“Biodynamic farmers strive to create a diversified, balanced farm ecosystem that generates health and fertility as much as possible from within the farm itself.”
Biodynamic Association

The term “biodynamic” is one that is still often met by some confusion. In short, biodynamic agriculture is an advanced form of organic and regenerative agriculture that focusses on food quality and soil health, using an approach that is ecological, ethical and holistic. The concepts of biodynamics were first introduced in 1924 by Austrian philosopher, social activist and pioneer Rudolf Steiner, through his series of lectures known as the Agricultural Course. These were inspired by his spiritual philosophy of Anthroposophy (of which freedom is at the core). Since then, biodynamic farming has been catching the eye of small farmers and vintners across various continents, with interest in it steadily growing year after year. Read on as we attempt to unpack this agricultural phenomenon that seems to leave people both confused and amazed.

Origins and principles

“Biodynamic” comes from two Greek words, namely bios meaning “life”, and dynamos meaning “energy”. Essentially, “bio” refers to the biological (organic) elements of agriculture (such as animals, plants, water and soil), whilst “dynamic” refers to the cosmic formative forces that underlie the physical world (according to the Biodynamic Agricultural Association of Southern Africa). Steiner based his ideas on the fundamental principle that the farm is a living organism, a self-contained entity existing within a larger system. However, the universe as a whole (so earth and all that surrounds it) should be considered when it comes to agriculture and actually managed as one indivisible whole. According to Steiner, it was the introduction of chemical fertilisers at the turn of the 20th Century that had harmful effects on the soil and caused a notable deterioration in the health and quality of both livestock and crops. In Steiner’s opinion, this would have devastating and far-reaching effects on the future of farming.

What constitutes biodynamic farming?

Biodynamic agriculture is an approach to farming that incorporates the following aspects:

• Integration of crops and livestock
• Recycling of nutrients (in the soil)
• Maintenance of the health of the soil, animals, crops and farmer is holistic in nature.

Holistic management practices are fed by the fact that the farm is viewed as an ecosystem that exists within a greater whole, and because of this, factors such as the environment, social and economic factors need to be considered. Biodynamic agriculture focusses on natural resources such as plants, animals and minerals, and how they interact within specific environmental limitations. It moves away from the exploitation of the earth’s resources and instead, aims to achieve an ecological balance, enhance soil quality and increase crop production, all while keeping negative effects on the earth as minimal as possible. Biodynamic farming is also not driven by financial gain – the model is designed to feed the farmer, his family and workers first, after which the surplus can be traded.

Compost preparations

When it comes to attempting to create a harmonious whole, farmers employing a biodynamic methodology will use a range of specially formulated herbal and/or organic compost preparations. These act to enhance the vitality and fertility of the plant, animal and soil life, which in turn, helps produce food, timber and fibre of the highest quality. Because soil structure and nutrient cycles are enriched, plant development and growth are maximised. Furthermore, no artificial or synthetic substances are used, enabling the soil to improve organically without any damaging effects on the environment or to the plants and animals taking place.

The compost preparations are a scientific combination of six medicinal herb extracts:

• Yarrow
• Chamomile
• Stinging nettle
• Oak bark
• Dandelion
• Valerian

Fermented manure and minerals are also used, with each preparation being designed to guide a specific decomposition process in the composting mass. Together, they help to boost soil vitality and in turn, help ensure the growth of quality produce.

The future of farming?

Whilst biodynamic farming has and continues to receive its fair share of skepticism, it definitely has a place in the farming industry and when done correctly, can yield impressive results. The benefits, among others, include richer soil with an increased capacity to hold water, as well as improved plant and animal health. In many ways, it is the future of farming, so keep your eye on this ever-expanding approach to agriculture.

Sources:
http://biodynamics.net.au
http://www.i-sis.org.uk
https://www.biodynamics.com
http://www.bdaasa.org.za

Featured image:
http://www.drearth.co.za

Image credits:

http://www.sustainableamerica.org

“Biodinamiese boere streef daarna om ’n gediversifiseerde, gebalanseerde plaas-ekosisteem te skep wat gesondheid en vrugbaarheid so veel as moontlik binne die plaas self voortbring.”
Biodinamiese Vereniging

Die term “biodinamies” is een wat nog dikwels met verwarring teëgekom word. Kortom is biodinamiese landbou ’n gevorderde vorm van organiese en vernuwende landbou wat fokus op koskwaliteit en grondgesondheid, met behulp van ’n benadering wat ekologies, eties en holisties is. Die konsepte van biodinamika was die eerste keer in 1924 deur die Oostenrykse filosoof, sosiale aktivis en pionier Rudolf Steiner bekendgestel deur sy reeks lesings bekend as die Agricultural Course. Dit is geïnspireer deur sy geestelike filosofie van Antroposofie (waarvan vryheid die kern is). Sedertdien het biodinamiese boerdery die oog van klein boere en wynmakers oor verskeie vastelande gevang, en die belangstelling daarin hou jaar na jaar aan groei. Lees verder terwyl ons onderneem om hierdie landbouverskynsel, wat mense skynbaar beide deurmekaar en verbaas laat, uit te lê.

