Dr Steiner considered that modern agriculture was losing its holistic approach to the dynamic management of soil, plants, animals and the cosmic forces of nature.

He espoused the principle that a farm should be considered as an organism or self-contained entity. As far as possible the bio-dynamics of the farm should be in balance and harmony. In practice, this is achieved by avoiding the use of toxic chemicals for controlling pests and the use of artificial fertilizers, balancing farm outputs to inputs, developing sustainable ratios for cultivation, cropping and livestock activities and using on-farm materials for soil enrichment rather than matter introduced from outside the farm.

Dr Steiner recognised the inherent value of a stable, natural eco-system and considered how this might be reconciled with the economic and management objectives of cultivated systems.

Bio-Dynamic agriculture places emphasis on the health of the soil and the means to maintain this naturally. Crop rotations, special techniques for composting and manuring and the formulation of unique "Bio-Dynamic" preparations to foster soil and plant interaction are part of the Bio-Dynamic practice.

Bio-Dynamic farming also recognises the role of cosmic forces within the environment that influence soil and plant interrelationships and processes.

Certification of Bio-Dynamic growers and processors is carried out in Australia by the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA). The BFA is accredited by the Australian Federal Government and is a member of IFOAM, the world organic body.

Lloyd's Vineyard has been farmed according to the Organic and Bio-Dynamic principles of agriculture since the mid 1970’s. Their produce include a wide range of Bio-Dynamic fruit juices produced without the use of any chemical additives whatsoever, Bio-Dynamically grown table grapes and stone fruit, and a range of jams and preserves produced in small quantities.

Bio-Dynamics play an important part in the farming procedures undertaken on Lloyd's three vineyards. The Bio-Dynamic preparations are used to maintain a healthy environment for plant life to flourish and to produce quality and quantity without the need to use artificial chemical fertilizers, insecticides or herbicides etc. The preparations are titled by numbers beginning at 500 to 508.

The Bio-dynamic Preparations

500:
Preparation 500 is also called the humus preparation. It is made by placing fresh cow manure in the outer shell of a cows horn and is composted during the winter months. When dug, it is quite different in appearance and consistency with a sweet aroma. It is very rich in phosphorus producing bacteria. It is added to tepid water and stirred for about an hour in a back and forth motion to create a vortex and then broken down, which adds oxygen to the mix. It is applied by directly spraying onto freshly cultivated soil, where it fosters desirable biological processes and benefits root formation. One portion, enough for one hectare weighs about 100grams.



501:
Preparation 501, the silica spray, is based on very finely ground quartz crystal. It is ground to a very fine powder and mixed with clean water. This is then applied to the foliage and helps the formation of living plant substance in the green leaves under the influence of sunlight. It aids the plants photosynthesis. One portion, enough for one hectare is about 3.5grams.

502:
Preparation 502 yarrow prepared in a stags bladder.

503:
Preparation 503 chamomile prepared in a cows intestines.

504:
Preparation 504 stinging nettle prepared in the soil.

505:
Preparation 505 oak bark prepared in a sheep’s skull.

506:
Preparation 506 dandelion prepared in skin around cows intestines.

507:
Preparation 507 Valerian extract.

508:
Preparation 508 Equisetum Tea

Making Compost on Lloyd's Vineyard

Preparations 502 - 507 are compost preparations and are added to the compost heap in very small proportions appropriate to the size of the compost heap. These preparations bring various processes to activity so that life forces added with the compost to the soil are balanced and neutral in their stimulating effect. Preparation 508 is used as a foliar spray and is used in certain circumstances as a natural fungicide and pesticide. All these preparations work in harmony with nature itself and help to create balanced ecosystem which produces healthy plants and healthy crops which in turn improves the health of the consumer.