Bob,
The Azomite form I use is the rock dust.
I had used Azomite as a non-caking agent in my poultry feed. I put heaps
of it in my general fertilizer mix which I use in all my
plantings. Soil Food Web suggested using rock dust as
a surface for the fungi to stick to, so I used it in my brew. Now I’ll
add
it to the nutrients and mix it with the compost several days before I brew,
as you suggested. I bought the
Azomite from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply for $14.95 for a 44 # bag. This is their website:
http://www.groworganic.com/
Some local quarry granite dust will go in the next brew for the same
purpose.
Judi
Azomite - A Source of Minerals & Trace Elements
Azomite is the name of a special rock in Utah. Early this century geological prospector Rollin Anderson
found deposits of montmorillonite clay in a valley
south of Salt
Lake City.
U.S. Bureau of Mines analysis showed the clay is similar to Chilean/Peruvian caliche rocks from which much of the world's nitrate was mined.
Anderson ground montmorillonite as fine as
possible, then put it in his garden. Results were amazing and nearly immediate.
Minerals in Azomite are necessary to optimal metabolism in living things.
Ground to dust, minerals are small enough to pass through cell walls of
organisms.
Azomite is natural mined rock from a specific volcanic
deposit in central Utah marketed as a free-flowing, less than 200 mesh,
tan to pink powder with a density of 48 lbs./cubic foot. Shipped
in bulk ($350/ton) or 40 lb. paper sacks ($19). No additives, synthetics
or fillers. Mineralogically, Azomite is rhyolitic tuff breccia.
Chemically, it's hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate.
U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR 582.2729) lists it as
"anti-caking agent." It's "generally recognized as safe"
(GRAS) by FDA for feeds up to 2% by weight. Odorless,
insoluble (1%). Azomite has 67 major and trace elements, so its name
means "A to Z Of Minerals Including Trace
Elements." Typical analysis shows every element that's beneficial to
plants and animals, and other elements (micro-nutrients) scientists believe
essential. Any contaminants are within American Feed Control Officials
guidelines.
Azomite was mined since 1942 as soil amendment and livestock
feed additive. Cattlemen report faster weight gain, improved feed efficiency,
upgraded meat quality, greater disease resistance, reduced
mortality. Dairymen report increased milk, higher butterfat. Poultry producers
report enhanced egg fertility and shell quality. Crop farmers report improved
growth, health, size. Potatoes report 19-60% increase
in yield; sugar beets are larger, with higher sugar content. Citrus growers
report improved recovery from decline, healthier trees. In 1988 Peak Minerals,
Inc. acquired the deposit and initiated accredited research in Colorado, Utah, Florida, and Georgia. Studies in broiler chicken, mycotoxin,
citrus, and crops indicate benefits and are available by request. Currently approved for organic farming in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
Research recommends 300-600 lbs./acre broadcast, or 2 lbs./10 sq. ft in
gardens. Users are testing row and foliar application.
-----Original
Message-----
From: Robert Norsen
[mailto:bnbrew@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, July 14,
2003 9:19 AM
To: compost_tea@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [compost_tea] NOFC -
Compost Tea
Your recipe looks good What is Azormite? Bob