Does Biodynamics Improve Quality?

Published field comparisons give specific examples of crop quality. In two long-term Swedish potato trials, biodynamic-system potatoes were more closely associated with higher dry matter, taste quality, and the relative share of pure protein than conventional-system potatoes; year, rotation, and cultivar also shaped the results. Kjellenberg and Granstedt (2015). Biodynamics is an addition to good farming: continue balancing soil pH and supplying compost, ideally made from materials on the farm, especially well-composted ruminant manure.

On a livestock farm, cattle supply manure that can be composted and returned to soil. The Swedish potato trials included composted cow manure in the biodynamic system, and the measured crop-quality traits describe that complete cultivation system.

BD 500 horn manure is used within a broader soil-care program. In Washington and Wisconsin field comparisons, programs including biodynamic field and compost preparations measured 12–39% more root dry matter and 10–37% more root length than organic comparisons, varying by crop, year, and application. The Wisconsin treatment also included a distinct nettle-and-manure field spray. Goldstein, Koepf, and Koopmans (2019).

Never losing sight of common sense farming, biodynamics is an addition, not a subtraction, to what you're already doing right.