Resources > Videos

The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan sit down with John Carapiet from GE Free New Zealand to unpack the growing debate around genetic engineering, GMO regulation, and the future of farming in New Zealand.

What begins as a discussion around the government’s proposed Gene Technology Bill and the new Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill quickly expands into a much bigger conversation about food sovereignty, corporate influence, farmer responsibility, environmental contamination, and the long-term future of agriculture.

Through the EFA lens, the conversation explores whether New Zealand risks losing one of its greatest advantages — its GE-free food reputation — in pursuit of patented technologies and synthetic solutions. The discussion dives into soil biology, export markets, consumer trust, liability, glyphosate, animal welfare, and the growing tension between industrial agriculture and regenerative farming systems.

The episode challenges the idea that more technology automatically equals better outcomes and asks a deeper question: are we solving the root causes of agricultural problems, or creating new ones?

We discuss:
• The proposed Gene Technology and HASNO amendment bills
• Why New Zealand’s GE-free status matters globally
• The difference between GMO, GE, and gene editing
• Liability risks for farmers and contamination concerns
• How patents and corporate interests influence agriculture
• The connection between soil health, food quality, and human health
• Why consumers still demand non-GMO food
• The future of regenerative farming in New Zealand

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan sit down with John Carapiet from GE Free New Zealand to unpack the growing debate around genetic engineering, GMO regulation, and the future of farming in New Zealand.

What begins as a discussion around the government’s proposed Gene Technology Bill and the new Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Bill quickly expands into a much bigger conversation about food sovereignty, corporate influence, farmer responsibility, environmental contamination, and the long-term future of agriculture.

Through the EFA lens, the conversation explores whether New Zealand risks losing one of its greatest advantages — its GE-free food reputation — in pursuit of patented technologies and synthetic solutions. The discussion dives into soil biology, export markets, consumer trust, liability, glyphosate, animal welfare, and the growing tension between industrial agriculture and regenerative farming systems.

The episode challenges the idea that more technology automatically equals better outcomes and asks a deeper question: are we solving the root causes of agricultural problems, or creating new ones?

We discuss:
• The proposed Gene Technology and HASNO amendment bills
• Why New Zealand’s GE-free status matters globally
• The difference between GMO, GE, and gene editing
• Liability risks for farmers and contamination concerns
• How patents and corporate interests influence agriculture
• The connection between soil health, food quality, and human health
• Why consumers still demand non-GMO food
• The future of regenerative farming in New Zealand

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

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YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS40QTA3NTU2RkM1QzlCMzYx

Is Your Favourite Politician Voting to Destroy New Zealand’s GE Free Future?

Fri May 22nd, 2026

In this episode, Stephen, Ewan, and special guest Rensha Bouwer unpack the growing disconnect between food production, food quality, and the systems that sit between farmers and consumers. What begins as a conversation around award-winning pies, artisan cheese, and sourcing quality ingredients quickly reveals a much deeper issue: many of the best food producers and farmers are trapped inside commodity systems that fail to reward quality, animal welfare, and true nutritional value.

Through the EFA lens, the discussion shifts toward reconnecting farming, food, and community. By focusing on healthy soils, thriving animals, low-stress handling, and direct relationships between producers and consumers, farmers can create premium products that stand apart from conventional systems. The episode explores how regenerative farming, local processing, and independent trade could reshape the future of food while reducing dependence on centralised industries and input-heavy agriculture.

We discuss:
• Why healthy soil and healthy animals create better quality food
• How commodity systems hide the value of premium produce
• The impact of stress and transport on meat quality
• Why local food systems and direct trade matter
• The challenges chefs face sourcing truly high-quality ingredients
• How regenerative farming can improve both nutrition and profitability

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

In this episode, Stephen, Ewan, and special guest Rensha Bouwer unpack the growing disconnect between food production, food quality, and the systems that sit between farmers and consumers. What begins as a conversation around award-winning pies, artisan cheese, and sourcing quality ingredients quickly reveals a much deeper issue: many of the best food producers and farmers are trapped inside commodity systems that fail to reward quality, animal welfare, and true nutritional value.

Through the EFA lens, the discussion shifts toward reconnecting farming, food, and community. By focusing on healthy soils, thriving animals, low-stress handling, and direct relationships between producers and consumers, farmers can create premium products that stand apart from conventional systems. The episode explores how regenerative farming, local processing, and independent trade could reshape the future of food while reducing dependence on centralised industries and input-heavy agriculture.

