I received a call from a bio-chemist who works in the filed of biotic fertilizers. He read the article on raw milk as fertilizer that circled the globe and called to offer his help in describing what we have in the raw milk as fertilizers.

Below are some bullet points to the discussion

1. Soil will have between 3-4,000# of bacteria per acre (this can vary depending on sprays, soil type, temps etc...)

2. Bacteria are 90% protein

3. One can calculate/estimate the amount of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous by knowing the bacteria counts. Typically speaking bacteria counts will result in 10-14% nitrogen, 1% potassium and 3% phosphorous.

4. The bacteria that are most influential in growth live in in the top 6" of the oil.

5. Many thousands of different bacteria live in the soil

6. Bacteria need a balanced nutrition for good growth. Raw Milk is the perfect food.

7. Some of the bacteria will double the counts/weight every 15 minutes with the proper nutrition and temps (55 degrees F or better)

8. it does not take much for the bacteria to naturally put out 140 lb's of nitrogen per acre..and other nutrients.

So with the above i think one can jump to some conclusions... at least i will.

A. Stop putting chemicals on the ground

B. feed the bacteria

C. when starting out your results might vary from the results you might receive at the end of the growing year or 3 years from your starting point. Obviously if you start off with a small number of bacteria in the field and you double the growth every 15 min the total effects will be different than if you start off with a larger number of bacteria and double every 15 min.

D. consider starting off maybe 5 gallons of milk per acre and in time this could reduced. maybe apply 2-4 times per growing season

E. make observations on plant health, soil health, insect control, fungus control, worm populations.

F. maybe make it a standard practice to include in your soil testing a test at a depth of 6" and include bacteria plate counts. then research on how to convert this number to lb's per acre. i think this is the goal, lb's of bacteria per acre.

G. most manure and other fertilizers do not add much nitrogen to hte soil. the key is to feed the bacteria, and they will make the nitrogen for the oil... in the soil so it does not escape so easily

Categories: General Health Topics
Tags: agriculture  |  raw milk