WELCOME TO THE 2010 WINTER edition of Australian Organic Producer. It is a great pleasure to be taking on this role as the magazine’s new editor, having joined the PR team at BFA in March after two years as media and policy officer with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF).
Firstly, I’d like to pay tribute to Jaime Newborn, the departing editor. Jaime and her predecessor (now BFA’s general and PR manager) Holly Vyner have done a fabulous job in the past two and a half to three years in developing AOP to its current professional level. I have worked with Jaime through QFF and found her to be an excellent representative of and support for the BFA. On behalf of the BFA, I wish Jaime all the best – I know she will do well at whatever she turns her hand to.
I also welcome to the BFA team Ben McGill, our new graphic designer, and Desta Itote, our new journalist and public relations officer. Congratulations goes to BFA’s chairman Doug Haas, general manager Holly Vyner, standards convenor Andrew Monk and ACO managing director Akiko Nicholls on the recent win at the Choice Awards. The award is proof that ‘good fruit’ (in the form of work achieved) is being produced at BFA and ACO, and we look forward to working with producers and industry as we grow and develop the sector and increase awareness of organic.
In this edition of AOP, Soil Systems Australia director Adam Willson answers the question ‘Is it enough to be organic?’ when it comes to ensuring your farm’s resilience in the face of climate change. You will learn how organic wool industry pioneers, the Mackenzies of Plevna Downs, have made a success of a niche market and effectively combatted the major sticking point for producers moving into organic wool production: control of worms and lice. And our cover story features cattle baron Sir Graham McCamley, who provides a look at the success of his organic cattle empire, allowing for a sixth and seventh generation of the family to take on its management.
We also receive a special insight into the organic hemp industry, which is growing steadily thanks to a dedicated Australian team and its rising popularity as a food and fibre worldwide.
All in all, I think this edition definitely proves one thing – that the organic industry is constantly expanding, not only in market size but in its innovation and professionalism, and it is only through the dedication of pioneers such as the McCamleys and McKenzies that this is possible.
Furthermore, the coming months are going to be abuzz for the organic industry with the impending release of our 2010 Market Report in August, which will be profiled in our next edition.
Until then, readers are encouraged to email feedback from this edition to me at jamie.obrien@bfa.com.au.
I look forward to hearing from you.
– JAMIE O’BRIEN,Simple project becomes life’s work
the way from the Big Apple, Paul Taylor has made his life’s work all about land restoration for
profits to the land. Tara Miko tells us why.
Getting the Lowe-down on good organic practice An early passion for chemistry and microbiology launched David Lowe into a career as a prestigious organic winemaker and farmer.
Cattle fit for a King One of Australia’s largest organic cattle producers is celebrating nearly two decades of certified organic production after building an ‘organic empire’ in North East and Central Queensland from what were once conventional cattle operations.
Mining will threaten organics Organic growers Jason and Vicky Huggins tell of the story of producing food in opposition to a proposed open-cut mine on their property.
Wool: not just another commodity Stuart Mackenzie, owner of Plevna Downs and one of Australia’s largest high-quality organic Merino wool producers, made the jump into organics in 1996 and wouldn’t dream of going back. 20 Organic hemp a new harvest With the potential to address climate change, organic hemp is making a comeback; with some very interesting applications. 22 Lessons from Romania – a vision for future organic food production From a once-in-a-lifetime journey, Soil Systems Australia director Adam Willson talks about some lessons learnt from designing a 5000-hectare organic farming operation – in Romania.
Sir Graham McCamley, one of Australia’s largest organic cattle producers, is celebrating nearly two decades of certified organic production after building an ‘organic empire’ EDITOR Jamie O’Brien EDITOR/ADVERTISING/SUBSCRIPTIONS (07) 3350 5716 GENERALMANAGER Holly Vyner
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIC COMMUNITY ISSN ISSN 1835-8829
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SMART BUSINESS NEEDS TO continually identify and navigate its way through market trends, continually monitoring its direction to ensure that optimum performance is achieved in meeting its identified targets. The Biological Farmers of Australia will this August once again honour its commitment to the organic industry in presenting the 2010 Australian Organic Market Report. The 2008 edition was seen as a milestone for industry.
The 2010 report, while being commissioned by BFA, is being conducted by the University of New England (Armidale, NSW) combined with the support of Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL), state governments and many committed industry members. The market report will for the first time be able to draw comparisons from the inaugural 2008 report to present key market data and trends in the past two years.
Our grassroots forums (such as the BFA Organic Roadshow) continue to indicate that market linkages and supply chains are among the greatest challenges for our industry. While there is reported growing demand and continued strong growth overall, not every sector is in a position to take advantage of demand and others risk being over-supplied as larger players enter the market. The market report will give an overall snapshot of each sector, including future predictions – highly important information for both existing industry members and for individuals and businesses contemplating entering the organic industry.
More than 100 people gathered at the inaugural Atherton Tablelands Roadshow in Queensland in May, with many producers expressing their keen interest in making the
next step. With the help of BFA and agricultural supply stores such as Elders Rural in Tolga, growers are now receiving that support, being introduced to soil consultants and others who are able to assist them and provide tools such as BFAregistered inputs, which are often vital for producers making the conversion to organics.
At the Cunnamulla Roadshow, also in Queensland in late May, a core number of growers expressed their interest in making the conversion to certified organic production to take advantage of US and domestic demand for quality organic beef and lamb. Thanks to the support of the Paroo Shire Council, recognising the future potential for organic production in the area, the roadshow has led to the Queensland Government pledging to assist those with a keen interest in the industry to make the conversion to organic.
When it comes to gaining consumer trust of any product, what better endorsement is there than one by CHOICE – the Australian consumer watchdog? The BFA Group has been privileged with perhaps the most opportune award it may ever receive. BFA’s subsidiary, Australian Certified Organic, is the winner of the CHOICE Award for Best Food Endorsement Program 2010. The award was based on CHOICE independent research across a large number of programs, including Fairtrade, the Heart Foundation Tick and the Rainforest Alliance, to name but a few. For a number of years we have been hearing from our members that they want to see greater resources being driven into raising consumer awareness levels of organic. We look forward to further developing and delivering the strategies that enabled us to achieve this award, which will assist marketing campaigns for the ACO Bud logo well into the future. Advertising
funds have been placed into highlighting the award to a target mainstream audience over the course of this year.
OGA, known as the Small Producers Scheme for those seeking full and qualified acknowledgement of compliance to BFA’s Australian Organic Standard at a far lower cost, continues to assist those smaller growers wishing to sell at local farmer markets or to retail outlets, local restaurants and others. OGA also allows these growers to move to ACO for export compliance at a later date if they so choose. In May OGA conveyed a work shop for small growers at Maleny in the south-east Queensland hinterland. More than 40 people attended, which clearly demonstrated the interest and importance of this program, which is totally tailored for the small producer. There are more workshops slotted in for the remaining part of this year. If you believe your area would be interested, simply speak with the general manager and PR manager of BFA, Holly Vyner.
The overarching strategies since the inauguration of BFA in 1988 have been the ongoing intention and delivery that BFA is member-owned and continues to “work with industry for industry”. Each year the board of BFA continues to build on this commitment, undertaken almost a quarter of a century ago by those first directors under the guidance of the founding chairman, Gavin Dunn. There is no better example of this than the practical delivery every year of industry data, education through roadshows and programs through working with governments and local authorities in exploring and identifying opportunities for all of industry.
When we reflect on what the BFA delivers all year every year for both its members and clients, there is no doubt that the overall BFA Group really is “working with industry for industry”.
All the best in organics,
THE BIOLOGICAL FARMERS OF Australia (BFA) has further evidence that eating organic is the best way to avoid exposure to harmful carcinogens following the recent release of a US report.
The report, Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What we can do now?, published by the US President’s Cancer Panel and submitted to President Barack Obama, has urged the US government to do everything within its power to remove carcinogens and other toxins from food, air and water.
BFA general manager Holly Vyner said the findings mirrored what the organic industry had been striving for since its initiation 70 to 80 years ago.
“Organic is about healthy food choices,”
Ms Vyner said. “The prohibition of synthetic agro-chemicals, including all of those linked with health and environmental concerns, is a cornerstone of organic food production.”
Highlighting unregulated or understudied chemicals such as bisphenol A, radon, formaldehyde and benzene, the report found that, while environmental exposures did not present a new front in the war on cancer, the “grievous harm” caused by these chemicals had not been addressed sufficiently by the US National Cancer Program.
“Consumers who choose organic are often more aware of the potential side-effects of farm chemicals in the food chain and are working consciously to minimise their contact with environmental toxins,” Ms Vyner said.
In consultation with 45 experts from a range of industries, the panel investigated a small percentage of the 80,000 chemicals on
the US market, putting forward a list of 11 recommendations to deal with “regulatory, political, industrial, and cultural barriers to understanding and reducing environmental and occupational carcinogenic exposures”.
The panel – appointed by the Bush administration – was chaired by Dr LaSalle D Lefall, Jr, a professor of surgery at Howard University, and Margaret Kripke, a professor at the University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center.
However, Ms Vyner went on to say that chemical-free was only a small part of the organic picture, with plenty of research evidence to demonstrate that organic food was the choice when buying food and fibres produced with animal welfare, the environment and human health in mind.
The 240-page report is the first to deal specifically with environmental causes of cancer since the panel was created in 1971.
PAUL TAYLOR SAYS HE “NEVER ever entertained the idea of using chemicals” in his farming practices – which is not surprising, considering his early introduction to biological farming.
Having grown up on an organic farm on the outskirts of New York owned by his grandfather, who “always valued land by the number of earthworms in a spadeful of soil”, the Trust Nature director has gone from humble beginnings in the United States to being one of the most sought-after compost and compost tea educators in Australia.
His grandfather’s farm was pushed out by development in the early 1960s but, ever the optimist, Mr Taylor purchased a degraded tobacco farm in Tennessee, intent on reviving the soil and returning productivity to the land.
“I was looking for a very cheap property to improve on and discovered a 150-acre (61hectare) property, about 25% of which was badly degraded. They still used methyl bromide then and powerful herbicides so the ground was so dead it would only grow sparse weeds,” he says.
He was fortunate in his purchase.
The land backed onto magnificent forestation with natural springs and flowing creeks, which gave Mr Taylor an idea of what the land could ultimately be returned to.
Using the traditional practice of composting, he revived the land within
three years and successfully returned the non-productive part of the property to forest.
His success sparked an idea in his mind, and for the next decade Mr Taylor made it his business to buy rundown farms and revitalise the land while still operating his farm.
In 1978, Mr Taylor took a trip over the horizon to Australia and fell in love with the country, the politics, the people and the land.
“I couldn’t believe such a place existed. I loved the feeling that the Australian Government served the Australian people, and the pure beauty of the land,” he says.
But while Mr Taylor has made a successful career from organic farming and land restoration, it wasn’t until he received a copy of Bill Mollison’s Permaculture book that he realised how much more there was to learn.
“I was gifted the first Permaculture book just a few days after arriving in Australia.
“Permaculture as a design science for human settlement made a lot of sense to me and the techniques were advanced and valid so I incorporated them into my life and into my work – and still do,” he says.
“I am now involved in management that turns farming from a process of land degradation into a process of land regeneration that is realistic and saves a lot of time and money.”
The book changed his life and opened up international opportunities for Mr Taylor to
spread his organic message. He has helped to set up systems in countries such as India and Saudi Arabia that transform waste into compost tea (the common name for vital inoculants) for plants and for repairing degraded soils.
“A single farm in Saudi Arabia produces 30,000 tonnes of waste a year that they need to deal with,” Mr Taylor said.
“They are now dealing with that by transforming it into compost, and in doing so they are putting a diversity of beneficial microbes back into the soil.”
Most recently, Mr Taylor has been working to begin a composting operation in Mareeba as part of Trust Nature FNQ (Far North Queensland) in association with the Tablelands Regional Council and the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group (NGRMG) to develop thousands of tonnes of compost tea to be sold throughout the region.
The Trust Nature FNQ-backed initiative is an active community program in the area which aims to develop links within the community. “The Trust Nature and Trust Nature FNQ commitment is to return the microbes back into the soil and the profits and enjoyment back into farming,” he says.
“When we achieve this we will see our young people coming back home to the farm.”
For more information go to www.trustnature.com.au.
FISCHER AUSTRALISPTY LTDIS
the ultimate specialist in Orchard Slashing and Mulching Equipment. After Fischer GmbH developed its first mower more than 40 years ago, the family-owned company has gained worldwide reputation. With the offspring now at the helm, the company has joined the world leaders in mower manufacturing for fruit, nut and grape growing industries. Long-term experience in mechanical engineering, as well as continuously developing new technology, has resulted in the arrival of a new range of models in Australia. One of them is the brand-new GL4K and its larger SL2-model designed to suit large-area, delved, v-shaped and various other layouts of fruit orchard.
One man who can verify the durability of a Fischer product is Bruce Browne, an organic wine grower from Mudgee in Central New South Wales.
Mr Browne purchased the GL4-70 double-sided under-vine Slasher in late
2006 and since then has never looked back.
Faced with a number of challenges during his conversion to organics – in particular weeds under the vines, Mr Browne says he is very satisfied with his purchase.
