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Subject: Re: composting vs. soil application of organic residues-FWD
Author: Tom Armstrong <toma@crl.com> at CWB
Date: 9/25/98 3:55 AM
On Thu, 24 Sep 1998, Steve Groff wrote:
> Sal,
> You sound like you are getting close to the techniques used by Japanese
> farmer Masanabu Fukaoka. I was in Japan last April and asked some
> farmers if they knew of his farm. I found out that almost everyone knows
> about him, but not many have been able to successfully implement his
As I recall the way Fukaoka did was to turn ducks into the field after
the straw was spread on the field. The field would be stocked rather
heavily for a short time. Something like 20 ducks per 1/4 acre for 10
days or 2 weeks.
The ducks would pick up lost kernals of grain and innoculate the straw
with their dung.
Then I think he would plant in the straw and decomposition would take
place as the crop was growing.
I think livestock belong in a sustainable farming operation. While
overgrazing can destroy soil, proper grazing and rotation can add
fertility.
I hope to try it someday.
Tom Armstrong toma@crl.com Sequera Ranch s.1892 San Gregorio, CA
Barnyard Technology--- Ideas for tomorrow -> from yesterday's scrap.
4th -> 5th gen. on family farm. Can Ag Sustain?
A ghost town fights its way back.. http://www.crl.com/~toma/
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