[Trusties] FW: FTSU Newsletter 15th July 2008

[Tim Winton]

From: From The Soil Up [mailto:admin at fromthesoilup.com.au] 
Sent: Tuesday, 15 July 2008 9:42 PM
To: timwinton at internode.on.net
Subject: FTSU Newsletter 15th July 2008

 


Climate Change and Pasture Cropping


All the dots are being joined and Christine Jones is absolutely on a roll
bouncing from one Senate inquiry to another awing everyone involved with the
undeniable evidence of soil carbon's role in climate change (and
agriculture's promising future with healthy soils, plants, animals and
ultimately drought-proofed whole landscapes etc) - she is currently in the
midst of pulling together a national campaign around the fact that raising
soil carbon levels by 0.5% over 2% of Australia's farmlands will be enough
for Australia to become carbon neutral!! Just imagine... and its all so very
do-able. Take the time to read this wonderful
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/news/our-soils-our-future>  overview on how
farming can and is being done. Notice the difference between the photos of
conventional 'best practice' and pasture cropping - which one is alive and
blooming? 


Pasture Cropping in WA


Preliminary trials are indicating that pasture cropping is indeed likely to
work
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/news/is-pasture-cropping-possible-and-worth
-doing-in-wa>  in WA without loosing grain yield. Other estimates also
indicated that eating meat produced from these perennial based systems may
actually help reduce global warming. For example, it was estimated that 25
kilograms of CO2e were sequestered for each kilogram of cattle live weight
sold. 


Biosolids Not 100% Biosolids


While it is claimed that biosolids make perfectly good fertiliser - modern
biosolids do not necessarily fit that bill. It is often made up of
<http://healthzone.ca/health/article/459085>  more than just faeces, urine,
vomit, blood; but also synthetic hormones, heart pills, antibiotics, illicit
drugs, Viagra. Bacteria, viruses, E. coli, parasites. Household cleaners,
shampoo, solvents, pesticides and traces of arsenic, mercury, cadmium, lead,
dioxins and flame retardants. Often it is only filtered, and not composted,
making it a likely toxic stew that is now worrying many. 


Not One Cent Going Towards Soil Carbon


Despite the Federal Government announcing an extra $46 in funds for climate
change research for agriculture, nothing can be spared for measuring soil
carbon on Australian
<http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-genera
l/general/article/808645.aspx>  farms. Hope has also been expressed that
research is not just focused on agriculture as an emitter or polluter, but
also recognises the potential contribution agriculture can make to reducing
Australia's emissions. 


ETS Uncertainties


How much assistance will agriculture get
<http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-genera
l/general/article/808345.aspx>  if it's not covered by an Emissions Trading
Scheme (ETS) is a question now starting to be asked. "Agriculture will be
still exposed to those higher prices through input costs, but because it's
not a covered sector, it isn't clear what assistance will be provided."
Another interesting point raised is: "The end user is paying their carbon
charge when they are at the pump, buying fuel; but for some reason farmers
have to pay before their produce goes outside the farm gate." 


Cold Era Has Begun


While climate warmers continue to march towards enforcing a new carbon
economy, there are predictions that things are not all as it seems. Since
late 2006 <http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/10may_longrange.htm>  the
independent Space and Science Research Centre has predicted a downturn in
our temperatures due to sunspot activity, which NASA have also documented,
and have only decided to make the announcement
<http://www.spaceandscience.net/id16.html>  public in January this year -
particularly as there appears to be indications already appearing in our
climate around the world. 


Salicornia Wonder Plant


The crop is salicornia. It is nourished by seawater flowing from a man-made
canal. And if you believe the American who is farming it, this incongruous
swath of green has the potential to feed the world, fuel our vehicles
<http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-seafarm10-2008jul10,0,3389394.story>
and slow global warming. 


GM Quiz Expose


It started off as a game of sleuthing, but the questions and answers to this
quiz can help anyone see at a glimpse the bigger picture of what
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/news/gm-watch-quiz>  is happening to our
food supply, and the behaviour of those companies involved - its all a far
cry from cleverly worded PR statements about integrity! 


2nd Generation GM Crops


The push for so-called second generation GM crops is obviously starting in
earnest - more and more articles are referring to it on the back of climate
change conversations. What is incredibly irritating is the assumption that
drought proofing and better nitrogen use etc can only be fixed
<http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f8b45556-4e97-11dd-ba7c-000077b07658.html?nclick_
check=1>  using biotechnology - rather than admitting that these problems
have stemmed from poor agricultural practices in the first place, and go
beyond the plant, and into the soil and the rest of the landscape. Its all
about fixing symptoms, not causes - definitely the more profitable route of
course. 