We discuss:
• Why healthy soil and healthy animals create better quality food
• How commodity systems hide the value of premium produce
• The impact of stress and transport on meat quality
• Why local food systems and direct trade matter
• The challenges chefs face sourcing truly high-quality ingredients
• How regenerative farming can improve both nutrition and profitability

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

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YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS42MTI4Njc2QjM1RjU1MjlG

Regenerative Farming Meets the Food Industry (feat. Rensha Bouwer)

Wed Apr 29th, 2026

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan unpack the growing tension between water quality, farm profitability, and the long-standing reliance on synthetic inputs. What starts as a conversation about environmental pressure quickly reveals a deeper issue, farm systems that are quietly depleting their own soil capital over time.

Through real on-farm numbers and practical examples, Ewan breaks down how decades of nitrogen use have led to a steady loss of organic carbon, reducing the soil’s natural ability to hold nutrients and water. The result? Farmers aren’t just buying fertiliser, they’re replacing what their soil used to provide for free.

Looking through the EFA lens, the discussion shifts toward rebuilding soil function through biology, carbon, and mineral balance. By increasing organic matter and restoring natural nutrient cycles, farmers can reduce input costs, improve production, and take back control of their systems, while also addressing environmental concerns like water quality.

This episode highlights a powerful opportunity: by changing the system, farmers can move from constantly spending on inputs to actually rebuilding long-term value in their soil.

We discuss:
• The link between water quality issues and farm profitability
• How decades of nitrogen use have depleted soil carbon
• The hidden financial loss of declining soil organic matter
• Why synthetic fertiliser replaces, rather than builds, fertility
• The impact of low dry matter and “watery” feed on production

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan unpack the growing tension between water quality, farm profitability, and the long-standing reliance on synthetic inputs. What starts as a conversation about environmental pressure quickly reveals a deeper issue, farm systems that are quietly depleting their own soil capital over time.

Through real on-farm numbers and practical examples, Ewan breaks down how decades of nitrogen use have led to a steady loss of organic carbon, reducing the soil’s natural ability to hold nutrients and water. The result? Farmers aren’t just buying fertiliser, they’re replacing what their soil used to provide for free.

Looking through the EFA lens, the discussion shifts toward rebuilding soil function through biology, carbon, and mineral balance. By increasing organic matter and restoring natural nutrient cycles, farmers can reduce input costs, improve production, and take back control of their systems, while also addressing environmental concerns like water quality.

This episode highlights a powerful opportunity: by changing the system, farmers can move from constantly spending on inputs to actually rebuilding long-term value in their soil.

We discuss:
• The link between water quality issues and farm profitability
• How decades of nitrogen use have depleted soil carbon
• The hidden financial loss of declining soil organic matter
• Why synthetic fertiliser replaces, rather than builds, fertility
• The impact of low dry matter and “watery” feed on production

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

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YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS4zRDBDOEZDOUM0MDY5NEEz

How Farmers Are Losing $21,000/ha Without Realising It

Wed Apr 15th, 2026

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan dive into the growing fuel and fertiliser crisis and what it really means for modern farming. As costs rise and pressure builds, the conversation uncovers a deeper issue: the heavy reliance on nitrogen fertiliser as an energy product, leaving farmers exposed to global oil markets. What seems like a pricing problem quickly reveals itself as a system-wide challenge impacting profitability, soil health, and long-term resilience.

Through the EFA lens, Ewan explains how shifting focus to soil biology, carbon, and mineral balance can reduce input dependency and rebuild control at the farm level. From producing nitrogen naturally within the soil to questioning decades of conventional practice, the episode highlights a clear opportunity—those willing to rethink their system can lower costs, improve performance, and future-proof their farms.

We discuss:
• Why fertiliser prices are tied directly to the fuel crisis
• How nitrogen functions as “energy in a bag”
• The lack of correlation between fertiliser use and profit
• How soil biology can replace synthetic inputs
• Why many farmers feel stuck in the current system
• The opportunity to reduce costs and regain control

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan dive into the growing fuel and fertiliser crisis and what it really means for modern farming. As costs rise and pressure builds, the conversation uncovers a deeper issue: the heavy reliance on nitrogen fertiliser as an energy product, leaving farmers exposed to global oil markets. What seems like a pricing problem quickly reveals itself as a system-wide challenge impacting profitability, soil health, and long-term resilience.

Through the EFA lens, Ewan explains how shifting focus to soil biology, carbon, and mineral balance can reduce input dependency and rebuild control at the farm level. From producing nitrogen naturally within the soil to questioning decades of conventional practice, the episode highlights a clear opportunity—those willing to rethink their system can lower costs, improve performance, and future-proof their farms.

