EcoFarm Aotearoa

What if the environment your animals are raised in influences how their genetics are expressed, and what gets passed on to the next generation?In this episode of An Eco Farmer’s Discovery, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton explore the relationship between epigenetics, genetics and the environment. Starting with the Dutch Hunger Winter and the research into how nutrition and stress during pregnancy can influence the development of future generations, they discuss how the same genetic blueprint can produce different outcomes depending on the signals an organism receives from its environment.The conversation then takes these ideas onto the farm, looking at soil fertility, nutrition, electromagnetic fields (EMF), seed germination and livestock development. Ewan shares his observations from working with farms, including examples involving thistle growth, power infrastructure and EFA Guardian Rocks. They also discuss how they believe artificial electromagnetic influences may affect the signals plants and animals receive, and why they see protecting the farm environment as an important part of improving genetic expression.In this episode:- The Dutch Hunger Winter and its influence on research into epigenetics- How environmental conditions can influence gene expression without changing DNA- The relationship between maternal nutrition, pregnancy and the next generation- Why the farm environment matters when developing healthy livestock- How soil fertility and trace minerals may influence animal development- The role of electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the natural environment- The difference between natural and artificial electromagnetic influences- Ewan's observations of EMF issues on working farms- A case study involving thistle growth, power poles and farm infrastructure- How EFA Guardian Rocks are used within their farming approach- The potential influence of magnetic fields on seed germination and crop growth- Why seed origin and growing conditions matter- How farmers can think about protecting their investment in livestock genetics- Why improving the environment today could influence future generationsOur E-Book!https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

How much nitrogen does your next crop really need, and where is that nitrogen coming from?

In this episode of An Eco Farmer’s Discovery, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton revisit a discussion about nitrogen, crop residues and soil biology after a farmer challenges their previous claims with detailed production figures. Using the farmer’s wheat and oat rotation as a case study, they work through the numbers, explore the potential role of crop residues in building soil organic matter, and explain why they believe farmers need to understand what is happening beneath the surface.

The conversation looks at soil testing, carbon levels, nutrient availability and the conditions needed for soil biology to function. They also revisit an example soil test from Taranaki to discuss nutrient imbalances, aluminium, boron and calcium, alongside the importance of measuring changes over time. The episode expands into the relationship between soil organic matter, farm profitability, crop quality and nutrient density, with examples from farming experiences and the practical lessons that can be learned by testing, observing and measuring.

In this episode:

• A farmer’s challenge to EcoFarm’s claims about nitrogen and soil biology

• Breaking down the nitrogen requirements of a wheat and oat rotation

• How crop straw could contribute to soil organic matter and nitrogen cycling

• Why the starting condition of your soil matters

• Understanding soil carbon, humus and organic matter

• How soil testing can reveal nutrient imbalances and limiting factors

• The relationship between aluminium, boron, calcium and other nutrients

• Why crop residues need the right conditions for biological decomposition

• What earthworms, fungi and cyanobacteria contribute to soil processes

• How to test and measure changes in soil over time

• The potential relationship between soil organic carbon and farm profitability

• Why crop quality, nutrient density and storage life deserve attention

• Lessons from a long-term soil improvement example in Taranaki

• Why farmers should measure results rather than rely on assumptions

  Our E-Book!https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

What if the problem with your pasture, garden or lifestyle block isn't a lack of nutrients, but the fact that your soil can't access the nutrients already there?

In this episode of An Eco Farmer's Discovery, Stephen Brunton sits down with EcoFarm soil consultant Campbell Page to explore how soil testing can reveal what's really happening beneath the surface. From identifying nutrient deficiencies and understanding soil biology to recognising what weeds might be telling you, Campbell explains why it's important to investigate the root cause of a problem rather than simply applying more fertiliser.

Whether you're managing a commercial farm, running a lifestyle block, growing your own vegetables or raising animals, understanding your soil can help you make more informed decisions about fertility, pasture health and food quality. The conversation also explores the relationship between soil chemistry and biology, the role of nutrient availability, and how a more targeted approach could help reduce unnecessary fertiliser spending.

In this episode:

• Meet Campbell Page, EcoFarm's soil consultant for DIY soil testing clients

• How soil testing identifies nutrient levels and limiting factors

• The difference between total nutrients and nutrients available to plants

• What soil structure and flocculation mean for air, water and biology

• How weeds like dock, gorse and thistles can provide clues about soil conditions

• Why the same soil principles apply to lifestyle blocks and commercial farms

• How soil chemistry and biology work together to cycle nutrients

• Why applying more fertiliser may not address the underlying problem

• How nutrient availability can influence pasture growth and animal health

• When to carry out soil and herbage testing

• How targeted nutrient applications can help address specific deficiencies

• Where to start if you want to improve your own soil

What if the biggest financial asset on your farm is already sitting in the soil? In this episode, Scott Gordon joins the conversation to break down the financial side of soil fertility, looking at the value of minerals locked up in the soil, the cost of unlocking them, and how understanding your soil could change the way you assess farm value, productivity and return on investment. We also explore the idea of treating soil like a bank account, where better fertility management can turn an underperforming asset into productive cash flow.

