GRAZEFEST: The Jackson, MS conference was excellent. I also attended the Stockman Grass Farmer class on year round grassfed grazing prior to the conf. Here are some of my observations. We have the knowledge and technology to produce/finish excellent grassfed beef on a year round basis most anywhere in the US. We have the genetics, the forage species needed and the fencing and watering systems to support the paradigm. The two biggest glitches appear to be a misinterpreted USDA rule on carcass cooling [cooling to fast destroys the tenderness] and a lack of agronomic knowledge by growers of how to produce high energy, [not high protein] forages capable of finishing.

This lack of knowledge is very sad, since the sustainable agronomist like Dr. Reams and Dr. Albrecht, started providing it over fifty years ago. The problem is exacerbated in the south by what I consider institutional paradigm paralysis. By this, I mean that the institutions in the South such as Universities, Agronomists, Chemical Companies, Elevators, etc. have failed to keep up even more than the rest of the country. Why they are so far behind is probably best described by the usual “power, money and politics”. Regardless of the reasons, it is important for the welfare of the southern grazier that this paradigm changes as fast as possible. It mostly falls to individual growers to pressure the institutions that serve them to “catch up”. And the quickest way to do that is to start using the practices and materials that are already so common in the rest of the country. The institutions get upset when the grower appears to be far better informed than they are and then the institutions suddenly discover this “new information” and they can’t wait to tell it to other less informed growers. It is still difficult to buy trace minerals at most local farm stores in the south, but you can buy lots of wormers and fly control!

One of the glaring examples of being behind the curve is the presence of 0-46-0 in system and the absence of MAP [11-52-0] or DAP [18-46-0] in many areas. Triple Super phosphate (0-46-0) “gets you” in at least three ways. First, since it is an “open” phosphate molecule, it quickly grabs some calcium and reverts to a “hard rock” phosphate. You are lucky to have 15% of the phosphate actually ever get into your grass. Secondly, the calcium you tied up with the phosphate is your prime nutrient needed and determines the total volume of grass produced. Since failure to lime is common, you have now made the problem of low calcium even worse. Thirdly, the hard rock calcium phosphate molecule you have created in your soil is toxic to mycorrhizia, the main root fungi that brings phosphorous into your grass. Then the common practice is to throw nitrogen at the problem, which produces watery plants with short chain amino acids and excess nitrates. The excess nitrates and short chain amino acids create BUN, blood urea nitrogen in your stock, which draws parasites and FLIES!

The south has the best climate/potential to take advantage of the grassfed paradigm, but until the growers start realizing that all of the “problems” they have that require a purchased “chemical rescue” are caused by their own practices, then little will change. All the vested interests that are making money off the grower certainly aren’t going to help them. Talk is cheap, so let me relate an example of a grower who followed our recommendations. He approached me at the conf. and relayed the following: He had two pastures, with only a 2 lane road between them. He followed all our recommendations on one and left off one of two sulfur sources on the other. Where he had adequate sulfur, which helps turn nitrogen into long chain amino acids, he had very few flies. On the other side of the road, the animals were being bothered. And as he said, “there was no fly netting down the middle of the road”!

WESTERN/RANGE GRAZIERS: Fertilizing rangeland is an “iffy” situation. Water appears to be the limiting factor, but can small judicious amounts of materials make a difference? Since all life begins with minerals, we should look there first. A good CEC test can tell us if there are essential minerals so low as to fail to take advantage of the limited water that is available. Replacing them by aerial means can be evaluated from an economic standpoint.

Microorganisms are the second consideration. They can be applied in very small quantities along with a food supply (protein and carbohydrates) during the “wet season” and then they can establish and go into dormancy during the cold or dry season.

Humic acids are a third consideration. They provide both minerals and carbon to hold moisture. See next page about “Water Minerals”. All above can be applied in small enough quantities for helicopter or fixed wing use.

