Objectives in Biodynamic and Conventional Farming*

'Biodynamic' objectives

'Conventional' objectives

A. Organization

Ecological orientation, sound economy, efficient labor input

Economical orientation, mechanization, minimizing labor input

Diversification, balanced combination of enterprises

Specialization, disproportionate development of enterprises

Best possible self-sufficiency regarding manures and feed

Self-sufficiency is no objective; importation of fertilizer and feed

Stability due to diversification

Programme dictated by market demands

B. Production

Cycle of nutrients within the farm

Supplementing nutrients

Predominantly farm-produced manuring materials

Predominantly or exclusively bought-in fertilizers

Slowly soluble minerals if needed

Soluble fertilizers and lime

Weed control by crop rotation, cultivation, thermal

Weed control by herbicides (cropping, cultivation, thermal)

Pest control based on homeostasis and inoffensive substances

Pest control mainly by biocides

Mainly home-produced feed

Much or all feed bought in

Feeding and housing of livestock for production and health

Animal husbandry mainly oriented towards production

New seed as needed

Frequently new seed

C. Modes of influencing life processes

Production is integrated into environment, building healthy landscapes; attention is given to rhythm

Emancipation of enterprises from their environment by chemical and technical manipulation

Stimulating and regulating complex life processes by biodynamic preparations for soils, plants, and manures

No equivalent biodynamic preparations; use of hormones, antibiotics, etc.

Balanced conditions for plants and animals, few deficiencies need to be corrected

Excessive fertilizing and feeding, correcting deficiencies

D. Social implication; human values

National economy; optimum input : output ratio regarding materials and energy

National economy; poor input : output ratio regarding materials and input

Private economic : stable monetary results

Private economic : high risks, gains at times

No pollution

Worldwide considerable pollution

Maximum conservation of soils, water quality, wild life

Using up soil fertility, often erosion, losses in water quality and wild life

Regionalized mixed production, more transparent consumer-producer relationship; nutritional quality

Local and regional specialization, more anonymous consumer-producer relation; interested in grading standards

Holistic approach, unity between world conception and motivation

Reductionist picture of nature, emancipated, mainly economic motivation