In this episode:

• The hidden financial value of minerals in your soil

• Why a soil test should be part of assessing a farm's value

• The "current account" and "term deposit" analogy for soil fertility

• How locked-up nutrients can limit farm productivity

• Why total and available nutrients need to be looked at together

• The potential financial impact of fixing limiting factors

• How soil fertility can affect animal health and production

• Why bankers could benefit from understanding soil productivity

• Using evidence and soil data to make better farm decisions

• How improving soil can create more productive land without buying more hectares

• The real cost of doing nothing with the nutrients already in your soil

  
  

Our E-Book!https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

Herbage testing can reveal a lot about what is happening in your soil, but timing and the right combination of tests are crucial. In this episode, Ewan and the team look at why mid to late spring can be such an important window for herbage testing in New Zealand, when multiple pasture species are actively growing and minerals can be better represented.

The conversation explores the relationship between soil tests, herbage tests and soil biology, including trace minerals such as cobalt, selenium, nickel, boron and iodine. They also work through an anonymised farm example, looking at nitrogen, potassium, calcium, silicon, aluminium and other minerals to understand what the numbers may be showing about the wider soil system.

They also revisit the response to the previous cropping episode, discussing how soil preparation, biology and nutrient cycling fit together, why plants such as wild turnip may be indicators of underlying soil conditions, and why soil testing should be the starting point when trying to understand what is limiting a farm.

In this episode:

• Why mid to late spring is an important time for herbage testing

• How different pasture species can affect the minerals showing in a herbage test

• Why some trace minerals are difficult to assess accurately through soil testing alone

• How herbage testing can provide an indication of soil biology and mineral availability

• The relationship between nickel, nitrogen and zinc

• Why silicon and aluminium are important when looking at weeds and soil conditions

• How soil tests and herbage tests can be used together

• What an anonymized farm herbage test can reveal about soil fertility

• Why soil testing should be the starting point when identifying limiting factors

• How soil biology can contribute to nutrient cycling after cropping

• What pasture plants and weeds may be telling you about the condition of the soil

• Why accuracy and observation matter when making soil fertility decisions

Winter cropping can be expensive, risky and essential for getting livestock through the colder months. But what if the way we prepare a cropping paddock is actually setting it up to fail?

In this episode, Ewan and the team dig into the thinking behind winter crops, soil preparation, carbon, nitrogen and the role of soil biology. They explore the idea of the “fake boost”, where spraying and disturbing the soil can create a rapid burst of growth, while potentially leaving the paddock depleted afterwards.

The conversation looks at how farmers can approach cropping with more preparation, better timing and a focus on building the soil before the crop goes in. They also discuss cultivation, fallow periods, weeds, cyanobacteria, crop economics and why a cropping paddock doesn't have to be treated as a sacrifice.

In this episode:

• Why winter cropping needs to be planned before this year's crop is even finished
• How building soil carbon before planting can support crop growth
• The “fake boost” that can happen after spraying
• Why soil biology plays such an important role in decomposition and nutrient cycling
• How crop yields and cropping area affect the economics of winter feed
• Why cultivation itself isn't necessarily the enemy
• The role of fallow periods, timing and soil preparation
• Why weeds may be responding to underlying soil conditions
• How cyanobacteria, fungi, bacteria and worms contribute to the soil cycle
• Why measuring your soil carbon and nutrient inventory matters

Our E-Book!https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

The questions keep coming! In Part 2 of our farming Q&A, we continue answering your comments, challenging conventional thinking and digging deeper into some of the biggest conversations around modern agriculture.

In this episode:

In this episode of EcoFarm Aotearoa, the discussion turns to synthetic nitrogen, soil carbon, fungi, soil biology and the importance of questioning the systems we've come to rely on. We explore the argument that soil has its own natural nitrogen system, and ask what happens when we replace those natural processes with synthetic inputs.

We also revisit the story behind the fungal "Control Alt Delete" experiment, including the use of different fungal species and the surprising changes observed in the soil and livestock. The conversation explores the different roles fungi can play in soil biology and their relationship with other microorganisms such as cyanobacteria.

But ultimately, this episode comes back to a bigger question: how do we make better decisions on farm?

Rather than simply accepting what we're told, Ewan and the team discuss the importance of asking questions, running trials, observing the results and staying open to new ideas. From unexpected solutions to long-term consequences of farming practices, this is another wide-ranging Q&A exploring how we can think differently about agriculture.

