[compost_tea] Re: Compost and LCE field trial

From: camlaurie <camlaurie_at_activ8.net.au>
Date: Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:03:18 -0000

Hi There, I would like to add my experience. I have used LCE and ACT on fie=
lds growing pastures, I have found that when the soils are heavily depleted=
 of organic matter and low in biological activity, that although you do see=
 an immediate effect of the application, it does not seem to be sustainable=
. You seem to get a boom and bust cycle where the organisms compete with th=
e plants for limited food sources and you need to keep hand feeding them. I=
n the same paddocks I then went on to add compost at 1 Tonne /Ha, so a lowe=
r rate than you are proposing in this trial, and have seen much more sustai=
ned results. My thinking is that you are putting out livestock (microscopic=
 ones) and they need to have something to eat. When you apply compost you a=
re applying the barn as well as its inhabitants!Cheers from a very hot Aust=
ralia!
Cam Laurie

--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "mtmanx" <mtmanx_at_...> wrote:
>
> We have put dairy compost on hundreds of thousands of acres for many year=
s and I can tell you without doubt............wait for it....4 tons of comp=
ost will make a diff in most cases. I am surprised Elaine has not commented=
 on this. In a study we did with the University of Idaho 5 tons per acre ha=
d good results and was not any diff with 10 tons per acre (google it). The =
things you have to consider that will vary results are OM already present i=
n that soil and any other excesses or deficiencies. Too much K already then=
 add a K rich dairy compost will tie up?..so on and so forth for any other =
elements in accordance with the laws of minimums and maximums(read Neal Kin=
sey book). Extremely high Mg soil that is rock hard on the surface and if y=
ou broadcast the compost on top will not work as fast as soil that has been=
 tilled with readily available Ca (like sugarbeet 90% in first year) added =
with that compost. LCE spread on low to no OM soil will have a short lifesp=
an and probably no results ground spread although changing the soil aggrega=
te and saving water is always the easiest thing to accomplish with LCE appl=
ication. LCE spread on a marginal soil with the compost is usually the best=
 combination during optimal annual conditons like early in the spring with =
good soil moisture depending on your location. How can you think that 4 ton=
s of compost will not have any results when you can mist LCE on at even 40 =
gallons per acre (high) and do something? Have your compost tested to see w=
hat is in a ton then if that old rule (I think its 50% available first year=
) is true then look at how much plant food/fertilizer your spreading on tha=
t ground that is available to the plant now. LCE that has been activated an=
d sprayed on leaf surfaces is the best results in any situation. I may have=
 missed something in this conversation but thats my experience.
> Ray
> Idaho
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "mikethewormguy" <mikethewormguy_at_> wr=
ote:
> >
> >
> >
> > Ben,
> >
> > Though I have nothing to do with the spreading of the compost, I will m=
ention the suggestion to the farmer.
> >
> > Mike Flynn
> > Green Quest LLC
> > BioSpecific LLC
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, Ben Rara <barfarm05_at_> wrote:
> > >
> > > I will be very interested to hear the results. I'm almost certain Mik=
e is
> > > thinking of doing exactly what Stephen is saying, spreading the compo=
st along
> > > the rows of plants rather than spreading all in an acre. Or at least =
suggest to
> > > the one who is doing the actual farming. It only sounds logical.
> > >
> > > Ben
> > >
> >
>




Received on Thu Feb 03 2011 - 19:23:38 EST

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