What s the Best Fit?

Transcription

1 What s the Best Fit?

2 Organic Amendment Options Outline: Why do we need organic amendments? How can organic amendments help soil? Synergies with other practices? How much can we afford to pay for amendments? What amendments are available? Opportunities?

3 Why do we need Organic Amendments?

4 Organic Matter In Ontario Soils ( ) Data courtesy of Jack Legg SGS Agri-Food Labs Compiled by Christine Brown OMAFRA Jan 2017 Ranges from 12,300 to 23,100 total samples/year all Ontario Samples are not from the same locations every year Clay soils will have a higher SOM level than sandy soils Livestock farms will have a higher SOM level than cash-crop farms Research projects and grid sampling are included in this data set and can skew the data for 1 year Organic (muck) soils are included in this data set Unrealistic county averages (e.g., 23% for York) were left out

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6 How much yield gives enough residue to maintain SOM levels?

7 Comparison of Approximate Crop Yields Required to Maintain 3% SOM Crop Crop Residue lbs/ac 1 Root Biomass lbs/ac 1 Stable OM from crop biomass (lbs/bu yield) Crop residue Yield to maintain 3% SOM (1,800 lbs/ac OM) estimated Crop residue + Root Biomass Corn 12,000 1, bu/ac 142 bu/ac Wheat 5,000 2, bu/ac 92 bu/ac Soybeans 2, bu/ac 158 bu/ac 1 Source: Dale Cowan (AgriFood Lab info sheets) assumes 180 bu corn, 80 bu wheat and 45 bu/ac soy yield Assumptions: Soil organic matter level 3.0% goal ~ 3% of the SOM decomposes each year 2,000,000 lbs in surface 6 inches of soil/acre 2,000,000 x 0.03 = 60,000 lbs SOM/acre x 0.03/yr decomposition = 1,800 lbs/ac lost by decomposition that needs to be replaced

8 Comparison of Approximate Crop Yields Required to Maintain 3% Soil Organic Matter Crop Yield to Maintain 3% SOM (1,800 lbs/ac OM) estimated Crop residue Crop residue + Root Biomass Corn 162 bu/ac 142 bu/ac Wheat 153 bu/ac 92 bu/ac Soybeans 230 bu/ac 158 bu/ac Impact of Soybeans in Rotation for Maintaining SOM Rotation Yield (combined bu/ac) Yield needed for SOM (combined bu/ac) Soys-Soys-Soys Corn-Soy-Wheat Corn-Corn-Soy Corn-Corn-Soy-Wheat Corn-Soy-Soy Wheat-Corn-Soy-Soy Yield Balance/Rotation Bu/ac Example Crop Yields: Corn 200 bu/ac Soy 50 bu/ac Wheat 100 bu/ac

9 Steps to Maximum Soil Health Rotation Reduced Tillage Cover Crops Organic Amendments Residue Management

10 Organic Amendment Synergy Cover Crops without digestate Cover Crops with digestate - More top growth and root biomass

11 Different Amendments provide Different Benefits to Soil sugars cellulose proteins hemicellulose polyphenols lignin Cover crops Digestate Manure/Biosolids Compost humus

12 Diversity benefits the soil sugars Bacteria cellulose proteins hemicellulose polyphenols Actinomycetes Cover crops lignin humus Fungi

13 Approximate Biomass Yield of Three Cover Crop Mixes with and without Organic Amendments Cover Crop With Manure Without Manure Increase from manure Approximate Yield (ton/ac)* Oats Multi-Species Mix: Planted at 40 lbs/ac 33% Oats, 4% Nitro radish, 2% Brassica, 2% Sorghum Sudangrass, 1% Phacelia, 2% Sunflowers, 4% Sun hemp, 5% Turnips, 25% Crimson Clover, 23% Austrian Peas 3 Species Mix: Planted at 30 lbs/ac 14% Nitro Radish, 16% Crimson Clover, 70% Oats % % % * biomass yield that includes top-growth and comparative root mass The above data represents one site one year 3,500 gal/ac digestate was applied in mid-august. Nutrient composition of digestate is similar to hog manure.

