What’s Up With Organic
Fertilizers?
Why They Work and How
they are made…… it’s not
all crap!
Kirk Carls, Regional Manager
Nature Safe Natural & Organic Fertilizers
Outline
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Introduction – my background
Types of organic fertility
Specific benefits of organic fertility
Wrap-up
TYPES OF ORGANICS
• What Constitutes an Organic
Fertilizer?
• Sewage Sludge's
• Manures
• Constructed Meal Based Proteins
• Organic fertilizers are as different to
each other as synthetics fertilizers can
be to each other.
What Constitutes an Organic
Fertilizer?
• Different definitions for the word
“Organic”. i.e. contains carbon,
Organic Farming….uses only certain
products.
• Organic Fertilizer comes from Natural
Products. Sewage, Manures, Animal
or Plant Proteins
Types of Organics
Sewage Sludges
• 3 - 6% N
• 20 - 30% amino acids
• Subject to high heat
process for sanitation
• May be challenged with
heavy metal content
• Milorganite created the
model 80+ years ago
• Not allowable for certified
organic crop production
Types of Organics
Manures and Composted Manures
• Low N content 1 - 4%
• 6 - 12% amino acids
• May have variable
nutrient content
• Composting is not an
exact science
• 335 million tons of
animal manures
produced annually in
U.S.
Types of Organics
Constructed Meal-based Fertilizers
• 5 - 13% N
• 30 - 75% amino acids
• Plant and/or animal
meals
• Proteins provide slow
release N
• Maximize nutrient
availability
Organics Are All About Improving
Soil Health
Why Focus on Soil Health?
Healthy soil leads
to a healthier
turf!
For the Plant, the Value of
Microbes is in Their Decomposition
Microbes are shortlived with an
average life span of
20 minutes.
Microbes are:
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Protozoa’s
Bacteria
• Along with fungi, are the most
important group in organic matter
decomposition
• Extracellular compounds help bind soil
particles into aggregates
• Specialized groups are involved in
each portion of the nitrogen cycle
• 400-4,000 pounds per acre
• http://www.safs.msu.edu/soilecology/s
oilbiology.htm
Fungi
• The most important group involved in
decomposing resistant compounds
such as lignin
• Hyphae grow extensively through
soils, helping bind soil particles in
aggregates
• Some specialized fungi grow
symbiotically with plant roots,
increasing nutrient and water uptake
and decreasing disease incidence
• 500-5,000 pounds per acre
Benefits of Increased Microbial
Populations
• Great decomposers
• CO2 for photosynthesis –
great for shaded turf.
• Thatch reduction
• Disease management
• Improved soil structure
• Fertilizer factory effect
Fertilizer Factory Effect:
Results in Increased Efficiency
Pathogens Are Opportunistic
The Theory of Competitive Exclusion
• When one species has the
slightest advantage over
another then the one with
the advantage will dominate
over the long run.
• Beneficial microbes vs.
Pathogens
• Good guys eat and
thrive
• Their success controls
pathogens
• Pathogens – good
survivors; poor
competitors
How Organics Can Help You!
Example: Impact on Dollar Spot
• Research shows
constructed
organic fertilizer
decreased dollar
spot versus other
fertilizers.
MSU Research, Dr. Joe Vargas, 2000
How do you determine an organic
fertilizers’ value?
• Compare the
following:
– It’s More Than
NPK
– How much organic
nutrition in the
Bag? Amino
Acids, Humates
etc.
– How available
coming out of the
Bag?
Organic Expectations
• Not a quick fix but
moves you closer to
fixing “issues”.
• Cumulative effect of
benefits.
• Preventative rather
than curative.
• Nutrition Foundation
• Not cheapest bag of
fertility, but, it may offer
the lowest total IPM
cost.
• Works with all the other
good products you
use.
The Turf Industry is taking a lead role.
1.
Environmental reasons
Reduce pesticide use
Groundwater, Inland Lakes and Great Lakes
protection
2.
Consumer demands
Children and Pet safety
Consumers are becoming more concerned about
what goes on their lawns and landscaping
Park Districts, municipalities are being asked to by
homeowners and parents
Organic food demand growing at over 15% per
year. More awareness about “organics”
3.
Political Reasons
We all deal with some level of politics in our jobs
PROMOTE YOURSELF
Nature Safe Products
NPK, Sugars, Humates, Amino Acids
• All Organic
– 13-0-0
– 10-2-8/10-0-8 w/ Kelp Extract
– 8-5-5
– 8-3-5
– 5-6-6
• Fortified
– 27-0-2 (Organic and Uflexx)
– 21-3-7 (Organic and Uflexx)
– 18-0-4 (Organic and MESA)
– 12-0-6 (Organic and Amm. Sulfate)
QUESTIONS?
1. Organic Fertilizers do not contribute
to organic matter they reduce it!
2. Do I have to be 100% organic to see
benefits?
3. How do organics fit in with my other
products?
4. What drives pricing? NPK, humates,
amino acids, sugars.
5. What soils can benefit?
Thank You!
• Questions?
• Contact : your local Nature Safe
Distributor or
Kirk Carls
kcarls@naturesafe.com
616-566-0307
www.naturesafe.com