Introduction:
In the municipality of Suhescun, in the Basque Country, Bixente Laby, a dairy sheep farmer and cheese producer, experimented with the global Eco Nature method on his pastures. His goal was to produce high-quality forage and gain autonomy.
Background:
Until now, the pastures were managed conventionally (NPK fertilizers, herbicides, etc.). The meadows were seriously degrading, becoming increasingly overrun by invasive weeds.
One particular plot was invaded by wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and dock (Rumex), and ryegrass could not establish itself. Mr. Laby had carried out a sowing in a certain month and year that did not even sprout.
He therefore decided to conduct a soil analysis as proposed by Eco Nature, in order to identify the imbalances causing these problems.
Results of the analyses:
The results showed that this clay-loam-sandy soil was unstable, with a medium to high risk of asphyxia, a low and unbalanced CEC value, high levels of potash and magnesium, and a calcium level that was too low.
The bioelectronic coordinates showed that the soil was too oxidized, with too low a pH, and weak conductivity, indicating low biological activity.
Protocol implemented:
- October 2022: On sowing with a Swiss mixture, application of SW Sol at a rate of 1 liter per hectare.
- December 2022: Application of 2 tons of CaCO₃ over the 2.3 ha of the plot.
- February 2023: Application of 1 liter per hectare of SW Sol, just before a period of rain.
- March 2023: Application of 1 liter per hectare of SW Protéo and 100 g of SW Plantes, followed by another 1 liter per hectare of SW Sol.
No herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer, or organic amendment was used.
The plot looks completely different now, and the Swiss mixture has clearly overtaken the weeds, as shown by the comparative photos between March 2022 and March 2023:
March 2022 vs. March 2023:
Yield:
In 2022, only 21 wrapped bales were harvested, with an average weight of 650 kg, i.e., 13.6 tons.
This year, as of May 1, 15 bales had already been harvested, with an average weight of 750 kg, i.e., 11.2 tons.