We have made our own compost and then extracted beneficial soil microbes from these composts. This extraction is then sprayed on our soils as Compost Tea. The results have been astounding.This process has enabled us to triple our carrying capacity from 2006 to 2008. This has been achieved by growing more feed with less rainfall.
In 2007 we averaged 4.7 tonnes of feed grown for the year/ha on 605mm of rain.
In 2008 we averaged 8.1 tonnes of feed grown for the year/ha on 579mm of rainfall.
Not only have we increased the amount of food grown on less rainfall, we have also increased the nutritional value of our pastures. The chart below shows our results in February of 2010, tested by the Wagga Wagga Feed Quality Testing Laboratory.
RESULTS |
UNITS |
With Compost Tea |
Without Compost Tea |
{12a0b04c8112bc6fb02f4968898d7361e96e550d77e132d7a1c2b48f4bcc1854} INCREASE |
Dry Matter |
{12a0b04c8112bc6fb02f4968898d7361e96e550d77e132d7a1c2b48f4bcc1854} |
31.5 |
54.4 |
-73 |
Crude Protein |
{12a0b04c8112bc6fb02f4968898d7361e96e550d77e132d7a1c2b48f4bcc1854} |
12.8 |
9.9 |
29 |
Dry Matter Digestibility |
{12a0b04c8112bc6fb02f4968898d7361e96e550d77e132d7a1c2b48f4bcc1854} |
55 |
47 |
17 |
Metabolisable Energy |
MJ/kgDM |
7.8 |
6.5 |
20 |