We discuss:
• Why fertiliser prices are tied directly to the fuel crisis
• How nitrogen functions as “energy in a bag”
• The lack of correlation between fertiliser use and profit
• How soil biology can replace synthetic inputs
• Why many farmers feel stuck in the current system
• The opportunity to reduce costs and regain control

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

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YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS41QUZGQTY5OTE4QTREQUU4

Farming and Thriving, Even in an Oil Crisis

Wed Apr 8th, 2026

In this episode, Ewan take us directly onto the farm for a live open day, where theory meets reality and farmers get to see regenerative principles in action.

Set in a hands-on, real-world environment, the conversation centres around what it actually looks like to transition from conventional thinking to a system that works with nature. As Ewan walks through the farm, he shares practical insights into soil health, pasture performance, and animal wellbeing. All grounded in observation, testing, and experience.

The open day creates space for discussion, questions, and shared learning, highlighting how powerful it can be when farmers step outside the textbook and start trusting what they see on their own land. From pasture diversity and mineral balance to animal behaviour and system resilience, this episode captures the importance of seeing the system as a whole.

More than just a farm walk, this is a mindset shift in motion, where curiosity replaces certainty, and real progress comes from understanding how everything connects.

We discuss:
• What regenerative farming looks like in a real on-farm setting
• How soil health translates into pasture and animal performance
• The importance of observation and asking better questions
• Why farm systems must be understood as a whole
• Lessons and insights shared during the open day
• How mindset shifts unlock real change on farm

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

In this episode, Ewan take us directly onto the farm for a live open day, where theory meets reality and farmers get to see regenerative principles in action.

Set in a hands-on, real-world environment, the conversation centres around what it actually looks like to transition from conventional thinking to a system that works with nature. As Ewan walks through the farm, he shares practical insights into soil health, pasture performance, and animal wellbeing. All grounded in observation, testing, and experience.

The open day creates space for discussion, questions, and shared learning, highlighting how powerful it can be when farmers step outside the textbook and start trusting what they see on their own land. From pasture diversity and mineral balance to animal behaviour and system resilience, this episode captures the importance of seeing the system as a whole.

More than just a farm walk, this is a mindset shift in motion, where curiosity replaces certainty, and real progress comes from understanding how everything connects.

We discuss:
• What regenerative farming looks like in a real on-farm setting
• How soil health translates into pasture and animal performance
• The importance of observation and asking better questions
• Why farm systems must be understood as a whole
• Lessons and insights shared during the open day
• How mindset shifts unlock real change on farm

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

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YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS44Mjc5REFBRUE2MTdFRDU0

Part 1: Inside EcoFarm Aotearoa: Autumn Open Day 2026

Fri Mar 27th, 2026

What Most Farmers Get Wrong About Regenerative Agriculture

Wed Mar 25th, 2026

A Farmer Flew From Wales to Visit…What He Learned Could Transform His Farm

Wed Mar 18th, 2026

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan explore one of the most powerful forces shaping modern farming: mindset. While regenerative agriculture is often framed around practices like rotational grazing or reducing inputs, the real shift begins with something deeper, the willingness to question long-held beliefs about how farming “should” work.

The conversation unpacks how healthy soils drive resilient farms, explaining why livestock, microbes, minerals, and plant diversity must function as a connected system. From nutrient cycling and parasite resistance to drought resilience and carbon storage, the episode shows how regenerative outcomes emerge when soil biology is supported rather than forced.

Along the way, they challenge common assumptions about weeds, fertilisers, cropping systems, and animal health, revealing how many of agriculture’s biggest problems are actually symptoms of deeper imbalances in soil chemistry and biology.

We discuss:
• Why livestock are essential for nutrient cycling in regenerative systems
• The role of soil biology, fungi, and microbes in building humus
• How mineral balance influences plant health and parasite resistance
• Why weeds can be signals of missing nutrients in the soil
• The difference between organic farming and regenerative outcome

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan explore one of the most powerful forces shaping modern farming: mindset. While regenerative agriculture is often framed around practices like rotational grazing or reducing inputs, the real shift begins with something deeper, the willingness to question long-held beliefs about how farming “should” work.

The conversation unpacks how healthy soils drive resilient farms, explaining why livestock, microbes, minerals, and plant diversity must function as a connected system. From nutrient cycling and parasite resistance to drought resilience and carbon storage, the episode shows how regenerative outcomes emerge when soil biology is supported rather than forced.

Along the way, they challenge common assumptions about weeds, fertilisers, cropping systems, and animal health, revealing how many of agriculture’s biggest problems are actually symptoms of deeper imbalances in soil chemistry and biology.

