Jolly Farmer Products, Inc. Northampton, New Brunswick, Canada Producers of M I C-A E R O B COMPOST TEA ETM
Compost Tea Production What is compost tea
History of Compost Tea - Cato De Agriculturia - Mendel, cloister gardens carry on tradition - Pfeiffer, leading to Steiner and Biodynamic preps (plant tea; manure tea; extracts, leachates) - CCOF, biodynamic preps, plant teas, aerobicanaerobic-aerobic compost teas (brewed water extracts) -Karl Rubenberger: Actively Aerated Compost Tea
Definitions Actively-Aerated Compost Tea brewed water extract Active, total bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes (sp vs #s) soluble nutrients from the compost aerobic (O2 above 6 ppm) vs anaerobic (pathogen growth, loss of nutrients, toxins) with or without added foods to grow beneficials Non-aerated Compost Tea Compost Extract no brewing time Compost Leachate no brewing, few organisms removed Plant tea compost not involved bacteria, fungi from plant surfaces, aerobic or anaerobic Manure tea compost not involved anaerobic (pathogens present, 90 to 120 day rule required) Put-to-sleep teas loss of species, minimal activity
A A C T IS N O T A fertilizer but can provide fertility A fungicide but can prevent disease An insecticide but can reduce insect feeding A herbicide but can mitigate weed problems
What is compost? Aerobic decomposition of a mix of organic matter Thermal compost: Heat to 131 F to kill weed seed, pathogens, pests But NOT HIGHER than 155 160 F so beneficials NOT killed Turned whenever too hot because too hot means lack of oxygen, loss of N, S, P, build acidic conditions Worm or Vermi-compost (cold composting) Worms turn the compost, kill pathogens, pests Static compost
Quality Compost Tea Compost (Inoculum, Nutrients) Aeration, Extraction (Machine) Foods Water
Compost Inoculum & Nutrients Must be of the highest quality!
Compost Ingredients We use no animal manures to make compost used for compost tea making. No sludge or municipal waste is used No post consumer garbage is used. We only use ingredients allowed for certified organic compost production.
Jolly Farmer s Compost Facility Thermal compost
Compost Temperature Ch Compost Batch # 3603 W Temperature - C 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 1 7 13 19 25 31 37 43 49 55 61 67 73 79 Day Number Temperature is monitored during the composting process
E A RT H W O R M C AST IN GS Test the levels of biology! Don t assume all earthworm castings have good biology.
Soil Foodweb, Inc. Compost Foodweb Analysis 555-7 Hallock Ave, Jolly Farmer Products Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 USA Tim Livingstone Phone: (631) 474-8848 56 Crabbe Road Fax: (631) 474-8847 Northampton, NB E7N1R6 e-mail: soilfoodwebny@aol.com Fax: (506) 325-2015 tlivingstone@jollyfarmer.com Plants: Not Indicated Sample Received: 3/3/2005 Organism Biomass Data Report Sent: 3/21/05 Sample Unique Dry Weight Active Total Active Total Total # ID of 1 gram Bacterial Bacterial Fungal Fungal Hyphal Protozoa Nematode Fresh Biomass Biomass Biomass Biomass Diameter Numbers/g Numbers Material (µg/g) (µg/g) (µg/g) (µg/g) (µm) Flagellates Amoebae Ciliates #/g 4116 Export Castings (Vermi) 0.25 110 666 96.1 2254 2.75 22,704 546,997 110 381 Bold Means Low Desired 0.45-15 - 100-15 - 100 - (A) 10000 + 10000 + 50-20 - Range 0.85 25 3000 25 300 100 30 Immature compost can have activity ranging from 10 to 100%. Mature compost should have activity between 2 to 10%. Fungal activity and biomass depends greatly on the plant being grown. Desired range given here is for a 1:1 compost. A - Hyphal diameter of 2.0 indicates mostly actinomycete hyphae, 2.5 indicates community is mainly ascomycete, typical soil fungi for grasslands, diameters of 3.0 or higher indicate community is dominated by highly beneficial fungi, a Basidiomycete community. Season, moisture, soil and organic matter must be considered in determining optimal foodweb structure. If sample information, such as pesticide, fertilizer tillage, irrigation are not included on the submission form, sender's locale is used. One report is sent to the mailing address on the submission form. All submissions receive free 15 minute consultation, call 1-631-474-8848
Aeration / Extraction Machine & Temperature Get the biology into the liquid and sustain beneficial microbe growth with adequate oxygen supply
KIS 5 gallon Brewer Bob s Bitti and the Bobolator brewers Low priced homeowner unit. Expected pump life is only 35 12hr. batches Small commercial duty unit. Will brew up to 30 gallons of compost tea using our compost and nutrients. Bobolator is a larger commercial duty unit. Will brew up to 50 gallons of compost tea or up to 100 gallons with the extra air attachment.
