• Farming Secrets
  • Free Resources
    • Blog
    • Webinar Replay
    • Recommended Books
    • Facebook Group
    • 7 Steps to Healthy Soils
    • Free Gifts
  • Members Access PRO
    • Pro Membership
    • Members Perks PRO
    • Farm Tours / Walk the TalkPRO
    • Gold Nuggets PRO
    • Mastermind Replays PRO
    • Regenerative Soil Mastermind CallPRO
  • Courses
    • All Courses
    • Featured Courses
    • Animal Health
    • Biodynamics
    • Compost and Compost Teas
    • Farming Systems
    • Human Health
    • Soil Health
  • My Courses
  • Farming Secrets
  • Free Resources
    • Blog
    • Webinar Replay
    • Recommended Books
    • Facebook Group
    • 7 Steps to Healthy Soils
    • Free Gifts
  • Members Access PRO
    • Pro Membership
    • Members Perks PRO
    • Farm Tours / Walk the TalkPRO
    • Gold Nuggets PRO
    • Mastermind Replays PRO
    • Regenerative Soil Mastermind CallPRO
  • Courses
    • All Courses
    • Featured Courses
    • Animal Health
    • Biodynamics
    • Compost and Compost Teas
    • Farming Systems
    • Human Health
    • Soil Health
  • My Courses

    Shopping Cart

    No products in the cart.

    Sign in Sign up

    Shopping Cart

    No products in the cart.

    • Log In
    • Register
    • Get Started
    • Learn About Soil
      • What’s New
      • Blog
      • Farm Tours
      • Podcast
      • Webinar Replay
    • Buy Courses
      • All Courses
      • Featured Courses
      • Short Courses

    The Economics of Biological Farming is Simple: Less Cost and Better Produce

    A biological fertiliser program cost one farmer $110/ha this year compared with $215/ha for a conventional application of urea and MAP based on current prices. Plus in 2005 wheat averaged 4.4 tonnes/ha compared to the district average of three tonnes/ha. and with less screenings. Also the soil is not as compacted allowing increased root depth and water infiltration has improved.

    This farmer is Peter Eisenhauer of Ganmain, NSW who was featured in our weekly rural paper. How did he do this?
    Peter has used science, economics and his own on-farm observations to move from a conventional to biological system over the past decade. Why?

    Like many farmers Peter experienced cracks in the conventional system beginning to emerge: an increasing amount of inputs to achieve the same yields, weeds, soil compaction and lack of water infiltration. Sound familiar?

    An admitted sceptic, Peter attended a biological farming conference in 1999 and was impressed by keynote speaker Arden Andersen. Although it made sense “It took a long time, a fair bit of effort and expense to overcome conventional brainwashing that revolves around harsh fertilisers, expensive sprays, plant breeders’ rights and chemical consultants’ time”, he said. Peter’s extensive home library is a testament to a paradigm shift in his farming philosophy and he is now happy to be termed a microbial farmer, working towards healthy, balanced soils.

    In the past Peter had been fanatical about having weed-free paddocks “Now, under the no-till system, any weeds that do come up are generally non competitive.” He has also learnt to use weeds as indicator plants for soil-nutrient imbalances. How cool is that?

    Other changes made were:

    • to drop canola from the system in 2003 because of its biofumigation effect on soil microbiology.
    • to apply a liquid seed dressing at sowing to encourage rapid germination, root development and soil microbial activity.
    • to apply reactive rock phosphate with lime is spread at 400kg/ha.
    • to remove all stock when building up microbes
    • to retain vegetative cover
    • to apply a stubble digestor
    • to use a no-till tyned implement

    Overall the result is a proactive rather than a reactive approach to a drying climate making better use of rain when it does fall.

    “It won’t be long before agricultural consultants’ credibility will reflect how well they can promote more biological farming practices rather than how good their toxic-chemical knowledge is…The science is all there but just not many people have put it all together yet.”

    I wonder how many conventional farmers picked up on his statements.

    Soil Lovers at Soil Learning Center Say:

    Observe nature and let the weeds and diseases tell you what needs correcting

    Download PDF

    🔒 PRO Access Only

    Some content on this page is locked to members only!

    Dig Deeper and unearth your connection to the soil. Soil PRO membership is a revolutionary community that connects you with all things soil-related, from global challenges right down to the soil in your own backyard.

    Unlock the years of video archives, search the vault for "soil-utions", connect with mentors who can help you fast track and join an online community of soil loving enthusiasts on our Mastermind Calls.

    It's non-stop soil learning goodness!
    UPGRADE TO PRO NOW
    Locked

    We acknowledge First Nations owners of Country and their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture across Australia and from all over the world. As Soil Lovers we respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all the lands on which we work and pay our respects to the Elders past present and emerging. When caring for your land take a moment in stillness to respect the wisdom your land is sharing with us.

    Facebook-f X-twitter Instagram Youtube Microphone-alt

    Latest Soil Blogs

    Challenging Times For Farmers: How Regenerative Farming Helped John from NSW Build Resilience Against Climate Extremes

    Earth Month: Compost is the Quiet Revolution That Restores the Soil

    Worms: The Unsung Heroes Beneath Our Feet

    The belief that regenerative agriculture cannot sustain global food demands is a misconception.

    Is Regen Farming A Priority For You Right Now?

    Celebrating Change In The Last 20 Years Of Farming

    Soil Matters Monthly Newsletter!

    Dig into the most up-to-date news on soil health and regenerative trends – with community tips from top experts and mentors! Sign Up Now!
    Our sign-up form is currently undergoing maintenance and will be available shortly. We appreciate your patience.

    ©2006 - 2025 All rights reserved.

    Made with 🤎 Created by Soil Lovers at Farming Secrets.

    Omg... this sale is crazy!

    Days
    Hours
    Minutes
    Seconds

    hurry up and grab these deals:

    • 50% Courses
    • 30% Digital Downloads
    • 30% Memberships
    View all the deals