Mission Statement

S.A.F.E. will provide Alroc Mineral Fertiliser to satisfy the community's need for a farm input which remineralises the soil without damaging the environment or the farmer. S.A.F.E. will supply Alroc Mineral Fertiliser at the lowest possible cost to the agricultural economy.

Alroc Mineral Fertiliser is registered as an Allowed Input for organic farms and gardens by the Biological Farmers of Australia
Allowable Input 10574AI

Alroc Mineral Fertiliser was manufactured in response to the need for society to move in a more ecological and sustainable direction.

We supply our top quality organic fertiliser at the lowest possible price to the agricultural economy.

TRY IT TODAY!

About Alroc Mineral Fertiliser

What is Alroc Mineral Fertiliser?

Alroc is a blend of crushed volcanic Basalt, Granite, Dolomite, Bentonite, Rock Phosphate, Rock Potash and Bio Coal Fines, chosen for their mineral content. The Bio Coal Fines have been composted for 10 years and are added as a dry, micro-fine dust to provide carbon for our soils in the form of organic matter.

S.A.F.E. produces 11 different mixes of Alroc which are Certified Organic by the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA).

Applying rock dust to the soil is not new. Lime, dolomite and gypsum are all commonly used. Alroc takes this traditional farming technique to a new level of sophistication, with the blend of rock types in the mix and a prilling process to make for ease of application with any spreader, hand or mechanical.

In addition to the natural Alroc mixes, S.A.F.E produces supablends. Supablends have been developed so that conventional farmers can reduce their dependency on high artificial fertiliser rates. Supablends are 70% Alroc mixed with conventional fertilisers. Alroc remineralises the soil and neutralises the acidity of the chemical fertilisers. S.A.F.E produces 10 different supablend mixes.

Alroc is suitable for home gardeners, commercial farmers, golf courses and councils - anybody interested in perfect plants and a safe planet. It comes in 20kg (home gardeners' blend), 40kg, 1 tonne bulka bags or bulk.

Back To The Future

Staff at Vudal University College have discovered by accident that crushed volcanic rock produces vibrant plant growth because it is rich in nutrients for the soil.

The University, renowned for producing some of Papua New Guinea's best agriculturalists, was situated about 40 kilometres away from the twin volcanic eruptions of Tavurvur and Vulcan which devastated Rabaul a few years ago. Volcanic dust was dumped on the university fields. Three weeks later senior technical officers from the Crops Department were surprised to discover enormous increases in crop growth.

Samples supplied to the National Analysis Laboratory revealed a long list of minerals and trace elements in the volcanic dust. It was discovered that the twin volcanoes were providing the soil with nutrients from powdered volcanic rock, just as eruptions have always done. It makes sense that soil derived from volcanic basalt is keenly sort after by farmers.

A report in the Sydney Morning Herald (29.3.97) seems to substantiate that basalt and granite rock minerals may hold the key to "health and longevity". Russell Beckett, a veterinary scientist and bio-chemical pathologist is working with a small team of earth scientists to determine why stock on farms near Cooma in Southern NSW, "more than double their 'normal' reproductive lives." The "...sheep and cattle seem to have what humanity has been seeking since the dawn of civilised history: the ability to live longer, stay healthy and continue reproducing ...". The only common factor on all the farms involved is that they are "on the basalt-granite interface" where the soil contains minerals from both rock types. Beckett says that "any discovery of what is enhancing the life of animals will apply to humans, including answers to degenerative diseases such as cancer." Alroc users keenly await further results from Dr. Beckett's team.

How does Alroc work?

Since soil forms from rock in the first place, poor, or overworked soil can be improved by adding specific types of rock-dust chosen for their mineral content. The volcanic Basalt, Granite, Dolomite, Rock Phosphate, Rock Potash and Bio Coal Fines in Alroc, slowly releases a complete spectrum of minerals and trace elements.

Micro-organisms decompose rock-dust from the surface of tiny Alroc particles and combine this with organic matter to form humus. The rejuvenated soil supports an enormous variety of soil organisms, some of which capture nitrogen from the air and make it available to plants. The plants grow nutrient-rich and withstand pest and disease infestations much better. Because the plants develop an extensive feeder root system, they are also better able to withstand dry spells.

By utilising the soil organisms, Alroc uses a natural renewable energy source to process nutrients for plants. Sustainable farming makes use of on-farm resources and natural biological processes.


Conventional Fertilisers

Conventional fertilisers work by providing predominantly three macro-nutrients:- nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium or (NPK), which are released directly to the plant from soluble salts. Plants absorb these elements hydroponically and grow quickly, but the plants suffer from micro-nutrient deficiencies which makes them susceptible to pest and disease invasion. It's not clear whether pest and disease organisms have a preference for unhealthy plants or whether their ravages just have a greater effect on these plants, but these plants will then need pesticide and fungicide support. Conventionally grown plants are more prone to suffer water stress, because the macro nutrients are so readily available, the plant's root system has no need to forage far. This underdeveloped root system often has difficulty in dry spells.

"...in the second half of the twentieth century the techniques of modern industrial farming, such as .....the extensive use of chemical fertilizers, have had a devastating impact on the soil." - David Suzuki, The Sacred Balance- Rediscovering our Place in Nature (1997)

Modern farming methods now deplete topsoil ".....16 to 300 times faster than it can be replaced. Worldwide soil erosion has caused farmers to abandon about 430 million hectares of arable land during the last 40 years, an area equivalent to about one-third of all present cropland." - Henry Kendall (Nobel Prize winner), and David Pimentel (population biologist)

According to a recent report, land degradation, caused mainly by conventional farming practices is Australia's most pressing problem. The current use of chemical fertilisers is unsustainable. The supply of soluble salts to the land, has created imbalances in soil chemistry, producing soil acidity problems and has polluted rivers and lakes with farm runoff. Because soil ecology is damaged by acidic fertilisers, soil structure deteriorates and erosion increases.

The Alroc Soil Remineralisation Program.

* Causes phenomenal growth of micro-organisms in the soil.
* Provides sustained-release of minerals, increasing their uptake by plants.
* Contributes to the building of humus complexes.
* Raises the moisture and nutrient storage capacity of the soil.
* Counters the effects of soil acidity.
* Improves soil structure.
* Reduces soil erosion.
* Improves resistance to insects, disease organisms, and fungus.
* Produces plants with an extensive feeder root system.
* Reduces watering cost and time, once established.
* Improves flavour and nutrient levels in produce.
* Increases shelf-life for fruit, vegetables and flowers.
* Grows organic produce which commands a premium price.
* Grows healthy animals.
* Reduces reliance on artificial fertilisers.
* Protects waterways from soluble salts.
* Protects farmers and families from chemical exposure.
* Saves farm input costs.
* Is an integral part of sustainable farming into the future.

Main News

Rock dust grows extra-big vegetables (and might save us from global warming). For a detailed report visit News and Views

Staff at Vudal University College, discovered by accident that crushed volcanic rock produces vibrant plant growth because it is rich in nutrients for the soil. The University, renowned for producing ..... See News and Views for more information.