14 Organic Amendment Synergy = $$ Economic opportunities with cover crops and organic amendments EXAMPLE: 2016 Cover Crops Oats with and without digestate Cover crop and Digestate Plots (harvested Oct 13, 2016) Yield Yield & Quality * Treatment (ave of 18 samples) Dry Weight (t/ac) % Δ Milk/ton Milk/ac $$/acre CC Oat ,985 2,997 $1,030 Digestate + CC Oat ,916 6,312 $2,168 *using Wisconsin MILK2013 and milk value = $0.78/L

15 Organic Amendment Synergy = $$ Economic opportunities with cover crops and organic amendments EXAMPLE: 2016 Cover Crops Oats with and without digestate If biomass was returned to the soil: Above ground biomass only OM (lbs/acre) P Uptake/removal K 2 0 uptake/removal CC Oat 3, lbs/ac P lbs/ac K 2 0 Digestate + CC Oat 5, lbs/ac P lbs K 2 0/acre SOM Stable Carbon (lbs/ac) % Δ in SOM Above ground only Years to SOM by 1% Above ground only + Root Biomass (estimate)** Digestate only yrs CC Oat yrs Digestate + CC Oat yrs ** 1,685 lbs/acre (6 depth) of carbon from 8 wk oat growth (J. Environ Qual 30: (2001))

16 Organic Amendments: Nutrients or Organic Matter? How long does it take and how much material is required to raise Soil Organic Matter by ~1% Amendment Type Total N (lbs/ton) C:N ratio Application rate (ton/ac) Stable C (lb/ton) % SOM increase 1% SOM (applicatons) N - P K 2 0 (lbs/ac)* (available) High C:N dairy 6 lbs , ,179 High C:N dairy , Mushroom compost , ,143-5,000-9,390 Mushroom compost , Solid Dairy manure , ,160-3,600-6,900 Solid Dairy manure , Leaf/yard compost , ,808-2,315-3,445 Leaf/yard compost , Solid Horse manure , ,836-3,103 Solid Horse manure , *NMAN3 data using average database nutrient values for application 1 x per 3 years for a 180 bu corn crop Materials are not created equally Need to know the nutrient and OM, C:N ratio of the materials being considered.

17 Sources of Organic Matter (& Nutrients) Cover crops Manure Biosolids Biosolids Pellets N-Viro Biochar Digestate Lystegro Compost (manure & municipal)

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20 There is a wide range in cost of the materials. The price is determined mainly by distance transported, application and volume (bulk density). Biosolids: Terratec Environmental - Mark Janiec x223 mjaniec@terratecenvironmental.com WESSUC - Adrian Tod adrian.tod@wessuc.com Processed Biosolids Pellets: David Buurma roger.buurma@gmail.com Veolia Water Canada Inc.- Paul Purser paul.purser@veolia.com N-Viro Ian Shipley or Lise LeBlanc lise.leblanc@n-viro.ca Lystegro Michael Dougherty mdougherty@lystek.com Municipal Compost: AIM Environmental Group Hamilton/Guelph Frank Peters fpeters@aimgroup.ca or Mike Lishman arlington.farms@live.com MILLER Compost Kyle Schumacher x232 kyle.schumacher@millergroup.ca ORGA - London Municipal Greenbin Compost Chris O Toole x 106 cotoole@orgaworld.ca Ottawa Municipal Greenbin Compost Peel Region Compost Terry DiNatale x terry.dinatale@peelregion.ca TRY Recycling (compost) Rick Vandersluis rick.vandersluis@tryrecycling.com Walker Environmental Diana Aquino daquino@walkerind.com Municipal Digestate: Cornerstone Renewables Travis Woolings twoollings@rogers.com Manure/Compost Brokers: M.P. Agri-Products Ted Empey mpagriproducts@auracom.com Organix Matters Scott Boldt organixmatters@bmts.co

21 Livestock Manure (Solid) What Is It? Livestock waste with bedding materials (straw, wood chips etc.) Benefits: Available on-farm (livestock neighbours?) provides many of the required macro and micro nutrients supplies organic matter which will help maintain or improve soil health Challenges: contains odours and pathogens which, can lead to water contamination application to wet soils can cause soil compaction. Nutrient content usually not in proportions needed by crops Application to crops further from manure storage takes time and planning

22 Manure Has Value Animal Type DM Useable N 1 P K 2 0 Year 1 Value Year 2-4 Value 3 % lbs lbs lbs $ $ Liquid Hog /1000 gal Liquid Dairy /1000 gal Solid Cattle /ton Poultry layers /ton Poultry broilers/ton Sheep /ton Horses /ton Spring applied; incorporated; 40% P in application year; Organic N and 40% P in yr 2-4 Are there opportunities to move/sell manure to fields with higher fertility needs?