Custom brewer set up in Quebec
Fungi attacked by bacteria in anaerobic conditions Fungal hypha DIC Microscopy; Bacteria 250X
Fungus Same as last picture but stained for active organisms Bacteria Epi-fluorescence; 250 X
Foods Need to feed biology to increase the numbers and the potency of the compost tea.
Water Very critical to use water that is of good quality and does not contain harmful chemicals such as chlorine
Other Factors and Considerations Other factors to be aware of for successful application
Testing Be sure your compost tea is tested if buying from a supplier. Either a full test or a qualitative test If making your own, be sure to test it on a regular basis to ensure consistent quality. Many factors can affect quality Compost age Incorrect compost storage Residue build up in brewer Change in water quality
Time of day Apply compost tea in the morning or evening unless using an irrigation system with lots of water. The biology can be killed if exposed to sudden changes in light, temperature, moisture, etc. For a soil application, the ideal time to apply is just before or during a light rain shower. For foliar applications, it is important that the compost tea be allowed to dry on the leaves. An active bacteria can stick to the leaf surface in as little as 15 minutes.
Storage Life The organisms are living, so must have oxygen Since they are low on food after the brewing cycle is complete, they don t need as much oxygen while being stored but still need some. Best used as soon as possible up to 5 days maximum. Organisms will start to prey on each other Diversity is lost over time Need to keep aeration going throughout this time
Sprayer/application method There is a wide range of possible options for application, but you must make sure biology is not killed.
Poor Choice of Sprayer
Bacteria Fungi Protozoa
Bacteria Fungi Protozoa
Broadly Vineyard Tea spraying, August 2001
Applying Compost Tea to a lawn
NB site soil is wetter, heavier, and has more clay Fert. CT Control PEI site soil is sandier, looser, and much more porous. CT Fert Control
Girdling Roots...
Equipment Specifications Diaphram pump on sprayer is recommended. 20 25 mesh filter on the main filter body of the sprayer. No filters at the nozzles on the boom Nozzle with a fairly large size for example Blue Flood Jet rated at 1 gpm @ 40 psi. White Tea Jet rated at 0.8 gpm @ 40 psi. Call Jolly Farmer for other specific nozzle types that may work Low operating pressure Ideally 15-30 psi. Maximum of 60 psi. Holding tank capable of holding your largest order Air compressor capable of blowing 1 cfm for every 200 gallons ordered. Pressure is very low (< 2 psi.) Aerator for your holding tank Jolly Farmer can supply for a nominal cost.
Jolly Farmer Delivery Truck Customer Provides Storage Tank or your own tea brewer.
MIC AEROBE must be kept aerated in storage. Customer supplies the air source. For a nominal cost Jolly Farmer can supply the bubbler necessary to go into the tank. Jolly Farmer can also rent or sell a small compressor to do the job. Maximum recommended storage life is 5 days after it comes out of the brewer. Compressor
Thoroughly clean sprayer and clean out old residues. Especially important to clean out fungicide residues. A commercial tank cleaner, Javex, or Vinegar solution
Fill spray tank full and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Put correct amount of tea in tank and then fill with good clean water than is not chlorinated. Near the end of filling and just before going out to the field, add the foods to the tea. Microbial food added near end.
Need to spray immediately after mixing making sure the spray tank is emptied within 2 hours of the time it is filled. Agitate while spraying to avoid settling.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water after application is complete. Drain spray tank and allow to air dry while in storage. The use of tank cleaners, Javex, or Vinegar is only necessary following fungicide or other toxic spray applications.
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