Nitrate Poisoning: Farmers Blamed, but What’s the REAL Cause?

The EcoFarm Podcast (Ep. 2)

Is nitrate really the villain behind blue baby syndrome, sick livestock, and rising cancer rates, or have we been pointing fingers in the wrong direction? In this episode, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton dive into New Zealand’s nitrate crisis and ask the hard questions no one else will.

From Environment Canterbury’s recent “nitrate emergency” to the ongoing debate between professors and farmers, we unpack the real science behind nitrate poisoning, synthetic nitrogen use, and how it is impacting our water, soil, animals, and human health.You’ll discover: - The difference between nitrate and ammonia in healthy soil systems.

- Why livestock suffer from oxygen deprivation and what that means for methane production.

- How synthetic nitrogen and irrigation create toxic imbalances in our food chain.

- What “blue baby syndrome” reveals about our water quality

- Real on-farm results showing how regenerative practices can fix the nitrate problem quickly.

- This episode isn’t about blame. It’s about truth, responsibility, and practical solutions that start in the soil. If you care about clean water, healthy animals, and food you can trust, this conversation will change the way you see farming.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan CampbellPowered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nz

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