23 What Is It? Compost (manure) 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

24 Municipal Compost What Is It? Municipal good waste mixed with high carbon materials (ie wood chips) and composted in-vessel, or in windrows, 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. (Varies with inputs i.e. food waste v.s. leaf-yard waste) Cured compost = low odour & low risk of N loss Uniform application is easier than with most solid manure types Ideally applied once in the rotation (after cereal harvest) at ~10-15 ton/acre

25 Challenges: Municipal Greenbin Compost Low bulk density as low as 20 lbs/cubic foot, makes transport expensive Contaminants plastics Maturity could result in class B compost = NASM 3 = more work Odour - Un-cured or green compost can have a distinct odour that reoccurs when wetted if material is not incorporated Temporary field storage can cause some compaction damage Timing of product availability and application Some variability in product time of year input availability Un-incorporated, surface applied = soluble P runoff risk?

26 Compost Study - Yield/Quality Results

27 Knowing Material Composition is Important AIM Hamilton Try Recycling Compost Analysis Available (lbs/ton) Analysis Available (lbs/ton) Dry Matter % 72 1, ,234 Total Nitrogen % = ~20 NH 4 -N (ppm) = ~5 Phosphorus % (P ) (P ) Potassium % (K 2 0) (K 2 0) Organic Matter % * * ph C:N ratio 12 : 1 17 : 1 Bulk Density 329 kg/m lbs/ft kg/m lbs/ft 3 Sulphur (ppm) EC (conductivity) (ms/cm) Sodium % Aluminum (ppm) Boron (ppm) Calcium (%) Copper (ppm) Iron (ppm) Magnesium (%) Manganese (ppm) Zinc (ppm) * ~20% of OM is assumed stable

28 What is It? Biochar Black carbon material produced from a thermochemical process (pyrolysis) of organic feedstocks Stable, inert material that can adsorb nutrients and increase nutrient retention without carbon release to atmosphere Benefits: Increases water holding capacity when applied at high rates Yield response to biochar when added to fall applied liquid manure: Viscosity (thickness) increased Provides odour control benefit from immobilization of NH 4 -N & NO 3 -N to slow release / could N loss Challenges: Soil applied (without manure) - little impact on biomass grain yield Difficult to handle and apply in a practical operation Composition influenced by feedstock and manufacturing conditions Supply driven by energy industry (carbon offsets) -limited Ontario supply

29 What Is It? Dried & dewatered sewage biosolids Pulp & paper waste Processing waste Biosolids Benefits: similar to manure from nutrient and organic matter perspective custom applied and applied at no cost for the farm (usually) regulatory changes in application rates set to meet crop needs Challenges: Sewage biosolids contain little or no potash contain trace elements (ie lead, copper) wider setbacks are required from residences and sensitive features setback areas = additional trip with commercial fertilizer regulatory requirements NASM plan required pre-application

30 N-Viro What Is It? Biosolids material processed with kiln dust to provide liming benefit Regulated through CFIA - treated as a fertilizer material Benefits: high calcium and potassium = liming capacity relatively high sulphur content ideal product for sandy soils with low ph regulated through CFIA = product consistency and no need for NASM plan Challenges: nitrogen contribution and organic matter is relatively low. N-Viro is dusty and should be applied under low wind conditions

31 What Are They? Biosolids Pellets Process takes digested sewage to biosolids cake (dewatered, thickening agents added) then pelletization (heating and drying) process occurs Regulated through CFIA - treated as a fertilizer Benefits: excellent source of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and micro-nutrients Regulated through CFIA = product consistency and no need for NASM plan processed biosolids pellets are available from Windsor, Detroit and Toronto and are similar in nutrient content Challenges: Low K = not the product of choice if potash is an important requirement Can heat and ignite in storage Water treatment processes result in differences in aluminum, calcium, iron levels which could affect phosphorus availability, especially in low ph soils Pellets application rate restricted to meet heavy metals limits (~1 T/ha for Toronto pellets)