We discuss:
• Why livestock are essential for nutrient cycling in regenerative systems
• The role of soil biology, fungi, and microbes in building humus
• How mineral balance influences plant health and parasite resistance
• Why weeds can be signals of missing nutrients in the soil
• The difference between organic farming and regenerative outcome

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

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YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS5DQ0MyQ0Y4Mzg0M0VGOEYw

Paradigm Busting: The Truth About Regenerative Farming, Part 2

Wed Mar 11th, 2026

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan move beyond “math busting” and into something even deeper: paradigm busting. What if the biggest barrier to regenerative farming isn’t nitrogen rates or phosphate targets, but the mental models farmers have inherited for generations?

From no-till myths to spray-first thinking, they unpack how industry narratives shape decisions long before a paddock is ever walked. The conversation challenges assumptions around cultivation, cover crops, soil disturbance, and diversity, revealing how some widely accepted “regenerative” practices may still be missing the biological foundation entirely.

At the heart of the episode is a simple but confronting truth: systems regenerate when biology regenerates. And biology doesn’t respond to labels like conventional, organic, or regenerative, it responds to mineral balance, carbon pathways, electrical charge, and living roots.

We discuss:
• Why regenerative farming is a system, not a label
• The myth that tillage destroys soil (and what actually does)
• Why spraying before cover cropping may undermine the whole goal
• How soil carbon really builds (and why sugar alone isn’t enough)
• The cobalt–B12 link and what a farm cat can teach us about deficiencies

This episode reframes regenerative agriculture not as a checklist of practices, but as a shift in understanding. When farmers stop forcing outputs and start feeding biology, soil depth increases, species rotate naturally, pests fade, and profit per hectare strengthens.

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan move beyond “math busting” and into something even deeper: paradigm busting. What if the biggest barrier to regenerative farming isn’t nitrogen rates or phosphate targets, but the mental models farmers have inherited for generations?

From no-till myths to spray-first thinking, they unpack how industry narratives shape decisions long before a paddock is ever walked. The conversation challenges assumptions around cultivation, cover crops, soil disturbance, and diversity, revealing how some widely accepted “regenerative” practices may still be missing the biological foundation entirely.

At the heart of the episode is a simple but confronting truth: systems regenerate when biology regenerates. And biology doesn’t respond to labels like conventional, organic, or regenerative, it responds to mineral balance, carbon pathways, electrical charge, and living roots.

We discuss:
• Why regenerative farming is a system, not a label
• The myth that tillage destroys soil (and what actually does)
• Why spraying before cover cropping may undermine the whole goal
• How soil carbon really builds (and why sugar alone isn’t enough)
• The cobalt–B12 link and what a farm cat can teach us about deficiencies

This episode reframes regenerative agriculture not as a checklist of practices, but as a shift in understanding. When farmers stop forcing outputs and start feeding biology, soil depth increases, species rotate naturally, pests fade, and profit per hectare strengthens.

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

45 6

YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS43MTI1NDIwOTMwQjIxMzNG

Paradigm Busting: The Truth About Regenerative Farming, Part 1

Wed Mar 4th, 2026

Ross and Lance didn’t expect to find a lack of soil life across their Reporoa dairy farm - but digging holes and finding no worms sparked a journey that reshaped how they farm.
In this episode, Stephen and Ewan sit down with the pair to explore their transition away from conventional inputs and into biological system thinking. What began as curiosity has evolved into a complete mindset shift - from chasing nitrogen and spraying weeds to rebuilding soil depth, improving animal health, and regaining confidence in the farm system.

The conversation follows their two-and-a-half-year journey, including the tough first 12 months, the drop in pasture production, and the turning point when animal health rebounded and costs began to fall. From reducing nitrogen from 150 units to just 5, eliminating Roundup and routine drenching, and watching worm castings return, this episode explores what really happens when you move from feeding plants to feeding soil biology.

In this episode we discuss:
• Dropping nitrogen from 150 units to 5 - and what happened next
• The first-year “shake” and why most transitions feel worse before they improve
• Animal health changes, milk urea pressure, and reducing nitrate stress
• Even grazing patterns, calmer cows, and fewer flies
• Cutting Roundup, urea, summer crops, and imported feed
• Herbage testing and understanding excess nitrogen in pasture
• Rebuilding red clover density and growing deeper topsoil
• Lifestyle shifts, lower health inputs, and regaining control of the farm
• Why solving problems through nutrition changes long-term outcomes

Using real on-farm examples, the discussion shows how shifting from a consumable input model to a soil-first biological system doesn’t just change pasture - it changes decision-making, confidence, and lifestyle. Rather than chasing symptoms with more product, the focus becomes removing limiting factors, stabilising biology, and building a system that strengthens year after year.

