From City to Farm: Greenbin-derived Compost Agricultural Trials. Compost Council of Canada Workshop January 22, 2013

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "From City to Farm: Greenbin-derived Compost Agricultural Trials. Compost Council of Canada Workshop January 22, 2013"

Arline Quinn
6 years ago
Views:

1 From City to Farm: Greenbin-derived Compost Agricultural Trials Compost Council of Canada Workshop January 22, 2013

2 From City to Farm: Greenbin Derived Compost Agricultural Trials Fertilizer value Organic matter value What products are available Best fit for each product Importance of analysis Economics

3 The Fertilizer Challenge

4 Fertilizer Price Trends - As fertilizer prices increase manure is treated more as a resource than a waste - management improves Fertilizer Prices per Tonne Price (Cdn $) December 14, 2012 N - $0.65 /lb ($660 /T) P205 - $0.71 /lb ($812 /T) MAP $0.52 /lb ($685 /T) Year 8 10 K20-12 S -but$0.68 /lb is value of OM? Organic amendments have fertilizer value what

5 Why Consider Manure?

6 The Organic Matter Challenge

7 Soil Bank Account Crop residue and roots from rotation of corn soybean wheat with straw returns about 1000 lbs/ac stable carbon to the soil (no-till) ~ 10 ton/ac green bin compost added once per rotation will add about 1000 lb/ac stable carbon to the soil

8 What is Organic Matter Worth? Value is given to organic matter depends on: Current organic matter levels Sandy tobacco farm vs dairy farm with manure and forages Interest in water-holding capacity Crop residue removal for bio-energy Erodibility of land base Interest in sustainability Opportunities vs cost (1 inch+ H20 in drought yr = yields )

9 Sources of Organic Matter (& Nutrients) Cover crops Manure Biosolids Biosolids Pellets N-Viro Biochar Digestate

10 Compost What Is It? Material with specific C:N ratio and moisture content that goes through a process of heating, turning and curing provides nutrients and organic matter with reduced volume and odour compared to the original material Benefits: provides many of the required macro and micro nutrients (ration based) Low odour and pathogen content Low risk of nitrogen loss (leaching or volatilzation) supplies organic matter which will help maintain or improve soil health Challenges: Higher labour requirement than with manure Could have odour issues if C:N ratio or moisture content is too high or low Un-incorporated, surface applied compost - risk of soluble P runoff

11 Municipal Greenbin Compost What Is It? Municipal food waste mixed with high carbon materials (ie wood chips) and composted in-vessel under specific conditions to meet MOE un-restricted compost guidelines Analysis will vary for each facility, depends on process and length of curing. Benefits: High OM product with good balance of available N-P-K and micro nutrients. Cured compost = low odour & low risk of N loss (leaching, volatilization) Uniform application is easier than with most solid manure types Ideally applied once in the rotation (after cereal harvest) at ~10-15 ton/acre

Municipal Greenbin Compost Challenges: Low bulk density of about 20 lbs/cubic foot, makes transport expensive Temporary field storage can cause some compaction damage Contaminants plastics Timing of

12 Municipal Greenbin Compost Challenges: Low bulk density of about 20 lbs/cubic foot, makes transport expensive Temporary field storage can cause some compaction damage Contaminants plastics Timing of product availability and application Some variability in product time of year input availability Consistent availability of product Odour - Un-cured or green compost can have a distinct odour that re-occurs when wetted if material is not incorporated Un-incorporated, surface applied compost - risk of soluble P runoff

13 A manure analysis is best test to show available crop nutrients

14 Comparison of Organic Amendments Solid Cattle Dry Matter 35.9 Biosolid Pellets (Toronto) 95.1 N-Viro (Sarnia) Municipal Greenbin Compost Red Clover plowdown Digestate Solids AIM - Hamilton 77.0 (Niagara) lbs per ton Total N Available N P (high) K (low) 79 (high) Total Salts Carbon added

15 Composition of Organic Amendments Dry Matter % C:N Ratio Municipal Greenbin Compost Org Ottawa Aim - Hamilton Biosolids Pellets (Windsor)) Biosolids Pellets (Toronto) ph Bulk Density Municipal Greenbin Compost Solid Cattle N-Viro (Sarnia) Worm Castings Digestate Solids (Niagara) kg/m ~338 ~ lbs/ft ~21 ~ :1 9:1 7:1 21:1 25:1 14:1 18:1 19:1 What is the significance of ph, bulk density and C:N ratio?