The ultimate consideration is to use strictly energy patterns. We know from “radionics” you can increase the physical amount and the energy given off of any material up to about 10%. We know from the principles of homeopathy and “biodynamics” that we can concentrate energy patterns known to produce specific effects into small amounts of liquid that can be applied or “broadcast” electronically. If we can’t justify applying anything by ground or air, than pure energy/pattern broadcasting towers that can cover thousands of acres are available through CSI. We have two different kinds. The Lovel type can cover up to 4000 acres and uses specific Rudolph Steiner type frequencies. The Tainio type can cover thousands of acres and lets nature select the energies that are important. Call if you like to discuss. Cost can run to as little as $1.00/acre.

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD: An organic corn farmer from Iowa couldn’t believe he had no grass in his corn! Later, only a few broadleaf appeared. A Michigan dairy farmer reports that the udders sure loosened up when he started using Dr. Wheeler’s Vinegar with Garlic & Yucca. A greenhouse grower reports that plants are phonotropic, i.e., they turned and grew toward the source of the “Veges Sound” coming from the boom box playing the tape. A client reports his bee keeper can’t figure out why his bees do so much better on his property compared to others. [How about higher brix and less, if any, pesticides?]

ROCK MINERAL POWDERS: CSI carried Azomite® on its price list for several seasons. We only wanted to sell semi-loads, but had frequent calls for one or more pallets of bags. When we gave them the price quote plus the shipping, they all passed, so we removed it from our price list. Now we have found another mineral, Summa, in the same price range, but it appears to work at about ¼ the rate. It has a paramagnetic reading of about 2100 CGS. The company research is showing an excellent response at about 350 lbs/acre. For high value crops, it might be worth a look. The price is $240/ton or $264/metric ton as it comes in 20 metric ton bags per truckload. If you figure at least $140/ton freight into Midwest from CA, you would be looking at $400/metric ton delivered. One metric ton would do 7 plus acres or about $55/acre. The company indicates that you need at least 2 % organic matter to get it to work at the 350 # rate to replace any other fertilization ordinarily used. They have berry, fruit and vegetable research going on with very large farms, so CSI will probably report same in Jan.

SEAWEED ON THE GROUND: Although CSI has historically recommended liquid seaweed (Nitrozyme) as a foliar, I am willing to concede that in-row application may have value enough to justify the cost [about $5.00/acre at the pint level]. Although rich in trace minerals and other unknown growth factors, the primary reaction is hormonal. The growth hormone is known as cytokinnen. We have a seed corn grower who has ordered Nitrozyme for use in the row each of the last five seasons after noting the reaction during the first season’s experimental use and continued benefit thereafter. Any cooler, wet spring with the usual slowing of growth would make the grower happy that he decided to use Nitrozyme in the row.

We recommend the Nitrozyme because it is the only brand that is labeled as a hormone and the amount of hormone is guaranteed. It is certified organic. We have worked with the manufacturer for over 30 years and we know the quality control is top notch.

ASIAN SOYBEAN RUST: Although the potential devastating outbreak didn’t occur this season, the spores are now in the mid-west and must be taken into account for next years planning. Next years outbreak of ASR, if it happens, may be very rapid because the spores are here. Be sure to plan way ahead, so as not to be caught without rescue material. CSI was pleased to be asked to be a supplier of Ballad, a new organic fungicide that is highly effective against ASR. Some growers applied Ballad this year as test plots for the claimed yield increase and/or for white mold. The white mold control definitely worked, but have no data on yield as yet.

HUMIC/FULVIC MINERALS: Dr. Wheeler’s Animal Toddy is a leached solution of minerals in a humic/fulvic acid complex. I recently visited the producer. The visit has given me further belief in the value of the deposit and the leachate we put in the bottle. The producer has experience going back 2 generations as to what the product can do. Here is a partial list of the uses he has seen over the years: Feed to livestock for its anti-staph and E coli properties, use as liniment on livestock, treat skin disorders, treat udder problems, spray chicken houses or hog barns between flocks/groups as a disinfectant, use with fish on pastures at the 1/2 pint/acre rate, and spray on other crops at the same rate. For graziers, the best method of getting Toddy into your stock is to add 1 pint of Todddy to 50 lbs. of white salt and put out free choice.