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

📘 Our FREE E-Book:
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

🎧 Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=a8813910174d4136

Ross and Lance didn’t expect to find a lack of soil life across their Reporoa dairy farm - but digging holes and finding no worms sparked a journey that reshaped how they farm.
In this episode, Stephen and Ewan sit down with the pair to explore their transition away from conventional inputs and into biological system thinking. What began as curiosity has evolved into a complete mindset shift - from chasing nitrogen and spraying weeds to rebuilding soil depth, improving animal health, and regaining confidence in the farm system.
The conversation follows their two-and-a-half-year journey, including the tough first 12 months, the drop in pasture production, and the turning point when animal health rebounded and costs began to fall. From reducing nitrogen from 150 units to just 5, eliminating Roundup and routine drenching, and watching worm castings return, this episode explores what really happens when you move from feeding plants to feeding soil biology.
In this episode we discuss:
• Dropping nitrogen from 150 units to 5 - and what happened next
• The first-year “shake” and why most transitions feel worse before they improve
• Animal health changes, milk urea pressure, and reducing nitrate stress
• Even grazing patterns, calmer cows, and fewer flies
• Cutting Roundup, urea, summer crops, and imported feed
• Herbage testing and understanding excess nitrogen in pasture
• Rebuilding red clover density and growing deeper topsoil
• Lifestyle shifts, lower health inputs, and regaining control of the farm
• Why solving problems through nutrition changes long-term outcomes
Using real on-farm examples, the discussion shows how shifting from a consumable input model to a soil-first biological system doesn’t just change pasture - it changes decision-making, confidence, and lifestyle. Rather than chasing symptoms with more product, the focus becomes removing limiting factors, stabilising biology, and building a system that strengthens year after year.
Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nz
📘 Our FREE E-Book:
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/
🎧 Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=a8813910174d4136

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YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS45NzUwQkI1M0UxNThBMkU0

No Worms… Then This Happened

Tue Feb 24th, 2026

Title: The EFA Comments Section Exploded - Ewan Answers everything
The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast

In this Q&A episode, Stephen and Ewan respond to listener questions covering soil minerals, silicon availability, nitrogen use, and electrical processes in farming systems. Grounded in observation and on-farm results, the conversation challenges conventional thinking and focuses on what consistently delivers healthier soils, resilient pasture, and better financial outcomes.

From cyanobacteria and mineral activation to fertiliser accountability and system feedback, this episode connects cause and effect across soil, plants, animals, and policy. Rather than reacting to symptoms, the discussion highlights the importance of accuracy, honesty, and addressing limiting factors within the system.

We discuss:
• Why observation and real-world results matter more than theory
• Silicon sources, activation, and the role of biology
• Nitrogen traceability, carbon loss, and diminishing returns
• How weeds and soil softness reveal underlying imbalance
• Reading land correctly to improve function and profitability

REFERENCE LINKS 

The Incredible Survival Ability of Cyanobacteria
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kbCiRFkWv1g

Why Cyanobacteria Are the Secret to Healthy Soil
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0j4DKar_UXU

Chapter 15: Shiny Stuff | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZBRl-yqAGs&lc=Ugy07RoaXoo46mA_umB4AaABAg

EMF Protection for Farms: The Power of Guardian Rocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E8aChTA_HM&lc=UgzcsgZqxK0VEw3MMmZ4AaABAg

Chapter 10: Science | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwiPTcY-XeQ&lc=UgyPFdhoW9Gt6YLGvBB4AaABAg

Minerals For The Genetic Code
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIyYgAeemE0&lc=Ugx4DjRbk45z67LNJB94AaABAg

Why This One Change Made the Farm “Explode”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWg78wLu1hc&lc=Ugw9Oq_CEI_lSbOPA9Z4AaABAg

Chapter 9 Electrifying | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31aVtKoLx9M&lc=UgzccKrnTKZncIZgPyx4AaABAg

Inside EcoFarm Aotearoa: Late Spring Open Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTJ4qLKyrc&lc=UgzGdnoZMBBnsNR19Ml4AaABAg

Soil Works Like an Ocean!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzi0x4Jvf2w&lc=Ugxnjo7uYq-hjwZIc9J4AaABAg

Chapter 14: The Beach | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lguVMIkDiYU&lc=UgwXpzcHbitjkLS9yHd4AaABAg

Better Results by Feeding the Soil, Not Just the Animal
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aZPtAWUlQrg

Cyanobacteria: The Hidden Engine Driving Your Soil
https://youtu.be/YLtSPsCslhg

The Fluoride Your Body Actually Needs
https://youtube.com/shorts/11tZPhhNd3k?si=ooXCxk-gR-RZzuPB

