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Biodynamic Farming at Spier
As of December 2008 almost 300 hectares of the farm is being managed under biodynamic agricultural practices. Pasture reared beef and chicken, pastured eggs, wine grapes and vegetables are the currently in production with provision being made for olives, artichokes, nectarines, and almond trees.
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Pastures
Currently 30 hectares, of irrigated pasture form the cornerstone of the operation. We inherited an 8 hectare pasture of mixed grasses and legumes. In April of 2009 we planted 19 varieties of perennial grasses and legumes on a 22 hectare section. In spring 2009 we will plant a mixture of herbs into the pastures.
Not only do we have diversity in our pastures but in winter of 2010 we will plant the shelter belts around the pastures. These 8 metre wide woodlots of indigenous trees and shrubs act as a windbreak, a home for the predators that clean the pastures, and they will also assist in retaining moisture in the area as they cool the pastures down.
Furthermore our method of grazing is a “high impact “grazing system in which the cattle are grazed for a short period in a confined area and moved frequently. The effect of this ‘high impact’ is a concentration of their dung and urine which enhances the fertility of the pasture. The frequent moves allow the pasture sufficient time to recover before it is grazed again.
The pastures support three types of livestock. Our Nguni and Bonsmara cattle graze on them, and they are followed four days later by our laying hens which are transported in an “Egg mobile”. Also on the pastures are our broiler chickens.
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Laying Hens
We have five varieties of laying hens; these are Rhode Island Reds, Valers, Boschvelds, Plymouth Rocks and New Hampshires. They are housed in three “Egg mobiles”. The big one is a trailer that we converted to house their water, food and nest boxes in. They overnight in this. We have two smaller ones that we built for use in the vineyards.
Their primary purpose is to help with the even distribution of the cattle dung. They do this whilst searching for fly larvae which will be hatching after 4 days. This will also have a sanitizing effect on the pastures.
Besides all the vegetable matter in their diet they also benefit from the insects they eat as they ‘range freely” on the pastures.
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Our packaging is biodegradable and we sell the eggs in 12 and 4 egg boxes.
Broiler Chickens
Our chickens are nurtured on a diet that is completely free of hormones, antibiotics and synthetic vitamins. Unlike conventionally-farmed chickens, they see the sun and experience the rhythms of the day.
They are pasture-reared, and are moved to fresh grass every day. Their diet includes minerals and bugs from the grass – that is why their skins are more yellow in colour.
Their nitrogen-rich manure is restoring fertility to the land, and benefiting the pastures. Our pastures are farmed according to biodynamic principles.
We are in the process of getting approval for a chicken abattoir on the farm. The chickens are slaughtered at a registered abattoir off-site.
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Cattle
Our herd currently consists of Nguni and Bongihlathis (a Bonsmara type) cows. These cows have been mated to an Nguni bull (Samson).
We plan to upgrade our Nguni herd by the use of registered Nguni bulls in order to qualify for Registration with the Nguni Breeders Society. This will enable us to sell registered bulls that are surplus to our requirements.
The Nguni breed has been chosen as the foundation of our cow calf operation as they are indigenous and are renowned for their adaptability, hardiness and their ability to maximize production of good quality beef off pasture without additional supplementation.
We will have a parallel operation of fattening steers on the pastures, which will be the primary source of our pasture reared beef.
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In time we plan to build an abattoir but for now they are slaughtered at a registered abattoir off site.
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Vegetables
Under the guidance of Terry Hagen we have established a half a hectare vegetable garden which is part market garden and part for field crops. The first beds were filled in early March. We are now at the stage where we are propagating all our own seedlings.
Produce is sold weekly to the local supermarkets as well as the Spier Hotel.
We have full organic certification from BCS Germany for the produce from this garden.
Vineyards
As of April 2009 a 12 hectare vineyard of Merlot grapes and a 2 hectare vineyard of Pinotage grapes are under our management.
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These vineyards have been conventionally managed since being planted in 2000. We are managing them under biodynamic principles and have been accredited with organic in-conversion status.
We also manage a 3 hectare vineyard of Chenin Blanc which has been biodynamically managed since 2005. We have full organic certification from BCS for these grapes.
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Biodynamic Agricultre
Biodynamics is an enhancement to good agricultural practices.
Biodynamic techniques recognize that plant life is intimately bound up with the life of the soil; that the soil itself is alive and vital and the degree of vitality has a direct bearing on the health of the crops, which in turn bring health to those who consume the produce.
Sharing its principles, methods and techniques with organic farming, biodynamic agriculture additionally acknowledges that the plant’s growth is also affected by planetary influences like the waxing and the waning of the moon.
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Farm Visits
We are very happy to show clients and interested parties around the farm. We plan to do this on a Wednesday afternoon. Please contact us on spierbdfarm@gmail.com or on +27 82 680 8978 to arrange a visit.
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