With some 20 hectares of vineyard (70 kms) the GL4-70 is spot on the mark for tasks carried out by the likes of Mr Browne.
“There have not been a lot of options available for me and the undervine Slasher has made all this possible,” Mr Browne said.
“It now takes me about one hour per hectare as opposed to much more than that without it,” he said.
Fischer slashers are width adjustable, rugged and built to last, offering various options with or without fine sensor technology. The main objectives of Fischer movers are to handle multiple tasks in one tractor pass, making under-tree management easy and reducing production costs, chemical inputs and the farmer’s carbon footprint. Fischer mowers are user-friendly and can be comfortably maintained by farm
staff. Fischer Australis can offer an exciting variety of models and configurations ranging from 1.4 metres up to 7.2m.
At the beginning of 2010, Fischer Australis introduced eight new models to the local market, including the exciting GL4K orchard unit.
Described as the world’s first centrally hinged under-tree slasher/mulcher, GL4K offers a solution to total chemical-free weed control.
A range of machines will be on show at WineTech 2010 in Adelaide from July 4 to 7.
Contact the Fischer Australis Pty Ltd head office in Western Australia, on (08) 9433 3555, or Jurg Muggli, on 0409 572 581. For Queensland, contact Andre Jaeggi on 0406 310 470.Visit the Fischer GmbH website, www.fischermulchgeraete.com, or visit www.fatcow.com.au.
THE AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE industry is set to be hit hard by climate change. With experts predicting a substantial decrease in crop yields and a 40% reduction in the national livestock carrying capacity, Australia is at risk of some very serious food security issues.
In light of these predictions, the Australian Government has warned that above all other sectors, immediate climate change adaption measures are fundamental to the future of Australia’s $43.6 billion agricultural industry (National Farmers’ Federation, 2010).
Soil health expert Adam Willson, director of Soil Systems Australia and co-ordinator of the Federal Government-funded climate change workshops taking place across Australia this year specifically designed for
primary producers and based on the latest climate change research, summarises the critical steps all growers can take for adapting to climate extremes.
It has long been understood by organic growers that the use of synthetic nitrogen inputs has a direct negative impact on soil carbon levels and long-term soil productivity.
However, Mr Willson says switching to “chemical-free” production is simply not enough.
Mr Willson says that both conventional and organic producers need to take a more pro-active approach to creating soils that are truly sustainable and adapted to adverse weather conditions.
“While organic farmers have always been particularly good at adapting to change, climate change presents a whole new array of challenges and new farm management strategies that growers need a comprehensive
understanding of in order to provide a buffer for their operation,” Mr Willson says.
Mr Willson goes on to explain that the most critical issue facing Australian growers today is the long-term decline of soil organic carbon levels across the country, the effect this declining carbon has on the exposure of our landscapes to droughts and excessive runoff and, finally, the loss of productive soil due to urbanisation.
“Organic producers can no longer focus solely on a chemical-free approach to creating a sustainable agricultural practice. They must work to actively restore stable soil humus levels – which has the co-benefits of increasing farm productivity and yields, as well as helping growers adapt to climate extremes,” he says.
“With the appropriate practices, growers can potentially convert large amounts of atmospheric carbon into a stable form of
carbon in the soil through humus development. This has most advantageous nutritional and water-saving benefits.”
Made up of between 56% and 57% carbon, humus is the key for achieving sustainable production and optional nutrition and yields.
Many long-term studies, such as that conducted by the Rodale Institute (2008), indicate that best practice organic operations can sequester around seven tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare per year.
Rodale Institute farm trials of overall onfarm energy consumption also found that organic farming systems reduce fossil-fuel use by around 30%, with a 75% reduction recorded for organic rotational no-till systems.
Mr Willson says the key is to distinguish what specific farm management practices lead to these changes.
LEFT Learning to produce on-farm humic-rich compost is essential when dealing with extremes in climate. This image demonstrates how four days after the composted soil was watered, the brocolli is healthy, but in the other area, treated with chicken manure pellets, the plants have wilted in the midday sun.
Photo: SOIL SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA
According to Mr Willson, the benefits of humus development aren’t only limited to improving the ability of soils to sequester and store carbon; humus also helps prevent water loss from run-off and evaporation. With good farm design a farmer can rehydrate the landscape. Humus also reduces the diurnal fluctuations in soil temperature. Given that nutrient uptake is largely connected with soil temperature, plants can afford to put more energy reserves into production.
“Humus has the capacity to hold up to 20% its weight in water,” Mr Willson says.
“Building soil organic matter by adopting practices such as green manure cropping, pulse grazing management, crop rotation, farm design and composting, all build the humus levels of the soil – directly improving the soils’ ability to adapt to reduced water availability, increased temperatures and adverse weather conditions.
“The key issue is that we have had a major decline in carbon levels in the soil which has had an enormous effect on the hydrology of the landscape,” he says. “With extended periods of drought predicted, growers need to maximise the water-holding capacity of their soils in order to ensure even the smallest amount of moisture is absorbed. The higher the carbon content, the more water it will hold every time it rains, even if it’s only a few millimetres.”
Studies have shown that during long periods of dry weather, many low-humus soils become hydrophobic and repel water. Soils that have a high humus level rapidly absorb water into a cooler temperature soil.
Given the importance of soil carbon levels to both the environment and yields, it is little wonder that Europe is now concerned with the continent’s carbon levels dwindling to just 2%. The real concern for Australians, however, is that many of our soils are well below 1%.
“This signals the red light for Australian
agriculture. No matter what the reasons for the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere – soil carbon levels are declining and this cannot be ignored – the implications for agriculture and food security are far too great.” Mr Willson also points to livestock management techniques and crop rotations as key components of building soil carbon levels.
While livestock producers have come under pressure for their high rate of emissions, holistic livestock management techniques can actually help ameliorate the effects of climate change and build more “climate change-ready” soils. By encouraging sloughing of root material, the build-up of organic matter and humus development is enhanced.
“It is about maintaining equilibrium. When a plant loses biomass above ground (through practices such as short, intensive grazing), it can’t cope with the amount of root relative to the leaf,” Mr Willson says.
“The plant breaks off the root in order to equalise energy requirements – in a process of sloughing – which enhances humus development and soil carbon.”
LOWE FAMILY WINES AND TINJA
Organics, in the Mudgee region, are a showcase of how well agriculture, business and the natural environment can work together when managed with intelligence, information and passion.
Born into a farming family in Mudgee, David Lowe, a typical “son of the soil”, intended to eventually run the family farm. However, David’s father, concerned about the future security of farming, advised his son to seek another career. Fortunately, one was close at hand.
“During school holidays I worked at nearby Craigmoor Winery and with my love of chemistry I just fell for winemaking,” David said.
He went on to Roseworthy College, a viticultural university that accepted only students with experience and sound academic qualifications.
While studying there David contacted several wineries seeking an internship.
Serendipitously, the first to respond with an acceptance was Len Evans’ Rothbury Estate winery.
“There weren’t many winemakers around then and the winemaker was desperate for help,” David said.
The successful internship led to an offer of full-time work when David graduated.
“Working there had a huge influence on me,” he said. “I was like a kid in a chocolate factory – it was like being in a massive winemaking laboratory. Len Evans was the spiritual head of the winery – a great innovator who never flinched and encouraged us to try new things. If the experiments didn’t work we sold the results to the wineries down the road.”
After 12 years with Evans and a four-year stint in the French Bordeaux region, David, ready for independence, set up Lowe Family Wines.
They are now producing some 7000 cases of wine per year which sell internationally as well as to independent retailers and restaurants along the eastern seaboard.
“Originally a lot of the produce was under contract for winemakers and for restaurateurs in Sydney,” he says.
“I worked with restaurateur and chef Neil Perry, who was also a big influence on me.”
Neil focused on regional produce and encouraged his wine suppliers to do the same, David said.
“Neil also encouraged something that I had learned from Len Evans: to strive for subtlety in wine so that it complemented food but didn’t overpower it. Some Australian wines go over the top; it’s ‘overegging the pudding’.”
In 2003, realising that their methods were
already approaching organic, David and Jane applied for certification with Australian Certified Organic (ACO) for Lowe Family Wines and for Tinja Organics respectively.
“We already had good practices in place. As far back as 1997 we had decided to make the operation as sustainable as possible, so the shift to organic wasn’t too great. After gaining certification our feeling was ‘Okay, now give us more of a challenge’.”
Some pre-certification innovations borrowed from old traditions.
“I didn’t irrigate, despite having ample water. My experience in France had taught me that if vine roots have to strike deep to water they’ll be stronger and take up more minerals, producing better wine.
“I didn’t trellis, reverting to the old Roman practice of growing bush vines. The vines develop more naturally, with more aeration and less humidity in the canopy, and only produce as much fruit as they can nurture well.”
While there were already several organic operations in the Mudgee region, David and Jane had to find their own way much of the time.
“There’s still a bit of a ‘fundamentalist’ attitude, a lack of information pooling, in the organic industry, and I feel it’s holding us back,” he said. “To date we haven’t found any market advantage for organic
wine but we’re sure that it will come in time, based on international trends.”
The vineyard takes up only 25 of the farm’s 1000 acres. The remainder is dedicated to certified organic stone fruit production, livestock (pigs, sheep and cattle) and the natural environment.
In 2006, Lowe Family Wines won World Best Zinfandel (Grape Variety) at the International Wine Challenge in London, and the winery was the runner-up in 2007.
Tinja Organic meat is in high demand in New South Wales and Victorian markets, and the livestock and winery waste provides another income stream managed by Jane. Winery waste water is recycled and shredded waste paper and cardboard, grape skins and manure are combined to produce 2500 tonnes per year of rich, organic compost.
With the help of Landcare and the Central West Catchment Management Authority, David and Jane have committed to leaving the land better for their having farmed it. They have fenced off two kilometres of double river frontage and replanted it with natural grasses, and the wildlife has shown its appreciation by flooding back (the
creek even has a resident platypus family). Erosion areas have been fenced off and protected to be fully stabilised and revegetated within three years, cell grazing has been introduced, dams allow wildlife access but are fenced off from stock, and wildlife corridors have been established.
However, the alchemy of winemaking remains David’s special joy. “Wine is alcohol and water – the ‘solvents of quality’ that attract the great things the winemaker puts into it. French winemakers boast about their great wines but the real excitement is in Australia. Our best is yet to come.”
Dedicated to delivering his knowledge and beliefs to others, Ted Mikhail is set to launch a series of The Mikhail System seminars, designed to help primary producers benefit from environmentally sound practices.
The three-day seminars will run through July and August and participants will be able to refer to their complimentary copy of Ted Mikhail’s newly published book, Understanding and Achieving Optimum Soil Balance – The Mikhail System, also available for purchase now.
Places are limited – to secure your booking or for book purchases or further info contact SWEP on (03) 9701 6007 or visit www.swep.com.au.
ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST organic cattle producers is celebrating nearly two decades of certified organic production after building an ‘organic empire’ in North East and Central Queensland from what were once conventional cattle operations.
With a rich family history in cattle running, Sir Graham McCamley is a fourthgeneration cattleman.
Sir Graham purchased Tartrus in 1954 at the age of 21, after working with his father at Kairoo and Eulogie from an early age. He took the undeveloped property and turned it into a highly successful cattle station, introducing initiatives focussed
on breeding for fertility and weight gains.
The original herd of Hereford cattle was gradually phased out for the betterperforming Brahman breed. The 6000 cattle were individually tagged and monitored to assess weight gains and carcase traits.
He attributes his success to his passion for the cattle industry.
“Cattle is our business and we enjoy it. It’s better to do something that you enjoy than something that will just make you money,” Sir Graham says.
“We just love running and mustering cattle so we couldn’t do anything else.”
Tartus Station is now run by his daughter Jennifer McCamley who is the fifth generation manager, and it seems that the family tradition will continue well into the future, with a sixth and even seventh generation in the making.
“My daughter Jennifer runs the property, my granddaughter Felicity works with her, and my great-granddaughter, who is three years old, will be the seventh generation on Tartrus,” he says. “Together with one of my grandsons, they will be the ones to take over when I eventually retire.”
This is not to suggest that the 77-year-old is showing signs of slowing down.
After buying his dream property, Glenprarie Station (near Marlborough) in 2005, Sir Graham took charge of the property, which he says he “waited half his life to buy”.
It was with “mixed emotions” that earlier this year he announced the sale of the property, spurred on by his wife Lady Shirley McCamley, to retreat. Glenprarie is being offered on a walk-in walk-out basis, with 16,000 head of organic cattle and full operating plant and machinery including roadtrains and aircraft.
Sir Graham recognises that there are limited buyers with the capacity to purchase Glenprairie in today’s marketplace and suggests that the property may be retained and run in conjunction with the family’s other rural operations, including Tartrus, Hopevale, Taloombah and Royals. The last two properties are currently independently operated by Sir Graham’s other daughter Jacqui and his son Russell.
Sir Graham McCamley says he is more than happy with the result of moving to organic: “It has been an excellent move for us.”
The Australian Certified Organic (ACO) properties now run around 21,000 head of organic cattle between three properties.
