RE: [compost_tea] Re: Compost vs Liquid Compost Extract application

From: Stephen Steyn <ssteyn_at_wcaccess.co.za>
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:10:15 +0200

Mike:

I've done 400Ha on wheat of ACT but no LCE, although I discontinued the
practise. I've also spread compost on about 60 Ha for oats. I have not done
a replicated trial though. I have heard lots of anecdotal reports of success
with compost and ACT on vines locally although the producers started with
10tons per Ha compost in the first year (which is close to your 4 tons per
acre) and from then gave a maintenance application - forget how much.

Compost alone or ACT often make little difference as the paradigm shift
involves much more than just switching from fert to compost. Every farm
practise needs to be reviewed in the light of biological adaption. Spreading
compost is often the easy part - and if it's the only thing you change then
results are bound to be disappointing.

SS

 

From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of mikethewormguy
Sent: 30 January 2011 20:02
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Compost vs Liquid Compost Extract application

 

  



Stephen,

I am assuming that I am not the first person looking to do this type of
comparison, for an farming application.

I am looking to see who has trialed a compost application vs LCE application
in a side by side comparison on an acreage scale.

Assuming that I find some folks, on this list, that have done such a trial
then we can get into more detail.

Mike Flynn
Green Quest LLC
BioSpecific LLC

--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"Stephen Steyn" <ssteyn_at_...> wrote:
>
> Tim;
>
> Another option would be to band place the compost in the row if it is a
> vineyard or row crop.
>
> As far as the experiment goes, I would assume that the compost would
easily
> outperform the LCE since it contains more nutrients and the compost will
> increase the organic matter content of the soil. If no additional
nutrition
> is supplied, and the plot has been cropped prior to this with a cash crop
> rather than a legume or green manure crop...
>
> Maybe you need to give more information before you can expect a meaningful
> input from us.
>
> SS
>
>
>
> From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> ]
On
> Behalf Of Tim Wilson
> Sent: 30 January 2011 18:39
> To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Compost vs Liquid Compost Extract application
>
>
>
>
>
> 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 <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
<mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.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
> 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
> application.
> >
> > Later in the year we will be doing some further trials using microbially
> enriched wood charcoal (i.e. biochar) in combination with LCE as an
> alternative 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
<mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>
> <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> , "mikethewormguy"
<mikethewormguy_at_>
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > We are in the process of setting up an agricultural trial comparing
> the application of compost vs liquid compost extract. The trial will take
> place 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
> available dairy manure based compost per acre vs 50 gallons of liquid
> compost 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
> prior 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
can
> 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 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
> application vs the total cost of LCE application.
> > > >
> > > > Keep in mind that the LCE feedstock preparation and the extraction
> process is being done onsite, at the farmer's location vs trucking in
> compost from 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
> 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
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
> _____
>
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Received on Mon Jan 31 2011 - 04:58:32 EST

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