Agriculture & Horticulture ... see topics in Information →

EM technology is a very low cost and effective microbial technology that can enhance your agricultural system in so many ways. Because of the diverse combination of microbes in EM, the application in agriculture can be on multiple levels and cover many different applications.

The most important application of EM is into the soil....and the most important asset on your farm is your soil.

EM works by getting the natural processes to function, the way nature intended. Because our soils generally are degraded (from the natural state), EM can help by activating and re-establishing the natural processes.

An EM program on your farm will lead to:

  • Improved soil structure, leading to better aeration and water holding capacity

  • Improved nutrient availability, leading to lower fertilizer requirements, higher fertilizer utilization of applied inputs

  • Lower disease pressure by developing a disease suppressive soil

  • Higher yields

  • Lower requirements for pesticides

  • Improved quality of produce and greater storage ability

  • Improved animal performance by creating healthy living environments

  • Restoring waterways and enhancing riparian areas

EM is not a one application product, it needs to be applied on a regular basis, along with good husbandry practices that allow recycling of crop residues to feed the microbes.

A good analogy between human health and our soil is this: for the reason that we take yoghurt for digestive health on a regular basis we also need to add EM to soil on a regular basis. This ensures that optimum levels are maintained. As the soil becomes nearer to fully restored then the need to reapply EM becomes less and less.

Further details are reported in other pages (see right hand menu). Do you want advice?

Testomonial

Vegetables at Kingston

“The sky’s the limit!” That’s the enthusiastic opinion of Tom Ek, an 80 year old farmer from Kingston, describing the potential of EM (effective microorganisms).

Tom, originally from Sweden, is a great advocate of EM. On his 8 ha property one of the most important uses is on his deer paddocks, where in one and a half years of EM use he has noticed a marked increase in pasture production, especially the growth of the clover. He sprays his paddocks 3-4 times a year using a spray unit mounted on the front of his four wheeler.

Other noticeably beneficial effects from using EM have been healthy and bountiful vegetables, “fantastic” strawberries, less dagging required on the sheep and healthy hens. The hens get freshly made EM in their water supply. Tom sells his produce and eggs to the Kingston Flyer, the tourist steam train.

Tom also uses biodynamic techniques and feels EM complements this practice. On his fruit trees (he has “apples you wouldn’t believe”) Tom applies EM regularly from the end of winter. This has kept all diseases at bay and the trees produce lovely fruit. Thoroughly spraying the ground as well as the foliage is important, says Tom.

Bokashi is also a “wonderful product”. Tom has had great results adding this to the vegetable garden. His compost has been great too, thanks to spraying the layers with EM.