The addition of biochar to compost can improve the holding capacity, stability, biological status etc… of the finished product. Applying biochar enriched compost to the soil somewhat emulates the process used in the Amazon rainforests to create the rich terra preta soils that persist to this day. This could be a good practice to try in the poor…

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At a recent workshop hosted by Geocatch, Biochar expert Dr Stephen Joseph presented on all things biochar including a walk through his co authored ‘Farmer’s Guide to the production, use & application of biochar’.

This comprehensive book is readily available to download from the Australia New Zealand Biochar Association.

Biochar is a super…

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Frames with heads can be purchased from fresh fish shop in Augusta for about $2.00/k bulk. The supplier Brett suggested has a truck visiting Busselton regularly on a Wednesday.

Hello

WA Bait in O’Connor do a seconds mullies trap bait. They are a whole soft fish so better than heads in terms of quality. They are mullies that have gone on the floor and may have metal in the mix so not good to go through a mincer. That said they break down well in a barrel of hydrolysate. They are between $2-3 /kg for 20kg boxes. 08 9314…

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Hi Daniel

There is a Facebook page ‘Free Fish Frames and Heads’ in Perth where fishos can donate their frames for people who can make better use of them.

Or you can buy a 20 kg box for $100 sold as cray bait from https://www.dogfoodperth.com.au/product-page/bait-fish-frames-crayfishing

Locally, you could try the Augusta Seafoods 615 Brindley…

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Hi All,

Does anyone have thoughts/tips on where to source fishmeal, fish frames etc for producing hydrolysates? We’re hoping to start with a 200L ferment, so we’ll need about 80kg to get started.

Thanks

Dan

Thanks

Nutrien bunbury or busselton crt order it in as needed.

Thanks! Wonder if Nutrien in Albany has it? Your branch in Margs sounds pretty special. Saw they sell Plantain and chicory by the KG. 25kg bag for me here is the smallest quantity. Wish I’d known when I was at Kudardup earlier this month.

I get the Fulvic and humic from Nutrien in Margs.

The trace elements and other nutrients I’ve been buying the Campbells brand from E E Muirs and Son Perth but the is a Manjimup store too.

https://www.campbellsfert.com.au/distribution/

Where does everyone source their Fulvic acid and trace minerals?

The stock feed I buy from has the 200l drum in the sun, on a stand, on it’s side. They have a honey valve screwed into the lid to measure out how much we want.

Thank you to you both.

I’ll be transferring what I require for the particular batch so will now be looking for a hand pump and then doing it on a warm day!

Using the smaller volume containers will be the easiest option in the future.

Geoff

Are you talking about transferring the whole drum or just what you need? Either way it does pour fairly easy when warm (ie on a warm day) but there will be a bit of residue left inside the drum. If you leave it upside down to drain into something most of it should come out.

Geoff- I have stuck with using the 20kg drums to make it a bit easier. All I could suggest is a hand drum pump. There are different versions for fuel, oil, chemicals etc. but the viscosity will be the key driver

Hi All,

I’m about to start the process of ‘growing’ my own Bio-Fertiliser. I have no experience in handling molasses and will be wanting to transfer from a 200L drum to an IBC.

Considering the viscosity of the molasses, does anyone have some practical ideas for achieving this?

Appreciate your help,

Geoff

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Hi Dan,

Liquid fertilizer analysis’s can be done through Environmental Analysis Laboratory in NSW.

https://www.scu.edu.au/environmental-analysis-laboratory—eal/

Hi All,

Following on from the workshop last Friday with David Hardwick I’m keen to trial some bio ferments at the vineyard. I remember David mentioning that there were labs that will run analysis on liquid fertilisers, which we can use once we’ve completed our ferments. Does anyone know which labs he was referring to?

Thanks

Dan