Altered Milk


The milk we drink today is a far cry from the milk our grandparents drank,
and it is set to change in the US even more if rBHG (genetically modified
hormones) continues to be permitted into the supply chain. It is commonly
referred to as 'crack for cows' and existing science points to likely links
to cancer
<http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/12/did-you-know-
all-the-drugs-in-your-milk.aspx?source=nl> , but of course Monsanto got it
through the FDA on very weak research data and glaring flaws in the
regulatory process. Most disgustingly, companies have been sued by Monsanto
for labelling their non-use use of rBHG! This story also has footage
prepared for a Fox TV segment that was pulled after a letter from Monsanto's
attorney threatened "dire consequences." 


Europe Backing Off Biofuels


European officials proposed scaling back drastically on their goal of
increasing Europe's
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/08/business/worldbusiness/08fuel.html?_r=1&o
ref=slogin>  use of biofuels, a major about-face on a central environmental
and energy issue. Many are starting to warn that current goals for biofuel
production could cause a global rise in greenhouse gas emissions and an
increase in poverty in the poorest countries. 


Coal Makes You Sick


This will come as no surprise to the Caroona Coal Action Group (see
attachment below sent through from one member) - coal does makes you sick.
But apparently this same statement made by a US Senator recently created
huge waves across the nation - triggering concern by some, shrugs of the
shoulders by others, but panic for many in power for the fear it will turn
public opinion against coal
<http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jul/10/was-reids-slur-coal-accidental-
truth/> . Interesting, the message I get from all this is - if its toxic,
but profitable - keep quiet!
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/images/stories/coal_is_toxic.pdf> Image
removed by sender. pdfCoal is Toxic 10/07/2008,18:33 125.05 Kb 


Edible Architecture 


Its an idea that might catch on - design
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7482670.stm>  our city buildings, and
entire urban landscapes, to fulfill our ever-growing need for food. To bring
these ideas about, local authority planners have to take into account
growing space at drawing board stage. And a change in attitude is required:
"There's the idea that parks are for flowers and people, and farming is for
food, and never the twain shall meet." 


Zero Waste Town


A modern Japanese town has turned into into a
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7502071.stm>  zero waste
community - there are no rubbish pick ups, no incinerators, just at home
composting and a garbage centre that requires the whole community to
separate their rubbish into 34 different categories - could this be
everyone's future? 


Massive Water Diversions


The Olympic Games are expected to increase Beijing's water consumption by at
least 5 percent
<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/13/MNUK11GD0J.DTL>
. Environmentalists claim that water transfers from north and south, along
with a growing number of ultra-deep wells in the Karst Mountains near the
city, are a recipe for environmental calamity though. Surrounding farmers
are already experiencing extreme water shortages, and it is only set to
continue with Beijing being one of the world's most water-scarce
mega-cities, with a deficit of 324,000 acre-feet annually (1 acre-feet =
approx 326,000 gallons). 


Nanoparticle Genie


The regulations for these ingredients are so poorly regulated that it is
entering a wide variety of products, some ingested by humans as food or
medicine, without scrutiny or realistic safety checks
<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080710.wnano0710/BNSto
ry/Science/home> . The alarming part is that even if it is decided that they
need to be regulated, there would be no starting point because no-one even
knows who or where they are being used - much is under commercial confidence
or listed only as their non-nanoparticle counterpart...the genie is already
well and truly out of the bottle on this technology. 


Soft Rock Phosphate Price Increase


Oh dear, price increases continue. This time its Nutri-Tech's soft
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/companies/nutri-tech-solutions-2>  rock
phosphate and the price increase is effective immediately. It is a wonderful
source of calcium, phosphorus and silica, as well as a background of trace
minerals. Being colloidal it can be taken up by plants readily and quickly.
It is now $338inc per tonne bulk, ex Kingaroy. Still wonderful value
compared to other synthetic sources of phosphorus and I tend to recommend
broadcasting it at 125-300kg per hectare in dryland broadacre situations. 


Bionutrient Solutions Crop Review


These are the final details for Bionutrient Solutions Annual Crop review in
Goondiwindi on 30th <http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/108>  &
31st July. As well as offering talks be Dr Christine Jones and Bart
Davidson, Michael Eyres - consultant to large broadacre properties in WA and
SA often using liquid inject technology and row support practices with great
success will also giving some of his insights.
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/images/stories/Company/annual_review_08.pdf
> Image removed by sender. pdfAnnual Review 08 10/07/2008,17:59 85.53 Kb 


Wildflower Spring Walks


Stanthorpe's Rare Wildflower Consortium's Walks is preparing to run a series
of wildflower walks: 24th <http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/1551>
August, 7th <http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/1558>  September,
5th <http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/1561>  October and 2nd
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/1568>  November. The walks are
open to anyone interested in learning more about the unique local flora of
the Granite Belt.
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/images/stories/July%2008/dateclaimerflyer.p
df> Image removed by sender. pdfWalking with Wildflowers 10/07/2008,20:19
394.83 Kb 


What's New...


