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[compost_tea] Re: Large scale CT production for farm use



--- In compost_tea@yahoogroups.com, "bgunzy" <bgunzy@n...> wrote:
> Thanks for the replies.  I agree, ACT by itself doesn't appear to 
> rebuild OM, but that in combination with cover crops would help do 
> the job.  Wouldn't ACT help break down existing residue better than 
> if left alone (assuming the present microbial activity is low)?
> 
> Here's one idea I've thought about: on soybeans going to corn, 
> broadcast spread a cover crop like winter wheat, then incorporate 
it 
> and the ACT at the same time with a disk or field cultivator.  In 
the 
> spring, disk or field cultivate out the wheat, 
<><>>><><><<><<<<><<<<<<><>>>>>><<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>
If you let the wheat get very big you'll have to plow it. How much 
residue can you're bean and milo planter handle?  I disced wheat 
stubble and grass trash this spring cause I didn't want to plow and 
the field cultivator kept plugging.  With the somewhat wet spring we 
had (KS) I have pig weeds as big as the milo now.  Next year I'm 
probably plowing the milo ground.  Dennis





again while applying 
> and incorporating ACT.  Spray ACT again in the summer as a foliar 
> application.  A similar practice for corn going to soybeans as 
well.  
> Doing this would give the ACT something to work on in the spring, 
as 
> well as helping break down residue in the fall, as well as protect 
> against mid-season outbreaks.  Biggest question is if I can take 
out 
> the growing wheat plants before planting the desired field crop.  I 
> would consider wheat as a field crop on some farms, and I'd improve 
> the seeding method (drilling instead of broadcasting) for that 
> situation as well.
> 
> 
> --- In compost_tea@yahoogroups.com, "ddrunyon" <ddrunyon@y...> 
wrote:
> > -
> > Hello ! I have started using (ACT) on my corn this year. I'am 
> > appling 
> > 2 gal per acre in the seed trench( it requires time). I have been 
> > watching it and will know more after harvest. I do not use any 
> > insecticides, some herbicides(Hey don't jump on me yet). I'am not 
> > 100% converted. But I know that I will not return back to where I 
> > was before! If you want to increase OM  start a green crop 
program 
> > and do not stop for 5 years. It will take that long to show 
> > anything, after all this did not happen overnight! 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > - In compost_tea@yahoogroups.com, "Timothy Bolander" 
> > <tim.bolander@t...> wrote:
> > > Hi Bgunzy,
> > > My experience is that ACT definitly promotes goals 2, 3 and 4. 
> > Goal 5 is less obvious. 
> > > ACT, by itself, does not increase the OM in a soil. 
> > > Selected compost crops, production of a tested, high quality 
> > compost
> > > Spread as needed and use ACT to conserve and increase the % of 
OM 
> > in the soil.
> > > Use compost tea only in non-composted fields. 
> > > 
> > >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> > >   From: bgunzy 
> > >   To: compost_tea@yahoogroups.com 
> > >   Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 4:53 PM
> > >   Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Large scale CT production for farm 
> use
> > > 
> > > 
> > >   Here are my goals with using ACT:
> > >   1) Rebuild OM in eroded soils
> > >   2) Create healthier plants (measurable in Brix) that have 
> higher 
> > >   quality output
> > >   3) Greater protection from diseases and insects
> > >   4) Balance soil nutrients to reduce fertilizer inputs
> > >   5) Reduce weed pressure
> > > 
> > >   I've studied the writings of Charles Walters, as he quotes 
> > Albrecht 
> > >   and others, and find a lot of interesting information there.  
I 
> > think 
> > >   there are ways to improve our land without resorting to the 
> > latest 
> > >   and greatest products from Monsanto.  
> > > 
> > >   Compost - we have cattle, so manure from the dry lot is 
> > available 
> > >   (albeit not enough to spread on all of our acres).  We also 
> have 
> > >   higher carbon sources, like straw, to mix with the manure.  
> What 
> > I 
> > >   like about ACT is that the benefits of a relatively small 
> amount 
> > of 
> > >   high quality compost can be applied to a greater area.
> > > 
> > >   Thanks.
> > > 
> > >   BGunzy
> > > 
> > >   --- In compost_tea@yahoogroups.com, "Timothy Bolander" 
> > >   <tim.bolander@t...> wrote:
> > >   > One thousand acres is not the question. It is what do you 
> want 
> > >   accomplished and do you have the right compost for the job. I 
> > have 
> > >   good brewer designs and the know how. Let me know if you are 
of 
> > >   interested
> > >   > 
> > >   > Sincerely,
> > >   > 
> > >   > Timothy Bolander
> > >   >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> > >   >   From: bgunzy 
> > >   >   To: compost_tea@yahoogroups.com 
> > >   >   Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 5:57 AM
> > >   >   Subject: [compost_tea] Large scale CT production for farm 
> use
> > >   > 
> > >   > 
> > >   >   Hello,
> > >   > 
> > >   >   I'm new to CT, but am starting to believe that it has the 
> > >   potential 
> > >   >   to provide great benefits to our crops.  Does anyone have 
> > any 
> > >   >   experience or knowledge of CT being used on a larger 
scale, 
> > say 
> > >   for a 
> > >   >   1000 acre farm or so?  I am a corn/soybean/alfalfa farmer 
> in 
> > SC 
> > >   Iowa, 
> > >   >   and would like to start creating my own tea for on-the-
farm 
> > use, 
> > >   if 
> > >   >   possible.  I have the CT manual on order, so that may 
> > provide 
> > >   some 
> > >   >   answers, but just wondering if anyone had done this on a 
> > larger 
> > >   >   scale, and if so, what lessons have you learned?
> > >   > 
> > >   >   Thanks,
> > >   > 
> > >   >   BGunzy
> > >   > 
> > >   > 
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