In recent years, the term "biodynamic" or "biodynamic agriculture" has rapidly gained mainstream recognition. This is particularly true in the wine industry, where many globally acclaimed producers have adopted this approach, and you may have encountered it frequently.
However, due to its distinctive characteristics, biodynamic agriculture is often subject to biased information, some of which lacks accuracy. Today, we will address the fundamental question "What is biodynamics?" by exploring three key questions.
Is Biodynamics Simply a Winemaking Method?
If you search for "biodynamic" on Google, the top results are predominantly wine-related, with many headlines featuring "biodynamic wine." This might lead you to believe that biodynamics is somehow wine-specific, but this is actually incorrect. Biodynamics is one type of farming method classified under organic agriculture.
Modern farming methods can be broadly categorized into two types: conventional farming and organic farming. Conventional farming (conventional agriculture) refers to commonly practiced agricultural production methods. It does not reject the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or machinery, with the primary goal of enhancing production efficiency. In contrast, organic farming (organic agriculture) restricts the use of inorganic substances such as chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides, aiming to promote and strengthen the health of agricultural ecosystems. Simply put, it can be described as a farming method with lower environmental impact. The terms "bio" and "biologic" that are frequently used refer to this organic farming approach.
Even organic farming does not necessarily reject all pesticide use entirely. While the options are more limited than in conventional farming, pesticides are still used with restrictions on types and quantities. On the other hand, biodynamic farming and natural farming approaches seek to further reduce environmental impact and respect natural forces by imposing even stricter rules than those found in organic farming.
Biodynamic farming refers to organic cultivation that adheres to ecological principles while striving to be more holistic (comprehensive/integrated) and ethical (moral).
The Global Expansion of Biodynamic Farming
The expansion of so-called "bio" or organic cultivation worldwide is well documented. Biodynamic farming plays a significant role in this expansion of organic cultivation.
When adopting biodynamic farming, while not mandatory, many farmers seek certification from accrediting organizations. According to Demeter, the world's largest biodynamic certification organization, over 200,000 hectares of farmland worldwide had obtained certification as of 2019. Germany is the leading country in biodynamic farming adoption, accounting for 34% of certified area, followed by Australia at 20% and France at 6%.
As evidenced by wine-related results appearing at the top of biodynamic searches, it is not uncommon for wineries to adopt biodynamic practices. Focusing specifically on vineyards, 15,000 hectares worldwide had obtained Demeter certification as of 2019. This increased to 17,079 hectares by 2021, representing growth of just under 12%. Considering that obtaining biodynamic certification requires a mandatory transition period spanning several years, this is by no means a low growth rate. However, the fact that vineyard cultivation accounts for only about 8.5% of Demeter-certified farmland area demonstrates that biodynamic farming is not limited to wine production.
Globally, organically certified vineyards cover 454,000 hectares, representing approximately 6.4% of total vineyard area. This means that as of 2021, biodynamically certified vineyards represented just under 4% of organically certified vineyards and approximately 0.2% of total global vineyard area.
Not only is the cultivated area increasing, but the number of certified wineries is also growing. As of 2019, 760 wineries in Europe alone had obtained Demeter certification, with approximately half (375 wineries) being French. By 2021, 1,012 wineries worldwide had obtained Demeter certification. While Germany leads in overall Demeter certification rates, France demonstrates overwhelming presence when limited to wine production alone.
Is Biodynamics a Spiritual Farming Method?
One element that characterizes biodynamic farming is the existence of calendars related to celestial bodies, particularly lunar cycles, known as "biodynamic calendars." Additionally, the use of preparations (also called "preparations") - highly distinctive practices involving cow manure stuffed into cow horns, buried in soil for specific periods to ferment, then dissolved in rainwater and sprayed on fields - is mandatory for claiming biodynamic status. Such practices, which may appear similar to religious rituals, often contribute to perceptions of biodynamics as being more spiritual in nature.
The foundation of biodynamic farming lies in anthroposophy, a philosophical approach developed by Rudolf Steiner, a thinker born in what is now Croatia, which was part of the Austrian Empire at the time. Steiner expanded anthroposophical thinking and applied it to architecture, medicine, pharmacy, and education, among other fields. As part of this expansion, he also brought these ideas to agriculture. It is well known today that his agricultural lectures in his later years marked the beginning of biodynamic farming.
What is less well known, however, is the title of these agricultural lectures. The lecture series was titled "Spiritual foundations for the renewal of Agriculture" (original German: geisteswissenschaftliche Landwirtschaft). Since it was developed from anthroposophical philosophy, the foundations of biodynamic farming as described by Steiner were indeed very spiritual in nature.
It should be noted that the creation of calendars showing the relationship with lunar cycles that characterize biodynamics was not Steiner's work. Steiner's lectures were given nine months before his death in 1925, but the biodynamic calendar was created in 1963. It was developed by Maria Thun based on Steiner's proposed ideas, building upon a sowing calendar created by Franz Rulni. Incidentally, the name "biodynamic farming" was also not used by Steiner himself; this name was adopted in 1930.
What is the Biodynamic Calendar?
According to Maria Thun, lunar cycles include both times that promote plant growth and times that inhibit it. The waning moon period is defined as when plant energy is concentrated in underground parts, making it ideal for planting as roots establish better. Conversely, the waxing moon period is when energy is concentrated in above-ground parts, making it unsuitable for planting but suitable for activities like grafting.
The biodynamic calendar classifies plants into four categories: root vegetables, leafy vegetables, flowers, and fruits. Each category is assigned symbols representing earth, water, light/air, and warmth/fire, with three constellations allocated to each. The biodynamic calendar indicates which types of plants should receive which activities at which times by linking these symbolic constellation arrangements with lunar movements.
