The results of the farm survey show that barriers can have an economical, biophysical, legislative, human or social nature. These barriers vary between regions and farm types. By analysing differences in perceptions between adopters and non-adopters, we could gain insight into some potential misconceptions and we could search for control factors that seem to be less of a problem for adopters. These insights can help policymakers and extension services to stimulate farmers to adopt sustainable management practices on their own farm. Barriers experienced both by adopters and non-adopters can be the subject of further research. This farm survey was also conducted in 7 other European countries. We are comparing the results to get a better view on the adoption rate and most important drivers and barriers to apply certain practices at the European level.
Contact:
• Greet Ruysschaert, [email protected] • Jo Bijttebier, [email protected]
• Tommy D’Hose, [email protected]
Partner: 12 institutes from 8 European countries
Funding: EU FP7 (Catch-C) (1/1/12 - 31/12/14)
In the context of the Manure Decree and the Natura 2000 implementation (“PAS” - focus on reducing nitrogen emissions), ILVO is investigating whether the storage and processing of solid cattle manure could be optimised to reduce nutrient losses and obtain high-quality fertiliser. Are composting and ensiling appropriate techniques? The possibilities of composting and ensling are investigated in the lab as well as in the field.
Experiments in lab and field
ILVO is investigating whether composting and ensiling can optimise the storage and quality of cattle farmyard manure and the solid fraction of cattle slurry. The study includes several aspects: (1) nutrient losses to soil and air during storage, composting and ensiling, (2) differences in quality of the end products (non-treated cattle farmyard manure, composts, ensilage products), (3) effects of adding residual flows and additives on the composting process and the quality of the end products. These tests were conducted at field scale, with a simultaneous lab experiment using ensiling buckets and similar treatments. This provided a comparison of ensiling treatments at lab and field scale.
Preliminary results
Preliminary results indicate that organic matter degradation occurs when manure is composted or left untreated, but that the degradation process differs. Only minor differences in quality between the composted and non- treated farmyard manure could be observed, however. This could be due to either the straw-richness of the farmyard manure or the relatively small dimensions of the windrows, where the outer zone was relatively large compared to the total volume. A larger pile of non-treated cattle farmyard manure would increase the chance for undesirable effects and could negatively affect the quality. This could indicate that the storage of cattle farmyard manure rich in straw kept in relatively small piles is a smaller problem than often supposed.
Also the ensilage products have the potential to be used as a soil improver or fertiliser, as the material is rich in organic matter and nutrients are
Limiting nutrient losses and improving product
quality during storage of cattle manure by
composting and ensiling
expected to be easily available. In contrast to the composting process, ensiling resulted in only little organic matter degradation, indicating that organic matter decay will continue after the ensilage product is applied to the soil. This could have both positive (increased soil microbial activity) and potentially undesirable (increased emissions after application) effects. Detailed results of this experiment will be available soon (Viaene et al., in preparation). The second part of this study, a set of incubation and pot experiments, is designed to reveal the effect of the various end products of the composting/ensiling process on soil and crop growth.
Contact:
• Jarinda Viaene, [email protected] • Bert Reubens, [email protected]
• Bart Vandecasteele, [email protected] • Koen Willekens, [email protected]
Partners: Boerenbond, VCM, Agriton, ORFFA
More info: Viaene, J., Nelissen, V., Reubens, B., Vandecasteele, B., Willekens, K., in voorbereiding. “Rapport Optimanure: Optimaliseren van de opslag en bewerking van vaste rundermest via compostering of inkuilen. “Beschikbaar via www.ilvo.be
ILVO research within the FP7-FERTIPLUS project focuses on how soil quality can be improved by the application of biochar and compost, with the goal of reaching optimal crop growth, reduced nutrient losses and a higher soil and plant pathogen/disease suppression.
Convert waste to compost and biochar
The FERTIPLUS project assists the EU in the design and implementation of innovative strategies and technologies for recycling waste into compost and biochar for use in agriculture. Bio-waste has a great potential for conversion into bio-energy or as an alternative to chemical fertilisers. The core theme of FERTIPLUS is to ensure that good quality bio-wastes are returned to the soil in such a way that their nutrients are safely recycled, contributing to soil quality improvement and reducing the use of chemicals in agriculture.
Application of biochar during composting and in the field
The aim of the research on biochar at ILVO is to gain insight into the effects of biochar or compost blended with biochar as a soil amendment for temperate regions. Within FERTIPLUS, ILVO will determine the influence of biochar addition on the composting process and compost storage, and will evaluate innovations for creating added-value products. Furthermore, ILVO will set up and execute lab scale experiments and bioassays with different biochars, composts and biochar-blended composts and will continue existing field scale experiments with composts and biochar. The results of these bioassays, laboratory and field trials will allow for evaluation of nutrient dynamics, enhanced soil health and evaluation of overall soil biodiversity. Blending biochar (10% on a dry matter basis) to the feedstock mixtures before the onset of composting process resulted in an enhanced rate of organic matter decomposition and more regular development of the composting process. By blending biochar in mature compost (at the end of the composting process) the readily available P in the tested composts