Compost Its functions and applications

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1 Compost Its functions and applications What defines its Quality How to get the desired quality Bob Rynk SUNY Cobleskill

2 What does composting accomplish? 1. Converts a troublesome, difficult to handle material with limited uses to an easily handled material with more uses 2. Produces a product with value -- compost

3 In a nutshell Valued Wanted Little value unwanted

4 Compost Attributes Rich in organic matter and nutrients Alive with microorganisms (and often macroorganisms) Stable/mature (slowly decomposing) Weed clean Variable, especially depending on feedstocks

5 Compost Attributes Useful Valuable Attractive Locally abundant to locally scarce Not free -- $5 to $50 per cu. yd. in bulk

6 PS: Seattle Tilth

7 From: The Nature and Properties of Soils, N. Brady Clay Silt Sand

8 Functions Soil conditioner Organic matter Slow release fertilizer Micronutrients Water/nutrient holding Disease suppression Weed suppression Erosion protection

9 What compost is NOT? Fertilizer Mulch Peat moss Manure Top soil

10 Compost Analysis Samples 7 Samples Ave. Median Range N P K Moisture Org. Matter ph Salts (EC)

11 Compost is NOT ONE Product

12 Think of compost like cake There are many types for many purposes The ingredients are not always the same It depends on the recipe It depends on the cook It can be rich or lean It can be half-baked It can be over-cooked It can cost a little or cost a lot

13 Applications/Uses PS: David Granatstein t PS: Karin Grobe PS: Univ. of Georgia

14 Horticulture The Staple Market

15 Agriculture The sleeping giant

16 About 8 tons per acre

17 Highways & Erosion Control PS: Scott McCoy

18 Compost-filled filter socks Compost f lled f lter socks PS: Filtrex

19 Mine reclamation, & land remediation i -- big volumes, generally accepts low quality 2 photos above: Sally Brown/Charles Henry

20 Manufactured Soil Spectacle Island Boston Harbor

21 Compost as Mulch Reduces evaporation Weed suppression Moderates soil temperature Reduces erosion & runoff Amends soil (even well below the surface)

22 Product Requirements What products do the different uses require? Photo source: Scott McCoy Photo source: Michele Young

23 Quality Compost? Compost quality must be defined in relation to its use A compost good for one use may be bad for another, and vice versa. Good enough quality is good enough

24 Important Characteristics ti Maturity Nutrients Organic matter Moisture Salts Texture Contaminants (PLASTIC!)

25 General Character of Compost Products (Bob s less-than-expert assessment) CHARACTERISTIC Nutrients (N) Particle Size Maturity Salts Contamination Price PRODUCT Mulch/Erosion Low Large Mod. Mod. None Mod. control Soil amendment field, turf soil, sod, landscape beds Topdress turf and field soils Mod.- high Mod. Low- Mod. Low Mod. - mod. high high Mod.- high Small Mod. Mod. Mod.- high Mod. Soil amendment High Mod. Mod.- Low- organic agriculture high Mod. Mod.- high Mod.

26 Production Requirements How do you tailor production to get the right product? What are you after? What can you produce?

27 Compost Quality Factors (in my order of importance) End use and market (intended use) Feedstocks Processing Composting process (maturity, N loss) Grinding, ng, screening, ng, sorting

28 Feedstocks Feedstocks largely l determine the character of the compost

31 Mix ingredients together to create Browns a better & Greens balance BROWNS Brush High C (Low N) Dry Bulky 3 Volumes 1 Volume GREENS Grass High N Wet Dense

32 Strategies for Combining Feedstocks Make the best of what you have Look and feel Trial and error Tried and true Moisture Desired product attributes? t Bulk density M th ti ll b l i t AND Mathematically balance moisture AND C:N ratio

33 Product Quality and Quantity Can you select organic feedstocks to meet market requirements? Yes But it is not always practical: Available feedstocks Distance Proximity rules

34 Matching Feedstocks and Compost Products PRODUCT Good Not So Good Mulch/Erosion control Soil amendment field, turf soil, sod, landscape beds Topdress turf and field soils Soil amendment organic agriculture Bark, wood, lumber, green organics, brush Green organics, manure, biosolids, food, mushroom Manure, grass, leaves, food, screened biosolids & green organics Manure, green organics w/o pesticides Manure, biosolids mushroom (?) Wood, MSW w/o processing Wood, unscreened green organics, MSW Biosolids, MSW, grass w/ pesticides Land Contaminated green Clean, nutrient & reclamation/landfill organics, MSW OM rich

38 Plastic!

40 Composting Takes Time

42 In the bag? Better be stable

43 Questions?

Compost Marketing: Strategies for Success. Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. Athena Lee Bradley

Compost Marketing: Strategies for Success Northeast Recycling Council, Inc. Athena Lee Bradley Getting Started Market Beginnings Are you committed to manufacturing a marketable compost product? Do you