tea Brewing
Chemical Results (2 weeks after ACT Application)
Before After DesirableNitrate 143.6 2.6 13.0Ammonium 14.9 3.5 15-18P 33 13 48K 491 337 60 - 75OM% 3.9 3.1 4.5CEC 12.75 7.65 7.0Ca 6.93 4.77 10.0Mg 3.20 1.15 1.2 - 1.7Ca/Mg 2.16 4.15 6.3 (4.8)pH 6.6 6.9 6.7C/N 10.60 14.8 10 – 12
Our Biological Process
1. Grow cover crop, graze and harvest grain
2. Mulch Remnant
3. Apply Aerobic Compost Tea 4. Monitor Results & Feed Biology
Soil Food Web Analysis Results(2 Weeks after ACT Application)
Before After DesirableActive Bacteria 36.1 43.9 1 to 5
Total Bacteria 85.5 879 175 to 300
Active Fungal 10.9 10.8 1 to 5
Total Fungal 76.4 314 175 to 300
Our Balanced Approach
• The Big Picture
• The Past (Trials and Tribulations)
• The Present (Land, People and Profit)
• The Future (Trials and Tribulations)
The Compost / Compost Tea Trials
We looked at the logistics of Compost Spreading, Compost Making and being certain of a quality tested compost that met the requirements for our specific soils.
Our solution was applying a Self Brewed Compost Tea from our
OWN Compost
The Compost
The “Tea Bag” and Aerator
The Compost “Tea Bag”
The Brewer
The Spray Rig
The Boom Jet
The Boom Jet
www.soilfoodweb.com.au
Our Aerobic Compost Tea
Fungi
Bacteria
Protozoa
The PresentDefinition: Current, Contemporary
and/or Gift,
and /or to Portray, to Communicate
Our Belief
Soil Health
Plant Health
Animal Health
Human Health
www.eatwild.com
www.soilfoodweb.com.au
North Ridge – Glenara March 2007 September 2008
“No Brainer” Rehabilitation
Making Use of Existing InfrastuctureNorth Ridge – Glenara 21/09/2008
www.tolweb.org/Glomeromycota
Lucerne and Box Grasslands (Paspalidium Constrictum)
Pasture Mix – Exotic and Native Grasslands
Murga & Cooee February 2008
No Bloat Problems on Lucerne
Moving to Biodiverse Improved Native Grasslands
Firbank March 2008
Biology as a H-----ide?
Saffron thistle – January 2008
Bathurst Burr and Cathead (Feb 08)
Biology as a H-----ide ?
Our Results3/09/2008
10/09/2008
21/09/2008
26/09/2008
14/10/2008
Rain, Stocking Rates vs Growth
Rain, Stocking Rates vs Ground Cover
Rainfall vs Total FOO 2007 v 2008
Paddock Performance Monitoring (DSE/grazing days/hectare/paddock)
THE FUTURE
Definition: Opportunity, Hope &
Potential
“The people who neglecttheir land
destroy themselves.”
Ana Primavesi from ‘Stubble over the Soil’
Our FamilyEric, Wendy and Family
Matthew has Masters in Marine Biology and working at SARDILuke has completed Certificates 2,3 and 4 in agriculture and
currently employed as our farm manager.
Our Grand Daughters
Kailee & Hannah Amelia, (Coco –Nicole) and Georgia
Our Extended FamilyMum & Dad James & Rhonda
Simon Luke & KarissaFelicity
Karissa currently studying ‘Meat Inspection’Felicity studying ‘Environmental Management’ at Macquarie University
Simon employed in the Singapore corporations as Vice Chairman of Minstar
Our Future ‘Landscape Function’Agro-Forestry
Brewing Centre of Soil Microbes (Compost Teas)
Algae or Trees for Bio-diesel production
‘Wind Farming’ for Electricity
Fish Farming
Niche Marketing of Beef, Lamb and Wool
Agro Forestry, Conservation & Re-Vegetation Areas
www.soilfoodweb.com.au
Farmers are Stewards of the soil, water & environment.
Farmers are Caretakers of their fellow human beings.
