On Farm Information Area

Home

On Farm

Farm Management

Soil
Compost
Water
Seeds

Soil Management

Of all plants, the vine is perhaps the best example of how small changes in soil conditions can be demonstrated ... Read more

Soil pH

The term pH refers to the activity of hydrogen ions. It is a very important factor in many chemical reactions ... Read more

Changing pH

Acid soil can be made more alkaline (or brought closer to neutral) by adding lime. The effect of lime additions ... Read more

The Mallee Fowl: local expert compost maker

Mallee Fowl, scientific name: Leipoa ocellata, is also known as the Mallee Hen, Native Pheasant; Bush Chicken, Incubator ... Read more

Kaloranoo Compost

David and Heidi Setchell are manufacturers of certified BFA “Allowed Input” compost in the South Australian Riverland region, ... Read more

The straw bale compost system

Straw bales insulate the heap, to retain the high temperatures longer, and conserve moisture better than wood or ... Read more

Water sustainability and organic agriculture

Most Australians are wasteful of water and treat access to plentiful water as a right. We think little about our water consumption and less about reducing our use. Despite recent improvements in awareness of water sustainability, there is still very little recycling of grey water (water used in the home, excluding water used in the toilet, which is black water). But in reality the fresh water resources of Planet Earth are a rare and enormously valuable resource. Of all the ... Read more

Seed Saving

There are two sorts of seed available, open pollinated and hybrid. Hybrid seed is created by cross-pollinating two or more varieties to create a more vigorous plant. These plants are, more often than not, sterile, which means that seed cannot be saved from them. Sometimes the seed is viable, but very weak. Hybrid seed itself is weaker than open pollinated, illustrated by its poorer germination rate. The purported advantages of hybrid seed include greater uniformity of size and maturation, resistance ... Read more

Techniques

Weed Control
Pests & Diseases

The Black Plastic technique

The black plastic technique can be very useful for difficult weeds. Some weeds and grasses, ... Read more

Weeds as a benefit?

Using the beneficial aspects of weeds has always been a core concept in organic growing. ... Read more

Solarisation

Solarisation is the use of direct solar energy to heat soil to a temperature sufficient ... Read more

Disease & Pest Control

Certified organic producers are permitted to use some ‘naturally occurring’ substances, such as sulphur and copper, pyrethrum, neem ... Read more

Recipes for Alternative Pesticides

While organic growers prefer to use no pesticides, there are times when it is a choice between no ... Read more

Beetles

They may have well developed toothed mandibles or hooks for locking onto prey, large eyes for nocturnal vision, ... Read more

Tools

Tools
Inputs
Product Reviews

Hoe, Hoe, Hoe - it's off to work we go

There is always a place for a hand hoe on an organic farm. There is ... Read more

Tillage and Tools

We lean towards minimal tillage; that is the minimum amount required to obtain economic yields. ... Read more

Small Scale Gas Weeders

Gas fuelled flame weeding offers a good option for the gravel and brick paved areas.Previous ... Read more

Using spray fertilisers

When used during the main growth period, they are a good way to provide an extra boost of nutrients, just when the plants need them.Foliar fertilisers are absorbed through plant leaves. They may sometimes be applied to soil, but are more usually applied directly to foliage. When used every two - four weeks during the main growth period, they are a good way to provide an extra boost of nutrients and growth hormones, just when the plants need them.Foliar fertilisers ... Read more

Flower Power

Pyrethrum comes from the dried flowers of certain members of the daisy family, Chrysanthemum cinereriifolium, C. carnaeum and C. roseum. It is sometimes seen in border plantings as a flowering plant, but more often is confused with the much more frequently seen feverfew (C. parthenium).The commercial pyrethrum industry was largely based in Kenya, but has now diversified, including plantations in northern Tasmania.The plant has been in use of a long time, an was originally used as a treatment for body ... Read more

On Farm - Latest News

Biosecurity brings big savings
BEEF producers stand to gain $1.60 for every dollar spent on farm biosecurity, a report has found.
Phalaris the great survivor
PHALARIS pastures need to be treated like lucerne to improve persistence.
Alpaca lot into a busy life
DOWNSHIFTING careers has paid a creative dividend, reports MAREE WALLACE
Tim's weed tips
WEEDS such as heliotrope, melon, fat-hen and caltrope are flourishing across a wide area of southeast Australia thanks to summer rain.
Best to concentrate on feed
PASTURES and fodder crops have taken a battering in recent years from drought and weed infestations.