Oorsprong en beginsels

“Biodinamies” kom van twee Griekse woorde, naamlik bios wat “lewe” beteken, en dynamo wat “energie” beteken. In wese verwys “bio” na die biologiese (organiese) elemente van landbou (soos diere, plante, water en grond), terwyl “dinamies” na die kosmiese formatiewe kragte verwys wat die fisiese wêreld tot grondslag het (volgens die Biodinamiese Landbou Vereniging van Suider-Afrika). Steiner het sy idees gegrond op die fundamentele beginsel dat die plaas ’n lewende organisme is, ‘n opsigselfstaande entiteit wat binne ’n groter stelsel bestaan. Die heelal as ’n geheel (dus die aarde en alles wat dit omring) moet egter in ag geneem word wanneer dit kom by die landbou en moet eintlik as een onverdeelbare geheel bestuur word. Volgens Steiner was dit die bekendstelling van chemiese kunsmis by die draai van die 20ste eeu wat skadelike uitwerkings op die grond gehad het en ’n noemenswaardige verswakking in die gesondheid en kwaliteit van beide gewasse en vee veroorsaak het. In Steiner se opinie sal hierdie verwoestende en verreikende gevolge op die toekoms van boerdery hê.

Wat behels biodinamiese boerdery?

Biodinamiese landbou is ’n benadering tot boerdery wat die volgende aspekte inkorporeer:

• Die integrasie van gewasse en vee
• Die herwinning van voedingstowwe (in die grond)
• Die onderhoud van die gesondheid van die grond, diere, gewasse en boer is holisties van aard.

Holistiese bestuurspraktyke word gevoed deur die feit dat die plaas as ’n ekosisteem beskou word wat binne ’n groter geheel bestaan, en as gevolg hiervan moet faktore soos die omgewing asook sosiale en ekonomiese faktore oorweeg word. Biodinamiese landbou fokus op natuurlike hulpbronne soos plante, diere en minerale, en hoe hulle binne spesifieke omgewingsbeperkings reageer. Dit beweeg weg van die uitbuiting van die aarde se hulpbronne en beoog in plaas daarvan om ’n ekologiese balans te bereik, die grondkwaliteit te verbeter en die gewasproduksie te verhoog, als terwyl dit negatiewe uitwerkings op die aarde so klein as moontlik hou. Biodinamiese boerdery word ook nie deur finansiële gewin gedryf nie – die model is ontwerp om die boer, sy gesin en werkers eerste te voed, waarna die oorskot verhandel kan word.

Kompos voorbereidings

Wanneer dit kom by die poging om ‘n harmonieuse geheel te skep, sal boere wat ’n biodinamiese metodiek aanwend ’n reeks spesiaal-geformuleer krui- en/of organiese komposvoorbereidings gebruik. Dit dien om die lewenskrag en vrugbaarheid van die plant-, dier- en grondlewe te verbeter, wat op sy beurt help om hoë gehalte voedsel, hout en vesel te produseer. Omdat die grondstruktuur en voedselkettings verryk word, word die ontwikkeling en groei van die plant verhoog. Verder word daar geen kunsmatige of sintetiese stowwe gebruik nie, sodat die grond organies kan verbeter sonder dat enige skadelike effekte op die omgewing of op die plante en diere plaasvind nie.

Die komposvoorbereidings is ’n wetenskaplike kombinasie van ses medisinale plantuittreksels:

• Duisendblad
• Kamille
• Brandnetel
• Eikebas
• Perdeblom
• Duiwelsklou

Gegiste mis en minerale word ook gebruik en elke voorbereiding word ontwerp om ’n spesifieke ontbindingsproses in die komposmassa te lei. Saam help hulle om die grondlewenskrag te verhoog en om op sy beurt die groei van gehalte produkte te help verseker.

Die toekoms van boerdery?

