With reports of dire weather to the north and east of Wales, in the Vale of Glamorgan it was blue sky and warm sunshine. About 25 people turned up at Peter Davies' farm, to hear the vet Geoff Johnson introduce the subject of homoeopathy and talk about its role in animal health plans. 

The meaning of the word disease was Geoff's introduction, tracing the history of 'old' diseases which were generally contagious and often caused by overcrowding, poverty and poor nutrition to the 'new' diseases like asthma, eczema, thyroid dysfunction, etc., often caused by stress, environmental factors, genetics or a breakdown of the auto immune system. 

Geoff stressed that the treatment of homoeopathy centred around the individual and to prove the point, the group visited the cattle, in loose housing at Pitcot Farm, where we split into groups of four. Peter Davies moved the stock around (see left) and we practised our observational skills and our ability to identify individual characteristics. We observed the attitude of the individual cattle, their disposition, their reactions to moving and their physical characteristics, and then discussed our findings. Pixie the pony was also subjected to our observational skills and surrounded by the group, a similar exercise and general discussion took place - a homoeopathic remedy was prescribed and we will report on her progress!

Following an excellent lunch, thanks to Ros Davies, we went back into the classroom where Geoff talked about using homoeopathy and how to start. He suggested that there were four levels of treatment: Give a remedy to match the symptom: Use the constitutional approach: Treat what caused the disease: Use a nosode - a remedy made from the disease. To include homoeopathic remedies in health plans, he gave examples of problems encountered by a sheep from birth to all the problems that it will encounter during its life. 

Geoff is an enthusiastic proponent of homoeopathy and is an excellent communicator of the benefits and successes, whilst also being happy to answer many questions. Some farmers have requested a more advanced homoeopathic course and we are considering this possibility, so if anyone is interested in this, please contact Carolyn Wacher at Organic Centre Wales 01970 621852.

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Report by Carolyn Wacher

For details of other farm events see our events page or contact the organic helpline on  01970 622100.