From bubbling brews to biological boosts for paddocks, farmers and small landholders gathered at Newmerella on March 19, 2026 to explore the growing world of on-farm biofertilisers and fermentation-based farming products.
The hands-on “Brews and Biofertilisers” workshop, presented by David Hardwick from Soil Land Food, attracted 26 participants keen to learn practical and affordable ways to improve soil biology and plant health.
Throughout the day, participants learned the science behind fermentation systems and biological products, including the difference between aerobic and fermentation products, how fermentation works, and how biological inputs can support broader farm management systems.
The workshop included practical demonstrations where participants made a range of cultures and biofertilisers, including EM brews, hydrolysates and fermentation compost products. Everyone took starter cultures home to continue experimenting and making their own products on farm.
For many attendees, the workshop removed the mystery around biological brewing.
“It’s not as hard as I thought to make,” one participant said.
Another commented that the workshop “gives me confidence to make my own and experiment.”
Interest in biological farming continues to grow as producers look for practical ways to improve soil function, reduce input costs and support healthier crops and pastures. Discussions during the workshop reinforced that biofertilisers work best when combined with healthy soils, good ground cover, balanced nutrition and sound farm management. Used as foliar sprays or soil amendments, these products are designed to enhance the biological activity already occurring in paddocks.
Samples of the brews created during the workshop have now been sent away for testing to assess their microbial activity and quality. A follow-up practical application workshop is also being planned to demonstrate how the products can be applied effectively in paddock situations.
One of the key take-home messages from the workshop was the relatively low cost of producing biological products on farm.
Workshop examples showed that:
– LAB culture can produce approximately 1000 litres for around $441
– KAB culture can produce 200 litres for approximately $110
– Biofert P Plus with micronutrients can produce 1000 litres for around $750
– Hydrolysates can produce 200 litres for approximately $243
– Equipment costs totalled approximately $232.65
Fortunately, the host farmer had some equipment already and a tractor for the hard work, with room for storing the product. Subtracting these factors, the total estimated setup and production cost across the demonstrated products was approximately $1,776.65, highlighting the potential affordability of producing biological inputs on the farm.
Building on the strong interest in soil health and regenerative farming, Far East Victoria Landcare is also preparing to host Graeme Sait in August 2026. Through Nutrition Farming, Graeme Sait is internationally recognised for helping farmers improve profitability, soil health and resilience through practical nutrient management and biological farming strategies.
David Hardwick is expected to return to the region in February 2027 for further training opportunities.
If interested in upcoming workshops or speaker events, please contact Emma Orgill at the Landcare office in Orbost.
These projects were made possible through funding from the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator and TopSoils Project. The projects are supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
