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Case Study: Toad’s Farm Bega Valley

Case Study: Toad's Farm Bega Valley

Building Resilience and Animal Health from the Soil Up
For Ian “Toad” Heffernan at Toad’s Farm in the Bega Valley, transitioning to a biologically focused nutrition program with Ocean2Earth has delivered compounding benefits across the entire farming operation. Over the past few years, Ian has integrated Ocean2Earth products into his conventional system, resulting in stronger pastures, improved drought resilience, and noticeably healthier livestock.

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The “Salad Paddock” Trial

The mixed-species “salad paddock” — sown with chicory, plantain, ryegrass, lucerne, and clovers — is one of the most compelling examples of what Ocean2Earth’s biologically active program can do alongside conventional inputs. When the paddock was sown, just 80kg of Super Phosphate was applied. Rather than relying on heavy synthetic inputs, Toad complemented this with a blend of Ocean2Earth BAM (Biologically Activated Minerals), Seaspray Fish Hydrolysate, kelp, and molasses.

The result is a powerful demonstration of biological efficiency. Ocean2Earth’s products stimulate the soil biology that converts synthetic fertilisers far more effectively — meaning a small amount of Super Phosphate goes much further than it would on its own.

The biology also works to make the grass itself more nutrient-dense, delivering better feed quality with every grazing.

As of last weekend, the paddock has now supported 13 grazings and one silage cut — all at a fraction of the cost of a conventional program. Even through a prolonged dry spell, a follow-up application of Ocean2Earth compost and fresh chicken manure before rain saw the pasture bounce back rapidly.

“It performed out of sight, and it didn’t cost us a lot of money,” Toad notes. “It’s pretty exciting that we can get that much feed off one paddock at the price that we did.”

Healthier Soil, Healthier Cows

Beyond pasture growth, the most significant impact has been on animal health. By building healthier soils and producing more nutrient-dense grass, Toad’s Farm has seen a dramatic reduction in herd health issues.

“We’re not treating near as many cows with mastitis or foot rot,” Toad explains. “The build-up of healthy soils and healthier grass is definitely paying us dividends.”

A further demonstration of what healthy soil biology can achieve is the farm’s millet crop — grown entirely without synthetic inputs. After a prolonged dry spell, the millet responded strongly to rain, bouncing back with vigour that Toad attributes directly to the biological foundation built through Ocean2Earth’s program.

In a region prone to dry conditions, the improved soil biology is also helping the farm hold on longer during dry spells. For Toad, the shift to Ocean2Earth’s biologically active nutrition is proving that when you take care of the soil, the soil takes care of the herd.

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Case Study: Tow and Fert

Ocean2Earth Compost Extract

Case study: Tow and Fert
Delivering Biological Life at Scale

Ocean2Earth Compost Extract + Tow and Fert – A Partnership Built for the Paddock

Getting biological products onto large areas of farmland quickly, efficiently, and without damaging the very microbes you’re trying to deliver has always been a challenge. Ocean2Earth has solved this by partnering with Tow and Fert — one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of precision liquid application equipment — to bring Compost Extract to farm at scale.

What Is Ocean2Earth Compost Extract?

Ocean2Earth Compost Extract? Ocean2Earth Compost Extract is a biologically active liquid product that delivers billions of beneficial microbes and spores directly to the leaf surface and soil. When mixed with water, it colonises the plant and soil environment with carbon-cycling fungi, plant-beneficial bacteria, and actinomycetes — organisms that stimulate nutrient cycling, support plant resilience, and enhance the soil’s capacity to convert nutrients into plant-available forms.

Think of it as a cordial for your soil biology — a concentrated, carefully balanced blend that, once diluted and applied, brings your paddock to life.

The Application Challenge

Compost Extract is a living product. Once mixed, it needs to be applied within six hours to preserve maximum microbial activity. It contains ultra-fine particles and active biology that can block conventional nozzles or be damaged by high-shear pumps. Getting it onto large areas quickly — without compromising the product — requires the right equipment.

Why Tow and Fert?

The Tow and Fert MultiCrop 4000 is purpose-built for exactly this kind of application. With a 4,000-litre tank, a 24-metre spray width, and the capacity to cover 40 hectares per load, it allows farmers to apply Ocean2Earth Compost Extract across large areas in a single run — well within the six-hour application window.

Critically, the MultiCrop 4000’s patented boom circulation design and purpose-built stainless steel nozzles remain free from blockages even when applying the most difficult biological and ultra-fine particle mixes. This means the living biology in the Compost Extract is delivered intact, at the right rate, across every hectare.

Application rates of 50–500 litres per hectare give farmers the flexibility to tailor the program to their soil condition, pasture type, and budget.

The Result: Biological Nutrition at Farm Scale

The combination of Ocean2Earth Compost Extract and the Tow and Fert platform means that what was once a labour-intensive, small-scale process can now be rolled out across an entire grazing or cropping operation in a single day. Farmers are seeing improved soil microbial activity, better nutrient cycling, and stronger plant response — without the need for high synthetic inputs.

For Ocean2Earth, the Tow and Fert partnership represents a practical, on-farm solution that bridges the gap between biological science and real-world paddock application. When the right product meets the right machine, the results speak for themselves.

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Ocean2earth fish compost launched to Australian market

Ocean2earth Australia is dedicated to turning marine waste into a clean, green and fully-natural fish compost, potting mix and other high quality gardening products. Ocean2earth Australia fish compost is not just an ordinary compost. It is a living soil full of beneficial microbes and naturally-composted sea minerals. 100% Australian made, 100% natural and 100% environmentally friendly with no artificial additives. The company plans to expand its technology in the future to offer a full range of fish-based soil conditioning products such as liquid fertiliser and fertiliser pellets.

Ocean2earth Australia collects marine waste from boat ramps and seafood processors, plus other byproducts from industries such as forestry and food manufacturing, that would normally be deemed “waste” and transforms it into premium recycled gardening products.

Using an innovative natural composting process and a newly EPA-approved composting method, they produce a concentrated and highly effective compost which is odour free, 100% natural and has been proven to be extremely effective for improved growth and plant health, as well as improved soil health.

Ocean2earth is based in the NSW Bega Valley in a region renowned for its pristine coastal waters and clean, green environment. Ocean2earth’s long-term goal is to expand this innovative ‘compost not landfill’ concept right along the Australian coastline, creating jobs and contributing to a global war on waste and circular economy movement.

Ocean2earth fish compost is available in small, conveniently sized bags for the home and market gardener. It is a highly-concentrated compost and a little goes a long way. For example our 3L bags have enough compost for 3.65 square metres of soil.