[Market-farming] fungal compost?

Robert Schuler sunnfarm at verizon.net
Wed Jan 9 13:59:35 EST 2008


Fungal decomposition can be seen in the forest where a log slowly rots. It takes a long long time... I found the quickest way to jump start decomposition in a high carbon compost is to add a small amount of ammonia nitrate fertilizer diluted in water. This form of fertilizer if free of impurities. I have made compost from poultry litter for the 30 years I had a poultry farm. It makes a cold compost in other words the pile doesnt heat up much even with a lot of carbon added. I don't know how poultry litter will work with wood chips. But I do know that adding amm nit. works very well... Bob.
Sunny Meadow Farm
Bridgeton, NJ.
Hi all,
I have a friend farming next to a large horse operation who has lots of horse bedding in windrows in hopes of having a good source of compost for the coming seasons.  However, the horses are bedded on sawdust, and he's having great difficulty getting any heat generated.  He's considering adding blood meal, which is expensive, or conventional poultry litter, which he has concern about the content of non-desirable chemicals in.  My thought is that if you could turn the compost pile fungal, it would break down the sawdust.  Or just give it time and plenty of turning.  I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about dealing with such a material, or how you would veer a pile towards fungal development.
Thanks,
John DiZazzo
Roundabout Farm
Keswick, VA

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