Soil Health Foundations — Start Here

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This clip Ewan discusses the role of silicon and silica in plant and soil health, focusing on how they support plant structure and influence electrical activity in soils. It also touches on why silicon was once considered non-essential and how fine marine clays interact with sunlight to impact plant growth.

See full Episode here - https://youtu.be/UMaVwAH469w

The video also covers real soil trials and the importance of establishing proper baselines in agricultural experiments. Through practical examples, the speakers explain why understanding mineral balance and soil variation is essential for achieving reliable and meaningful results.

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In this clip from the EFA podcast, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton break down the real numbers behind soil carbon, organic matter, and nutrient availability — and reveal why most farmers are leaving tens of thousands of dollars of fertility trapped underground.

Ewan explains why a 1% increase in organic matter equals 15 tonnes of soil, hundreds of kilos of nitrogen, and huge boosts in phosphorus and sulphur — all without buying synthetic inputs. He also challenges mainstream ideas about root-based carbon storage, arguing that cyanobacteria, not plant roots, are the real engine behind NZ’s soil carbon cycle.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify
Or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/gGbyYD4rC5I

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The Carbon Trap: Why Pasture Renewal Is Costing You More Than You Think

The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 9)

Most farmers know carbon is important, but few realise just how fast it can vanish or what’s really driving the losses. In this episode, Stephen and Ewan break down a Grasslands Conference presentation by soil scientist Louis Schipper, and compare his findings with what’s actually happening on real farms.

From pasture renewal to maize cropping, chemical sprays to root systems, this episode takes you far beyond the theory. As Ewan explains, the numbers don’t lie, but the interpretation often does. Behind every carbon crash is a deeper biological story, and ignoring it costs farmers thousands in fertility, grazing, and long-term soil health.

Together, Stephen and Ewan unpack the hard science, challenge long-held assumptions, and reveal why cyanobacteria are the missing link in New Zealand’s carbon cycle. Once you understand how soil biology really works, everything changes: carbon stabilises, nutrients rise, organic matter builds, and paddocks recover faster than anyone expected.

We discuss:
• Why pasture renewal causes huge carbon losses — and why recovery often never happens
• How chemical sprays wipe out cyanobacteria and crash soil fertility
• Why maize looks great the first year but drains carbon for years afterwards
• The surprising role cyanobacteria play in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulphur availability
• Practical steps Ewan uses to lift organic carbon by 1–2% a year without expensive inputs

With clarity, humour, and decades of hands-on fieldwork, Stephen and Ewan translate complex soil science into practical solutions any farmer can use. This episode connects research, real soil tests, and on-farm experience into a roadmap for restoring soil carbon the natural way.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – ⁠⁠www.efa.nz⁠⁠

Subscribe for weekly conversations exploring soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions that are transforming the way we farm in New Zealand.

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In this clip from An EcoFarmer’s Discovery - Chapter 7, Ewan shares how real farming insight comes from experience, not just research papers. While many agricultural organisations focus on selling products, he argues that true progress starts with curiosity, soil testing, and observation. Reflecting on his time with Brookside Labs, Ewan talks about being “the odd one out”, a hands-on farmer surrounded by scientists and how that perspective helped him connect data to real-world farming. His message is simple but powerful: farmers who listen to their land can often see what the experts miss.

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In this clip from An EcoFarmer’s Discovery – Chapter 6, Ewan shares how discovering basic slag, a by-product of the steel industry rich in silicon, calcium, and magnesium completely transformed his farm. What started as a cheap experiment became a breakthrough in soil fertility, animal health, and pasture growth.

From explosive clover growth to uncovering how “weeds” reveal your soil’s health, Ewan explains how balance, biology, and observation lead to lasting fertility, no reseeding required. Sometimes, the answers to farming’s toughest problems are already waiting beneath your feet.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify
Or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/44dSEzOUwYI

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Soil Health: The Real Cure for Facial Eczema

The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 6)

When a facial eczema outbreak tore through Ewan Campbell’s dairy herd in the late 1980s, it became a make-or-break moment on the farm. Cows were peeling, milk production was crashing, and the conventional advice—more zinc, more maize, more fungicides—wasn’t working. Then one old farmer offered the simplest, most game-changing advice of all: “Just put some lime on.”

In this episode, Ewan and Stephen unpack how a crisis in animal health revealed a deeper truth about soil. What started as a desperate search for a cure led to a breakthrough understanding: that facial eczema isn’t just a pasture disease—it’s a soil problem rooted in acidity, imbalance, and over-reliance on chemicals.

We discuss:
• The shocking reality of facial eczema outbreaks and why prevention starts underground
• How one “lime experiment” dropped spore counts from 300,000 to under 20,000 in days
• The hidden role of soil pH, nitrates, and fungal balance in livestock disease
• Why quick fixes like zinc and fungicides only mask the real issue
• The true cost of ignoring soil biology — in money, animal welfare, and mental strain
• Why farmers need to think critically, ask questions, and reclaim independence from “expert” advice

With humour, honesty, and decades of hands-on experience, Ewan and Stephen explore how solving facial eczema starts with healthy soils, balanced biology, and a shift in thinking.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – ⁠www.efa.nz⁠

Subscribe for weekly conversations exploring soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions that are transforming the way we farm in New Zealand.

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In this short clip from the EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (See Link Below)

Everything on Earth soil, plants, animals, even us! Comes down to atoms in balance.

In this episode, Ewan and Stephen explore the natural science that holds farming together, from the energy of protons and electrons to the magnetic behaviour of carbon itself. You’ll hear how atoms form the foundation of soil biology, how imbalances ripple through every part of life, and why nature’s design is never random.