“We made the move to certified organic about 16 years ago at Harrigate at Richmond in North Queensland, after considering the potential effect of growth promotants and synthetic chemicals in beef. Why should people eat meat that we wouldn’t want to eat ourselves?” he says.
“I really do believe that those chemicals have a potential to affect your health.”
With a completely organic diet, Sir Graham and his family say the benefits of organic outweigh the challenges.
He says he is more than happy with the result of moving to organic: “It has been an excellent move for us.” He says before its organic conversion, the property’s management already had a strong emphasis on minimal inputs. “I’ve been producing largely chemical-free since 1975,” He says.
But he said some changes in operations needed to be considered. With the group’s largest herd (Glenprairie, with about 16,000 head of organic cattle) located on Queensland’s Central Coast, with ocean frontage around an hour and a half from Australia’s beef capital, Rockhampton, and receiving approximately 1000 millimetres of rainfall annually, many pest problems have been addressed genetically.
“We had to decide if we could breed a beast without spraying or dipping, a common practice throughout central and northern Australia – and the answer was, we could. We bred an animal with resistance to ticks, flies and some worms and we do not now need to treat them for worms, buffalo flies or any other pest or disease,” says Sir Graham. “We also had to stop treating our timber with chemicals.”
Despite his obvious commitment to organics, he says there are definitely challenges involved in going organic.
Sir Graham says that one of the biggest challenges for many newcomers to organic is record keeping. That’s because organic systems depend on complete traceability and positive individual identification – good record-keeping and farm management are essential.
“Before we applied for organic certification we had already integrated a system where each individual beast could be identified by firebrand individual numbers, electronic tags, and plastic ear tags, which was a help,” he says.
However, he says, keeping sale numbers up all year round can prove a challenge, particularly during times of drought.
“We recognise that our clients require a consistent supply of organic beef every week of the year, irrespective of seasonal conditions. We are moving towards growing all of our own organic supplementary feed requirements, and with improved water management and irrigation systems grow a
regular supply of irrigated leucaena, grain and hay,” Sir Graham says.
He said that one of the other greatest challenges faced for those going organic is the conversion and auditing process.
of the property.
“You don’t get premiums for cattle ‘in conversion’ (years two and three of certification) so we had the expense of running an organic herd with none of the premium returns.”
He says the business is now eager to look into growing its own supplements in a ‘closedloop’ system. “We will convert additional country to organic farmland as required, and we’ll produce supplement from that.”
“We already produce organic hay but we need a consistent supply of protein as well.”
“It took three years to have our first property Harrogate converted to organic. During that time you have to run everything as though you already have the certification,” he says.
He says smaller paddocks will be fenced off and irrigated, with perennial legumes grown to keep up nitrogen levels in pastured areas. Worms and a strain of dung beetle will be introduced to provide fertility for both the soil and legumes.
The McCamley Group currently supplies high-quality certified organic beef to domestic and export markets.
IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY NOTICEABLE THAT THERE is a growing concern – globally – about the world’s ability to feed itself. However, whatever potential there is to meet future demand could all be diminished by an issue that has become extremely well-known to farmers in the Queensland Darling Downs region: coal mining.
Feeding urban populations and providing a living to farming families is the fundamental role of agriculture. With demand tipped to rise sharply in the coming years, organic growers in particular would love to produce more.
Organic growers Jason and Vicki Huggins are a perfect example of farmers who have worked incredibly hard towards making their property sustainably productive for the future.
Their property in the Felton Valley, 30 kilometres south-west of Toowoomba, is at threat from a proposal by Ambre Energy to build an open-cut coal mine and petrochemical plant near their property. So far, four different versions of the project have been put forward by the company.
Open-pit mining, also known as open-cast mining and open-cut
mining, refers to a method of extracting rock or minerals from the earth by their removal from an open pit.
At present a number of mining companies are conducting environmental impact assessments – not only on the Huggins property – so that the State Government can make an assessment as to whether the proposed coal mines can go ahead.
Construction of any of the proposed mines could lead to permanent destruction and contamination of the underground water, the potential for dust and/or pollution on surrounding properties and the permanent disfiguration of the soil – which for any organic farmer is the end of the line.
Furthermore, because the conversion of coal to fuel is a waterintensive activity, the proposed mine and petrochemical plant for Felton would consume very large quantities of water.
Drawing large volumes of water from either artesian or groundwater sources is likely to have a large negative impact on flows from southern Queensland into the Murray Darling system.
Information obtained from several submissions to the Federal Government as part of the inquiry into the impacts of mining in the Murray-Darling Basin note that water surveys suggest that the complex nature of underground and surface water interaction and
Farmers are using demonstrations such as this, at a recent rally, in an effort to protest against a proposed open-cut coal mine and petrochemical plant on properties in the Felton Valley.
recharge processes of this region place farming activities – in particular, organic farming – at risk.
According to Mr Huggins, the Condamine Headwater subcatchments, as part of the Murray-Darling system, are very sensitive areas where contamination could easily occur in both underground and surface water supplies as a result of mining activities, in turn affecting farming activities in the region.
Friends of Felton Inc is a community group established in opposition to Ambre Energy’s proposal to produce fuel from coal at Felton – known originally as the Felton Hybrid Energy Project, then the Felton Clean Coal Project and, as of March 2010, ambreCTL.
Friends of Felton Inc chairman Rob McCreath says the Felton Valley is prime agricultural land and the proposed mines would mean the end of farming for those affected.
“Agriculture is the key to food production, and in Queensland we only have a very small area – 3.8 million hectares or 2% of the state – of prime farming land,” Mr McCreath says.
“The total value of horticulture production in the area from Felton to Toowoomba is in excess of $23 million per year, employing some 400 people,” he says. “How could anyone believe that destroying this could possibly be in the public interest?”
Information provided by rural horticulture group Growcom states that the proposed mine and its associated development would employ 600 people for 15 months to undertake construction and then reduce to 125 employees for ongoing operation. This would leave the district with only 125 permanent jobs created, while 400 are threatened in horticulture alone and many more in other agricultural industries. At the end of the mine’s life – approximately 30 years – these 125 jobs may also be lost to the region.
Mr McCreath goes on to say that just about every farming business is “up in the air”, with many farmers reluctant to make further investments in their enterprises.
“Some would like to expand; others would like to retire and pass the business on to their children. The land market has virtually frozen,” he says.
“It makes it very difficult to run a business when there is so much uncertainty.”
The Hugginses say the critical role of farmers in protecting the ability to produce food should be high on the agenda for Australia.
“It is imperative we preserve this farmland which can go on producing food for countless years,” Mr Huggins says.
“While we are not detracting support to develop our vast mineral resources, in addition to realising the immense value that mining brings to all Australians we must ensure our children inherit an environment and community at least equal to and possibly better than ours, with security of food and a sustainable environment.”
By DR ANDREW MONK BFA standards convenor
THE BIOLOGICAL FARMERS OFAUSTRALIA (BFA), AS Australia’s “largest democracy” in which members have input into policies and positions at Organic Roadshows, industry forums, the AGM and other events, earlier this year called for nominations for the advisory groups (see
diagram) which assist the BFA board and executive in delivering on what members want from their representatives and from their organisation.
These nominations have now been confirmed by the BFA board and some of the related advisory groups are already confronting issues that are relevant to them in 2010.
The best single way for members to be involved is to inquire into the activity of their own sectoral advisory group(s) that inform both the BFA standards group and the BFA board, or to attend our annual Roadshow events and other forums such as networking dinners to have your voice heard.
The BFA continues to resource and be active in ensuring our industry members’ voices, and those of the broader organic community, are heard in the review and setting of standards, and in the review and setting of strategies and policies of the group. The work is a never-ending story.
The advisory groups (pictured) are a critical part of the BFA’s industry member representative structure. There are many advisory groups for our industry because it is so diverse. These include the very active vignerons and monogastrics, which over the past two years have faced incredible pressures to ensure they are understood as a sector at national and standards levels. BFA has often stood alone in both articulating and defending the views and needs of these sectors.
However, they are not alone in being unique in their needs or issues or in being small in number when isolated as a sector. Consider the cosmetics sector, or the farm inputs sector which may be essential for a number of producers, where issues arising have the potential to affect many businesses. These issues are often highly technical, directly affecting possibly only a few in the first instance, but have impacts that can be significant on industry as a whole.
Having these people’s realities heard and understood and the technical issues transparently and competently reviewed is an essential role of the advisory groups.
also have significant input from consumers now on a weekly basis with queries that come in, some raising concerns or clarifications about
We welcome and encourage all members to be involved in these processes, even if it is ... ensuring you are in communication with an advisory group member and/or turn up to one of our many forums.
allowances or issues surrounding packaging. All this feedback enables us to remain focused on the marketplace and on the businesses that are affected by it and to craft the Australian Certified Organic Standard with those views in mind.
The BFA Standards Advisory Group has members across the main sectors of industry, while being directly advised by the technical expertise of each sectoral advisory group. The standards group includes:
• farming advisory and inputs: Plamen Paraskevov;
• cosmetics and pharmaceutical: Gordon Robertson;
• horticulture and vignerons: Sam Statham;
• proocessing, pest management and international operations: John Melville;
• HACCP, processing and food ingredients: Dr Ajay Shah;
• auditing, certification and environmental management: Owen Gwilliam;
• composting and agronomy: Adam Willson;
• livestock nutrition n and systems and animal welfare: Dr Michael Evans;
• tropical production systems and special projects: Chris Landon Lane;
• farm inputs a and resource recycling: Chris Rochfort;
• regulations and standards: Dr Andrew Monk (Convenor); and
• social and consumer research: Dr Kristen Lyons.
Thanks also go to outgoing members who have provided, and continue to provide for industry, ongoing assistance and support. For the standards group this has been Tom Benson of WA and Nick Bennett of Victoria, while we welcome new members Plamen Paraskevov and Gordon Robertson in 2010.
In addition to this, the standards advisory group is informed by sectoral advisory groups (see diagram) which are headed by organic farmers, business people, researchers and consumers for their respective sectors, ensuring a direct link with the standards being set. Consumer and market research is conducted by an independent research group for BFA (Mobium Group). This provides our group with direction on servicing consumer needs in addition to the queries and feedback we obtain directly from consumers, retailers and others during the course of the year in their interaction with the organic marketplace.
This feedback, along with our representative structure, is the essential ingredient in ensuring industry members remain in control of the agenda, be that standards setting, market development or industry services. We welcome and encourage all members to be involved in these processes, even if it is simply ensuring you are in communication with an advisory group member and/or turn up to one of our many regional or metro forums around the country each year.
For more information, go to www.bfa.com.au
STUART MACKENZIE, OWNER of Plevna Downs and one of Australia’s largest high-quality organic Merino wool producers, made the jump into organics in 1996 and wouldn’t dream of going back.
Plevna Downs, a 112,000-hectare property in far South-West Queensland which also produces organic beef and sheep meat gained organic certification 14 years ago and there has been absolutely no reliance on chemical use required since.
As a third-generation grower, Mr Mackenzie attributes his success to a long tradition of family ownership and continual flexibility and adoption of new ideas to improve existing production.
“By going organic we were trying to valueadd and to differentiate our wool from other wool. But it’s also ideologically preferable –
and cheaper. It’s overall a better management practice,” he says. “Being organic means I produce a product rather than a commodity and I also feel that we are well down the track of something that will eventually become more mainstream, so we are paving the way for others.”
As well as being certified organic, Plevna Downs ceased mulesing in 2003 and now carries the non-mulesing label.
Despite his faith in the potential of the
“Organic wool growers – and organics in general – can’t rely on conventional selling systems to find their markets… Buyers want a close relationship with their suppliers – you have to establish those relationships and then it’s quite easy to achieve the premiums.”
industry, Mr Mackenzie says there is not enough support for organic wool producers from the industry in general.
“I find that the certified organic wool market is constricted by lack of supply and lack of support from the wool industry in general. The potential for organic wool is enormous but the industry needs organisation, co-ordination and the amalgamation of existing organic wool growers,” he says.
“The wool industry is very much geared towards conventional options and there’s not a lot of capacity to move outside that because of a lack of impetus. Lack of communication from the wool growers through production to the retail end is probably the biggest problem and hindrance to the growth potential.
“Brokers don’t have a very good understanding of the wool industry past the auction house.”
With a product that is so susceptible to environmental factors, Mr Mackenzie finds the most challenging part of being organic is control of pests such as lice and blowfly without the use of pesticides.
“With organic wool the biggest challenge is control of parasites, worms and lice. For blowfly, we control it by crutching and property management. There are other management techniques such as staging lambing times so it’s not done in fly season, but crutching is the predominant method,” he says.
“There are some chemical-free, organically allowable products which help control lice but really the best thing is to maintain a lice free flock.”
The other biggest issues faced by organic wool growers in Australia are market pressures and lack of consistent demand.
“There is very limited demand but it is also very much constricted by supply.
LEFT Stuart McKenzie (inset) musters his sheep at Plevna Downs.
“What (organic wool) is out there tends to be scattered around the country using different brokers which makes it difficult to consolidate the market. There are markets out there – it’s just managing to meet demand with the right amount of wool at the right time.”
