Dan Grubbs wrote:At page 8 here of this publication, you can see a bit of measurement of different natural inputs on pasture compared to no input to the pasture: http://issuu.com/stewardculture/docs/stewardculture_no1
Now, the university tests weren't using fish emulsion, but they were using cod liver oil. I couldn't speak to the difference in Brix values and soil porosity between CLO and fish emulsion, but do note that raw milk seems to be a better soil input that CLO. I guess "better" as measured by Brix tests and soil penetrometers.
I don't know about you, but finding and applying raw milk seems to be a much less "icky" process than finding, processing and applying fish emulsion. I'm not claiming the results published in this publication (mine, for disclosure) is apples to apples regarding fish emulsion, but I think I'd start with raw milk before I'd start with fish emulsion. I know that doesn't answer the OP's questions, but I thought I'd add to the mix here in the interest of sharing tested information.
Cheers
Dan, I read the same article 2 years ago and started spraying our gardens with a mixture of raw goat milk ( or whey left over from cheese making) mixed with blackstrap molases and water (or compost tea if you have it) I use about a gallon of milk/whey in my 4 gallon backpack sprayer with half a cup of molasses and then top of with either water or compost tea and a shot of dawn dishwashing soap to help it coat better. I've found this to be an effective spray for controlling insects and building fertility. I spray the plants/leaves to kill bugs and feed the plants. For the last two years we've been hit with both Japanese and Colorado beetles, but our crops survived thanks to the spray ( in my opinion). Our garden is super healthy and I am glad to not be using any kind of poisons or chemical fertilizer on it.
Regards,
Joe at
http://stonycreekpermaculture.com/
