Re: [compost_tea] Re: MICROBIOLOGY TESTING of COMPOST TEAS

From: butch ragland <wilddog_202_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 24 Dec 2004 18:39:40 -0800 (PST)
Dr E. simple question, have you ever operated a
compost facility receiving any large quantity of
material?

--- soilfoodweb_at_aol.com wrote:

> It is possible to get a whole compost pile above the
> minimum required 
> temperature, for the entire time period required, to
> kill human pathogens. 

> The point is to get the temperature above a certain
> temperature, for the 
> required period of time.  Not all of the pile will
> be above that  temperature
> level all the time - the outside of the pile is not
> usually at  temperature, but
> the inside of the pile must be, for the correct
> minimum time  period. 

> Then you turn the pile.  So eventually, all material
> in the pile gets  into
> the middle of the pile, and heats adequately for the
> minimum time  required. 
> Therefore, thermal piles have to be turned, and
> turned on-time.  The  mix of
> starting materials is critical to make sure adequate
> heat will be  generated,
> for the time period required.  Different mixes
> result in  different organisms
> and heating properties. 

> If worms are doing the work, then the worms turn the
> material, and the  worms
> exit the human pathogens.  that's cold-composting.
> As long as  you have
> adequate concentration, or density, worms per amount
> of added material,  the
> compost will be human-pathogen free. 

> Can we get pathogen-free piles?  We have lots of
> data showing that 
> human-pathogens are not detectable when the piles
> are properly composted. 

> Can piles be re-contaminated?  Sure, just like food
> can be pathogen  free,
> and then, at a later time, be contaminated by
> someone with fecal  material on
> their hands.  Compost piles can be contaminated
> after they are  finished,
> especially if the pile lacks active biology. 

> Compost is like milk in that regard.  If you keep
> the milk cows clean,  so
> the udders are not contaminated by pathogens, then
> the milk will not get 
> contaminated by passage through the udder.  If the
> milking pail is  contaminated,
> then the milk will get contaminated.  If the milk
> tank isn't  properly
> maintained, the milk will get contaminated.  If the
> bottling plant  isn't properly
> maintained, if the milk isn't kept refrigerated, if
> the glass you  pour the milk
> in is not clean, if you stir the milk with a dirty
> spoon......

> All these things can cause problems.  Just like
> milk, you  have to take care
> to make sure compost does not  get re-contaminated.
> Luckily, we don't have to
> be quite as careful  with compost as we have to be
> with milk, because there
> is a set of beneficial  organisms that should be in
> compost. 

> So, like compost, you take care, and testing is
> required to make sure all  is
> being done correctly during the whole process of
> milk production.  You  can
> still have problems, though if you let your children
> drink straight from the 
> bottle, and back-wash occurs........

> Yum.  Wonderful topic to be discussing on Christmas
> Eve! 

> Happy holidays and may only beneficial critters
> surround  you!

> Elaine R.  Ingham
> Soil Foodweb Inc., Corvallis, Oregon
> Soil Foodweb Inc., Port  Jefferson, New York
> Soil Foodweb Institute, Lismore Australia
> Soil Foodweb  Institute Cambridge, New Zealand
> Laboratorios de Soil Foodweb, Culiacan,  Mexico
> Soil Foodweb Inc., Jerome, Idaho
> Soil Foodweb Inc., South  Africa
>
>


=====
Butch Ragland
Conflict is as addictive as
cocaine, alcohol, cigarettes,etc
I'm sorry to report that
cooperation is not


           
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Received on Sun Dec 26 2004 - 17:41:07 EST

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