Applied Biodynamics — Issue 072 (Spring 2011)

Issue 072 centers on large-scale, mixed-method farming, emphasizing measurement, repetition, and operational constraints in biodynamic practice. The issue integrates a detailed interview, institutional reporting, field correspondence, and a practical materials call, presenting biodynamics as an applied system evaluated through observation and records rather than abstraction.

In “How Do the Preparations Help in a Large-Scale Kentucky Farming Operation?” Cindi Courter interviews Philip Lyvers and Laura Riccardi Lyvers, documenting biodynamic integration within a 2,600-acre grain and hog enterprise. The interview specifies a hybrid management model combining conventional, organic, and biodynamic methods to remain economically viable while improving soil and manure quality.

Key procedures include routine treatment of manure pits with one set of compost preparations plus BD 501 per pit, recharged after clean-outs; application of all nine preparations across cropland; and the use of compost teas enhanced with preparations following microbial protocols. Outcomes are reported through comparative manure testing over multiple years, showing increased retained nutrients (notably nitrogen and phosphorus) and reduced odor, interpreted as decreased volatilization. The interview records explicit limits️—such as discontinued use of Barrel Compost in feed when hypotheses could not be demonstrated—and stresses the need for further study.

The article provides timing constraints and crop-specific observations. For wheat, fermented BD 508 is applied before fourth leaf stage and BD 501 after flowering; deviations are reported to reduce tillering. Side-by-side acreage comparisons document yield differences (reported as approximately 20 bushels per acre under specified sequences). Soil versus foliar silica application is discussed as a decision dependent on crop physiology and season. Pest control via ashing (“peppering”) is described with record-keeping of wildlife populations over multiple seasons to track changes in reproduction and density, acknowledging variability and uncertainty.

In “Notes and News from the Executive Director,” Shelley Goguen Hulbert documents internal operations at JPI, detailing staff roles in preparation production, inventory control, biological processing of Pfeiffer products, equipment customization, storage protocols, and educational support. The article frames institutional work as process-driven, with documentation, quality control, and planning for research initiatives in animal waste handling and soil conversion.

“Anecdotes and Antidotes – Biodynamics at Work,” by Hugh Courtney, responds to practitioner questions with operational guidance: burial timing for BD 501; compost preparation quantities, moisture targets, and turning limits; brewing parameters for Pfeiffer BD Compost Starter; and recommended reading pathways that balance practical calendars with foundational texts. Answers emphasize repeatable steps, thresholds, and constraints.

The issue concludes with “We Need Your Help Picking Dandelions!”, providing precise material specifications for BD 506: plant maturity indicators (“bull’s eyes”), timing relative to meridian noon, site contamination avoidance, drying methods, and compensation terms—underscoring supply-chain rigor in preparation making.

Articles

• How Do the Preparations Help in a Large-Scale Kentucky?
• Farming Operation? – An Interview with Philip Lyvers and  Laura Riccardi Lyvers (C. Courter)  
• Notes and News from the Executive Director (S. Hulbert) 
• Anecdotes and Antidotes – Biodynamics at Work (H.  Courtney) We Need Your Help Picking Dandelions! 

Key Topics Covered

• Large-scale biodynamic integration in grain and hog farming
• Hybrid management under economic constraints
• Manure pit treatment with biodynamic preparations
• Comparative nutrient testing and odor reduction
• Crop-specific timing for BD #508 and BD #501
• Yield comparisons under defined spray sequences
• Soil versus foliar silica application decisions
• Record-based wildlife management via ashing
• Operational roles and quality control at JPI
• Compost starter quantities and moisture targets
• Material specifications for BD #506 dandelion harvest

Citation

Applied Biodynamics, Issue 072, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Spring 2011.