Learning Soil Biology Through Patterns, Testing & Experience
https://youtu.be/_JaCQmyFy5c

How Electricity Communicates
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BTk-sdbmkiY

Ancient Knowledge Behind the 12 Mineral Salts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdiXr72HX-I&lc=UgxCGNPw9j3Q450Lr5N4AaABAg

Winter on the Farm - The Real Start to the Season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j6lZTHDX2w&lc=UgyJk1zlIUYUV-yrKl94AaABAg

WEEDS PART 2: What They’re Really Telling You About Your Soil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgfAQlMTLE8&lc=UgzhgLM_ADhCm-Rapux4AaABAg

Nitrate Poisoning: Farmers Blamed, but What’s the REAL Cause?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChmTsaGJMwA&lc=UgxCCoCm0WQihJCsCDx4AaABAg`

The 1% Soil Change That Supercharges Your Farm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsJIdM9noOY&lc=Ugyk_OSZb866HTxnd_t4AaABAg

The Secret to Flavourful Beef
https://youtube.com/shorts/PSTsXFrOCiA?si=0R5qf-AFP9qHMnqD

We Make the Secret Formula for Super-Productive Soils (It’s NOT Just One Thing!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uoC80TIhB8&lc=UgyocfGaTxizUNeYXcN4AaABAg

What Farmers Lost When Community Disappeared
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx2oPqX04Fw&lc=Ugx9Lge8fBX7YFK3R-R4AaABAg

What Is An Atom, And Why Does It Matter: The Science Beneath It All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAhp90LeMTo&lc=UgyPcSU5P-PlhrzRFt54AaABAg

Why Animals Prefer Roadside Plants Over Their Own Paddock
https://youtube.com/shorts/PIBZ18zl_1c?si=_8yxEkfFX5JEeKcu

Nature’s Genius: How Silicon Plants Heal the Land
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DaOlL42Ipeg

Chapter 12: The Meat Producer | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OMuQMEI_SM&lc=UgxkfWKtz7rDWTQlb9F4AaABAg

Inside EcoFarm Aotearoa: Soil, Water & Herbage Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8obE5ztj4M0&lc=Ugwxj2AGEZSex_8kpfR4AaABAg

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell

Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – ⁠⁠www.efa.nz⁠⁠

Our FREE E-Book:
⁠https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/⁠

Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=c2fde76b54c44e62⁠

Title: The EFA Comments Section Exploded - Ewan Answers everything
The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast

In this Q&A episode, Stephen and Ewan respond to listener questions covering soil minerals, silicon availability, nitrogen use, and electrical processes in farming systems. Grounded in observation and on-farm results, the conversation challenges conventional thinking and focuses on what consistently delivers healthier soils, resilient pasture, and better financial outcomes.

From cyanobacteria and mineral activation to fertiliser accountability and system feedback, this episode connects cause and effect across soil, plants, animals, and policy. Rather than reacting to symptoms, the discussion highlights the importance of accuracy, honesty, and addressing limiting factors within the system.

We discuss:
• Why observation and real-world results matter more than theory
• Silicon sources, activation, and the role of biology
• Nitrogen traceability, carbon loss, and diminishing returns
• How weeds and soil softness reveal underlying imbalance
• Reading land correctly to improve function and profitability

REFERENCE LINKS

The Incredible Survival Ability of Cyanobacteria
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/kbCiRFkWv1g

Why Cyanobacteria Are the Secret to Healthy Soil
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0j4DKar_UXU

Chapter 15: Shiny Stuff | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZBRl-yqAGs&lc=Ugy07RoaXoo46mA_umB4AaABAg

EMF Protection for Farms: The Power of Guardian Rocks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E8aChTA_HM&lc=UgzcsgZqxK0VEw3MMmZ4AaABAg

Chapter 10: Science | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwiPTcY-XeQ&lc=UgyPFdhoW9Gt6YLGvBB4AaABAg

Minerals For The Genetic Code
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIyYgAeemE0&lc=Ugx4DjRbk45z67LNJB94AaABAg

Why This One Change Made the Farm “Explode”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWg78wLu1hc&lc=Ugw9Oq_CEI_lSbOPA9Z4AaABAg

Chapter 9 Electrifying | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31aVtKoLx9M&lc=UgzccKrnTKZncIZgPyx4AaABAg

Inside EcoFarm Aotearoa: Late Spring Open Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTJ4qLKyrc&lc=UgzGdnoZMBBnsNR19Ml4AaABAg

Soil Works Like an Ocean!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzi0x4Jvf2w&lc=Ugxnjo7uYq-hjwZIc9J4AaABAg