Terwyl biodinamiese boerdery in die verlede en ook tans sy regmatige deel skeptisisme ontvang, het dit beslis ’n plek in die boerderybedryf en wanneer dit korrek gedoen is, kan dit indrukwekkende resultate oplewer. Die voordele, onder andere, sluit ryker grond in met ’n groter kapasiteit om water te hou, sowel as verbeterde plant- en dieregesondheid. Dit is op baie maniere die toekoms van boerdery, so hou jou oog op dié ewig-uitbreidende benadering tot landbou.

Bronne:
http://biodynamics.net.au
http://www.i-sis.org.uk
https://www.biodynamics.com
http://www.bdaasa.org.za

Hoofbeeld:
http://www.drearth.co.za

Beeldbronne:

Con su impresionante gama de productos de calidad, Radium Engineering es una epresa lider en las industrias agricolas y ganaderas. Dedicada a satisfacer las necesidades de todos sus clientes, Radium asegura que se mantiene en la vanguardia del diseno y la tecnologia, produciendo maquinaria de confianza, funcional y eficaz.

With its impressive range of quality products, Radium Engineering is a leader in the agricultural and farming industries. Dedicated to meeting the requirements of all its customers, Radium ensures that it remains at the forefront of cutting-edge design and technology, delivering machinery that is reliable, functional and effective.

Radium Engineering is ‘n leier in die landbou- en boerderybedrywe met sy indrukwekkende reeks kwaliteit produkte. Radium is toegewy aan die behoeftes van al sy kliënte en verseker dat dit steeds aan die voorpunt van pioniersontwerp en -tegnologie bly om masjinerie te lewer wat betroubaar, funksioneel en effektief is.

“Global warming” or “climate change” are terms that seem to be coming up more and more frequently as the world continues to experience various shifts in weather conditions, as well as natural disasters such as the melting of the polar ice caps. Simply put, global warming refers to the rise in the planet’s overall temperature caused primarily by the increased amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere – something for which humans are responsible. Essentially, the higher the amount of GHGs, the warmer the planet becomes. This will, of course, have a range of effects on different aspects of life, namely farming, most are which will be negative. We take a closer look at how global warming is set to change the face of farming, specifically in South Africa.

Further Background

As mentioned, global warming is as a result of there being an elevated amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere. GHGs are a range of naturally occurring atmospheric gases that play an important role in the continued existence of life on Earth by trapping the sun’s heat on our planet. Over the years, human action such as the burning of fossil fuels, as well as increasing industrialisation, have led to these rising amounts of GHGs. Carbon dioxide and water vapour are the main gases, but it’s the carbon dioxide released when fossil fuels (coal and oil) are burned for energy that seems to be negatively impacting the world’s climate the most. The more GHGs there are in the atmosphere, the more heat is retained, resulting in the planet becoming warmer. In the past, dramatic and sudden changes in the temperature make-up of the world has led to catastrophic extinction events, such as the dying out of dinosaurs. Many species are unable to adapt fast enough to the rapid changes and as a result, disappear.

If the amount of GHGs continue to rise as fossil fuels continue to be burned and deforestation continues (this also affects climate change), it is predicted that South Africa’s coastal regions will increase in temperature by 3-4 ̊C by the year 2100, with the interiors increasing by 6-7 ̊C. The result: a much hotter and drier South Africa (in most parts).

So this means that water will be the most affected

A warmer, drier South Africa will see significant changes occurring in rainfall patterns and timings, as well as with evaporation levels. Increased water evaporation will take place as temperatures continue to rise, leading to depleted amounts of water being available and the development of drought. By the 2080s, annual precipitation may decrease by up to 30% in Southern Africa. Soil is also left salty following prolonged evaporation, limiting the amount of plant growth that will be able to take place in that specific place. Other areas may experience an increase in rainfall (due to the high levels of evaporation), something that can lead to flash-flooding and in turn, the destruction of previously farmable land. Due to the vital role that water plays in farming and agriculture, it’s easy to see how it being affected by global warming is sure to cause a knock-on effect on the other elements dependent on it.

What does this mean for farming then?

There are a number of adverse effects that a lack of water will have on the South African farming industry:

An increase in arid land

In order for land to be arable, it needs to receive a certain amount of hydration – without adequate water, land that was once farmable becomes dry and unable to support growth.

Lower crop yield

Most of the crops (maize, wheat etc) planted by the farmers are sensitive to high temperatures, causing many of them to diminish over time. This is in addition to the fact that the land itself is becoming less arable, ultimately leading to fewer crops being able to grow from the start. It’s predicted that by 2050, per capita cereal production in South Africa will be 10% lower than it was in the year 2000.