32 Label (guaranteed analysis) v.s. real analysis Label: Actual: Available:

33 Lystegro What Is It? Regulated through CFIA - treated as a fertilizer material Patented process that combines sewage biosolids + potassium hydroxide + heat (70 C) + a lysing process Benefits: 12-13% dry matter ~ lbs/1000 gal of available N-P K 2 0 in year of application relatively high sulphur (~12 lbs) and high organic matter (~ 500 lbs) content regulated through CFIA = product consistency - no need for NASM plan Custom applied Challenges: Ideal rate between 3,000 4,000 gal/ac for corn High ph, high NH4-N = high volatilization risk Requires immediate incorporation (cover crops)

34 Label (guaranteed analysis) v.s. real analysis Label: Actual:

35 Anaerobic Digestate What Is It? By-product of anaerobic digesters main program for GHG Composition will vary with inputs testing is important Opportunity for liquid solid separation further composting Benefits: Higher N & lower C:N ratio compared to pre-ad Spring application to growing crops is ideal odour and pathogens lower (closed system) Liquid application can be difficult if N content Challenges: NH 4 -N and C:N ratio similar composition to liquid hog manure Higher risk = more management Application rate, uniformity, timing is more important ph, NH4-N Higher risk of volatilization & leaching

36 Dosimeter Readings (ppm/hr) Comparing Ammonia Loss Trends Injected and Surface Applied Manure to Digestate R² = Surface Applied Digestate Surface Applied Manure Injected Digestate Injected Manure R² = R² = R² = check injected digestate surface digestate surface manure injected manure Hours After Application

37 Yield (bu/acre) Yield (bu/acre) Lystegro Field Trials ( ) Georgian Region S & C project 4,500 gal/ac 3,000 gal/ac N-P-K equivalent 2015 Wet Summer Average: 16 bu/ac yield Riverview Dundalk Elora Meaford Stayner Average Riverview Shelbourne New Lowell Meaford Average? Soil Test P = 3 ppm K = 17 ppm 2016 Dry Summer Average: 1 bu/ac yield

38 Yield (bu/acre) Lystegro Field Trials ( ) Riverview Shelbourne New Lowell Meaford Average? Soil Test P = 3 ppm K = 17 ppm Recommendation 110 lbs P lb/ac K 2 0 Approximate Nutrients Applied (lbs/ac N - P K 2 0) Fertilizer check ,000 gal/ac ,500 gal/ac

39 corn yield (bu/acre) 4R Application of Organic Amendments Small Plot Study Don King, Ann Huber - SRG D = Digestate ( BioEn - Elmira) B = Processed Biosolids (Lystegro) ppm K Recommendation: 80 lbs/ac K Applied: Digestate: 22 lbs/ac Lystgro: 41 lbs/ac K "total vs yield R² = Initial + added K (ppm in soil)

40 corn yield (bu/acre) K (%) 4R Application of Organic Amendments Small Plot Study Don King, Ann Huber - SRG Corn leaf tissue %K Dni Bni D-0 B-0 0+N D+N B+N check D = Digestate ( BioEn - Elmira) B = Processed Biosolids (Lystegro) Critical Level = 1.20 % K "total vs yield R² = Initial + added K (ppm in soil)

41 Opportunities with Organic Amendments Issues: municipal organics production - daily application o limited to growing season o no application when soils are frozen or snow covered. Storage of liquids is expensive Storage of solids (temporary field storage options) Solids have lower environmental risk Opportunities: Mixing materials to match needs Examples: carbon solid + N liquid = nutrient concentration = marketability to agriculture (e.g. digestate mixed with leaf-yard based compost) match nutrient needs vs organic matter match products to where they have greatest benefit

42 Opportunities with Organic Amendments Marketing to agriculture Example immature compost as a potential market Mixing products to match niche markets Government initiatives Soil Health (GLASI funding for adding OM) Lake Erie phosphorus reduction Climate Change Improving logistics Shared transportation? Improved efficiency? Working with fertilizer industry 4R initiative Storage/ marketing/application opportunities for August-October applications with cover crops

43 Summary: Ontario soils at risk for erosion, compaction, OM depletion Farm interest in soil health is increasing Cover crops, organic amendments, GPS tools & funding programs Less livestock manure but could be distributed better Municipal sourced organics - with urban population Policy to decrease organics from landfill Policies: soil health, GL water quality, climate change & pollinator health have OM as a key element Various markets / end uses for organic waste (competition) Cooperative efforts? marketing, policy ( red tape), innovation The future is filled with opportunities lets make it happen!

44 Questions? Christine Brown Field Crop Sustainability Specialist OMAFRA - Woodstock Christine.brown1@ontario.ca