For
the first time, I'll tell you about a subject that was virtually unknown to me
before preparing this publication.
Agriculture
can not be learned from books.
In
agriculture, the mere reading of literature, in no way may have value of
knowledge. The only really useful knowledge is acquired through experience, or
failing that, through experimentation. In this case, I have nothing of that.
Why
this unknown subject?
Because
in my series on production methods, it seems obvious that it has its full
place. This is not just a secondary branch of organic farming.
Because
biodynamic production is booming, which in itself is something notable, and it
receives a growing acceptance among distributors and consumers.
The
rise of biodynamics in recent years is especially important in viticulture.
Some great wines, in all AOC have done its conversion, or are doing it.
For
a Cartesian mind like mine, some aspects of biodynamics are troubling, even
wacky. However, it is clear that a growing number of farmers are following the
principles.
I'll
try to do a portrait that allows you to understand the specifics.
The
emergence of Organic Agriculture Movements occurred in the interwar period,
that is to say in the 20s, probably due to the awareness of the risks of
chemicals. Do not forget that until the early twentieth century, chemistry was
a new science and industry, very promising, both in medicine and in agriculture
and industry.
But
the First World War presented a new face of chemistry, and especially of its
dangers. The widespread use of poison gas, and their disastrous consequences on
the health of veterans and the environment, has raised awareness of possible
abuse and real risks.
This
awareness has undoubtedly been one of the main reasons that led to the birth of
the environmental movements and the various branches of organic farming.
BIODYNAMICS
It
is a branch of organic farming, whose theorist and first discloser, very
controversial, was Rudolf Steiner, who put the principles in 1924, by a series
of lectures given to farmers through Germany.
To
the refusal of the use of chemistry in agriculture, it added a deep research of
natural balances. He added too the partial or total refusal of mechanization, with a basically manual activity, and the return to draft animals.
In a way, it carries the concept of organic farming at its
maximum. Indeed,
the organic farming, in general, is almost a conventional farming, but without
synthetic chemistry. In this context, the chances of success are limited,
since, in essence, agriculture disturbs the natural balances. The simple act of
sowing a field of wheat or planting an apple orchard is a contradiction with
respect to Nature.
Biodynamics
seeks to recreate the balance disturbed by agriculture, integrating as far as
possible, the respect of natural rhythms that modern agriculture has often lost
(lunar, planetary and zodiacal cycles), taking into account, actively and
permanently, the influence of "cosmic forces", and doing significant
efforts in terms of biodiversity.
It
uses the concept of "agricultural organism" considering each farm, or
each set of farms, as a living whole, with the need of maintaining it the most
diverse and independent as possible. It seeks, in this, to minimize the inputs
requirements that are necessary elements in the production, that the farmer has
to get outside because not produced on the farm (plants and seeds, fertilizers,
plant protection products, ...).
Although
I have not found the reference anywhere, I seem to see in biodynamics, the
search of a Druidic knowledge, lost for centuries, in which Nature Nourishing
Mother, holds a prominent place.
In
biodynamics, soil has a central role, and everything is done to support its
life, its balance, and its "harmony". Somehow, we can summarize the
philosophy as follows: the plant feeds from the soil, so the soil balance is
the plant balance too.
Some
aspects are very surprising, as may be the case for some invocations,
communication with insects or pests, applications strange preparations based on
esoteric principles, etc..
One
of the basic preparations of biodynamics is the "horn-manure" or 500,
which consists in filling the horns of manure, to bury them in the winter,
turning manure into a natural humus which can be applied to the soil or on the
plant.
The
501 preparation is made with finely crushed quartz, buried in the earth in
summer within cow horns. It is used as a foliar spray on plants with very low
dose.
Foliar
treatments are carried out with the preparations 500 and 501, after dilution
with rainwater or springwater, and "dynamized" by a specific
agitation system to create a "energetic chaos" essential for the
spray effectiveness.
There
are 7 other preparations (502-508), based on plant extracts, especially used
for the elaboration of natural compost, basis of the plant nutrition in
biodynamics.
Rudolf
Steiner believed that these preparations were transferring to the soil, land
supernatural terrestrial powers and cosmic forces.
Biodynamics
uses incineration technique to fight against certain parasites. It is to
capture individuals and incinerate them by a particular method. The moment of
incineration has also of great importance, because it takes into account the
relative positions of the planets, for
the ashes to be charged with the adequate cosmic force. For example, to fight
against the fieldmice, take the skin of a fieldmouse and incinerate it when
Venus is in front of the Scorpio constellation. In this way, the ash contains
the "negative force that opposes to the reproduction force of the
fieldmouse."