After having successes in various markets, including Germany, the US, Japan and New Zealand, Mr Mackenzie realised that the future of organic wool marketing lay in direct marketing – where the producer sold directly to the buyer.
There is huge potential for growth but it all comes back to wool growers wanting to adopt new ways and if they do they have to find the market themselves.
Organic wool growers – and organics in general – can’t rely on conventional selling systems to find their markets,” Mr Mackenzie says.
“Buyers want a close relationship with their suppliers – you have to establish those relationships and then it’s quite easy to achieve the premiums.”
Mr Mackenzie currently sells his wool through E-Wool, a national and independent company started in 1996 with the aim of providing a business system that connects wool growers with top wool processors without bias or conflict.
Mr Mackenzie says those considering the jump to organics should be aware of the risks.
“Don’t expect a quick buck. You’ve got to be prepared to market your product and have confidence in your product.
“There will be premiums but they are not always consistent from season to season,” he says.
“Once you have perfected the process it’s a fairly fulfilling way to manage your property and you join an elite group of producers.”
After struggling through an extreme drought in the past 10 years, Mr Mackenzie says he is looking forward to Plevna Downs increasing production of all its organic products into the future, but he won’t even think of going back to conventional farming methods.
“Even if I cancelled our certification I wouldn’t go back to using chemical because I see no good reason to do so,” he says.
WITH THE POTENTIAL TO address climate change, organic hemp is making a comeback – for some very interesting reasons.
Often confused with its relative Cannabis sativa, industrial hemp has long been established by organic farmers as a common source of fuel, fibre and food for animals and humans across the globe.
For Klara Marosszeky, working with farmers in the Hunter Valley, through Landcare in the early 90s and then later with Greening Australia, started an interest that has become more than just your average hobby.
“There’s a real need for farmers to take the lead in the emerging hemp food industry in Australia,” Klara says.
“Given that hemp can be grown easily without pesticides and herbicides, using organic methods, and given its marketing
advantage based on environmental credentials, it’s important that this valuable food crop is grown by farmers who
THE FOLLOWING LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE. THE US IS CURRENTLY COMMERCIALISING HEMP, although it is not yet a major producer; however, it is a manufacturer of an increasing number of value-added products for domestic and export markets.
ChinaExports hemp textiles and clothing worldwide; food
NetherlandsMajor hempseed exporter; rope
UKFood; automobile panels; paper; textiles; animal bedding; export hempseed oil to the US
CanadaFood; bodycare products; erosion control blankets; biocomposites; hemp oil wood finishes and lubricants; exports raw fibre and edible seed to the US, Japan, Ireland and the UK
FranceCigarette papers; banknotes; masonry products; insulation; animal bedding; major low-THC seed supplier
SpainRope; textiles; exports pulp for paper
HungaryTextiles; canvas; cordage; hemp rugs; paper; major low-THC seed supplier
GermanyAutomobile furnishings; insulation mats; hempseed exporter; plastics
RomaniaExport fibre to the US; textiles; hemp clothing
New ZealandProduces hemp textiles; hemp seed oil based products; exports hempseed oil
ItalyFurnishing and clothing textiles; shoes; exports hemp oil to the US
JapanSpecialty papers; rope
Belgium/LuxembourgHempseed exporter
PhilippinesExports raw fibre to the US
AustriaHempseed oil processor; organic hemp seed processor; hempseed exporter
PolandExports raw fibre to the US; textiles
SlovakiaCurrency paper; exports raw fibre to Hungarian spinning mills
IndiaExports raw fibre to the US; textiles
SwitzerlandExports hempseed oil to the US
South AfricaExports hempseed oil to the US
South KoreaExports raw fibre
ChileHempseed export
and with harvest hemp bast and hurd (above). After reading an article in the NSW Government Gazette written in 1856, Ms Marosszeky gained enough confidence to plant her first research crop at Wollombi, NSW, in 1999.
are committed to sustainable farming methods.”
Klara came across an article in the NSW Government Gazette written in 1856 that detailed recommendations of how and where to grow industrial hemp in Australia. It wasn’t long before Ms Marosszeky gained enough confidence to plant her first research crop in Wollombi, NSW in 1999.
In 2003, Klara moved to northern NSW, and she has continued to grow industrial hemp ever since.
“There was talk about managing climate change back then so I was aware of some of the bigger challenges we were facing,” Klara says.
Klara says that hemp has done more than just catch her attention. “It’s an incredibly useful plant that sequesters vast quantities of carbon,” she says.
Klara goes on to explain how in the past 10 years, hemp has re-emerged as a food worldwide.
In 2003, the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority (now FSANZ) finding that “there were no public health and safety concerns associated with the use of food products containing derivatives of industrial hemp, provided there was compliance with the proposed maximum levels for THC in hempseed, oil derived from hempseed and other products derived from industrial hemp”, triggered the New Zealand domestic and export hempseed oil industries.
However, Australia did not follow suit.
“Not enough States have legalised commercial cultivation,” Klara says.
“That attitude is slowly changing and, hopefully, a submission to FSANZ will be finalised in October to permit the development of Australia’s hemp food markets. Interested farmers should lobby their State and Federal representatives.”
A standard industrial hemp plant grows to between three and five metres in less than 100 days and, planted at high densities for fibre (250 seeds per square metre), it produces an enormous biomass.
“The carbon in the fibre can be locked into myriad products, including hemp masonry, which is the focus of my business,” she says.
Klara goes on to say that allowing farmers to grow dual-purpose food and fibre crops rather than just fibre crops would have obvious benefits for farmers.
“Hempseed can be made into bread, pancakes, pastas, milk, biscuits, chocolate, muesli bars, hemp seed butter, protein supplements and edible oils, and demand for this nutritious food is fuelling rapid market growth.”
Klara Marosszeky says hemp has done more than just catch her attention. “It’s an incredibly useful plant that sequesters vast quantities of carbon,” she says.
Organic farmer Kenrick Riley, president of the Northern Rivers Hemp Association, is looking at hemp as a summer crop rotation within his vegetable growing enterprise.
He says other farmers would benefit from hemp as an additional cash crop in rotation with winter cereals or sugarcane or in grazing enterprises. Kenrick will plant a larger area of hemp again this coming spring and, ideally, would like to harvest it for grain in the autumn of 2011.
Hemp, says Klara, is exceptionally good in the farm nutrient cycle. “The leaves are turned back into the ground after harvest and with the short taproot and the stubble, they return nitrogen and improve soil organic carbon.”
European research has shown that hemp is also a very good bio-remediator (in much the same way that brassicas are) for cleaning up soils contaminated with heavy metals.
Licensing procedure and information is available from Industry and Investment NSW or each State’s Department of Primary Industries. For more information about hemp go to www.northernrivershemp.org
“The hemp industry is regulated; farmers are required to test crops for THC levels and strict records of movement of seed are required,” Klara says.
“Despite this extra requirement it’s a rewarding road. There is no doubt that hemp is re-emerging as a major player in global agriculture.”
FROM JULY TO OCTOBER 2009, AN INTERNATIONAL team of organic specialists led by Soil Systems Australia headed to Romania in south-east Europe. It included a wide group of professionals experienced in organic certification, selecting suitable machinery, soil classification,
agronomy, horticulture, large-scale composting and marketing.
The privately funded project was aimed at designing a 5000-hectare irrigated farming system from the ground up, including full rotations, value-adding opportunities, gross margins, cashflows and a business plan. In essence it was an exciting opportunity to see core traditional practices enhanced with modern organic farming techniques used to build stable humus in a mineral-rich soil for enhanced production on a grand scale.
This farming operation is made up of many small parcels of land (0.25-40ha) adjacent to the magnificent Danube River in Mehedinti County.
The first phase of this project was to develop a plan that included grains, dairy, pasture and a horticultural operation. Over time this will be expanded across 23,000ha. Much of the land has not been cultivated since 1989 and is currently grazed by milking herds managed by local shepherds.
The Mehedinti region is a beautiful part of Romania that experiences some of the most extreme Mediterranean weather; -20°C to 45°C. In this environment, managing vegetation cover is critical to farming success. The soils here range from sandy soils to clay loams, have high organic carbon content and relatively young soil (15,000 years old). This contrasts to Australia, where our soils are very old and depleted (some as old as a million years old) and now extremely low in organic carbon.
In Romania, crop rotations of at least five years and the use of farmyard manure is traditionally used to build soil health. These have what is termed “multifunctional outcomes”, using one practice that has many beneficial outcomes. Part of the design we introduced included rotations for each soil type, long pasture phases, composting of farmyard manure and applying nutrition specific to each soil type.
One of the easiest ways to build soil carbon in Australia is to monitor and measure grazing management. Here pulse grazing using large numbers of stock for short periods can be used to ensure that adequate time is given for pastures to rebuild root reserves and add carbon to the soil. At a recent climate change workshop in Glencoe,
The farming operation in Romania is situated adjacent to the Danube River in Mehedinti County in the southwest.
New South Wales, an organic farmer illustrated the effectiveness of this practice on his own property. For the past 15 years he has been adopting pulse grazing and measuring dry matter in his pastures in January. Over that time period he has increased dry matter production from 900 kilograms per hectare to 3000kg/ha. One additional clear advantage here is the investment in a consultant to measure such changes and the monitoring and recording of increases in yields. The human eye cannot distinguish changes less than 30% and yet changes of 5% can be economically significant. Investing in outside help can, therefore, pay huge dividends.
It can be said that the conventional farming sector is single-point sensitive. When oil prices go up, input costs rise such as fuel, sprays and fertilisers. The same can be said about modern organic farming. Many organic farms are highly dependent on outside inputs, including chicken manure pellets. What will transpire if this supply is exhausted? Where will the organic farm then turn? Faced with the reality of “peak fuel” and “peak phosphate”, organic farms need to start making every consideration towards becoming more self-reliant. This Romanian project re-emphasised the need to make farming operations as self-sustaining as possible, with low accessibility to offfarm inputs. Through the milking of four herds of 250 cows, up to 20,000 tonnes of farmyard manure will be produced each year. This can then be used to produce quality humic-rich compost. When coupled with the flexibility to be able to produce biodiesel on-farm if diesel prices become too high, this operation effectively becomes buffered from outside environmental changes and influences.
The use of cattle manure is the single most important resource in producing quality food. Cattle are ruminants (with four stomachs) that can be highly efficient in building soil carbon levels when grazing is effectively managed. Their manure is rich in beneficial organic compounds and humic substances. You do not obtain the same soil building properties from monogastric (single-stomach) animal manures such as pigs and poultry.
For more information see www.soilsystems.com.au
NITROGEN PLAYS A PART IN plant health but the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers is having an increasingly severe impact on the planet. Researchers from Stanford University in the US have discovered a gene that controls nitrogen fixing efficiency in legumes, which has the potential to dramatically reduce the amount of fertilisers used in agriculture.
Like a number of other chemicals, nitrogen
can affect the environment far beyond the area of application, with run-off contaminating waterways and creating dead zones incapable of supporting any plant life due to the depletion of oxygen in the soil.
On an even larger scale, fossil fuel-based fertilisers can compound the issue of global warming as they can degrade into nitrous oxide, a highly potent greenhouse gas which has 310 times the emission load of carbon dioxide.
However, the research has identified a way of lessening the impact of nitrogen fertilisers by examining the inner workings of
nitrogen-producing bacteria. The result of these findings has the potential to make agriculture more sustainable through enhancing the use of legumes for producing nitrogen.
Senior author of the research, Sharon Long, says the process of legumes turning nitrogen from the air into ammonia – which feeds the plant – is essential for healthy soil and the success of crop rotation but has been until now relatively unexplored. The key part of the process uncovered by the research is a plant gene that controls the behaviour of symbiotic bacteria.
LEFT Legume crops grown on organic farms provide an alternative to applying nitrogen fertilisers.
leaching and run-off onto the Great Barrier Reef.”
Mr Paynter quotes data from a 2009 report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation, titled Low Greenhouse Gas Agriculture, which states that 90 to100 million tonnes of nitrogen synthetic fertiliser is used globally per year.
These figures show the significance of the research by Sharon Long in helping farmers reduce this amount by providing greater knowledge on how the natural cycling of nitrogen occurs. Techniques for practical adaptation of this research can then be developed and implemented.
“This will reduce the associated embedded energy cost and greenhouse gas emissions with its resulting climate change affects, allowing a considerable step towards sustainable agriculture,” Mr Paynter says.
“These plants have a specialised protein processing system that generates specific protein signals. These were hitherto unknown, but it turns out they are critical to cause nitrogen fixation,” Ms Long says.
She says this is an important process in terms of sustainable agriculture as it has the potential to increase the variety of environments in which legumes can thrive, including nitrogen-poor soils.
“This will reduce the need for manufactured nitrogen fertiliser that many other plants rely on; however, legumes still require the right symbiotic bacteria. When you deal with a natural soil you are dealing with a lot of complexity. Everything we learn about what makes symbiosis work gives us a tool to understand why, sometimes, symbiosis fails. Plant breeders who are trying to help develop better-adapted plants can now analyse traits such as this. We’ve given them a new tool.”
