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Re: Humate Sources



At 09:58 AM 4/25/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Good Morning-
>
>I'm currently farming my first 18 acres of transitional wheat.  We've farmed
>conventionally a long time and I'm trying to change directions.  My soil test
>indicates I need 300 lbs/A and 400-500 lbs/A (two fields) of humates.  I've
>never used humates before and am looking for sources here in the central
>Michigan area.  I've talked with one supplier from Hemlock and he has the
>material for $170/ton.
>
I would questions the use of humates based on what you have written above.
If someone wants you to use them or suggests you use humates I would ask why
and what info they have to supports such a recommendation.  When I was at
Rodale we developed a pub on alternative ag products and I remember that
humates are not all the same and some seemed to tie up soil P.  If you could
provide more soil test info it would be helpful.  

I am suspicious of solving all or most farming problems with something out
of a bag, cannister or container.  Often these are very expensive and do not
do the job as well as just good farming practices such as good soil organic
matter management.  

Bill Liebhardt


>If you have time I could use an education on what materials classify as
>humates, what experiences you've had, in what situations can I modify the
>application rate (budget is a concern), and what type of response (crop-wise
>and soil test-wise) can I expect.
>
>By the way, the wheat looks good.  I put 1000 lbs/A poultry compost and 2 T/A
>beet lime on last fall at seeding.  I've lost some in the low spots, but the
>neighbors can't tell I didn't put urea on.   :)
>
>Thank you,
>
>Cheryl Summer
>summerc@pilot.msu.edu
>
>