Even after Maria's death, this calendar continues to be published through a publishing house run by her son and daughter-in-law. In 2016, Maria's son, Matthias Thun, published a book suggesting optimal wine drinking times based on Maria's biodynamic calendar. This publication may have strengthened the connection between the wine industry and biodynamics.
Eight Types of Preparations Used
Another characteristic element of biodynamic farming is preparations. There are eight types of preparations, numbered from 500 to 507. Preparations are said to stimulate soil nutrient cycling, improve plant photosynthesis, and promote compost transformation. The application of preparations is also explained as influencing plant hormones.
There are two main methods for using preparations: preparations 500 and 501 are applied directly to fields, while preparations 502 through 507 are primarily used in compost. The numbers and their ingredients are as follows. While each ingredient must be placed in dead cow horns, intestines, deer bladders, or livestock skulls, and specific storage periods determined by lunar cycles and seasons for each preparation must be observed according to prescribed methods, such details are omitted here.
- 500: Cow manure compost
- 500P: Preparation 500 mixed with preparations 502-507
- 501: Silica
- 502: Yarrow flowers (Achillea millefolium)
- 503: Chamomile flowers (Matricaria recutita)
- 504: Stinging nettle shoots (Urtica dioica)
- 505: Oak bark (Quercus robur)
- 506: Dandelion flowers (Taraxacum officinale)
- 507: Valerian extract (Valeriana officinalis)
When using these preparations, they are dissolved in rainwater, but specific regulations require stirring in a vortex pattern, changing the stirring direction at regular intervals, and continuing for one hour.
Are Biodynamic Wines Natural Wines?
If biodynamics represents the current trend in grape cultivation, then natural wine represents the trend in winemaking. Natural wines, also called "natural wines," are generally premised on using grapes grown through organic farming methods as raw materials.
However, there is no requirement that natural wines must use grapes cultivated through biodynamic farming methods. The focus here extends only to whether organic farming methods were used. Some recent natural wines lack even this framework, so there is no reason why grapes for natural wine production must be grown using biodynamic methods.
Conversely, using grapes grown through biodynamic farming as raw materials does not necessarily result in natural wine. While it would be unlikely to find producers who cultivate grapes according to biodynamic principles while taking an "anything goes" approach to winemaking, it is not uncommon to find cases where grape cultivation follows biodynamic methods while winemaking employs techniques within the range permitted for organic wines.
What must be clarified here is that organic wines, biodynamic wines, and natural wines each have different regulations established by their respective associated organizations, and decisions about grape cultivation methods and winemaking frameworks are fundamentally independent.
The primary significance of maintaining consistency between cultivation and winemaking rules is whether certification marks can be displayed on wine labels. For example, if cultivation follows biodynamic methods while winemaking follows organic wine standards, depending on the specific winemaking techniques used, it may become impossible to display biodynamic certification marks on the wine label. In other words, biodynamic wine refers to wine that displays certification marks (such as Demeter's mark) on its label by producing both grapes and wine within the range of methods approved by the certification organization.
It should be noted that, for example, Demeter's biodynamic wine certification standards differ in some respects from commonly mentioned natural wine standards. Therefore, not all wines displaying biodynamic certification marks are necessarily natural wines.
At the time of writing this article, there are no clear regulations for wines called natural wines or "natural wines." Unlike organic wines or biodynamic wines, there are no certification organizations operating on a global scale, meaning that in some sense, any wine can claim to be a natural wine. Therefore, depending on how the natural wine category is defined, it is not impossible for all biodynamic wines to fall within the natural wine category.
Moreover, not limited to biodynamic cases, many producers exist who deliberately choose not to obtain certification despite conducting both cultivation and winemaking according to regulatory standards, believing that being bound by organizational regulations could risk reducing wine quality. While their wines cannot be called biodynamic wines due to lack of certification, their content is indeed biodynamic. Considering such cases, it is necessary to think about "what constitutes biodynamic wine."
Summary: Is Biodynamics Truly Effective?
Biodynamic farming attracts attention partly because its perspectives on environmental impact reduction and ecosystem diversification align with modern sustainability orientations. However, it can also be described as a farming method with extremely philosophical aspects.
For example, it is known that lunar cycles exert some influence in the natural world. However, it is said that even certified farmers using biodynamic methods often prioritize the condition of their crops in actual operations, not considering lunar cycles. While Demeter regulations mandate the use of preparations, they do not require adherence to biodynamic calendars. Regarding these preparations, extensive debate continues in the scientific community about their effectiveness.
Multiple verification results regarding preparation effectiveness have already been published. However, no clear conclusion has yet been reached regarding whether biodynamic farming is truly an effective agricultural method. Currently, biodynamic farming exists in a state where demand has increased while evaluations have gained momentum without clear evidence of effectiveness. Such demand has also begun to create pressure on producers to transition to biodynamic methods.
While it remains unclear whether biodynamics truly delivers high-quality results, it is clearly understood that transitioning to biodynamics increases production costs. However, whether there is genuine demand for higher-priced crops produced according to biodynamic principles is not necessarily guaranteed. Similar to the natural wine example, price increases can only be passed on to certain consumers.
If production costs increase while sales prices cannot be raised, this cannot be considered sustainable for producers.
Are the preparations used in biodynamics truly effective? Is there meaning in investing more costs in them? And can truly sustainable management be achieved as a result? Before blindly believing that biodynamics is sustainable and jumping on this popular trend, careful consideration of these questions is essential.
Results of currently reported preparation effectiveness verification can be viewed in articles included in our online circle or magazine. Those interested may consider joining our circle or subscribing to our magazine.
