[compost_tea] Re: Compost vs Liquid Compost Extract application

From: Tim Wilson <thegoodjob_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:43:25 -0000

Oh ya I see now. My bad. Perhaps you should point out to the landowner that=
 this is such a miniscule amount of compost so that results might not be ef=
fected. But of course, it is up to you. You could always just work with 1/5=
th of an acre or... Is it the concentration of the compost that the landown=
er is concerned about?

If I was doing the trial I'd want to maximize/match my parameters to real f=
arming practices. I'm just giving feedback as requested.

Tim

--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "mikethewormguy" <mikethewormguy_at_...> w=
rote:
>
> Tim,
>
> It is the land owner who is setting the 4 ton compost application rate no=
t the farmer.
>
> We look forward to getting this trial underway.
>
> Mike Flynn
> Green Quest LLC
> BioSpecific LLC
>
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Tim Wilson" <thegoodjob_at_> wrote:
> >
> > Interesting that the farmer should choose such a slight amount. Perhaps=
 he is new to using compost. What is he growing?
> >
> > Tim
> >
> > --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "mikethewormguy" <mikethewormguy_at_> =
wrote:
> > >
> > > 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 f=
armer 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 comp=
ost application.
> > >
> > > Later in the year we will be doing some further trials using microbia=
lly enriched wood charcoal (i.e. biochar) in combination with LCE as an alt=
ernative 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" <mikethewormgu=
y_at_> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > We are in the process of setting up an agricultural trial compari=
ng the application of compost vs liquid compost extract. The trial will ta=
ke place this spring in California. The size of the trial will be on an ac=
erage 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=
 available dairy manure based compost per acre vs 50 gallons of liquid comp=
ost extract, per acre (LCE). The LCE will be made from a variety of compost=
 and vermicompost types. Both these applications will be done 45 days prio=
r to seeding.
> > > > >
> > > > > 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 c=
an make small amounts of specialty compost(s) and vermicompost specifically=
 for making 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 alway=
s 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 appl=
ication vs the total cost of LCE application.
> > > > >
> > > > > Keep in mind that the LCE feedstock preparation and the extractio=
n process is being done onsite, at the farmer's location vs trucking in com=
post from another location.
> > > > >
> > > > > We are not necessarily trying to reduce the farmer's costs but pr=
ovide 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=
 experience 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 - 14:59:04 EST

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