Farmers are food production managers
www.soilfoodweb.com.au
If you don’t understand and appreciate these facts,
Get another profession
Haida Indian proverb
“We do not inherit this land from our ancestors,
we borrow it from our children”
Australia Day 2007
1.b What happens between the Rows
Completed Training
• Grazing For Profit
• Low Stress Stock Handling
• “Quickchecks” – Land Health Monitoring
• Holistic Resource Management
• Farm Management Systems (CMA)
• Soil Foodweb Interactions and Benefits to Plant Production
• Compost Tea Brewing
THE FUTURE
Definition: Opportunity, Hope &
Potential
Foods Required for Brewing 1000 litres of ACT
• Humic acid – 400ml - $1.60
• Fish Emulsion – 600ml - $2.39
• Kelp Extract – 600ml - $2.88
• Oat Bran – 250gm - $3-00
• Molasses – 4 litres - $2.40
• Rice Flour
• Soy Flour
Biology as a H-----ide ?Saffron Thistle (Feb 08)
Cost of Equipment
• Microscope - $1543
• Nozzles - $1100
• Dissolved Oxygen Meter - $2800
• Thermostat - $550
• IBC - $300 each
• GeoTea Extractor $4950
• Spray Rig (Applicator) ???
Cost of Foods
• Humic Acid - $3.96 per litre
• Fish Emulsion - $3.97 per litre
• Bioactive Kelp - $4.80 per litre
• Molasses - $0.62 per litre
• Fish Hydrolysate - $1.20 per litre
Foods to Feed Biology – Bi – Annually (Autumn and Spring)
• Humic Acid – 30ml per ha
• Kelp Extract – 75ml per ha
• Fish Hydrolysate – 6 litres per ha
• Molasses – 2 litres per ha
List of ContactsDavid Von Pein – Brix Spectrometer PO Box 7964, Toowoomba Qld
4352 Tel 07 4635 7065 Mob 0428 987 117
Australian Soil Additives and Products – PO Box 121,
Bangalow. NSW 2479 Tel 02 6688 2324 Mob 0410 880 084
www.asapsupplier.com.au
Soil Foodweb Institute – 1 Crawford Rd, East Lismore. NSW 2480
Tel 02 6622 5150 www.soilfoodweb.com.au
South Australian Marine Products Industries (SAMPI)
Port Lincoln SA – Peter Laughton Tel 0400 050 013 www.sampi.com.au
Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL)
c/o Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480
Tel 02 6620 3678 (Lab)
Our Future Enterprises
• Commercial Brewing Centre of Compost Teas with Consultancy Service
• Bio-diesel Extraction plant for own Use
• Niche Marketing of Gilgai Branded Produce –Chemical Free and Carbon Negative (Wool, Fish; Lamb and Beef MSA Processed)
Cam Laurie’s Results
Completed Training
• Grazing For Profit
• Low Stress Stock Handling
• “Quickchecks” – Land Health Monitoring
• Holistic Resource Management
• Farm Management Systems (CMA)
• Soil Foodweb Interactions and Benefits to Plant Production
• Compost Tea Brewing
Chemical Results (2 weeks after ACT Application)
Before After DesirableNitrate 143.6 2.6 13.0Ammonium 14.9 3.5 15-18P 33 13 48K 491 337 60 - 75OM% 3.9 3.1 4.5CEC 12.75 7.65 7.0Ca 6.93 4.77 10.0Mg 3.20 1.15 1.2 - 1.7Ca/Mg 2.16 4.15 6.3 (4.8)pH 6.6 6.9 6.7C/N 10.60 14.8 10 – 12
Our Biological Process
1. Grow cover crop, graze and harvest grain
2. Mulch Remnant
3. Apply Aerobic Compost Tea 4. Monitor Results & Feed Biology
Soil Food Web Analysis Results(2 Weeks after ACT Application)
Before After DesirableActive Bacteria 36.1 43.9 1 to 5
Total Bacteria 85.5 879 175 to 300
Active Fungal 10.9 10.8 1 to 5
Total Fungal 76.4 314 175 to 300
Our Balanced Approach
• The Big Picture
• The Past (Trials and Tribulations)
• The Present (Land, People and Profit)
• The Future (Trials and Tribulations)
