Hawke and Weaver have discovered that Bokashi provides a remarkably cost-effective “soil superfood,” delivering superior benefits compared to traditional solid fertilizers at a comparable price point. Last year alone, their farm produced an impressive 120 tonnes of Bokashi. This substantial volume was created using readily available agricultural by-products such as chicken manure, pig manure, sawdust, and even milk powder sweepings, which notably enrich the mix with vital nitrogen and protein for the fermenting microorganisms.

The transformative impact of Bokashi on their land has been evident. The farmers have observed dramatically improved pasture growth and significantly healthier livestock on the approximately 40 hectares where the Bokashi was applied. A crucial long-term benefit is the enhanced drought resilience of the land, attributed to the development of deeper grass roots, which improves water retention and overall soil health. This has positive implications for dairy economics and farm sustainability.

Maintaining the integrity of their Bokashi production, Hawke and Weaver are meticulous about sourcing their raw materials, strictly avoiding contaminants like residential lawn clippings due to potential herbicide residues. The anaerobic fermentation process, central to Bokashi, is highly efficient, resulting in virtually no material loss during conversion. The finished product is a rich, chocolate-brown, soil-like substance teeming with beneficial worms, indicative of its vibrant microbial activity.