Inside EcoFarm Aotearoa: Late Spring Open Day

The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 11)

Many farmers are feeling the pressure of rising fertiliser costs, tightening margins, and systems that no longer seem to deliver what they promise. In this Late Spring Open Day, Stephen and Ewan are joined by farmers, orchardists, and lifestyle block owners who are actively questioning the status quo and exploring what happens when you stop following the rulebook and start listening to the land.

Across paddocks, fences, and soil pits, the conversation moves from conventional inputs to biology, minerals, energy, and observation. This episode captures real questions, lived experiences, and practical insights from people transitioning away from chemical dependency and toward systems that build soil, support animals, and improve resilience over time.

We discuss:

• Why many farmers are rethinking fertiliser, sprays, and conventional advice
• How soil biology, minerals, and energy influence pasture, weeds, and stock health
• The role of silicon, calcium, copper, and carbon in building functional soils
• Why feeding the soil changes animal performance, meat quality, and resilience
• How observation, testing, and curiosity can replace costly guesswork

This episode isn’t about perfection or overnight change. It’s about learning, questioning, and building systems that work with nature rather than against it, one paddock, one decision, and one season at a time.

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

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⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=4caf7169d6eb4d97⁠

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