These findings mean that biological and organic farmers can now look at soil analyses to see whether they have sufficient levels of sulphur, calcium and molybdenum in the soil.
These nutrients are important in allowing legumes to function effectively and also
important for their relationship with nitrogen compounds within plants.
Greg Paynter of the BFA Organic Advisory Service says organic farmers have long known the benefits of the ecosystem functions of legumes in their cropping rotation.
“The research further explains some of the physiological aspects of the soil/plant interaction regarding legumes and nitrogen fixation,” Mr Paynter says. “Nutrition is the key to switching on or off the genetic effects within plants and animals and the realisation of their genetic potential. This paper provides information on one relationship between legumes and nitrogenfixing bacteria; there are other associations that exist between plants and soil biota.”
Mr Paynter references more research being conducted by Terrain Natural Resource Management, a not-for-profit company that has been looking into the association between free-living bacteria (Azobacter) and sugar cane. “These bacteria have the capacity to transfer significant amounts of nitrogen –150 kilograms per hectare – into plantavailable forms, thus reducing the requirements for synthetic nitrogen in sugar cane production and the affects of nutrient
Organic Producers are to be reminded that use of Pyrethrum containing the synergist Piperonyl Butoxide (PB) is PROHIBITED. The use of Pyrethrum with PB may jeopardise your current
If you would like to use Pyrethrum/Pyrethrum product that is not registered with BFA, it is strongly suggested you contact under the appropriate organic standard in order to
Pyrethrum without PB is currently available from the ‘Crop Management List’ – Pyganic Organic Insecticide (10587AI)
AWEALTH OF EXPERIENCE WAS on display at Roadshows hosted by the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) in April and May. Roadshows have begun their journey across the country, starting in Mildura, Victoria, and travelling to Bundaberg, the Atherton Tablelands, Cunnamulla and Toowoomba in Queensland.
A major drawcard for the Roadshow is former CSIRO senior scientist Dr Maarten Stapper, recently debuted on ABC TV’s Australian Story and Landline. Dr Stapper is passionate about soil health for achieving plant, animal and human health but also for achieving sustainable profits.
“A healthy soil produces better crops and pastures, requiring less fertilisers and agrochemicals for similar productivity and resulting in healthier feed for animals and healthier food for humans,” Dr Stapper says.
BFA general manager Holly Vyner says that this year, judging on attendance, there has been an increase in interest in biological farming among conventional growers.
“In the past year or so we have had an increase in contact from farmers who want to decrease their use of synthetic chemicals and increase the health and resilience of their farming operations,” Ms Vyner says.
“Biological and organic farming is definitely a growing trend.”
In the Atherton Tablelands this trend was backed by Elders together with Seasol being major sponsors of the Roadshow. Elders Rural Services, Tolga, assisted to secure an impressive array of speakers on the day and an attendance of more than 100 people.
In Cunnamulla community support for the organic industry was evident with approximately 80 people present for the one-day Roadshow and the Cunnamulla pub booked out with 90 people attending the all-organic three-course dinner that night.
Attendees at the Roadshow were privileged to receive a tour of the Dunsdon brothers’ operation. Don, Geoff and Greg Dunsdon have created a thriving organic fat
Organic fat lamb producer Don Dunsdon speaks to farmers during a tour of his farm at the recent Cunnamulla Roadshow.
BFA chairman Doug Haas (right) explains BFA allowed inputs to with an attendee at the Bundaberg Organic Roadshow on May 6.
lamb enterprise with a combined fully irrigated organic wheat and backgrounding operation.
“The Paroo Shire was an excellent support for this event, providing the venue and assisting every step of the way. Mayor Jo Sheppard and Margie Brown, economic development manager, were integral in ensuring the event’s success. The event was further supported by the attendance of Robert Setter, associate director-general of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), along with several other DEEDI staff,” Ms Vyner says.
From left: grower Don Dunsdon; Paroo Shire Mayor Jo Sheppard; BFA chairman Doug Haas; NRM CEO Neil Judd; and BFA general manager Holly Vyner at Cunnamulla
An eager crowd of 80 people listen to Clyne Foods managing director Chris Clyne discuss opportunities in organic sultana production at the Mildura Roadshow in April 21.
GROWERS HAVE AN EVER-INCREASING LIST OF PRODUCTS
THEYcan use in organic systems.If the input you wish to use is not listed here,it is recommended that you apply to your certification body for permission to use that product.If you have a product you wish to be listed here,contact the BFA on (07) 3350 5716 for information on registering your product as an allowed input.
Directory categories are:
• Crop management (includes weed,pest and disease products and spray adjuvants)
• Soil and plant nutrition (includes composts,potting mixes, mulches,microbials,activators)
• Livestock management (includes feed supplements and health products)
• Processing and facility/property management (includes salt,plastics,cleaners,vine vax,timber treat and other misc.)
• Seeds and seedlings
Green Fert High N (NOP) (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
N-Infused Humate (NOP) (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
ProAlexin – BioAlexin (11157AI) Citrox Pty Ltd
ProAlexin – Plant Nutrient Synergist (11157AI) Citrox Pty Ltd
Xtend Plant Oil Adjuvant (4014AI) Grow Green Pty Ltd
Soil and plant nutrition
Blood & Bone Plus (431AI) JC&ATSearle Pty Ltd
C – CAT (440AI) Australian Prime Fibre Pty Ltd
Katek Organic Gold Bulk Compost (451AI) Katek Fertilizers Australia
Mushroom Compost (6100AI) WA Composts T/A Custom Composts
MycoApply (11180AI) Mycorrhizal Applications International Aust Pty Ltd
NTS Micronised Guano WP (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Organodex ZIR – Microsoil Organic Blend (11030AI) Bass Laboratories Pty Ltd
Organodex ZIR – Organodex CZ (11030AI) Bass Laboratories Pty Ltd
Pure Fish Organic Fertiliser (431AI) JC & AT Searle Pty Ltd
Pure Seaweed Organic Nutrient (431AI) JC & AT Searle Pty Ltd
Saion-Em Effective Micro-organisms (11172AI) EM Solutions Aust Pty Ltd
Vitec Kelp (Concentrate) (1441AI) Vitec Australia Pty Ltd
Processing and facility/property management
Magnesium Chloride Brine (Nigari) (10324AP) WA Salt Supply
Absorba-cide (10575AI) Mt Sylvia Diatomite Pty Ltd
Azamax (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Barrier Leaf Coat (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Barrier Plus (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Bio Repel (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Biobag – Agrifilm (mulching film) (10539AI)BioBag Australasia Pty Ltd
Biobag – Food and Garden Waste (10539AI) BioBag Australasia Pty Ltd
BioMould Control (801AI) Certified Organics (Aust) Pty Ltd
BioSurfactant (801AI) Certified Organics (Aust) Pty Ltd
BioWeed Control (801AI) Certified Organics (Aust) Pty Ltd
Curse (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Diatomite (10575AI) Mt Sylvia Diatomite Pty Ltd
DiPel DF Biological Insecticide (10332AI) Valent Bio-Sciences
Eco Guard Plant Health Spray (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Eco-Fungicide (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Eco-Naturalure (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Eco-Neem (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Eco-Pest (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Eco-Protector (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Entrust Naturalyte Insect Control (2005AI) Dow AgroSciences Australia
Envirospray E-Stik.(Latex Sticker) (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Envirospray Gold (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Fly-Bye (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Fruit-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
GC-3 (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
GC-M (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Hasten Spray Adjuvant (10033AI) Victorian Chemical Co Pty Ltd
Hitman Soap Insecticide (10033AI) Victorian Chemical Co Pty Ltd
Hortico Organic Garden Fertiliser (202AI) Yates a Division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd
Horticultural Vinegar (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Leafcoat Copper Barrier (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Leafcoat Sulphur Barrier (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Life-Force Vita-Guard (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Natrasoap (45AI) Agrobest Australia Pty Ltd
Natrasoap RTU (45AI) Agrobest Australia Pty Ltd
Natural Wet (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Naturalure Fruit Fly Bait (2005AI) Dow AgroSciences Australia
Neem Plant Spray (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Nexus Spray Adjuvant (10033AI) Victorian Chemical Co Pty Ltd
Nutri-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Neem Cold Pressed Neem Oil 100% (RESTRICTED) (AI456) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Neem Cold Pressed Neem Oil EC85% (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Path-X (RESTRICTED)(456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Plantmate Foliar (802AI) Agrimm Technologies Limited
Progibb SG Plant Growth Regulator (10332AI) Valent Bio-Sciences
Pyganic Organic Insecticide (10587AI) MGK Asia Pacific Pty Ltd
Retain Plant Growth Regulator (10332AI) Valent Bio-Sciences
SK Enspray 99 (10784AI) SBC AsiaPacific Pty Ltd
Spray Aid (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Spraytech Oil (45AI) Agrobest Australia Pty Ltd
Summer Spray Oil (458AI) Australasian Lubricants Manufacturing
Supa Stik RM (10809AI) Liquid Fertiliser Pty Ltd T/A Agrichem
Superzyme (2002AI) Zadco for Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Synetrol Horti Oil (222/1AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Tonic-Tech (AI456) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Tri-D25 (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Trop-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Trump Spray Oil (10033AI) Victorian Chemical Co Pty Ltd
Turf-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Vectobac WG Biological Larvicide (10332AI) Valent Bio-Sciences
Vicol Summer Oil Insecticide (10033AI) Victorian Chemical Co Pty Ltd
Vinevax Bio-Implants (802AI) Agrimm Technologies Limited
Vinevax Pruning Wound Dressing (802AI) Agrimm Technologies Limited
Vitec Organic Cider Vinegar (1441AI) Vitec Australia Pty Ltd
Vitec Organic Vinegar Plus Garlic (1441AI) Vitec Australia Pty Ltd
Vivus Gold (10672AI) Ag Biotech Australia Pty Ltd
Vivus Max (10672AI) Ag Biotech Australia Pty Ltd
Voullaires Ee-Muls-Oyle Multi-Purpose Drying Oil (10033AI) Victorian Chemical Co Pty Ltd
Weed Control Mat (452AI) Weed Gunnel
Weed Zap (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Wheat-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Wild May Fruit Fly Attractant (10022AI) Wild May Essential Oils Pty Ltd
Winter Spray Oil (458AI) Australasian Lubricants Manufacturing
XenTari WG Bta Biological Insecticide (10332AI) Valent BioSciences
100% Pure Neem Oil (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
5-in-1 Plant Food (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
5-in-1 Plus Organic Plant Food Pellets (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Acadian SSE (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Activ – 8 (10574AI) S.A.F.E
Activated Minerals – Maxi Dolomite (4007AI) Ausmin Australia Pty Ltd
Activated Minerals – Maxi Gypsum (4007AI) Ausmin Australia Pty Ltd
Activated Minerals – Maxi Lime (4007AI) Ausmin Australia Pty Ltd
Agromate (10809AP) Liquid Fertiliser Pty Ltd T/A Agrichem
Alaska Pure / Seaweed (10791AI) Nutrifield Pty Ltd
