Quality Compost Proves Its Worth
A Feature from Nutramulch Yorkshire Ltd (July 2008)
Scientific trials have shown that using quality compost can bring significant commercial and environmental benefits to a wide range of crops. For example, compost can improve soil structure and fertility, and reduce the need for non-organic fertilisers. The main benefit of compost is that it helps to maintain and even increase organic matter levels in soils.
Nutramulch Yorkshire Ltd specialise in recycling organic waste from wood, green waste and industrial liquids back into agriculture and as soil conditioners. The company provides compost to top soil manufacturers, or supply a superior top soil capable of being used in all sectors of landscaping. All composts and soils are backed up with a full analysis and have a high nutrient content, eliminating the need for any fertiliser applications for growing grass and shrubs. The Nutramulch process was developed incorporating knowledge gained over the years along with new technologies, being mindful of keeping the process efficient and simple. This enables the operators to process large tonnages whilst continuing to produce a consistent product designed for its end user.
Many of the compost mixes have several different ingredients, all from varying sources blended together to achieve the desired product. It is the specification of the end product that determines what ingredients are suitable for blending into the composting process, and this is controlled through the strict adherence to the acceptance criteria. The basic rule for non-animal by-products is - if the ingredient can be proven to be beneficial to soil and agriculture then it can be composted. Needing to meet all the acceptance criteria of the client, and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations strictly tests this basic rule. The tests include:
Nutramulch Yorkshire Ltd specialise in recycling organic waste from wood, green waste and industrial liquids back into agriculture and as soil conditioners. The company provides compost to top soil manufacturers, or supply a superior top soil capable of being used in all sectors of landscaping. All composts and soils are backed up with a full analysis and have a high nutrient content, eliminating the need for any fertiliser applications for growing grass and shrubs. The Nutramulch process was developed incorporating knowledge gained over the years along with new technologies, being mindful of keeping the process efficient and simple. This enables the operators to process large tonnages whilst continuing to produce a consistent product designed for its end user.
Many of the compost mixes have several different ingredients, all from varying sources blended together to achieve the desired product. It is the specification of the end product that determines what ingredients are suitable for blending into the composting process, and this is controlled through the strict adherence to the acceptance criteria. The basic rule for non-animal by-products is - if the ingredient can be proven to be beneficial to soil and agriculture then it can be composted. Needing to meet all the acceptance criteria of the client, and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations strictly tests this basic rule. The tests include:
- Low levels of potentially toxic elements such as heavy metals
- Levels of physical contaminants such as glass, metal and plastics below set criteria
- pH levels within set criteria
- Advantageous levels of nutrients and/or minerals like N, P, K and calcium etc
- Passing trial period
Compost applied to agricultural land at 30 tonnes per hectare (the maximum allowed in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) provides around 6 tonnes of organic matter, which is more than would normally be supplied by materials such as cattle and pig farmyard manure or sewage sludge cake. More importantly, the organic matter has a long lasting effect, due to its high lignin content that is gradually degraded by soil microbes. Organic matter is known to improve the soil structure and to have an effect on its structural stability, its water holding capacity and workability.
Another major benefit of compost is its fertiliser replacement value. Fertiliser prices have more than doubled in the last year, and Nutramulch’s compost is worth around £12.00 per tonne in basic fertiliser value, with the added benefit of supplying a whole host of other trace elements, organic matter, liming and fungicidal effects, as well as suppressing slug activity. In terms of specific nutrients, it varies according to feedstock, but one tonne of compost typically provides 8 kg Nitrogen, 6 kg Potash and 3 kg Phosphate, as well as useful amounts of Suphur and Magnesium. Compost can be used successfully as part of a fertiliser management plan, provided soil type, crop requirements and nutrient release patterns are taken into account.
The success of the trials so far has led to a continuation of field-scale trials. In 2006/7, more than 3,000 tonnes of compost was applied to fields before onions were grown. Not only were the compost-grown onions ready to harvest earlier than those grown using conventional fertilisers, the crop yield was 27 per cent greater. Other arable trials across the country have backed up the results and reported further benefits.
