ON FARM COMPOSTING
EcoSci has developed On-Farm Composting as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for recycling organic wastes as close to source as possible. It has been tailored specifically to assist the agricultural sector by involving farms in the production process, and thus enabling them to generate significant quantities of beneficial compost.
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EcoSci has registered exemptions for more than 50 farm sites and supplied these with some 45,000 tonnes per year of shredded green waste from dedicated shredding sites throughout the county of Devon. As a consequence of many years practical experience, EcoSci has established operational protocols which ensure that sites are run in a safe and effective manner and which minimise delays when applying for exemptions from the Waste Management Licensing Regulations.
For a Local Authority, On-Farm Composting ensures that all their green waste is recycled in a manner that benefits both the local community and the farming industry. EcoSci would be pleased to hear from farmers who are interested in joining their OFC scheme to discuss the arrangement in more detail and see how close they are located to one of our shredding sites.
EcoSci carries out laboratory testing of its OFC compost batches when delivered and then when ready for spreading and give this information to the farmer.
If required we can undertake soil testing in order to ensure compatibility between the compost produced and the soil conditions required for crops.
Key benefits of using compost:
- Slow release nutrients - Compost provides nitrogen and phosphate in a slow release form as well as readily available potash. It is also a source of magnesium, sulphur and trace elements. It is estimated that a 30t/ha compost application is worth approximately £90/ha.
- Adds valuable organic matter – 30t/ha provides about 6t/ha of organic matter, with many long term benefits to the soil fertility and yielding potential:
- Improved soil structure hence greater workability & increased traffic tolerance
- Improved water holding capacity, particularly in light soils
- Reduced erosion risk
- Reduced nutrient leaching
- Stabilises soil pH
- Introduces beneficial soil microorganisms that encourage:
- Soil aggregation
- Nutrient recycling
- Plant disease suppression
Other Benefits for the Farmer:
- Compost is produced on site, ready for spreading – at a time convenient to the farmer.
- Any farmer under the Single Farm Payments Scheme must meet the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) and produce a Cross Compliance Soil Protection Review. This requires maintaining organic matter levels, reducing the risk of soil erosion as well as damage to the soil structure. Compost applications can help with all three.
- Compost is a cost-effective means of supplying natural nutrients and providing protection against disease – thus reducing the need for artificial fertiliser and chemical sprays.
- On-Farm Compost is particularly valuable to organic farmers and growers and is recognised by the Soil Association http://www.soilassociation.org and Organic Farmers and Growers certification body. http://www.organicfarmers.uk.com