The 26th Meeting of Dairy Club (Joint Venture of Alltech and UVAS) was held on Monday August 26, 2013 at Syndicate Room UVAS.

Following was the agenda of meeting:

20 participants attended this meeting.

Dr. Muhammad Zafar Ullah Khan opened the house and gave warm welcome to the participants. He explained the agenda of the meeting.

Muhammad Tariq presented on Conversion of waste (cow dung) into wealth (organic manure).

Bullet points of his presentation are as follows:

Compost:

It is a mixture of various decaying organic substances, as dead leaves or manure, used for fertilizing soil.

Factors involved:

Three factors efficient compost requires:

1. Ventilation
   Necessary Air: 120 ～200L air/minute 1㎥
2. Environment Temperature
   The ideal temperature to keep bacteria activated
   Minimum Temperature: -5°C
   Ideal Temperature: 20 – 30°C
3. Humidity

Processing:

1. Collection of raw manure
2. Mixing of raw manure with carbon
3. Placement of humidity adjusted raw manure into the machinery

Total time required for the process: 22 days

The advantages of utilizing the compost machinery

1. Homogeneous final product
2. User friendly shape
3. Extinction of harmful bacteria and grass seeds. Kohshin machines process over 20 days with 60-70℃; therefore, all Disease and grass seeds will be extinct.
4. No smell and poison in final product
5. Improvement of soil (saving chemical fertilizer cost)

Advantage of organic fertilizer:

1. Creates a healthy environment for the soil over along period of time
2. Feeds your plants while building the soil's structure
3. Helps the soil to hold moisture and nutrients
4. Faster growth of soil organisms
5. Builds a healthy and sustainable soil

Soil Improvement:
By applying with compost for consecutive years, the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil will increase. Herewith the plus ion will exist NH4 + K + Ca will not drain off in the soil making it easy for plants to absorb.

How much Organic Fertilizer to use?

Rice Crop
Amount: 4tons per 1/10ha
Note: To apply 6 tons until the 5th year is Ok. However, it is recommended to reduce the amount from the 6th year as the nutrient amount exceed the required amount.

Sugarcane:
6 tons per ha

Orange:
Amount : 50kgs per tree/year
Note: Take distance between each tree 7mx2.5m (Depends on Variety).
Be careful of when (season) to apply.

Market price of compost: Compost can be sold @ Rs. 10/kg

Question/Answers:

Sardar Zahid:  What about the cost of machinery used for composting at commercial levels

Muhammad Tariq: It depends upon the capacity and efficiency; usually it ranges between $50,000 to 100,000.

Dr. Salman Saeed: What advantage this compost has vs naturally composted manure?
Muhammad Tariq: Complete information on nutrients profile will be given to all.

Sajid Ahmad: What is market price per kg of organic fertilizer?
Mhammad Tariq: About Rs. 10/kg

Dr. Zafar Ullah Khan: What are the main steps involved in composting using this machinery

Muhammad Tariq: Collection of manure, agitation, pelleting