The Development of Low-Input, On-Farm Composting of High C:N Ratio Residues

1996 ◽  
pp. 1181-1187
Author(s):  
D. B. Churchill ◽  
W. R. Horwath ◽  
L. F. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Low Input ◽  
On Farm

Low-input, on-farm composting of high C:N ratio residues

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.B. Churchill ◽  
W.R. Horwath ◽  
L.F. Elliott ◽  
D.M. Bilsland
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Internal Temperature ◽  
Sustainable Farming ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Input Method ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Normal Rainfall

AbstractFarm residues with high C:N ratios are difficult to use because of their low economic value and excessive volume. Composting is ideal for upgrading such residues, but was not thought possible without co-composting or lowering of the C:N ratio. We developed a low-input method to compost perennial ryegrass straw on-farm by forming windrows and turning them either zero, two, four, or six times throughout the year with a commercial, straddle-type turner. No water beyond normal rainfall and no N other than that contained in the straw was added. The volume of straw was reduced by up to 88% with four or six turns over 20 to 24 weeks. The average internal temperature of straw windrows reached a maximum of 54°C with four turns. The ability to compost these residues will help in the development of sustainable farming systems by allowing recycling of straw waste.

Widespread adoption of non-conventional agriculture: Profitability and impacts

1989 ◽  
Vol 4 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 128-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra S. Batie ◽  
Daniel B. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Alternative Agriculture ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Government Subsidies ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Widespread Adoption ◽  
Farm Structure ◽  
On Farm

AbstractConventional agriculture is increasingly criticized as being too concentrated in ownership; too reliant on technology, petroleum-based inputs, and credit; too specialized and ecologically unsound; and too dependent on government subsidies. Alternative agriculture is offered by many as an alternative, and we discuss the possible impacts of its widespread adoption on farm income, yields, regions, labor, trade, environmental quality, and farm structure. The profitability of alternative agriculture is also examined - in so doing, a distinction is made between the adoption of low-input practices and a more holistic alternative agricultural system.

Evaluation of Compost from On-Farm Composting of Coffee Pulp Using Wood Chips and Air Flow

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-413
Author(s):  
Hoang Thi Quynh ◽  
Morita Mishio ◽  
Shima Kazuto
Keyword(s):  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Wood Chips ◽  
Chicken Manure ◽  
Total N ◽  
Coffee Pulp ◽  
P Content ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
On Farm

Being the second largest coffee producing country worldwide, Vietnam is estimated to annually generate approximately 1 million m3 of coffee pulp. Instead of being effectively utilized in the form of recycling resources, most of the waste is discarded, causing serious environmental pollution even though it contains essential macronutrients in high concentrations. In this study, we performed on-farm composting trials of coffee pulp with simple aeration using wood chips and air flow. After 2 months of composting, samples were collected for analysis and a cultivation experiment was conducted to clarify the effectiveness of the composts. Coffee pulp compost was a nutrient-rich organic material with the total C, total N and total K in the range of 340.35–386.02 g kg–1, 23.80–36.70 g kg –1, and 18.86–25.13 g kg–1, respectively. The C:N ratio was in the range of 10–15 and the NH4–N:NO3–N ratio was in the range of 1–2, indicating compost was mature. In the compost where wood chips were used as the bulking agent under air flow, exhibited a concentration of inorganic N that was significantly higher than that of the other composts. The plant biomass corresponding to the compost showed similarity with chemical fertilizer. Furthermore, the P content and the plant biomass produced by the compost in which chicken manure was added, were investigated. The results indicate that the addition of P-source in the manufacturing process enhanced the fertilizing efficiency of the compost.

scholarly journals Effect of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) on nitrogen and Escherichia coli reductions in soils: a field experiment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sky Halford ◽  
María J. Gutiérrez-Ginés ◽  
Andrew Rees ◽  
Izzie Alderton ◽  
Kolja Schaller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Agricultural Catchments ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
C And N ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Leptospermum Scoparium

Abstract Purpose Planting strategies can be effective mechanisms to reduce diffuse pollution from agricultural catchments reaching water bodies. Plants with antimicrobial properties such as mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) demonstrated in controlled conditions the ability to inhibit nitrification and growth of pathogens in soils. This potential in a real on-farm setting was still to be investigated. Methods In a stock-excluded riparian area, planted with mānuka on a dry stock farm, synthetic excrement patches high in urea (950 kg N ha−1 equiv.) and Escherichia coli (7.9 × 109 cfu plant-1) underneath mānuka saplings and pasture were applied. Soil was sampled at three depths over 21 days after the excrement application and analysed for total C and N, inorganic N, pH, soil moisture and E. coli. Results There was no significant difference between the pasture and mānuka for total C and N, C:N ratio, and soil moisture. E. coli was only different between both at 20–30 cm deep. NO3− - N and NH4+ - N concentrations were significantly lower under mānuka compared to pasture for the upper two soil depths (NO3− - N: 109 mg kg−1 vs 205 mg kg−1 in the topsoil). Conclusions The results of this study indicate that mānuka may inhibit urease activity and nitrification and could reduce on-farm nitrate leaching, while also highlighting that field conditions make quantifying such phenomenon more complex.

On-farm evaluation of a low-input rice production system in Panama

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Soleil Turmel ◽  
Juan Espinosa ◽  
León Franco ◽  
Candelario Pérez ◽  
Horacio Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Rice Production ◽  
Low Input ◽  
On Farm

On-farm udder health monitoring

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
J. C. van Veersen ◽  
O. Sampimon ◽  
R. G. Olde Riekerink ◽  
T. J. G. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Critical Control Points ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Clinical Problems

SummaryIn this article an on-farm monitoring approach on udder health is presented. Monitoring of udder health consists of regular collection and analysis of data and of the regular evaluation of management practices. The ultimate goal is to manage critical control points in udder health management, such as hygiene, body condition, teat ends and treatments, in such a way that results (udder health parameters) are always optimal. Mastitis, however, is a multifactorial disease, and in real life it is not possible to fully prevent all mastitis problems. Therefore udder health data are also monitored with the goal to pick up deviations before they lead to (clinical) problems. By quantifying udder health data and management, a farm is approached as a business, with much attention for efficiency, thought over processes, clear agreements and goals, and including evaluation of processes and results. The whole approach starts with setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals, followed by an action plan to realize these goals.

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