Organic Farmer February / March 2020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Mixing the compost. Continued from Page 27 resistance. Potassium also improves a plant’s hardiness to cold and increases vegetable size. Plants lacking in potassium are weak and grow slowly. The fruit is small, sometimes shriveled. Leaves show discoloration at the margins and tips. Like with phosphorus, only about one percent of the soil potassium is available to plants. In Western Oregon’s Willamette Valley, “a lot of farms really don’t need more phosphorus or potassium,” Nick said. Aggregate Formation Organic matter also helps with aggregate formation, which is the process of sand, silt and clay coming together to form larger-sized granules. Larger granules create nice, crumbly soil. Good soil structure allows water to easily penetrate the surface. Crumbly soil also creates better aeration, better water infiltration, and a better ability to retain water. Hummus Although low in nitrogen, hummus is the most mature soil component. In most soils, hummus makes up 70-80 percent of the organic matter. Increasing soil hummus improves both soil and crop growth. Adding hummus to the soil has long lasting effects. Not only does it feed the soil for the season, or even for the following season—it breaks down slowly and will continue to feed the soil for decades. Sometimes hummus can last for hundreds of years. Straw and cornstalks are high in carbon and low in nitrogen. Both decompose slowly and are efficient suppliers of hummus. Cover Crops Cover crops—or green manure—build nutrient-rich organic matter in the soil. The plants collect the sun’s rays, which powers photosynthesis. The plants take in carbon dioxide from the air to produce food for the plant, and food for the microorganisms living in the root zone. Clean oxygen is released into the atmosphere during this same process. place. So, in fields with high fertility levels, a cover crop could save farmers money in fertilizer costs. If farmers have a lot of phosphorous in their fields, cover crops are a good way to go—by adding nitrogen, Nick said, without adding more phosphorous. Nick suggests sending a cover crop sample into a testing lab before incorporating it into the soil. The lab can analyze for dry matter and nitrogen content. Such a test can predict how much nitrogen will be released in that growing season. OSU offers a free online organic fertilizer and cover crop fertilizer calculator, with a mineralization model. “It’s not the be all and end all, but it’s useable and grower friendly,” Nick said. This calculator is intended for growing conditions in Western Oregon and Western Washington. Nick points out that farmers in different regions with different soil types and precipitation levels will need to check with their local extension agents, or land-grant university. Well-aggregated soil improves root growth. It also provides a healthy habitat for soil organisms. In turn, the organisms create a favorable environment for plant growth. Cover crops such as young legumes and cereals are high in nitrogen. They decompose quickly and produce less hummus than chopped straw or cornstalks. A cover crop works to keep nutrients in Annual soil tests are the best way to determine crop needs and monitor soil pH levels. Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@ jcsmarketinginc.com 28 Organic Farmer February/March 2020
COMPOST 100% Fully Composted Dairy Manure The Leaders in Dairy Compost Manufacturing Custom Blending Available Gypsum - Limestone - Sulfur YOU CALL, WE HAUL Servicing the Valley since 1925 559-686-5707 What can Cain do for you? Ask us about our Dust Control and Fertilizer Products. February/March 2020 www.organicfarmermag.com 29
Page 1 and 2: February/March 2020 Organic Poultry
Page 3 and 4: Organic FARMER 4 IN THIS ISSUE Orga
Page 5 and 6: California Organic Fertilizers, Inc
Page 7 and 8: The Egg Handling and Meat Processin
Page 9 and 10: USDA Organic Regulations for Poultr
Page 11 and 12: maintain or improve, so approaches
Page 13 and 14: Farm land that’s been in the fami
Page 15 and 16: Marty uses a corn chopper and a fee
Page 17 and 18: June 3, 2020 Turlock, California ST
Page 19 and 20: purpose of constant plant feeding?
Page 21 and 22: ® The Grower’s Advantage Since 1
Page 23 and 24: February/March 2020 www.organicfarm
Page 25 and 26: agrinos.com agrinos.com Organic Pro
Page 27: the soil the first year. Most other
Page 31 and 32: Providing the Gold Standard for Fer
Page 33 and 34: THE BIO CONQUEROR OF DOWNY MILDEW A
Page 35 and 36: UNFORTUNATELY, MANY OF OUR GROWERS

Organic Farmer February / March 2020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?