[compost_tea] Re: Compost vs Liquid Compost Extract application

From: mikethewormguy <mikethewormguy_at_aol.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 16:35:52 -0000

Tim,

To give you some background.....the 4 ton compost application figure is the=
 application amount required by the land owner to be applied by the farmer =
using their land. So we did not choose the 4 ton compost rate.

My goal is to provide an alternative, via LCE, to the 4 ton/acre compost ap=
plication.

Later in the year we will be doing some further trials using microbially en=
riched wood charcoal (i.e. biochar) in combination with LCE as an alternati=
ve to compost application. For now we are starting with LCE.

There is no right or wrong approach, only the one that works.....


Mike Flynn
Green Quest LLC
BioSpecific LLC






> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "mikethewormguy" <mikethewormguy_at_> wr=
ote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > We are in the process of setting up an agricultural trial comparing the=
 application of compost vs liquid compost extract. The trial will take pla=
ce this spring in California. The size of the trial will be on an acerage =
scale.
> >
> > My hypothesis is : " Liquid Compost Extract application will be equal =
to or better than a Compost application based upon plant response "
> >
> > At this time, we are looking at applying 4 tons of a commercially avail=
able dairy manure based compost per acre vs 50 gallons of liquid compost ex=
tract, per acre (LCE). The LCE will be made from a variety of compost and v=
ermicompost types. Both these applications will be done 45 days prior to s=
eeding.
> >
> > I am purposely using the different compost types for LCE because I can.=
 One of the strengths of making liquid compost extracts is that you can mak=
e small amounts of specialty compost(s) and vermicompost specifically for m=
aking LCE.
> >
> > In regard to data collection, we are going to let the plants/crop tells=
 us which application they like best. As far as I know, plants always tell=
 the truth, as well as, this is what the farmer is interested in.
> >
> > In addition, we are looking at the total cost of the compost applicatio=
n vs the total cost of LCE application.
> >
> > Keep in mind that the LCE feedstock preparation and the extraction proc=
ess is being done onsite, at the farmer's location vs trucking in compost f=
rom another location.
> >
> > We are not necessarily trying to reduce the farmer's costs but provide =
them more value. Value is defined by the farmer but produced by us.
> >
> > I would be interested in hearing from the list concerning other's exper=
ience with comparing compost vs liquid compost extract applications.
> >
> > I look forward to your collective input and feedback.......
> >
> >
> > Mike Flynn
> > Green Quest LLC
> > BioSpecific LLC
> >
>




Received on Sun Jan 30 2011 - 11:40:18 EST

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