Selling a labeled feed product is expensive in term of labeling, registration, etc. However, the same material can be purchase in 55 gal drums as “Water Mineral” for $40/gal FOB. Since the soil and plant application rate is only 8 oz/acre, this gives you a very effective humic/fulvic multi-mineral complex for only $2.50 an acre. What else you use it for is up to you. There will be no label claims or anything else on the barrel except “Water Minerals”. If you want to try it out, buy a gallon or two of Animal Toddy and do some plant & soil tests yourself.

TAINIO MICROBES IN THE FALL: The labels on most of the Tainio bacterial products suggest starting them in the fall to get the maximum effect for next year’s crop. Applying them to crop residue or bare ground with fish, carbohydrates, etc. should give you maximum return for next spring. Remember, Tainio “bugs’ and SP-1 are the best ones we have found.

APPLE SCAB CONTROL: GW Agriculture has reported promising results using their FI [Fungus Interruptus] Steiner type sprays in New England on orchards. Best results appear to require using FI about every 3 weeks during the fungal/scab season, assuming normal use of GW Ag’s seasonal sprays as well. Their “Compost Invigorator” clearly enhances microbial activity in compost teas as shown by powerful microscopic analysis.

ONTARIO DEALER: Ike & Beatrice Enter of Hungry Hollow Farm in Parkhill, Ont. have been appointed exclusive dealers for Ontario for all CSI products. Their established pricing for Ont. supercedes any printed or web prices by CSI. Call them at 519 232-9458.

TENN. BROWN & COMPOST: For those of you who have been asking for less than truck loads of Tenn. Brown Phos., you may now purchase same from Morgan Composting of Sears, MI. They have agreed to bag [50 #], bulk bag [approx. 1200 #] or blend Tenn. Brown into compost and ship to you in same sizes or bulk. They are willing and able to ship individual bags. You may call them at 231 734-2451. They have multiple sites throughout MI. If you want semi loads of straight Tenn. Brown or blended with compost, please continue to call CSI.

Morgan Composting will have an open house with speakers and a farmer user panel on Friday, Sept. 16th at their site 4.5 miles east of Evart on south side of road. Program will start at 12:30 for displays, with speakers and panels to follow at 1:00 until 4:30 when Tour of facility will begin. Closing and refreshments at 6:00. Yours truly will be there.

SOIL RESTORE SALE: The manufacturer has offered a 10% discount on Restore and Liquid Bacteria for the period 9/15/05 to 10/15/05. Many of you have had excellent response to these products that use homeopathic [energy] concepts to clean up soil and stimulate mycorrhizia.

CALENDER: Louisa & I will be attending the National Biodynamic Conf. in TN on Oct.15. Then on to TX where we will install a “Broadcaster” near Austin, visit Acres USA, marina/houseboat shop on Lake Travis and visit several other customer/dealer/suppliers. Then North to Tulsa, OK (see two grandsons.) and then to KS to install 2 Broadcasters for a dealer in Lacygne. If you need services/visits during that week of Oct.16th, please let us know ASAP. We will be lucky to get back by the 26th. We will service orders from the road. The “road” cell # is 616 915-5255, but please leave slow, clear messages on the office toll free # first. If you don’t hear from us within 2 days, Try Again!

We will be at Acres Conf. in Indianapolis on Dec. 8-10. We will be in Brazil from Jan. 7-17, 06, so don’t expect phone calls or orders to be handled during that time.

OFFICE SCHEDULE: We will continue to try to close Fridays and Saturdays this fall so we can have our two weekend days on the houseboat or other activities. We also may extend the same schedule throughout the year where possible. Don’t hesitate to call on Friday, but there is a chance that your call/order may not be handled till Monday.

RADIONIC CLASSES: For fall & winter classes in Upper Mid-West call Steve @920-559-7225.

CSI has experienced its biggest/best season ever, and the year isn’t even over. THANK YOU for your use of our testing services and sales. GOOD HARVESTING! Yours, Dr. Phil & Louisa