RE: [compost_tea] Re: 131 degrees Farenheit heated compost for 3 days

From: Tim Kiphart <kiphart_at_ev1.net>
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 13:03:55 -0600

Excellent points Ted; simple and straightforward!

I believe Henry is simply stating that a double standard exists within the
current regulations..."that if the compost met the standard, and that same
compost is used for ACT then the tea should meet the same standard...based
on current regulations.

Tim


 -----Original Message-----
From: Ted Peterson [mailto:ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net]
Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 11:39 AM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Re: 131 degrees Farenheit heated compost for 3
days


    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Henry Karczynski
    To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
    Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 7:36 AM
    Subject: [compost_tea] Re: 131 degrees Farenheit heated compost for 3
days


    Re: 131 degrees Farenheit heated compost for 3 days

      This same compost is later used to make aerobic
    compost tea as a vehicle to utilize the compost for fertilization
    and/or disease suppression. "Where's the beef"? As long as we are
    treating the compost according to the NOSB requirements
  EPA regs state 130 dF for 15 days plus a number of turnings for biosolids.
We have experienced that this will keep pathogens at very low levels. They
are basically below EPA (< .02 or ND) ppm. However, this is with biosolids
at about 40% moisture. As soon as the compost is hydrated, the pathogens
spike. They can spike which means that even using EPA and British Columbia
(the < .02 is British Columbia) there are still pathogens.

  Any compost created with any animal waste contains pathogens. Our testing
of cow, horse, sheep/goat, llama and bat poop all showed pathogens. Our
testing of "green" compost also showed pathogens but always at ND where the
animal product showed quite high. These can be minimized through composting
but other than sterilizing the compost through a heat process are running
each and every bit of compost through a UV light like a xenon lamp, you can
never get rid of it all.

  "Where's the Beef?" it turns out is everywhere. I reiterate that I think
our best bet is to focus on a brewing environment that de-emphasizes
pathogens over aerobes. If this means brewing recommendations at temps
below 70 dF, we should do that. If we emphasize brewing at temps that favor
pathogens, the air (Aerate enough and the pathogens doen't grow.) argument
loses weight because we can't be sure that each and every brewer will use
the same pump at the same volume of air for the same volume of water for the
same length of time.

  I think our best bet is to find the one element that we can control
easiest. I know in the summer and using small brewers, this will be hard to
do but I don't see any other way to get around the inherent problems with
compost. It doesn't seem to matter which food you use. I far as I can tell
from my research, (quite a lot actually) if we keep the temps lower than
those that the pathogens like they simply do not grow and reproduce
regardless of the food. However, they do not disappear or die. Like all
bacteria, they go to sleep and become inactive unless they are digested.
There is no guarantee that the correct, higher order, bacteria will come
along (they don't taxi) and wolf down the pathogen. Certain nematodes and
protoza can eat the e coli but there is no guarantee that they will be
selective towards pathogens when there are millions of asleep and alive
bacteria around. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat what is
convenient and close.

  Ted Peterson
  Earth-Wise/Spirit of the Earth


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Received on Mon Mar 01 2004 - 15:00:16 EST

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