This isn’t chemistry for scientists — it’s the story of how balance, magnetism, and biology shape the soil we stand on and the food we grow.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify
Or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/tAhp90LeMTo

#soilhealth #farmingpodcast #regenerativeagriculture #ecofarming #sustainablefarming #FarmScience #soilbiology #HealthySoilHealthyFood #realfarming #agriculture #farmersofyoutube #carbonfarming #naturescience

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In this short clip from the EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (See Link Below) - From Canterbury to Southland, nitrate levels are spiking. Ewan Campbell explains what these hot spots reveal about synthetic nitrogen use—and the real soil-based solutions that work.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify
Or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/ChmTsaGJMwA

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Can soil organisms really act like alchemists - transforming one element into another? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and controversial work of French researcher Louis Kervran and his theory of Biological Transmutation. From unexplained shifts in calcium levels to the mysterious role of microbes and roots, we explore what this means for soil health, farming practices, and the future of regenerative agriculture.
👉 Could your soil actually be creating minerals out of thin air? Let’s find out.
🌱 What you’ll learn in this episode: What biological transmutation is and why it matters for farmers How Kervran’s equations connect with real-world soil health observations The debate between mainstream science and regenerative practice Practical farmer takeaways you can use right now
🎧 Good news—we’re now available on all leading podcast platforms! Take us with you while you’re out on the farm, in the tractor, or working with stock. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast players.
💬 Got soil stories or unexplained shifts in your tests? Share your experience in the comments—we’d love to hear from you.
Ecofarm Aotearoa is online at www.efa.nz

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Did you know Boron and Aluminium duke it out underground? Ewan breaks down why this battle matters for soil health, crop yields, and your entire ecosystem.
👉 See the science in action in the full chat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdcn_sD-YNE&t=148s

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Your soil’s exchange capacity is like its fuel tank—how much can it really hold? Ewan compares soil performance to horsepower and explains what’s holding many farms back.
👉 Learn more in the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdcn_sD-YNE&t=148s

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Are your animals showing copper deficiency symptoms? The real problem might be selenium! Ewan breaks down the surprising link and how to fix it.
👉 Get the full story in the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdcn_sD-YNE&t=148s

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You might be walking on a goldmine. Ewan explains how understanding your soil’s nutrient profile can reveal tens of thousands of dollars in untapped value.
👉 Full deep dive here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdcn_sD-YNE&t=148s

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Ever wondered if your soil test is telling the whole story? Ewan reveals the truth behind standard tests—and what most farmers are missing. Discover how accurate testing can unlock hidden resources on your farm.
👉 Watch the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdcn_sD-YNE&t=148s

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💩 Sir David Attenborough Digs Deep Into Dung – How Poo-Powered Beetles Enrich Your Land! 🪲

In this groundbreaking (or should we say, poop-breaking?) deep dive, Sir David (well… a rather convincing impersonation!) gets to the "bottom" of how dung beetles are turning crap into gold—improving soil health and transforming farmland ecosystems one turd at a time.

These tiny turd wranglers don’t just push poo around for fun. They’re nature’s original waste management system, breaking down cow pies, sheep splats, and horse heaps to fertilize the soil, boost pasture growth, and keep parasites in check. In other words, these beetles are doing the dirty work so your land can thrive!

But why should farmers give a crap about dung beetles? Well, if you want healthier soil, happier livestock, and fields that don’t look like a minefield of manure, these little guys are your best friends.

🚜💩 Want to know if your soil is full of life—or just full of… well, you know? Contact Eco Farm today to test your soil health, learn more about dung beetle benefits, and discover how these hard-working critters can turn your pastures into fertile, thriving land! 🌱

📞 Get in touch now and let’s talk about how to get some beetles rolling on your farm—because when it comes to healthy soil, you shouldn’t just sit on your... manure pile!

💩 Don’t let this one slip through your fingers—like, comment, and subscribe for more nature-packed, pun-heavy goodness!

#DungBeetles #PooPower #SoilHealth #ShitHappens #RegenerativeFarming #SirDavidAttenborough #SustainableAgriculture #NatureNarration

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Ewan from Eco Farm Aotearoa breaks down their unique regenerative soil testing program, revealing the wealth of insights hidden beneath your feet. 🌱💡

Are you optimizing your farm’s potential? Discover:
✅ How to save time and money with smarter soil management
✅ Whether your production is truly at its peak
✅ How to feed your soil naturally while enhancing long-term regenerative sustainability

Get the best results without wasting resources! Watch now and learn how to work with nature—not against it.

🔔 Subscribe for more regenerative farming insights!

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Ecofarm Aotearoa has made some significant discoveries and developed major improvements over the past months and years and we want to share them with you.

We see the effect on the soil, with massive lift in carbon. On one part of the farm accumulated 30tons per hectare in 3 years and on the hills 18 tons a hectare in 3 years. On a compliance issue this helps but the water retention going into summer from this has major benefits.

The results in the soil are affecting water quality as the nitrate levels in the water leaving the farm are .05ppm well below the maximum of 11.3ppm and the projected regulatory levels of 2ppm.

Pasture tests also confirm a change in nutrient status with nitrogen levels close to 3% which determines the livestock will not be under nitrate stress. As many know this leads to lower animal performance and reproduction, but what is not widely known high nitrates in feed lead to lowering oxygen levels in the blood and anaerobic digestion which produces methane.

You may be also interested in how the weeds are not growing and many other interesting benefits that can come from looking at our productive systems in a different way.

To get the full story of how these amazing results are achieved you can get the details in my book "An Ecofarmer's Discovery". Click the link below.
www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/book

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