Compost Tea on Farm
Compost Tea on Farm
Field day to look at the practical use and application of compost tea on a farm scale
Taking Action -
LLCI005-010
The issue
Our members are always looking for practical, low cost, low input, innovative ways to improve soils on farm. The aim, to grow better pasture for livestock fodder or improved yield in cropping systems.
The benefits of compost in providing extra nutrients to the soil have long been known but a growing body of research suggests that certain composts can provide soil microbial communities that bring further benefits for plants and soils. In these processes, fungi play an especially important role. This field day was to look at the Johnson-su bioreactor compost tea.
The solution
Our event was held at a farm where the owner has completed a Johnson-su bioreactor compost. He had it analysed and found it to be a high quality fungal compost mix. Attendees were able to witness the whole process of making the compost, producing the highly oxygenated compost tea, transfering the mixture to the dispenser on the tractor, spraying the tea on the paddock and also viewing paddocks that had already had applications.
Our presenter a farmer himself, was very practical, answered all questions and encouraged everyone to give it a go as it was not a difficult process. One important benefit of this method to those attending was that the compost did not require turning.
The impact
As a result the majority of attendees have gone away with the view to try this method. Details were given as to where to go to do further research and how to make the compost.
Overall it is a practical method of producing compost tea with a high level of microbial activity. It can be made from your own homemade compost, turned into a tea and put out across the paddocks immediately to ensure most of the microbes are alive when distributed.
Key facts
- 16 attendees
- practical demonstration of the process
- the importance of fungal dominant compost
- anyone can do this