Aloe-Tech (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Alroc C.B.M (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Alroc Dry Feed (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Alroc Extraphos and Potash (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Alroc Extraphos (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Alroc No 1 Mix (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Alroc No 2 Mix (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Alroc No 3 Mix (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Alroc Phoscarb (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Amgrow Organix Fishfert (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Amgrow Organix Garden Compost (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Amgrow Organix Native Plant Food (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Amgrow Organix NutriBlend5 (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Amgrow Organix Organic Xtra (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Amgrow Organix Potting Mix (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Amino Feed UV (10809AI) Liquid Fertiliser Pty Ltd T/A Agrichem
Amino-Tech (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Aqua power 5-1-1 (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Balance and Grow Organic (221AI) BioAg Pty Ltd
Bio Silical (10465AI) Tryton Waste Services Pty Ltd
Bio Smart T (10465AI) Tryton Waste Services Pty Ltd
Bio Starter (10465AI) Tryton Waste Services Pty Ltd
BioAgPhos (221AI) BioAg Pty Ltd
BioField (801AI) Certified Organics (Aust) Pty Limited
BioFlora Dynamega (447AI) BioFlora Ag
Bioflora Fulvic Acid (447AI) BioFlora Ag
Bioflora Humega (447AI) BioFlora Ag
Bioflora-Fish-O-Mega (447AI) BioFlora Ag
Bioflora-SW3 (447AI) BioFlora Ag
Biojuice Bloom (10381AI) Hygrow Technologies Pty Ltd
Biojuice Grow (10381AI) Hygrow Technologies Pty Ltd
Biomin Boron (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Biomin Calcium (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro
Biomin Copper (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro
Biomin Iron (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro
Biomin Maganese (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro
Biomin Magnesium (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro
Biomin Zinc (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro
Bio-Size (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro
Black Gold Compost (305AI) Charles IFE Pty Ltd
Blade Runner (58AI) Neutrog Australia Pty Ltd
Blood and Bone (410AI*R) Terra Firma Fertilisers Pty Ltd
Blood and Bone (438AI) Botanica Garden Products PTY LTD
Blood and Bone (RESTRICTED) (10396AI) Ki Carma Garden Products
Blood and Bone (Restricted*) (432AI (R)) Queensland Organics
Bounce Back (58AI) Neutrog Australia Pty Ltd
BTR Soil Metabolizer BTR-Bxd (454AI) Petrik Pacific Distributions Pty Ltd
BTR Soil Metabolizer Digestor (454AI) Petrik Pacific Distributions Pty Ltd
BTR Soil Metabolizer EverGreen (454AI) Petrik Pacific Distributions Pty Ltd
BTR Soil Metabolizer RootBooster (454AI) Petrik Pacific Distributions Pty Ltd
BTR Soil Metabolizer SeedBooster (454AI) Petrik Pacific Distributions Pty Ltd
CalMag-Life (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Campbells Organic Plus (202AI) Yates a Division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd
Carbo Cal (45AI) Agrobest Australia Pty Ltd
Cargo Boost / Reviver (10791AI) Nutrifield Pty Ltd
Chicken Manure (1134AI) Organic Fertilizers
Citrus-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Coal Fines (10080AI) MBC Soils
Cock N Bull (58AI) Neutrog Australia Pty Ltd
Compost – Fungal,Bacterial and Standard mix (2006AI) Mara Seeds Pty Ltd
Compost (10396AI) Ki-Carma Garden Products
Compost (10466AP) Northcott Organics
Compost (10841AI) Kaloranoo Pty Ltd
Compost (10855AI) Yarranbrook Farm Pty Ltd
Compost (10967AI) Amiterre Ag Solutions Pty Ltd
Compost (4009AI) Karreman Quarries T/A Organic Composts
Compost (445AI) Enviroganics – Beef City Property
Composting Tonic (10193AI) Hibrix Corporation Pty Ltd
Cotton-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Cow Manure (10396AI) Ki Carma Garden Products
Deluge 1000 Wetting Agent (10033AI) Victorian Chemical Co Pty Ltd
Dia-Life (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Diatomaceous Earth – Silicon Fertiliser (11139AI) Agripower Australia Ltd
Digest-it (220AI) Bioag Pty Ltd
Dynamic Lifter Blood and Bone (202AI) Yates a division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd
Dynamic Lifter Long Life Organic (202AI) Yates a division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd
Dynamic Lifter Standard Fines (202AI) Yates a division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd
Dynamic Lifter Standard Granules (202AI) Yates a division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd
Dynamic Lifter Standard Pellets (202AI) Yates a division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd
Earthcare Powerfish (10767AI) Seasol International Pty Ltd – Tas
Eco Neem (6004AI) Eco Growth Inernational Pty Ltd
Eco Vital (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Aminogro (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
EcoCarb (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Eco-Cweed (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Eco-Fert (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Eco-Growth Dry Kelp (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Growth Liquid Fish (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Growth Liquid Kelp (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Humate (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Oil (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Eco-Prime Natural PK (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Prime Soft Rock Phosphate (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Probiotics Garden (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Probiotics Tree and Broadacre (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Eco-Rose (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Enriched Cow Manure (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Fertiliser (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Fertiliser (10466AP) Northcott Organics Pty Ltd
Fish and Kelp Plus (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Fish Emulsion (45AI) Agrobest Australia Pty Ltd
Flora-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Foliars (10466AP) Northcott Organics Pty Ltd
Fruit and Balance Organic (221AI) BioAg Pty Ltd
Fulife / Soil Conditioner (10791AI) Nutrifield Pty Ltd
Fulvic Acid (4007AI) Ausmin Australia Pty Ltd
Fulzyme Plus (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Fumafert (222AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Garden Compost (10396AI) Ki Carma Garden Products
Green Fert N 12:0:2 (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Green Waste (10465AI) Tryton Waste Services Pty Ltd
GreenStim (802AI) Agrimm Technologies Limited
Growbetter Organic Planting Mix (305AI) Charles IFE Pty Ltd
Growbetter Organic Potting Mix (305AI) Charles IFE Pty Ltd
Growbetter Pure Magic Compost (305AI) Charles IFE Pty Ltd
Gyp-Life (AI456) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Gypsum (438AI) Botanica Garden Products PTY LTD
Herbal Boost (10791AI) Nutrifield Pty Ltd
Hibrix 3B,Hibrix BA,Hibrix BB,Hibrix BC,Hibrix BD,Hibrix 6K (10193AI) Hibrix Corporation Pty Ltd.
Hibrix 6K (10193AI) Hibrix Sales Pty Ltd
Hibrix BA (10193AI) Hibrix Sales Pty Ltd
Hibrix BB (10193AI) Hibrix Sales Pty Ltd
Hibrix BC (10193AI) Hibrix Sales Pty Ltd
Hibrix BD (10193AI) Hibrix Sales Pty Ltd
Hi-Pro (415AI) Pacific Mineral Developments
Hortico Organic Lawn Fertiliser (202AI) Yates a Division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd
Hoticultural Blend (6100AI) WA Composts T/A Custom Composts
Humax (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Grow Pty Ltd
Humic Acid (4007AI) Ausmin Australia Pty Ltd
Humus 400 (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Humus Plus 4 (10080AI) MBC Soil
Hydro-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Katek Organic Fertiliser Poultry Manure Pellets (451AI) Katek Agricultural and Horticultural
Katek Organic Super Growth (451AI) Katek Agricultural and Horticultural
K-Carb-35 (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Kelp Meal (222/1AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Kelpak AI Product (10614AI) Kelpak
Kerbside Organic (10465AI) Tryton Waste Services Pty Ltd
Kickalong Complete Garden Plant Food (RESTRICTED) (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Kickalong Fruit and Flower Plant Food (RESTRICTED) (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Kickalong Native Plant Food (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Kickalong Poultry Manure Pellets (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Kickalong Vegetable and Herb Plant Food (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Kleensorb (10575AI) Mt Sylvia Diatomite Pty Ltd
KMS Fertiliser (309AI) Guano Australia Pty Ltd
KSIOFF (11108AI) Scanford Pty Ltd T/A Orgro Natural Products
Lawn Fertiliser (Restricted) (10396AI) Ki-Carma Garden Products
Life-Force Base Blend (BFA Allowed Input) (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Life-Force Instant Humus (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Life-Force Stimulate (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Lime-Life (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Liquid Gyp-Phos (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Liquid High K Foliar Plus (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Liquid Lime (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Liquid Organic Humate (10767AI) Seasol International Pty Ltd – Tas
Liquid Perma-Fert (305AI) Charles IFE Pty Ltd
Liquid Seaweed (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Liquid Seaweed for Plants (42AI) Natrakelp PTY LTD
Liquid Seaweed Plant and Soil Conditioner (42AI) Natrakelp Pty Ltd
Liquid Silicate Sharps (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Liquid VHumus (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Madura Guano Gold – Kwik Start (309AI) Guano Australia Pty Ltd
Mag-Life (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Mango Mix and K and TE (Sop) (149AI) Terra Firma Fertilisers Pty Ltd
Maxsil (11031AI) Advanced Plant Nutrition Pty Ltd
Melon-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Micro Carb (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Microlife Brown (10997AI) Microlife Pty Ltd
Microlife Green (10997AI) Microlife Pty Ltd
Microlife Orange (10997AI) Microlife Pty Ltd
Microlife Red (10997AI) Microlife Pty Ltd
Microlife Yellow (10997AI) Microlife Pty Ltd
Micro-Lime (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Micro-Phos (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Min Plus (415AI) Pacific Mineral Developments
Min Plus Fine (415AI) Pacific Mineral Developments
Mobilizer (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Moisture and Soil Conditioner (3001AI) Biogreen Ltd, Biohumates Australia Pty Ltd
Moisture Mulch (6100AI) WA Composts T/A Custom Composts
Mother Natures Cow Manure (10769AI) Richgro
Mother Natures Farmyard Manure (10769AI) Richgro
Mother Natures Mushroom Compost (10769AI) Richgro
Mother Natures Potting Mix (10769AI) Richgro
Mother Natures Sheep Manure (10769AI) Richgro
Mulch (10466AP) Northcott Organics
Mushroom Compost (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Mycormax (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Natra Min (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Natra Min Cal-K (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Natra Min Cal-S (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Natra Min Hi-Phos (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Natra Min K (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Natra Min K-Phos (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia
Natra-Fish (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
NatraMin Original (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Natra-Store (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Natural Gypsum (432AI (R)) Queensland Organics
Natural Nitrogen (440AI) Australian Prime Fibre Pty Ltd
Natural Silica (11001AI) Synergy Fertilisers Pty Ltd