Increase in unsustainable farming

As productivity of crops continue to diminish, so farmers will feel pressure to try and cultivate land that is in fact unsuitable for farming. In turn, this can then lead to farming in an unsustainable manner, something that can be potentially damaging to the biodiversity of the region. For example, the increasing heat will bring about the need for increased water requirements for livestock, eventually leading to overgrazing near water points. Overgrazing can lead to land degradation and endangerment of biodiversity.

Beyond farming

A lower crop yield can then have a socio-economic impact on certain communities:
Small-scale farmers are likely to be the most adversely affected by global warming as they are the most vulnerable when it comes to crop shortages. Farming is their livelihood and poor crop yields can lead to further poverty.

Food security (especially for those in rural areas) can be threatened, leaving more people and livestock hungry, and likely to die from malnutrition and disease.
The export industry can be greatly affected by low crop productivity, with less fruit and wine being readily available to ship to other countries. This can have a negative impact on the country’s economy.

Global warming seems to be an inevitability facing not only South Africans, but people from across the globe. Unless greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, the earth’s temperature will continue to rise, having dire results on the farming industry and essentially, on peoples’ livelihoods as well. More sustainable farming methods and products need to be adopted, as well as the promotion of the idea of developing more crops that can better tolerate high temperatures. Global warming is a very real threat to South Africa’s farming industry and one that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Credits:
http://www.enviropaedia.com
http://www.cop17durban.com/
https://www.one.org/africa

Image credits:
http://www.iop.org
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com

“Aardverwarming” of “klimaatsverandering” is terme wat al hoe meer dikwels opkom soos wat die wêreld aanhou om verskeie verskuiwings in weerstoestande, sowel as natuurrampe soos die smelt van die poolyskappe, te beleef. Aardverwarming verwys basies na die styging van die planeet se algehele temperatuur wat hoofsaaklik veroorsaak word deur die verhoogde hoeveelheid kweekhuisgasse (KHGe) in die atmosfeer – iets waarvoor die mens verantwoordelik is. Kortom, hoe hoër die hoeveelheid KHGe, hoe warmer raak die planeet. Dit sal natuurlik ‘n verskeidenheid effekte op verskillende aspekte van die lewe hê, naamlik boerdery, waarvan die meeste negatief sal wees. Ons kyk van nader hoe aardverwarming die aangesig van boerdery gaan verander, spesifiek in Suid-Afrika.

Verdere Agtergrond

Soos reeds genoem, is aardverwarming die nagevolg van ’n verhoogde hoeveelheid kweekhuisgasse in die atmosfeer. KHGe is ‘n verskeidenheid natuurlike atmosferiese gasse wat ’n belangrike rol in die voortbestaan van die lewe op aarde speel deur die son se hitte op ons planeet vas te vang. Oor die jare het menslike aksies soos die brand van fossielbrandstowwe, asook toenemende industrialisering, gelei tot die stygende hoeveelhede KHGe. Koolstofdioksied en waterdamp is die belangrikste gasse, maar dit is die koolstofdioksied wat vrygestel word wanneer fossielbrandstowwe (steenkool en olie) verbrand word vir energie, wat blyk die wêreld se klimaat die negatiefste affekteer. Hoe meer KHGe daar in die atmosfeer is, hoe meer hitte word behou, wat veroorsaak dat die planeet warmer raak. In die verlede het dramatiese en skielike veranderinge in die temperatuursamestelling van die wêreld tot katastrofiese uitwissingsgebeure gelei, soos die uitsterf van die dinosourusse. Baie spesies is nie in staat om vinnig genoeg by die vinnige veranderinge aan te pas nie en verdwyn as ‘n gevolg.

Indien die hoeveelheid KHGe aanhou styg soos wat fossielbrandstowwe aanhou verbrand word, en ontbossing voortduur (dit beïnvloed ook klimaatsverandering), word dit voorspel dat Suid-Afrikaanse kusstreke se temperature sal styg met 3-4 ̊C teen die jaar 2100, terwyl die binneland met 6-7 ̊C sal verhoog. Die resultaat: ‘n baie warmer en droër Suid-Afrika (in die meeste dele).