• Synthetic nitrogen and nature's nitrogen system
• The relationship between nitrogen and soil carbon
• The hidden costs of synthetic nitrogen
• The fungal "Control Alt Delete" experiment
• Cordyceps and different fungal species
• Fungi, soil biology and cyanobacteria
• Why independent trials and observation matter
• Making farming decisions based on reality
• The importance of questioning conventional practices
• Innovation and finding unexpected solutions
• More questions from the EcoFarm community

If you enjoyed Part 1, there's plenty more to dig into here. And as always, the goal isn't to tell you what to think, it's to encourage better questions, better observations and better conversations around farming.

Our E-Book!https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

What are farmers actually asking about soil, carbon, regenerative farming and the future of agriculture?

In this episode of EcoFarm Aotearoa, Ewan Campbell sits down to work through questions and comments from our viewers, covering everything from soil carbon and comprehensive soil testing to cyanobacteria, crop production, glyphosate, organic farming and New Zealand's carbon policies.

The conversation explores why testing and understanding your soil is so important, why Ewan believes farmers need to look at the whole biological system rather than individual inputs, and how better information can lead to better farming decisions.

They also discuss the growing use of pine trees for carbon credits, whether New Zealand is making the most of its position as a food-producing country, and why producing higher-value, quality food could be a much better opportunity for New Zealand farmers.

From soil testing and silicon to carbon sequestration and farming policy, this episode covers a wide range of questions and ideas with plenty of debate along the way.

In this episode:

- Soil carbon and carbon sequestration

- Why comprehensive soil testing matters

- Cyanobacteria and soil biology

- Improving crop production and yields

- Silicon and plant resilience

- Pine trees, carbon credits and land use

- Organic farming and premium food markets

- Glyphosate and its impact on biological systems

- Making better decisions on farm

- Questions and comments from the EcoFarm communityI

f you're interested in soil health, regenerative agriculture, farming innovation and the future of New Zealand agriculture, this episode is packed with ideas worth thinking about.

Our E-Book!https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

A short clip from a previous episode sparked plenty of debate online, so Ewan Campbell is taking the opportunity to dive deeper into one of agriculture's most misunderstood topics: nitrates.

In this episode:In this episode of EcoFarm Aotearoa, Ewan unpacks the science behind the nitrogen cycle, explains the difference between nitrate and ammonium, and explores why so much confusion exists around nitrates in farming. Rather than focusing on symptoms, he looks at the biological processes that naturally convert nitrogen into plant-available proteins and why healthy soil biology is key to productive farms, cleaner waterways and healthier livestock.

The conversation also examines how excess nitrate can impact pasture quality, milk production, animal health and water quality, while challenging some of the assumptions that have become accepted as "normal" within modern agriculture. Whether you agreed or disagreed with the original clip, this episode provides the full context behind the discussion and explains the reasoning in much greater detail.

We Discuss:

- The difference between nitrate and ammonium

- Understanding the natural nitrogen cycle

- How healthy soil biology converts nitrogen- Why excess nitrate can affect livestock health

- The connection between nitrogen, waterways and food quality

- Why current testing standards may be misleading

- Practical ways to improve nitrogen efficiency on farm

If you're interested in regenerative agriculture, soil biology, livestock nutrition and practical farming solutions backed by observation and testing, this episode offers a fresh perspective on one of farming's biggest conversations.

Our E-Book!https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

China is changing the way it farms, and the scale of what they're achieving is staggering.

In this episode:

After returning from an agricultural study trip to China, Gavin Fisher shares what surprised him most: climate-controlled dairy barns, advanced monitoring technology, efficient nutrient recycling, and a national focus on producing premium-quality food rather than simply maximizing output.

The conversation explores how China has transformed previously unproductive land into highly efficient farming systems while investing heavily in research, innovation and long-term thinking. It also raises an important question for New Zealand: are we doing enough to stay competitive in the global food market?

From massive solar farms and electric vehicles to organic dairy production and export markets, Gavin shares firsthand insights into what he witnessed on the ground and what lessons New Zealand farmers can take from China's rapid agricultural development.

• Gavin Fisher's agricultural study trip through China
• Inside a 200,000-cow dairy operation
• Why China is prioritizing food quality over quantity
• Climate-controlled farming and advanced technology
• Organic dairy and growing global demand
• Turning desert land into productive agriculture
• Lessons New Zealand can learn from China's innovation
• Why long-term thinking is shaping the future of farming

If you're interested in regenerative agriculture, farming innovation, global food production and the future of New Zealand farming, this episode is packed with insights you won't hear in mainstream discussions.

Our E-Book!

https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

"Inspired" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/