The
ashes are then diluted to the extreme by a particular method and then dispersed
in areas to be treated. Real doses applied are close to what is practiced, for
example, in homeopathic medicine.
I
am quite skeptical regarding difficult cultures, as is the case of peaches, my
speciality. But in some generally very hardy crops, like the vine, cotton or
tea, or in gardens, the results seem positive.
Requirements
regarding the farmer are very high, since any imbalance, natural or induced can
have serious consequences, and may be difficult to rectify. This requires a
large presence in the culture, fine and regular observations, reflection and
the search for solutions to sometimes invent the integration of culture in a global
set at the farm and its environment.
In
addition, the grower must devote significant time to the development of the
different preparations and to their use at very specific moments.
Regarding
livestock, biodynamic attaches a great importance to the animal welfare, and to
the respect of its productive capacity. The animals are still raised outdoors
with a space that suits them, it does not force the animal to produce more milk
or more eggs that it can, etc ... Livestock must be integrated into the "agricultural
organism" combined with various crops. Indeed, the significant needs
manure and horns are a key element in the operation of the production system.
Biodynamic
agriculture may also be certified. There are several brands, but the most
important, acting in more than 50 countries, is Demeter. The certification aims
to verify and authenticate that the production meets the specifications, and
that traceability is maintained. It is a guarantee of reliability of the
producer.
But
never forget that certification, as in the case of organic or conventional
agriculture, is not a guarantee of eating quality (about that point, see my
article No. 16 "Farming Methods -2 - Organic Farming", May 2014). It
is a guarantee of fulfillment of the commitments of the farmer.
Biodynamics
seeks to produce without any action which could disrupt the balance of the
farm. It's ambitious, and very difficult. Manycompatible methods and
techniques, are yet to be invented.
We
may, in some way, and looking it from outside, consider biodynamics as a
research laboratory, with a real scale. Farmers who dare to launch, have much
merit, and little scientific support. It must be said that there is in the
biodynamic philosophy, a rejection of conventional science.
But
this scientific isolation, accompanied by a quite extreme (or extremist)
ideology and "pseudo-scientific" aspects that are part of the method,
can lead to exaggeration, as we have seen recently in France with the case
Emmanuel Giboulot (see my publication No. 7 "I did not sign the
petition," February 2014).
Should
we blame him for his choice? Yes, for his disobedience, but especially for his
extremism and selfishness. Biodynamic winemakers of Burgundy all agreed the
necessary treatment, except him. A farmer, regardless of his philosophy of
production, is never alone in the world. It is surrounded by a diverse set,
with an unstable and fragile balance. In this case, the choice of this
winemaker has not only an impact on his own farm, he would have the right to
make this choice, but also its entire production area, neighbors included,
choice that he has no right to do alone.
"Liberty
consists of doing anything which does not harm others: thus, the exercise of
the natural rights of each man has only thoswe borders which assure the other
members of the society the enjoyment of these same rights. These borders can be
determined only by the law. "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the
Citizen, Article IV, France, 1789.
Biodynamic
agriculture is little proselytizing. It is exposed primarily in fairs and began
to appear on some shelves. It's possible to see it especially on wine labels.
It benefits from general actions on organic farming.
It has a good
reputation and is talked about in the magazines, although hardly anyone among
consumers, does not know what is the difference with "normal" organic
production.
This is likely
a way to bring different ideas to an agriculture working hard to progress
(though some may think the contrary), but are often afraid to stray off the
beaten path.
I remain still
quite bothered by this important esoteric and mystical side, which I entered, neither
the purpose nor the results.
Moreover,
proponents of biodynamic themselves recognize that some aspects of the process
can not be scientifically explained.
That said, if
you want to consume products without risk of residues of synthetic or natural pesticides,
it is the best way. For cons, I did not find any information regarding the risk
of bacteriological contamination, . And on this point, I think there is a risk
as well as for organic production.
And for the
future, biodynamics would it be able to feed the world when it has more than 10
billion people? Honestly, I do not think so. Or at least, not with the current
knowledge.
If
you want to learn more, I invite you to visit the web pages that I used to
write this post. There are many others, as well as blogs and forums. Much of
the available informations are about the vine and the wine.
You
will also find all kinds of information and fiercely opposed blogs. But again,
agriculture can not be learned in books or on the Internet. If the method is
developed is that it brings something that farmers who are converted, found in its
implementation.
Next
chapter of this serie : integrated farming.
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