Biodynamic agriculture is an approach to farming developed from lectures delivered by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. It shares the core prohibition on synthetic inputs with organic farming but extends further into the management of the farm as a closed ecological system, the use of specific fermented preparations, and scheduling of soil and crop work according to lunar and astronomical cycles. In the Czech Republic, biodynamic certification is issued by Demeter International through its Czech representative; the number of certified producers remains small — estimated at around 40–60 operations nationally — but growing.
The Farm as a Self-Sustaining Organism
The foundational concept in biodynamics is that a farm should function as a complete organism: producing most of its own fertility internally, maintaining a diversity of crops and livestock that support one another, and cycling organic matter back through compost rather than exporting it in the form of straw or manure. In practice, this means biodynamic farms typically carry both arable land and permanent grassland with grazing animals, even when the primary production focus is vegetables or wine.
The Czech biodynamic farms that have achieved long-term Demeter certification tend to be mixed operations in the 50–200 hectare range, often combining cattle or sheep with grain, hay, and horticultural production. Smaller market garden operations also hold Demeter certification, but the closed-system ideal is harder to realise at very small scale without purchasing certified organic inputs for fertility.
Biodynamic Preparations
Nine numbered preparations (BD 500–508) are central to biodynamic practice. Their application distinguishes biodynamic farming most clearly from standard organic farming:
- BD 500 (Horn manure) — Fresh cow manure packed into a cow horn and buried underground through winter. In spring it is extracted and a small quantity (60–100g per hectare) is stirred rhythmically in water for an hour before being sprayed on the soil surface. It is used to stimulate soil biology and root development.
- BD 501 (Horn silica) — Powdered quartz crystal packed into a cow horn and buried through summer. The resulting preparation is stirred in water and sprayed on growing crops, particularly in overcast or humid conditions to improve light utilisation and resist fungal disease.
- BD 502–507 (Compost preparations) — Six preparations derived from yarrow, chamomile, valerian, stinging nettle, oak bark, and dandelion. Each is inserted into a specific animal organ and composted over the winter. Small quantities are added to compost heaps to regulate fermentation and nutrient stabilisation.
- BD 508 (Horsetail tea) — A decoction of common horsetail (Equisetum arvense) used as a preventive spray against fungal diseases, particularly in wet seasons.
The preparations are commercially available from the Demeter association in Czechia, so farms without the infrastructure to produce their own can still use them in certified practice.
The Biodynamic Planting Calendar
Biodynamic farming schedules certain farm tasks according to the position of the moon relative to the zodiac constellations, divided into four categories corresponding to root, flower, leaf, and fruit/seed days. The practical interpretation is that root crops are best harvested on root days, grain on fruit days, and leafy vegetables on leaf days — with soil cultivation also timed accordingly.
The evidence base for lunar planting calendars is contested in mainstream agronomy. However, the calendar serves a practical function for biodynamic farmers: it provides a structured scheduling framework that ensures regular attention to soil preparations, compost turning, and field observation. Many Czech biodynamic practitioners report using the calendar as a planning aid rather than a deterministic guide.
The most widely used Czech-language biodynamic calendar is published annually by the Demeter Czech network and is available from agricultural supply cooperatives and some organic seed suppliers.
Demeter Certification Requirements
Demeter certification is additional to, and layered on top of, EU organic certification. A Czech farm applying for Demeter status must already hold or be actively pursuing EU organic certification. Additional Demeter-specific requirements include:
- Use of at least BD 500 and BD 501 preparations, documented in farm records.
- Incorporation of all six compost preparations (502–507) into compost heaps.
- A minimum livestock density, typically cattle, to provide manure for preparations.
- No use of human sewage sludge (also prohibited under EU organic rules).
- Specific rules on livestock husbandry: dehorning of cattle is not permitted under Demeter standards.
Annual Demeter inspection visits are coordinated with the organic control body inspection to reduce administrative burden on farmers. Fees are charged separately by Demeter. The full international standards document is publicly available at demeter.net.
Biodynamic Viticulture in South Moravia
The most commercially visible biodynamic sector in the Czech Republic is wine. A cluster of small to medium vineyards in South Moravia — particularly around Znojmo, Mikulov, and the Moravian Wine Region — have adopted biodynamic methods, in some cases without pursuing formal Demeter certification. The approach appeals to winemakers seeking to differentiate on quality and to respond to consumer interest in natural wine.
In practical terms, biodynamic viticulture means no herbicides under the vines (cover crops or mechanical weeding instead), minimal sulphur additions, and barrel ageing without fining agents or filtering in some cases. Czech biodynamic wine is exported in small quantities, primarily to Germany and Austria where the natural wine market is more developed.
Relationship Between Biodynamic and Organic Farming in Czechia
Of the approximately 4,800 certified organic operators in the Czech Republic, fewer than 100 are believed to hold concurrent Demeter certification. The majority of Czech organic farmers work within EU organic standards only, without the additional biodynamic layer. The two approaches coexist without tension: PRO-BIO Federation membership is open to both conventional organic and biodynamic producers, and the organisations collaborate on policy representation at the Ministry of Agriculture.
For a grounding in the organic certification context within which biodynamics operates in Czechia, see the companion article: Organic Farming in the Czech Republic: A Practical Overview.