Its very poor management, but I have discovered old stocks of products that
are at incredibly attractive prices now... 

Super humates are 100% soluble and are at the discounted prices of $55inc
per 25kg bag ex Inverell. To put that in perspective, ordinary potassium
humate granules (that are 85% soluble) is currently $82.50inc per 25kg bag +
freight, and a similar 100% soluble product is $153.90inc per 25kg +
freight. It is a powder, so not really ideal for planting blends, but
perfect for use in liquid applications. There are 79 bags left in stock -
contact me <http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/contact>  for more details. 

Another terrific bargain is tech-grade MAP (ie soluble MAP) at $38.50inc per
25kg bag ex Inverell!! There are only 16 bags left. 

Some other bargains include 20 litre drums of Phos-Life
<http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/mms/phos-life.html>  (micronised
guano) @ $71.50inc ex Inverell, Nutri-Store Gold
<http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/dry-mineral-fertilisers/nutri-store-g
old.html>  @ $16.50inc per 25kg bag ex Inverell, 20kg boxes of Tri-Kelp
(100% soluble kelp) @ $288inc ex Inverell and other miscellaneous liquid
fertilisers - NTS Fulvic 1400
<http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/humates/nts-fulvic-1400.html> , NTS
Liquid Humus
<http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/humates/nts-liquid-humus.html> ,
Cloak Spray Oil
<http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/liquid-fertilisers/cloak-spray-oil.ht
ml> , Gyp-Life <http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/mms/gyp-life.html> ,
Lime-Life <http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/mms/lime-life.html> ,
Nutri-Tech Black Gold
<http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/liquid-fertilisers/nutri-tech-black-g
old.html> , Cal-Tech
<http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/liquid-fertilisers/cal-tech.html> ,
Phos-Force
<http://www.nutri-tech.com.au/products/liquid-fertilisers/phos-force.html> .



Sofenica - Part 52


Well things are not going well at all. Now that our builder has more
detailed house plans to hand, he has been able to firm up his quote. We have
had costing blow-outs half way through our house planning which resulted in
cutting many rooms to bare minimum sizes, without compromising the integrity
of the design too much. At the end of that exercise we were reassured that
all was going to be fine and the house would come in on budget, if not
below... 

Now at the 11th hour we have just discovered that the house is now coming it
at approx. $100,000 - $150,000 over budget!! We are a little stunned and
have sat down to go through all the likely cost-cutting ideas we could
conjure up - but after that exercise we looked at each other wondering why
we would bother to build a house that was going to involve so many
compromises - dumping many of the very features that drove our dream
forward. 

The other concern swirling around our conversation was the horribly volatile
state of the global economy - did we really want to walk into to a situation
where we were now going to be stretched pretty thin. After all, we are
renting a comfortable house now, and are in a financially secure position.
At this point we both graciously accepted that perhaps we leave the project
for a year, and just see what happens in the meantime... 

This morning we let the builder know our thoughts, but he has asked us for a
couple more days while he pins down the last of the quote items and pulls it
all together. Apparently he is still confident that he can met our
target...so we are left holding our breath.. 


Health


Cholesterol

This is an excellent overview of how cholesterol works in the body. It is
absolutely vital to health (in fact, all life). Cholesterol acts as the
bandaid to inflammation (otherwise referred to as plaque), it does not cause
it. Yet cholesterol lowering drugs stop cholesterol production while the
inflammation continues unabated in the background. High cholesterol does
signal health problems, but it is not the actual bad guy....conventional
medicine has got it so so wrong
<http://mercola.fileburst.com/PDF/Cholesterol_SpecialReport.pdf> . This is
an absolute must read for anyone already on cholesterol medication, or being
advised to go on it. Understand what is going on and help the body heal
itself - you have a much better chance of living longer. 

Besides, kicking the drug habit will help keep your money in your back
pocket, not pouring it into the greedy coffers of multinational
pharmaceutical companies
<http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/17/statin-use-ha
s-jumped-150-percent.aspx?source=nl>  - imagine your profits for the sale of
one product rising 150% percent in 5 years... 

Unethical or Not? 

