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