NTS Calcium Humate Granules (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Fulvic 1400 (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Granular Humic Acid (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Guano Granules G1 (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Guano Granules G1 (I) (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Guano Granules G2 (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Guano Powder (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Liquid Humus (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Micronised Humic Acid WP (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Powdered Humic Acid (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Soft Rock (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Soluble Fulvic Acid Powder (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Soluble Humate Granules (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
NTS Stablised Boron Granules (RESTRICTED) (456AI)
NTS Super Soluble Humate Granules (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nut-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Cal Rapid Release (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Gyp Natural Gypsum (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Kelp Powder (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Key Hydro-Shuttle (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Key Shuttle Seven (RESTRICTED) (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Life 4/20 (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Life Bio-N (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Life Trichoshield (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Life VAM-Tech (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Lime Super Fine (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Mag Magnesite (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Mate Organic Humates (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Neem Granular Fertiliser (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri-Sea Liquid Fish (AI456) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Nutri Smart Active Eco-Fertiliser (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Nutri-Stim Saponins (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Onionmate Granules (802AI) Agrimm Technologies Limited
Organi-BOR (Hydroboracite) (10982AI) Jabez Trading Ltd
Organic Booster (poultry manure pellets) (432AI (R))
Queensland Organics
Organic Compost (10769AI) Richgro
Organic IQ (10396AI) Ki-Carma Garden Products
Organic Life Pellets (149AI*R) Terra Firma Fertilisers
Organic Link (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Organic Liquid Lime (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Organic N14 (442AI)Organica Australia
Organic Xtra (432AI) Queensland Organics
Organix Seedraising Mix (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Organodex CAL-B (11030AI) Bass Laboratories Pty Ltd
Organodex ZIR (11030AI) Bass Laboratories Pty Ltd
Palagonite (10575AI) Mt Sylvia Diatomite Pty Ltd
Peat (RESTRICTED) (3001AI) Biogreen Ltd
Penergetic (P,G,T,K,W) – 2kg and 10kg (11121AI) Penergetic Australia Pty Ltd
Perlite (10965AI) Exfoliators Aust Pty Ltd
Perma-Fert (305AI) Charles IFE Pty Ltd
Petriks Biolator (454AI) Petrik Aust Pty Ltd
Petriks Enhance (454AI) Petrik Aust Pty Ltd
Petriks Expand (454AI) Petrik Aust Pty Ltd
Petriks Green Manure (454AI) Petrik Aust Pty Ltd
Petriks Headstart (454AI) Petrik Pacific Distributions Pty Ltd
Petriks HydroBoost (454AI) Petrik Aust Pty Ltd
Petriks Impulse Minerals (454AI) Petrik Australia
Petriks Infiltrate (454AI) Petrik Aust Pty Ltd
Petriks Rescue (454AI) Petrik Pacific Distributions Pty Ltd
Petriks Response (454AI) Petrik Aust Pty Ltd
Petriks SetBest (454AI) Petrik Aust Pty Ltd
Phos-Life (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Phos-S-Si-Cal (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Photo-Finish (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Plant Care (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Plantmate Drench (802AI) Agrimm Technologies Limited
Plantmate Granules (802AI) Agrimm Technologies Limited
Potassium Sulphate (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Potassium Sulphate Granules (Restricted) (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Poultry Manure Pellets (149AI) Terra Firma Fertilisers Pty Ltd
Premium Compost (6100AI) WA Composts T/A Custom Composts
Premium Mulch (6100AI) WA Composts T/A Custom Composts
Protimax (10437AI) Balhan Industrial Co Pty Lt
Purasil (10575AI) Mt Sylvia Diatomite Pty Ltd
Pure Kelp Meal (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Rapid Raiser (58AI) Neutrog Australia Pty Ltd
Reactive Rock Phosphate (10844AI *R) Tarcowie Phosphate Co
Reactive Rock Phosphate and composted additives (10844AI *R) Tarcowie Phosphate Co
Reactive Rock Phosphate and composted additives with Blood and Bone (10844AI *R) Tarcowie Phosphate Co
Real Organic Compost (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Recycled Organic Compost (10679AI) Phoenix Power Recyclers Pty Ltd
Revitalize (45AI) Agrobest Australia Pty Ltd
Rock Dust (10388AI) Fishers Creek Rock Dust
Rooster Booster (58AI) Neutrog Australia Pty Ltd
Rooster Booster Lawn (58AI) Neutrog Australia PTY LTD
Root-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Sea-Change Liquid Kelp (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Sea-Change Liquid Kelp Foliar (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Sea-Change Liquid Kelp/Sea-Change Stock Booster Liquid (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Seafil (45AI) Agrobest Australia Pty Ltd
Seamungus (58AI) Neutrog Australia Pty Ltd
Searles Cow Manure (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Searles Kickalong Organic Potting Mix (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Seasol (Concentrate) Liquid Seaweed (10767AI) Seasol International Pty Ltd – TAS
Sea-Start (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Silica with Potash (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Soil and Seed (221AI) BioAg Pty Ltd
Soil Conditioner (4003AI) McLeods Agriculture
Soybean Meal Expeller Organic (10278AI) Applied Nutrition Pty Ltd
Stand SKH (10809AP) Liquid Fertiliser Pty Ltd T/A Agrichem
Supa Humus (10809AI) Liquid Fertiliser Pty Ltd T/A Agrichem
Supa K 30 (10809AI) Liquid Fertiliser Pty Ltd T/A Agrichem
Supa Link (10809AI) Liquid Fertiliser Pty Ltd T/A Agrichem
Supercharge (3003AI) Nutratherm Australia Pty Ltd
Superior 10 (4006AI) Superior Fertilisers
Superior 12 + K (4006AI) Superior Fertilisers
Superior 12 (4006AI) Superior Fertilisers
Superior PC (4006AI) Superior Fertilisers
Superior PK (4006AI) Superior Fertilisers
Terra Firma Pellets (149AI) Terra Firma Fertilisers Pty Ltd
Tomato,Herb and Vegie Fertiliser (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Tomato,Herb and Vegie Potting Mix (10325AI) Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd
Tree-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
TriBoost (10791AI) Nutrifield Pty Ltd
Trich-A-Soil Granular (222/1AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Trich-A-Soil Powder (222/1AI) Organic Crop Protectants
Trichoderma Plus (6004AI) Eco Growth International Pty Ltd
Trichodry (802AI) Agrimm Technologies Limited
Turf Master – Restricted (432AI (R)) Queensland Organics
Veg-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Vege Plus (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Vermicast (10465AI) Tryton Waste Services Pty Ltd
Vermiculite (10965AI) Exfoliators Aust Pty Ltd
Vine-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Vitec Combo (1441AI) Vitec Pty Ltd
Vitec Extra Virgin Fish Fertiliser (1441AI) Vitec Australia Pty Ltd
Vitec Fish Fertiliser (1441AI) Vitec Pty Ltd
Vitec Kelp Seaweed Meal (1441AI) Vitec Australia Pty Ltd
Vitec King Kelp (1441AI) Vitec Pty Ltd
Vitec Min-Kel (1441AI) Vitec Pty Ltd
Wandalup Compost WA Composts T/A Custom Composts X10 Boost (10791AI) Nutrifield Pty Ltd
Zeolite – Natural Minerals (10532AI) Castle Mountain Zeolites Pty Ltd
Zeolite (10458AI) Batphone Australia Pty Ltd
Zeolite (10914AI) Zeolite Australia Pty Ltd
Zeo-Tech (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Agrok CDL/ZDL (10177AI) Rumenwork Pty Ltd
Beef Up (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
BioStock Liquid (4007AI) Ausmin Australia Pty Ltd
Cattle Coat (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Cattle Coat Soluble (442AI) Organica Australia Pty Ltd
Concentrated Trace 63550 Organic Ruminant Protein and Mineral Supplement(R) (10278AI and P USDA) Applied Nutrition Pty Ltd
Customised Stockfeed Supplements (BFA and NOP) (10278AI) Applied Nutrition Pty Ltd
Extinosad Lice,Fly and Maggot Eliminator (10299AI) Elanco Animal Health
Liquid Seaweed for Animals (42AI) Natrakelp Pty Ltd
Loose Licks (10574AI) Ausmin Pty Ltd (S.A.F.E)
Loose Licks (10574AI) S.A.F.E
Mega Minerals Organic Lick Block (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
MegaMin Lick Block – Original (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
MegaMin Loose Supplement – 10% Protein Meal (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
MegaMin Loose Supplement – 50% Protein Meal (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
MegaMin Loose Supplement – Extra Phos (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
MegaMin Loose Supplement – Extra Sulphur (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
MegaMin Loose Supplement – Original (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
MegaMin Loose Supplement – USDA/NOP Blend (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Molodri (10575AI) Mt Sylvia Diatomite Pty Ltd
Organic Ruminant Macro Mineral Supplement(R) (10278AI) Applied Nutrition Pty Ltd
Organic Ruminant Trace Mineral Supplement (10278AI) Applied Nutrition Pty Ltd
RumiMate (221AI) BioAg Pty Ltd
Stock Saver Vet (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Superior Mineral Supplement and Copra Meal (437AI) Ag Solutions Pty Ltd
Superior Mineral Supplement (437AI)
Superior Mineral Supplement (USDA/NOP Blend) (437AI) Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Brilliance (Plus)
Brilliance Probe Wipe (10562AP) Brilliance Australia Pty Limited
Bubble (10026AP) Western Salt Refinery Pty Ltd
CitroFresh (11083AP) GDM Technologies Pty Ltd T/A CitroLife
CitroShield Disinfectant GDM Technologies Pty Ltd T/A CitroLife
CitroShield Hospital Grade Disinfectant GDM Technologies Pty Ltd T/A CitroLife
CitroZine GDM Technologies Pty Ltd T/A CitroLife
Cloak Spray Oil (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Cooee Timber Treat (10078AP) Cooee Biosciences
Decanting and Packaging (10767AI) Seasol International Pty Ltd – VIC
Eco Inground Timber Protecta *(Restriction) (10949AP) Recochem Inc
Evo Espresso Machine Cleaner (10200AI) Cafetto Pty Ltd
Flossy (10026AP) Western Salt Refinery Pty Ltd
Lagoon Treat (10904AI) Basic Environmental Systems and Technology Aust
Lake Crystal Coarse (10026AP) Western Salt Refinery Pty Ltd
Lake Crystal Fine (10026AP) Western Salt Refinery Pty Ltd
Leg-Care (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Magnesium Chloride Brine (Nigari) (10324AP) WA Salt Supply
Mixwell (2002AI) Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd
Natural Lake Salt (NLS) (10026AP) Western Salt Refinery Pty Ltd
NatureSeal AS-5 (11160AP) Xylem International
Nigari (10387AI) Cheetham Salt Limited
NLS No 3 and No 5 Products (10026AP) Western Salt Refinery Pty Ltd
Packing Film (5001AP) Peakfresh Products
Pet Saver (456AI) Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd
Pink Lake Nigari (10026AP) Western Salt Refinery Pty Ltd
Plastic Bags (5001AP) Peakfresh Products
Polyethylene Coated Timber Posts (11159AP) Plastic Pole Vault Pty Ltd
ProGarda BC (11157AI) Citrox Pty Ltd
ProSino 14W Plus (11157AI) Citrox Pty Ltd
ProSino PWT (11157AI) Citrox Pty Ltd
Restore (10200AI) Cafetto Pty Ltd
Salt (10324AP) WA Salt Supply
Salt (421AP) Salt Of The Earth (Australia) Pty Ltd
Sea Salt (10387AP) Cheetham Salt Limited
Superfine (10026AP) Western Salt Refinery Pty Ltd
Timber Treat Plus Bitumen – Restricted (10078AP) Cooee Products
Wash Down Unit (3002AI (R)) CC Technologies Pty Ltd
Seedling (10553AI) Berwick Speedy Seedling and Supplies Pty Ltd
Seedlings (10176AI) Patio Plants
Vegetable Seeds (431AI) JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd
Advanced Plant Nutrition Pty Ltd 11031AI
Toowoomba QLD
T:(03) 5881 7996 F:(03) 5881 7410
E:apn@sipowders.com
Ag Biotech Australia Pty Ltd 10672AI
Richmond NSW
T:(02) 4588 5709 F:(02) 4588 5704
E:pbuerger@bigpond.com
