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In Ron's and Pumpconn's diaries , I notice that compost is being added for future years not this years. Ron also mentioned about release of nutrients.

Does putting on compost this year for next help or does the best effect come the following year because of how nutrients become available?
If my soil test says for example that a person needs 5lbs. of lets say nitrogen , does putting on organic amendments that total 5 lbs. give you the required amount of nutrients that are required . If only a small percentage of nutrients are released , is a person still coming up short?

12/9/2017 7:29:40 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

Compost is good. Beni grew the World Record with chemical !

12/9/2017 8:08:41 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Ron says it releases about 30% per year, which is about how much we figured manure would release when we were figuring nutrient management for farms at NRCS. I think we used 1/3 per year. So if you need 5 pounds, apply 15 and it will be good for 3 years. Or apply just 5# and then add 3 1/3 from chemical sources.

Organic nitrogen is much less susceptible to leaching than chemical sources. 1993 was a terribly wet year with massive flooding. Our farmers who relied on anhydrous ammonia had terrible corn yields, maybe just 50 bushels per acre. But I also saw farmers who planted corn after long term alfalfa and used manure get great yields, 180 bushels and huge, long ears.

12/9/2017 8:41:33 AM

Thanks Iowegian. I figured something was not right when I used organic amendments to raise npk.

12/12/2017 7:39:03 PM