A32*LancasW Fanning, Saturday, May 6. 2000
What do you think of when
you think of soil conservation?
Most would say any soil
management practice that results
in conserving precious topsoil.
Many remember the various
advances brought to us over the
last half century by the people at
SCS and thank the people at
ASCS for helping us to pay for
them. These advances include
contour strips, grass waterways,
diversions, tiling of wet areas, and
yes, even manure management
systems designed to eliminate a
daily manure haul. How many of
you can say that you have
implemented a number of these
practices? Many, no doubt.
How does compost fit into this
discussion? Understanding this
requires an answer to the question
of what is compost? There are
many answers. Those who prefer
can answer with a very
complicated response that will
consume a paragraph. You may
also have an answer that goes
something like - it’s a pile of
manure that’s set for awhile! And
that answer may not be incorrect -
but, it may not be correct, either.
Compost, simply put, is new soil.
Yes, that’s right, compost is
actually new soil. Your father
taught you that that you couldn’t
make new soil, right? Well, he
was only partly correct. If
compost is applied to soil, it does
amend present soil and add
organic content, in effect adding
new elements to soil and
enriching present soils But this is
done through a variety of ways.
Compost can be described as
the result of a controlled bio
degradation process. In this
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Compost As
process, good soil bacteria are
formed when certain conditions
are met. These bacteria,
commonly referred to as
thermophiles (microbes that live
in this temperature range), remain
active after the initial active
process is complete. When
introduced into soils as an
amendment, they re-energize this
soil and bring new life to it. The
result is that you have added very
healthy new organic matter to the
soil and then loosed these new
young energetic microbes into
your soil as well. The attributes of
this situation not only includes a
fertilizer value, but creates
enhanced properties of soil,
including better long term
absorption of nutrients, better
water holding capacity, much
more vigorous root growth in
plants, and increased resistance to
root disease to name a few.
Many consider the fertilizer N-
P-K value of the added compost
to be of prime economic value. It
may be true that you can measure
this one in dollars and cents right
away. But, consider how many of
these soil conservation practices
named above that you can attach
dollars and cents savings to
immediately. The savings are met
only over a long period of time,
and future generations thank
previous ones for making the
investment.
I believe compost is in the
same category. The secret of
Patz
A Soil Conservation Tool
compost is not in it’s fertilizer
value, but m its’ soil enhancing
properties. We are making new
soil when we amend poor soils
with compost. Think of it this
way - if you have a barren slope
and you do not protect it with a
contour or grass waterway, you
will end up with soil erosion after
heavy rains. This soil ends up in a
waterway and becomes silt, which
will be dredged somewhere
eventually, at great cost. It also
costs you, since you now have
less topsoil that you will never see
again. Therefore, you make the
investments necessary to keep
your soil. And, the government
helps because it is cost-effective
to be pro-active when it comes to
soil loss - they’ll have to pay
more later if they don’t help now.
Using compost gives you an
opportunity to add fertility and
tilth back into your soils. It
provides an opportunity to leave
the soil in better condition than
which it was found, so that future
generations can benefit from its’
miracle. I believe this to be a
greater opportunity than any other
soil conservation practice to date.
Other practices prevent topsoil
loss. The practice of compost
amending soils will add more
topsoil to what we already have
and make it healthier.
Many farms already have all of
the needed ingredients. What is
needed is added education and
know-how. We need to increase
New tub design plus full-length breaker bar
improves mixing with less power so you can feed more hay.
A 3/8-inch bottom pan adds extra service life. Welds are
strong and tolerances precise for stronger side walls. You get
more sturdiness and durability in a new Model 4000 Mixer.
New design of transition area in lower auger improves feed
flow and reduces torque.
New design of discharge door frame allows a
more-complete mix of ration. Choose from belt or auger
discharges. Choose various discharge lengths. Increase
operator convenience and reduce feeding time with optional
hydraulic height control of discharge.
Improved drive train provides reliable performance. A
shear bolt helps protect the planetary and lower-auger roller
chain and sprockets.
Jew n
Patz^JS)
—Credit
Cedar Crest Equipment
jFfiSy 339 King Street Parts Outlet
iPlltr Myerstown, PA 17067
JWH (717)866-1888* 1-800-646-6601 sm-osm
CALL US FOR A FREE PEMO
our understanding of how to
utilize the compost tool, We have
by-product materials that are
being truly wasted right now.
With some help in understanding
proper management practices, we
can use this tool to better our
farms, our fields, our crops and
the bottom line for ours and
future generations. The compost
process should be a • controlled
manufacturing process, similar to
making silage. The more careful
we are in controlling the
ingredients and the process, the
better the end product quality.
Many similar tools are used in the
process. We need to better
understand what is needed in
creating compost so that we can
better recognize the value in
with
Model ma mi
certain waste materials
The Agriculture support
organizations should all
participate in this process.
Extension can provide research,
applications assistance, training,
and educational materials. Farm
Service Agency can provide the
assistance of the soil conservation
professionals, and ASCS can help
with cost-sharing on certain
required equipment. Nutrient
Management professionals can
help with assistance in soils
application impact planning.
Suppliers can help with providing
new tools and service support.
Together, we can all work to
make it happen! Get involved.
OF
so
Struck-level capacities
205, 305 and 380 cubic
(eet. Optional side extensi
provide struck-level
capacities of 232, 343 and
428 cubic (eet.
For really tough hay, add
knives made from 1/4-inch
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Feature scalloped cutting
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Quodrei'Shork™ is a trademark of
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Choose stationary, trailer mounted
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