Ag Solutions Australia Pty Ltd 437AI
Gympie QLD
T:(07) 5482 8044 F:(07) 5482 7219
E:info@agsolutions.com.au
W:www.agsolutions.com.au
Agrimm Technologies Limited 802AI
Christchurch NORTHISLAND NZ
T:001164 33253311 F:001164 33256117
E:d.gale@agrimm.co.nz
W:www.tricho.com
Agripower Australia Ltd Sydney NSW
T:(02) 9232 3299 F:(02) 9233 7882
E:peterp@agripower.com.au
W:www.agripower.com.au
Agrobest Australia Pty Ltd 45AI
Nerang QLD
T:(07) 5596 0622 F:(07) 5596 0616
E:jeff@agrobest.com.au; john@agrobest.com.au W:www.agrobest.com.au
Amiterre Ag Solutions Pty Ltd 10967AI
Young NSW T:(02) 6384 6277
E:djbonser@amiterre-agsolutions.com.au
Applied Nutrition Pty Ltd 10278AI
Alexandra Hills QLD T:(07) 3206 2568 F:(07) 3206 2756
E:info@appliednutrition.com.au
Ausmin Australia Pty Ltd 4007AI Dinmore Qld T:(07) 3282 1200 F:(07) 3282 1244
E:d.hardwick@ausmin.net.au W:www.ausmin.net.au
Australasian Lubricants Manufacturing Company 458AI Wynnum QLD T:(07) 3361 0918 F:(07) 3361 0966
E:Marian.Larkin@almc.com.au
Australian Prime Fibre 440AI Tanawha QLD T:(07) 5445 1571 F:(07) 5445 6364
E:jess@primefibre.com.au W:www.primefibre.com.au
Balhan Industrial Co Pty Ltd 10437AI
Geelong VIC T:(03) 5248 2055 F:(03) 5248 5440
E:balhan@geelong.hotkey.net.au
Basic Environmental Systems and Technology Aust 10904AI Goulburn NSW T:(02) 4822 5536 F:(02) 4822 5537
E:darryl.paulhus@yahoo.com.au
Bass Laboratories 11030AI Campbellfield VIC T:(03) 9357 0101 F:(03) 9357 0179
E:neil@basslab.com.au
Batphone Aust Pty Ltd (Plant of Health Fertilisers) 10458AI Geebung QLD T:(07) 3865 1288 F:(07) 3865 1266
E:des@batphone.com.au W:www.batphone.com.au
Berwick Speedy Seedlings and Supplies Pty Ltd 10553AI Berwick VIC
T:(03) 9702 1144 F:(03) 9702 1895
E:berwick@bigpond.net.au
BioAg Pty Ltd 221AI Narrandera NSW T:(02) 6959 9911 F:(02) 6959 9922 E:jep@bioag.com.au W:www.bioag.com.au
BioBag Australasia Pty Ltd 10539AI Rose Bay NSW
T:(02) 8257 3338 F:(02) 9475 0933
E:neil@biobaganz.com
BioFlora Ag 447AI
Upper Mt Gravatt QLD T:(07) 3823 2677 F:(07) 3823 2564
E:sales@BioFloraAg.com.au
Biogreen Pty Ltd 3001AI Melbourne VIC T:(03) 9598 7913 F:(03) 9597 0677 Freecall:1800 194 535
E:mike.walker@biogreen.info W:www.biogreen.info
Botanica Garden Products Pty Ltd 438AI Inala Qld T:(07) 3271 5203 F:(07) 3271 5216
E:botanica@bigpond.net.au
Brilliance Australia Pty Limited 10562AP Dunedin SOUTH ISLAND NZ T:0011 643 477 881 F:0011 643 477 1390
E:judy@brillianceproducts.com W:www.brillianceproducts.com
Cafetto Pty Ltd 10200AI
Brompton SA
T:(08) 8245 6935 F:(08) 8340 1626
E:castley@dominant.com.au
Castle Mountain Zeolites Pty Ltd 10532AI
Quirindi NSW
T:(02) 6746 3555 F:(02) 6746 2488
E:gordon@cmzeolites.com.au
CC Technologies Pty Ltd 3002AI (R)
Eumemmerring VIC
T:(03) 9701 7089 F:(03) 9701 3243
E:kpchong@cctechnologies.com.au; lorain@cctechnologies.com.au W:www.cctechnologies.com.au
CEA Products Pty Ltd 774P OGA 68 Butler Street Byron Bay NSW 2481
T:(02) 66807600 F:(02) 66855061
E:info@cea-life.com
Certified Organics (Aust) Pty Limited 801AI Box Hill BC VIC
T:(03) 9817 6967 F:(03) 9817 6634
E:hugh@certifiedorganics.info W:www.certifiedorganics.info
Charles IFE Pty Ltd 305AI
Windermere VIC
T:(03) 5343 2344 F:(03) 5343 2443
E:cife@netconnect.com.au
Cheetham Salt Limited 10387AP
North Shore VIC T:(03) 5228 4244 F:(03) 5274 1213
E:wrickard@cheethamsalt.com.au W:www.cheethamsalt.com.au
Citrox Pty Ltd Melbourne VIC
T:0064 9520 6161 F:0064 9520 6165
E:farm-linx@bigpond.com W:www.citrox.net
Cocky Smart Pty Ltd 10747AI
Victoria Park WA
T:(08) 9258 7232 F:(08) 9358 0309
E:cockysmart@optusnet.com.au
Cooee Products Pty Ltd 10078AP
Maroochydore BC QLD
T:(07) 5479 1620 F:(07) 5479 1602
E:fvos@cooeeproducts.com.au W:www.cooeeproducts.com.au
Custom Composts 6100AI
Mandurah WA
T:(08) 9581 9582 F:(08) 9581 9585
E:info@customcomposts.com.au W:www.customcomposts.com.au
Dow AgroSciences 2005AI
Frenchs Forest NSW
T:(02) 9776 3423 F:(02) 9776 3435 E:tibbles@dow.com W:www.dowagro.com.au
Ecofertiliser Pty Ltd Silverwater NSW T:(02) 9395 1200 F:(02) 9395 1241
E:jenniferf@ecofertiliser.com.au W:www.ecofertiliser.com.au
Eco Growth International Pty Ltd 6004AI Caversham WA
T:(08) 9378 7077 F:(08) 9378 7099
E:info@ecogrowth.com.au W:www.ecogrowth.com.au
Elanco Animal Health 10299AI
West Ryde NSW T:02 9325 4508 F:(02) 9325 4329
E:patten_stephen_j@lilly.com
EM Solutions Aust Pty Ltd 11172AI PO Box 2002
Cunningham Hwy Mt Gambier SA 5290 T:(08) 8726 8037 F:(08) 8726 8039
E:a.little@emsolutionsaustralia.com.au
Enviroganics Pty Ltd 445AI Mt Ommaney QLD T:(07) 3376 0033 F:(07) 3376 0033
E:richard@enviroganics.com.au; adrian@enviroganics.com.au W:www.enviroganics.com.au
Exfoliators (Aust) Pty Ltd 10965AI
Dandenong VIC
T:(03) 9706 6049 F:(03) 9706 6046
E:ian@exfoliators.com.au W:www.exfoliators.com.au
Farmers Choice Organics 11060P
Byron Bay NSW T:0411 207 072
E:seedlings@farmerschoiceorganics.com.au
Fishers Creek Rock Dust 10388AI
Adelaide SA
T:(08) 8419 1002 F:(08) 8232 1833
E:sales@fcrd.com.au W:www.fcrd.com.au
GDM Technologies Pty Ltd T/A CitroLife 11083AP
North Geelong VIC
T:(03) 5272 3122 F:(03) 5272 3144
E:ravi@citrolife.com.au
Grow Green Pty Ltd 4014AI
6089 Cunningham Hwy
Kalbar QLD4309 T:(07) 5463 9900 F:(07) 5463 9800
E:sales@growgreen.com.au
Guano Australia Pty Ltd 309AI
Buderim QLD T:(07) 5445 5300 F:(07) 5476 6400
E:john@guano.com.au W:www.guano.com.au
Hibrix Sales Pty Ltd 10193AI Shenton Park WA
T:(03) 6380 1499 F:(08) 6380 2531
E:frank@hibrix.com.au W:www.hibrix.com
Hygrow Technologies Pty Ltd 10381AI
Bondi Junction NSW
T:(02) 9369 3928 F:(02) 9369 3962
E:chris@hygrow.net
Jabez Trading Ltd 10982AI
NAPIER
T:+64 6 8421371
E:rick@jabez.co.nz
JC and AT Searle Pty Ltd 431AI
Kilcoy QLD
T:(07) 5497 2022 F:(07) 5497 1997
E:searlehm@searle.com.au
W:www.searles.com.au
Kaloranoo Pty Ltd 10841AI
Loxton SA
T:(08) 8584 1210 F:(08) 8584 1210
E:kaloranoo@bigpond.com
Kapunda Group Pty Ltd 11108AI
Hivesville QLD
T:(07) 4168 9967 F:(07) 4168 9907
E:baiwarren@gmail.com
Katek Fertilizers Australia Pty Ltd 451AI
Gympie QLD
T:(07) 5486 1141 F:(07) 5486 1270
E:admin@katekfertilizers.com.au W:www.katekfertilizers.com.au
Kelpak 10614AI
Bayview NSW
T:(02) 9986 0567
E:kelpactive@westnet.com.au
Ki-Carma Garden Products 10396AI Ormeau QLD
T:(07) 5547 6070 F:(07) 5547 6625
E:sales@kicarma.com.au
Liquid Fertilizer Pty Ltd T/A Agrichem 10809AI
Loganholme QLD
T:(07) 3801 9000 F:(07) 3209 9687
E:luciag@agrichem.com.au W:www.agrichem.com.au
Maleer Partners 10844AI *R Jamestown SA
T:(08) 8665 4037 F:(08) 8665 4037
E:maleer@activ8.net.au
Mara Seeds Pty Ltd 2006AI Mallanganee NSW
T:(02) 6664 5145 F:(02) 6664 5129
E:rosslarsson@maraseeds.com.au
W:www.maraseeds.com.au
MBC Soil 10080AI
Bacchus Marsh VIC
T:(03) 5367 3211 F:(03) 9360 0119
E:gcalleja@callejatransport.com.au
McLeod Agriculture 4003AI
Toowoomba QLD
T:1800 062 616 F:(07) 4699 3359
W:www.mcleodsorganicfertiliser.com
MGK Asia Pacific Pty Ltd 10587AI
North Rocks NSW
T:(02) 8850 0011 F:(02) 8850 0044
E:dennis.foster@mgk.com
Microlife Pty Ltd 10997AI
Kenilworth Qld
T:(07) 5446 9288
E:hic@microlife.com.au
Mt Sylvia Diatomite Pty Ltd 10575AI Gatton QLD
T:(02) 6161 5992 F:(02) 6248 6066
E:gems@onthenet.com.au
Mycorrhizal Applications International Aust Pty Ltd 11180AI
PO Box 1046,Bunbury WA 6231
T:(08) 9727 3801 F:(08) 8727 3802
E:nick@maiaustralia.com.au
Natrakelp Pty Ltd 42AI
Maroochydore QLD
T:(07) 5445 5054 F:(07) 5445 5499
E:natrakelp@bigpond.com.au
Neutrog Australia Pty Ltd 58AI
Kanmantoo SA
T:(08) 8538 5077 F:(08) 8538 5094
E:angus@neutrog.com.au
Northcotts Organics 10466AI
Hamilton Vic
T:(03) 5571 2777 F:(03) 5571 2731
Nutratherm Australia Pty Ltd 3003AI
Bentleigh East VIC
T:(03) 9579 0310 F:(03) 9579 0393
E:terry@nutratherm.com
Nutrifield Pty Ltd 10791AI
Preston VIC T:1800 753 090 F:(03) 9311 2958
E:carlosl@nutrifield.com.au
Nutri-Tech Solutions Pty Ltd 456AI Yandina QLD T:(07) 5472 9900 F:(07) 5472 9999
E:paddy@nutri-tech.com.au W:www.nutri-tech.com.au
ONE Group Pty Ltd 475AP 27 Expansion Street Ashmore QLD 4214
T:(07) 5539 2011 F:(07) 5539 6719
E:narelle.chenery@mionegroup.com
Organic Composts 4009AI Harlin QLD
T:(07) 5423 5247 F:(07) 5423 5248
E:karreman@bigpond.com
Organic Crop Protectants 222AI Lilyfield NSW
T:(02) 9810 4566 F:(02) 9810 4674
E:garyl@ocp.com.au
Organic Fertilizers 1134AI Bringelly NSW T:(02) 4773 4291 F:(02) 4773 4104
E:peter@lpcmilk.com
Organica Australia Pty Ltd 442AI Loganholme QLD T:(07) 3290 5441 F:(07) 3290 5443
E:organica.australia@yahoo.com.au
Pacific Mineral Developments 415AI Innisfail QLD T:(07) 4064 4118 F:(07) 4064 4131 E:minerals@austarnet.com.au
Patio Plants 10176AI Werombi NSW T:(02) 4653 1056 F:(02) 4653 1056
E:pplants@bigpond.net.au
Peakfresh Products 5001AP Parkside SA T:(08) 8299 9177 F:(08) 8299 9911 E:scott@peakfresh.com W:www.peakfresh.com
Penergetic Australia Pty Ltd Hahndorf SA T:(08) 8388 4864 F:(08) 8388 4667 E:penergeticaustralia@bigpond.com W:www.penergeticaustralia.com.au
Petrik Pacific Distributions Pty Ltd 454AI El-Arish QLD T:(07) 4068 5063 F:(07) 4068 5093 E:shane@totalgs.com.au W:www.petrik.com
Phoenix Power Recyclers Pty Ltd 10679AI Yatala QLD
T:(07) 3807 5699 F:(07) 3807 4148 E:admin@phoenixpower.com.au
Plastic Pole Vault Pty Ltd Tottenham Vic T:0418 322 953 F:(03) 9315 1064 E:david@plasticpolevault.com.au W:www.plasticpolevault.com.au
Queensland Organics 432AI (R) Narangba QLD T:(07) 3203 1379 F:(07) 3203 1425 E:admin@qldorganics.com.au W:www.qldorganics.com.au
Recochem Inc 10949AP
Lytton QLD
T:(07) 3308 5200 F:(07) 3308 5201
E:pcapper-duffin@recochem.com
Richgro 10769AI
Canning Vale WA T:(08) 9455 1323 F:(08) 9455 1297
E:peter@richgro.com.au W:www.richgro.com.au
Rumenwork Pty Ltd 10177AI
Wodonga VIC T:(02) 6026 4900 F:(02) 6026 4910
E:brad@farmtech.com.au
Salt Of The Earth (Australia) Pty Ltd 421AP
Tweed Heads NSW T:(07) 5536 1755 F:(07) 5536 7433
E:brad@saltoftheearth.com.au W:www.saltoftheearth.com.au
SBC AsiaPacific Pty Ltd 10784AI
Baulkham Hills NSW T:(02) 8883 2717 F:(02) 8883 2713
E:johnliu@sbcap.com.au
Seasol International Pty Ltd 10767AI
Bayswater VIC T:(03) 9721 4122/(03) F:(03) 9720 4792
E:darrenfree@seasol.com.au; lisa@seasol.com.au
Superior Fertilisers 4006AI
North Tivoli QLD T:(07) 3282 7166 F:(07) 3812 2689
E:sales@superiorfertilisers.com.au W:www.superiorfertilisers.com.au
Superior Transplants 10609A Darlington Point NSW T:0447 805 085
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Enterprises Pty Ltd 10574AI PO Box 2233
Burleigh QLD 4220 T:(07) 5593 4566 F:(07) 5593 4877
E:les@safe.com.au
Synergy Fertilisers Pty Ltd Ravenshoe QLD T:(07) 4097 7385 F:(07) 3503 9230
E:john@amccox.com W:www.synergyfert.com.au
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Enterprises Pty Ltd 10574AI PO Box 2233 Burleigh QLD 4220 T:(07) 5593 4566 F:(07) 5593 4877 E:les@safe.com.au
Terra Firma Fertilisers Pty Ltd 149AI*R Beaudesert QLD T:(07) 5541 2322 F:(07) 5541 1892
E:rskidmore@tff.com.au
Tryton Waste Services Pty Ltd 10465AI West Wyalong NSW T:(02) 6622 8855 F:(02) 6622 8877
E:engineering@tryton.com.au W:www.tryton.com.au
Valent BioSciences 10332AI Epping NSW T:(02) 8752 9000 F:(02) 8752 9099
E:Margot.Davis@Sumitomo-chem.com.au Victorian Chemical Co 10033AI Coolaroo VIC T:(03) 9301 7000 F:(03) 9309 7966 E:peterjones@vicchem.com W:www.vicchem.com
Vitec Australia Pty Ltd 1441AI Somerville VIC T:(03) 5977 7600 E:sonja@vitec.com.au W:www.vitec.com.au
WA Salt Supply 10324AP Hamilton Hill WA T:(08) 9431 9499 F:(08) 9335 3220 E:allan@wasalt.com.au W:www.wasalt.com.au
Weed Gunnel 452AI Buddina QLD T:(07) 5478 1993 F:(07) 5478 3345
E:weedgunnel@bigpond.com
Western Salt Refinery 10026AP Hamilton Hill WA T:(08) 9431 9499 F:(08) 9335 3220 E:allan@wasalt.com.au W:www.wasalt.com.au
Western Stock Distributors 601AI West Perth WA T:(08) 9321 2888 F:(08) 93224163
E:matt@westernstock.com.au
Wild May Essential Oils Pty Ltd 10022AI Mt Gravatt East QLD T:(07) 3843 6629 F:(07) 3843 6684
E:wildmay@powerup.com.au Yarranbrook Farms 10855AI Inglewood QLD T:(07) 4652 1688 F:(07) 4652 1580
E:ybfarm@bigpond.com
Yates a division of Orica Australia Pty Ltd 202AI Padstow NSW T:(02) 8805 1120 F:(02) 9763 9300
E:nicole.scott@orica.com
Xylem International Eerwah Vale QLD T:(07) 5442 7717 F:(07) 5442 7721
E:jeff@xylem.net.au W:www.xylem.net.au
Zadco For Quality Gro Pty Ltd 2002AI Seven Hills NSW T:(02) 9838 9111 F:(02) 9838 9110
E:inquries@zadco.com.au; joe@zadco.com.au W:www.zadco.com.au
Zeolite Australia Pty Ltd 10914AI Werris Creek NSW T:(02) 6768 7080 F:(02) 6768 7764
E:gstephen@zeolite.com.au