Chapter 14: The Beach | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lguVMIkDiYU&lc=UgwXpzcHbitjkLS9yHd4AaABAg

Better Results by Feeding the Soil, Not Just the Animal
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/aZPtAWUlQrg

Cyanobacteria: The Hidden Engine Driving Your Soil
https://youtu.be/YLtSPsCslhg

The Fluoride Your Body Actually Needs
https://youtube.com/shorts/11tZPhhNd3k?si=ooXCxk-gR-RZzuPB

Learning Soil Biology Through Patterns, Testing & Experience
https://youtu.be/_JaCQmyFy5c

How Electricity Communicates
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BTk-sdbmkiY

Ancient Knowledge Behind the 12 Mineral Salts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdiXr72HX-I&lc=UgxCGNPw9j3Q450Lr5N4AaABAg

Winter on the Farm - The Real Start to the Season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j6lZTHDX2w&lc=UgyJk1zlIUYUV-yrKl94AaABAg

WEEDS PART 2: What They’re Really Telling You About Your Soil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgfAQlMTLE8&lc=UgzhgLM_ADhCm-Rapux4AaABAg

Nitrate Poisoning: Farmers Blamed, but What’s the REAL Cause?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChmTsaGJMwA&lc=UgxCCoCm0WQihJCsCDx4AaABAg`

The 1% Soil Change That Supercharges Your Farm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsJIdM9noOY&lc=Ugyk_OSZb866HTxnd_t4AaABAg

The Secret to Flavourful Beef
https://youtube.com/shorts/PSTsXFrOCiA?si=0R5qf-AFP9qHMnqD

We Make the Secret Formula for Super-Productive Soils (It’s NOT Just One Thing!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uoC80TIhB8&lc=UgyocfGaTxizUNeYXcN4AaABAg

What Farmers Lost When Community Disappeared
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx2oPqX04Fw&lc=Ugx9Lge8fBX7YFK3R-R4AaABAg

What Is An Atom, And Why Does It Matter: The Science Beneath It All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAhp90LeMTo&lc=UgyPcSU5P-PlhrzRFt54AaABAg

Why Animals Prefer Roadside Plants Over Their Own Paddock
https://youtube.com/shorts/PIBZ18zl_1c?si=_8yxEkfFX5JEeKcu

Nature’s Genius: How Silicon Plants Heal the Land
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DaOlL42Ipeg

Chapter 12: The Meat Producer | An EcoFarmers Discovery Audiobook Companion Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OMuQMEI_SM&lc=UgxkfWKtz7rDWTQlb9F4AaABAg

Inside EcoFarm Aotearoa: Soil, Water & Herbage Testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8obE5ztj4M0&lc=Ugwxj2AGEZSex_8kpfR4AaABAg

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell

Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – ⁠⁠www.efa.nz⁠⁠

Our FREE E-Book:
⁠https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/⁠

Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=c2fde76b54c44e62⁠

52 8

YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS5ENDU4Q0M4RDExNzM1Mjcy

The EFA Comments Section Exploded - Ewan Answers everything

Wed Feb 4th, 2026

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.

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.

91 8

YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS5GNjNDRDREMDQxOThCMDQ2

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

Wed Dec 3rd, 2025

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.

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

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.

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.

30 0

YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS4wOTA3OTZBNzVEMTUzOTMy

Soil Health: The Real Cure for Facial Eczema

Tue Nov 11th, 2025

What Really Saved My Cows

The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 5)

When 25-year-old Ewan Campbell faced a devastating facial eczema outbreak on his dairy farm, it nearly cost him everything. Cows were dying, money was vanishing, and the standard advice wasn’t working, until one old farmer’s suggestion changed everything: “Just put some lime on.”

In this episode, Ewan and Stephen revisit the story that shaped a lifetime of discovery. What began as a crisis became a turning point, revealing how soil health, not quick fixes, holds the true key to animal wellbeing and farm success.

We discuss:
• The shocking impact of facial eczema and how it nearly broke the farm
• The moment lime proved to be the unexpected cure
• Why soil balance and complete proteins matter more than chemicals
• How high nitrates and poor soil structure fuel disease
• Why prevention, not reaction, is the real solution
With honesty, humour, and hard-earned lessons, this episode unpacks how one farmer’s challenge became a breakthrough in understanding the deep connection between soil health, livestock vitality, and farming resilience.

Our FREE E-Book!
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=b4aa009579a34ac1⁠

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.

MUSIC CREDITS

"Mesmerize" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Almost Bliss" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

"Angel Share" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What Really Saved My Cows

The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 5)

When 25-year-old Ewan Campbell faced a devastating facial eczema outbreak on his dairy farm, it nearly cost him everything. Cows were dying, money was vanishing, and the standard advice wasn’t working, until one old farmer’s suggestion changed everything: “Just put some lime on.”