16 Approximate Densities of Various Products Manure Type lbs per Cubic Foot lbs per Bushel kg per m3 Liquid Semi-solid Thick solid Light solid Dry poultry bushel = 1.25 ft3, kg/m3 1 lb/ft3 = 35.31

17 Uniformity of Application Is Essential Calibration takes time

18 Green Bin Compost Application Knight Side-slinger 5th gear (application goal = 8 ton/ac) ft 5 distance (feet) from spreader tons/ac measured Average Rate Applied = 12.5 ton/ac

19 Manure for Cash-croppers In an ideal world, the N-P-K fertilizer equivalent value should be able to cover cost of the material, transport and application.

20 Considering Compost Value There are many manure options, but value is specific to field needs Consider current fertility/organic matter levels of field Economics of applying commercial fertilizer, micro nutrients Yield benefits Using NMAN3 software to compare timing and rate options for maximum economic value Comparing nutrient balance and economics: 1 application of 15 ton compost/ac for a 3-year rotation (ahead of corn) to 5 ton/acre/year for each year of a 3 year rotation

21 Production Recommendations Crop Removal Corn year of rotation Soybean year of rotation Wheat year of rotation Compost applied at 15 t/ac 1st year of 3 year rotation

15 lb Boron 53 lbs Calcium 21 lbs sulphur ~$ 14 (long term) 39 lbs magnesium ~$ 55

22 Considering Manure Value Micro-nutrient Value? Per acre: 0.5 lb Copper 0.5 lb Zinc 0.15 lb Boron 53 lbs Calcium 21 lbs sulphur ~$ 14 (long term) 39 lbs magnesium ~$ lb manganese ~$ 2.5 Organic Matter Value? Net Value (15 t/ac in yr 1 over 3 yr Rotation) $8.81/ac + Micro nutrients & Organic Matter plus value of increased yield

23 Greenbin Compost Project Plot design Depending on availability: full compost rate of between 10 and 15 ton/acre Fertilizer check treatment Compost treatment Compost treatment + Nitrogen treatment Fertilizer check treatment Compost treatment Compost treatment + Nitrogen treatment Fertilizer check treatment For soybean crops: compost full rate compared to compost half rate

24 Evaluation of Greenbin derived compost to improve soil health on cropland This project will evaluate municipal compost by characterizing the nutrient and OM value of green bin and municipal compost and by describing logistical solutions to timely, cost effective transport and application of these materials. This project will increase awareness of the value of these products and if they are valuable it will encourage adoption of their use among crop producers. This study will highlight these benefits and create awareness amongst horticulture and cash crop producers of the value of organic matter from various municipal greenbin sources. The logistics of getting municipal compost from production site to farm including transportation, storage and application will be investigated so that barriers for acceptance and use of greenbin waste are reduced or eliminated. 3 years 25 sites

25 Wainfleet Niagara July 26, 2012 Greenbin Compost applied spring 2012

Considering Manure Value Yield Comparison Brighton Miller Greenbin Compost- Applied ahead of soybeans on sandy soil Application Yield (bu/ac) Compared for Variability Average Check 36.23 36.

26 Considering Manure Value Yield Comparison Brighton Miller Greenbin Compost- Applied ahead of soybeans on sandy soil Application Yield (bu/ac) Compared for Variability Average Check Check t/ac t/ac t/ac t/ac Check t/ac Check t/ac t/ac Check ~ 2.75 bu ave yield advantage

27 Yield Comparison ~ 2.75 bu average yield advantage

28 Logistics of Application Is the material at the farm (temporary storage) at the time of planned application? Equipment: Transport from facility to farm? volume transported per load Transport loaded both ways (cost efficiencies) field compaction during unloading Loader efficiency Is the application equipment waiting Additional labour requirements? Spreader size and spread width Bulk density of compost? How much can one load cover? How many acres can be covered per hour? Labour - custom applied or owned - most expensive in planting season

Questions?? Christine Brown christine.brown1@ontario.ca Additional www.fieldcropnews.

29 Questions?? Christine Brown Additional information: Category: Manure Management Title: Let s compare organic amendments

Sources of Organic Amendments & Analysis of Nutrients

Sources of Organic Amendments & Analysis of Nutrients Nutrient Smart Organic Amendments March 23, 2018 Organic Amendment Options Outline: Organic Amendments compared Nutrients vs organic matter Synergies