So dit beteken dat water die meeste beïnvloed word

’n Warmer, droër Suid-Afrika sal beduidende veranderinge in reënvalpatrone en -tye, asook verdampingsvlakke, beleef. Verhoogde waterverdamping sal plaasvind soos wat die temperatuur aanhou styg, wat sal lei tot die beskikbaarheid van uitgeputte hoeveelhede water en die ontwikkeling van droogte. Teen die 2080s kan die jaarlikse reënval in Suider-Afrika met tot 30% verminder. Grond word ook sout gelaat na langdurige verdamping, wat die hoeveelheid plantegroei beperk wat op daardie spesifieke plek kan plaasvind. Ander gebiede kan ’n toename in reënval ervaar (as gevolg van die hoë vlakke verdamping), iets wat kan lei tot kitsvloede en op sy beurt, die vernietiging van voorheen bewerkbare land. As gevolg van die belangrike rol wat water in boerdery en landbou speel, is dit maklik om te sien dat die manier waarop dit deur aardverwarming geraak word, sekerlik ’n domino-effek kan veroorsaak op die ander elemente wat daarvan afhanklik is.

Wat beteken dit dan vir boerdery?

Daar is ’n aantal ongunstige gevolge wat ’n gebrek aan water op die Suid-Afrikaanse landboubedryf sal hê:

’n Toename in droë land

Vir grond om bewerkbaar te wees, is dit nodig om ’n sekere hoeveelheid hidrasie te ontvang – sonder voldoende water, word grond wat eens bewerkbaar was droog en kan nie groei ondersteun nie.

Laer gewasopbrengs

Die meeste gewasse (mielies, koring, ens) wat deur boere geplant word, is sensitief vir hoë temperature, wat veroorsaak dat baie van hulle oor tyd verminder. Dit is benewens die feit dat die land self besig is om minder bewerkbaar te word, wat uiteindelik daartoe lei dat minder gewasse in staat is om van die begin af te groei. Dit word voorspel dat die per capita graanproduksie in Suid-Afrika teen 2050 10% laer sal wees as wat dit was in die jaar 2000 was.

Toename in onvolhoubare boerdery

Soos wat produktiwiteit van gewasse aanhou verminder, so sal boere onder druk wees om land te probeer bewerk wat in werklikheid nie geskik is vir boerdery nie. Hierdie kan dan op sy beurt lei tot onvolhoubare boerdery, iets wat potensieel skadelik kan wees tot die biodiversiteit van die omgewing. Die toenemende hitte sal byvoorbeeld sorg vir verhoogde waterbehoeftes vir vee, en sal uiteindelik lei tot oorbeweiding naby waterpunte. Oorbeweiding kan lei tot die agteruitgang van grond en die bedreiging van biodiversiteit.

Buite die grense van boerdery

’n Laer gewasopbrengs kan dan ’n sosio-ekonomiese impak op sekere gemeenskappe hê:

Kleinskaalse boere sal waarskynlik die nadeligste geraak word deur aardverwarming aangesien hulle die kwesbaarste is wanneer dit by gewastekorte kom. Boerdery is hul lewensbestaan en swak oesopbrengste kan tot verdere armoede lei.

Voedselsekuriteit (veral vir diegene in landelike gebiede) kan bedreig word, en kan dan meer mense en vee honger laat, wat waarskynlik van wanvoeding en siekte sal sterf.

Die uitvoerbedryf kan baie deur lae gewasproduktiwiteit beïnvloed word, en vrugte en wyn sal minder geredelik beskikbaar wees om na ander lande te stuur. Dit kan ’n negatiewe impak op die land se ekonomie hê.

Aardverwarming lyk na ’n onvermydelikheid wat nie net Suid-Afrikaners in die gesig staar nie, maar mense regoor die wêreld. Tensy kweekhuisgasvrystellings drasties verminder word, sal die aarde se temperatuur aanhou styg, met ernstige gevolge op die landboubedryf en in wese ook op die lewensbestaan van mense. Meer volhoubare boerdery metodes en produkte moet aangeneem word, asook die bevordering van die idee om meer gewasse te ontwikkel wat hoë temperature beter kan verdra. Aardverwarming is ’n ware bedreiging vir Suid-Afrika se landbou-industrie en nie een wat onderskat moet word nie.

Bronne:
http://www.enviropaedia.com
http://www.cop17durban.com/
https://www.one.org/africa/

Beeldbronne:
http://www.iop.org
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com

Take a look at the top five countries with the most cultivated land (the sum of total farmable land area and the total area of permanent crops).

Kyk na die top vyf lande met die mees verboude grond (die som van die totale bewerkbare grondgebied en die totale oppervlakte permanente gewasse).

Echa un vistazo a los cinco principales paises con los terrenos mas cultivados (la suma de la superficie total cultivable y la superficie total de cultivos permanentes).