Many in the scientific community are alarmed at trials that will commence on
the supposedly unproven chelation treatment for autistic children. Chelation
treatment has been used by many desperate parents
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/ats-ap_health10jul08,1,
7078284.story?page=2>  of autistic children for many years, often with great
results - yet the claim is that it will be unethical to do this officially.
Why? Parents will do it anyway and the alternative conventional approach
offers little or no hope using drugs with numerous side-effects. Surely
their role is not to condemn but track and measure - and perhaps do that for
all the alternatives that are claiming some success. 

Gardasil in the US 

Although the roll-out of GARDASIL with an unparalleled multi-million dollar
mass media advertising blitz has created a profitable market for the drug
company that took huge losses from Vioxx injury/death lawsuits, the
persistent reports of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) paralysis,
<http://vaccineawakening.blogspot.com/2008/07/hpv-vaccine-victims-pile-up-15
b-for.html>  arthritis, seizures and sudden loss of consciousness within 24
hours of vaccination continue to haunt the marketing campaign. 

Drugs that Doctors Would Avoid 

Doctors know which prescription and over-the-counter drugs are the most
dangerous. This is a list of 8 common drugs that doctors know cause more
harm than they supposedly give
<http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/08/8-drugs-docto
rs-would-never-take.aspx?source=nl> . 

Sun, sun, sun 

Having low vitamin D levels has been linked with deaths
<http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/10/sunlight-can-
cut-your-risk-of-death-in-half.aspx?source=nl>  from heart disease and other
causes, adding to growing evidence about the "sunshine" vitamin's role in
good health. Vitamin D deficiency has also be linked to cancer - many people
actually could do with more sunlight! 

Healthcare Paradigms 

This includes a great parable about the difference between conventional
medicine and complementary
<http://www.foodmatters.tv/how-to-save-a-drowning-healthcare-system.html>
medicine - the surgeon runs to save people drowning while the complementary
doctor tries to work out why they are being pushed into the river - both
have merits, but I guess I like the preventive approach personally. 

Pill-Popping Pets 

The practice of prescribing medications designed for humans to animals has
grown substantially over the past decade and a half, and pharmaceutical
companies have recently begun experimenting with a more direct strategy:
marketing <http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/magazine/13pets-t.html>
behavior-modification and "lifestyle" drugs specifically for pets. Our sick
society is rubbing off on our pets too - why do we cling to our lifestyles
so desperately? 


Miscellaneous


An idea that many thought would never take off has - Paris rents out about
20,600 Vélib' bicycles with more than 1,450 self-service rental stations.
The stations are only some 300 yards apart. The sturdy gray bicycles are
being used all over Paris and are cheap to rent
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/world/europe/13paris.html?_r=1&oref=slogi
n>  because they are subsidised by advertising. Its a great story that
obviously still has some problems to overcome, but a success nonetheless.
Not a bad public transport option... 


Events


For all July <http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/6>  events 

For all August <http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/516>  events 

* Bionutrient Solutions Annual Crop Review - Goondiwindi Qld 30th - 31st
July 2008 <http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/108> . 

* Walking with Wildflowers - Amiens Qld 24th August 2008
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/1551> . 

* Walking with Wildflowers - Girraween National Park Qld 7th September 2008
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/1558> . 

* Walking with Wildflowers - Pozieres Qld 5th October 2008
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/1561> . 

* Walking with Wildflowrs - Girraween National Park 2nd November 2008
<http://www.fromthesoilup.com.au/extcalendar/1568> . 


Postscript


The Perfectionists Prayer 

Dear God --

Help me not be a perfectionist. (Did I spell that correctly?)

Help me to relax about insignificant details, beginning tomorrow at 7:41:23
a.m. EST.

Help me to not try to run everything -- but, if You need some help, please
feel free to ask me.

Help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them are
hypersensitive.

Help me to take responsibility for the consequences of my actions, even
though they're usually not my fault.

Help me to be more laid back, and help me to do it exactly right.

Help me to take things more seriously -- especially laughter, parties, and
dancing.

Give me patience, and I mean right now!

Help me to finish everything I sta

Help me to keep my mind on one thing -- oh, look, a bird -- at a time.

Help me to do only what I can, and trust for the rest. And could I get that
in writing?

Keep me open to others' ideas, misguided though they may be.

Help me follow established procedures. Hey, wait -- this is wrong ...

Help me slow down andnotrushthroughwhatido.

Thank you. Amen

-- Author Unknown

Yours Sincerely,
Carolyn Ditchfield 

>From The Soil Up

25 Rivers St, Inverell NSW 2360 

Ph: 02 6721 5111 Mob: 0408 236 601 Fax: 02 6721 4159

Email: carolyn at fromthesoilup.com.au 

www.fromthesoilup.com.au 

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