The commercial value of the nutrient increase resulting from repeated compost use was assessed and it was found that farmers could make significant savings by using compost in conjunction with traditional fertilisers. The Organic Resource Agency (ORA) concluded that farmers could be saving more than £55 per hectare per year by complementing traditional fertilisers with compost. This figure may vary according to compost haulage costs and fertiliser prices.
The production, supply and use of compost in agriculture is underpinned by a quality assurance scheme – BSI PAS 100 – which has been further enhanced by the introduction last year of the Quality Protocol for Compost. Agriculture is already the biggest market for compost, and as both the commercial and environmental benefits of this sustainable, locally sourced product continue to be realised, its use is likely to continue to increase across all kinds of crops.
There is, therefore, a real demand in the market place for purpose built, fully licensed composting facilities specifically for the many organic and mineral waste streams suitable for recycling into agriculture and top soil. Nutramulch Yorkshire Ltd are actively looking to replicate their Yorkshire site in other areas of the UK, and as such would be keen to hear of prospective partners, sites for sale and possible joint venture opportunities.
Nutramulch Yorkshire Ltd are listed in the Recycling Directory on this site; visit http://www.just-recycling.com/nutramulch-yorkshire-ltd-i152.html to view the company details, contact numbers and lists of materials used in the process. Their website can be found at www.nutramulch.co.uk
Another major benefit of compost is its fertiliser replacement value. Fertiliser prices have more than doubled in the last year, and Nutramulch’s compost is worth around £12.00 per tonne in basic fertiliser value, with the added benefit of supplying a whole host of other trace elements, organic matter, liming and fungicidal effects, as well as suppressing slug activity. In terms of specific nutrients, it varies according to feedstock, but one tonne of compost typically provides 8 kg Nitrogen, 6 kg Potash and 3 kg Phosphate, as well as useful amounts of Suphur and Magnesium. Compost can be used successfully as part of a fertiliser management plan, provided soil type, crop requirements and nutrient release patterns are taken into account.
| WRAP has sponsored a number of scientific trials to assess the impact of compost on crops. This includes a project which was started in East Anglia more than six years ago by Enviros Consulting Ltd. The key result from the six year project was an average increase of seven per cent in crop yields. The compost helps the soil hold moisture and nutrients for longer periods which means a healthier bed for crops all year round. The trials are a landmark for both farmers and the composting industry. They prove the commercial added value that compost can provide, both reducing fertiliser costs and increasing yield, while also providing a range of environmental benefits. |  |
The success of the trials so far has led to a continuation of field-scale trials. In 2006/7, more than 3,000 tonnes of compost was applied to fields before onions were grown. Not only were the compost-grown onions ready to harvest earlier than those grown using conventional fertilisers, the crop yield was 27 per cent greater. Other arable trials across the country have backed up the results and reported further benefits.
The commercial value of the nutrient increase resulting from repeated compost use was assessed and it was found that farmers could make significant savings by using compost in conjunction with traditional fertilisers. The Organic Resource Agency (ORA) concluded that farmers could be saving more than £55 per hectare per year by complementing traditional fertilisers with compost. This figure may vary according to compost haulage costs and fertiliser prices.
The production, supply and use of compost in agriculture is underpinned by a quality assurance scheme – BSI PAS 100 – which has been further enhanced by the introduction last year of the Quality Protocol for Compost. Agriculture is already the biggest market for compost, and as both the commercial and environmental benefits of this sustainable, locally sourced product continue to be realised, its use is likely to continue to increase across all kinds of crops.
There is, therefore, a real demand in the market place for purpose built, fully licensed composting facilities specifically for the many organic and mineral waste streams suitable for recycling into agriculture and top soil. Nutramulch Yorkshire Ltd are actively looking to replicate their Yorkshire site in other areas of the UK, and as such would be keen to hear of prospective partners, sites for sale and possible joint venture opportunities.
Nutramulch Yorkshire Ltd are listed in the Recycling Directory on this site; visit http://www.just-recycling.com/nutramulch-yorkshire-ltd-i152.html to view the company details, contact numbers and lists of materials used in the process. Their website can be found at www.nutramulch.co.uk