In this episode, Ewan and Stephen revisit the story that shaped a lifetime of discovery. What began as a crisis became a turning point, revealing how soil health, not quick fixes, holds the true key to animal wellbeing and farm success.

We discuss:
• The shocking impact of facial eczema and how it nearly broke the farm
• The moment lime proved to be the unexpected cure
• Why soil balance and complete proteins matter more than chemicals
• How high nitrates and poor soil structure fuel disease
• Why prevention, not reaction, is the real solution
With honesty, humour, and hard-earned lessons, this episode unpacks how one farmer’s challenge became a breakthrough in understanding the deep connection between soil health, livestock vitality, and farming resilience.

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.

MUSIC CREDITS

"Mesmerize" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Almost Bliss" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Angel Share" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

25 2

YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS41MjE1MkI0OTQ2QzJGNzNG

What Really Saved My Cows

Wed Nov 5th, 2025

Nitrate Poisoning: Farmers Blamed, but What’s the REAL Cause? | The EcoFarm Podcast (Ep. 2)

Is nitrate really the villain behind blue baby syndrome, sick livestock, and rising cancer rates, or have we been pointing fingers in the wrong direction? In this episode, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton dive into New Zealand’s nitrate crisis and ask the hard questions no one else will.
From Environment Canterbury’s recent “nitrate emergency” to the ongoing debate between professors and farmers, we unpack the real science behind nitrate poisoning, synthetic nitrogen use, and how it is impacting our water, soil, animals, and human health.

You’ll discover:
 - The difference between nitrate and ammonia in healthy soil systems.
 - Why livestock suffer from oxygen deprivation and what that means for methane production.
 - How synthetic nitrogen and irrigation create toxic imbalances in our food chain.
 - What “blue baby syndrome” reveals about our water quality
 - Real on-farm results showing how regenerative practices can fix the nitrate problem quickly.
 - This episode isn’t about blame. It’s about truth, responsibility, and practical solutions that start in the soil. If you care about clean water, healthy animals, and food you can trust, this conversation will change the way you see farming.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nz
Subscribe for weekly conversations that explore soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions.


#EcoFarmPodcast #NitratePoisoning #RegenerativeFarming #SoilHealth #BlueBabySyndrome #WaterQuality #SustainableFarming #FarmersVsScience #NitrogenPollution #NZFarming #EcoFarmAotearoa #HealthySoilsHealthyPeople

Nitrate Poisoning: Farmers Blamed, but What’s the REAL Cause? | The EcoFarm Podcast (Ep. 2)

Is nitrate really the villain behind blue baby syndrome, sick livestock, and rising cancer rates, or have we been pointing fingers in the wrong direction? In this episode, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton dive into New Zealand’s nitrate crisis and ask the hard questions no one else will.
From Environment Canterbury’s recent “nitrate emergency” to the ongoing debate between professors and farmers, we unpack the real science behind nitrate poisoning, synthetic nitrogen use, and how it is impacting our water, soil, animals, and human health.

You’ll discover:
- The difference between nitrate and ammonia in healthy soil systems.
- Why livestock suffer from oxygen deprivation and what that means for methane production.
- How synthetic nitrogen and irrigation create toxic imbalances in our food chain.
- What “blue baby syndrome” reveals about our water quality
- Real on-farm results showing how regenerative practices can fix the nitrate problem quickly.
- This episode isn’t about blame. It’s about truth, responsibility, and practical solutions that start in the soil. If you care about clean water, healthy animals, and food you can trust, this conversation will change the way you see farming.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nz
Subscribe for weekly conversations that explore soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions.


#EcoFarmPodcast #NitratePoisoning #RegenerativeFarming #SoilHealth #BlueBabySyndrome #WaterQuality #SustainableFarming #FarmersVsScience #NitrogenPollution #NZFarming #EcoFarmAotearoa #HealthySoilsHealthyPeople

46 14

YouTube Video UExybDNIOFZvLTB4TWNYUzZwbkdpZWZ0MU90eFBfbC13RS4yODlGNEE0NkRGMEEzMEQy

Nitrate Poisoning: Farmers Blamed, but What’s the REAL Cause?

Wed Oct 15th, 2025

Let’s work together to create the greatest soil on earth

Discover how working with nature can unlock the potential of your farm. By focusing on improving soil health and using sustainable practices, you can enhance crop yields, boost animal health, and create a resilient, thriving farm. Together, we’ll create a plan that fits your land’s needs and your vision for success.