Food Web Program

Food Web Program Outline Description and Functions of the Food Web Components of the Food Web COFI Food Web Program Today we are going to talk about the following subjects with a focus on the COFI Food Web Program. So................(title of next slide)

What is the Food Web? An incredible diversity of organisms make up the food web. They range in size from the tiniest one-celled bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoa, to the more complex nematodes and micro-arthropods, to the visible earthworms, insects, small vertebrates, and plants. Zillions of organisms from one celled bugs to plants and larger animals

A graphic representation by Elaine Ingham The Soil Biology Primer (Chapter 1): By Elaine R. Ingham

Components of Soil Organic Matter Soils with high organic matter content are the most productive, store more water and contribute to a better environment. The Soil Biology Primer (Chapter 1): By Elaine R. Ingham and Small Organisms in the Soil Affect the Environment in Big Ways: www.iaswcd.org

Why is a Healthy Food Web Important? Improves Soil Structure Improves Water Retention Increases Oxygen Increases Nutrient Availability and Cycling Increases Active Fraction of Organic Matter How? Food web organisms break down organic matter, eat it, then release it in a stable from -fixed N

Increase in Active Fraction increases nutrients!

COFI Food Web Program Mission Statement California Organic Fertilizers, Inc. utilizes food web-compatible inputs to increase/improve the physical and biological structure of the soil resulting in improved yield and quality. -I have talked about the Food Web, soil biology and nitrogen cycling..... -Now I will get more specific about COFI Food Web Program -Read Statement -Explain Chart

Necessary Components of a Healthy Web Organic Nutrients Fertilizers Minerals Biology (Microbes) Compost & Compost Tea Water Irrigation -I have talked about the Food Web, soil biology and nitrogen cycling..... -Now I will get more specific about COFI Food Web Program -Read Statement -Explain Chart

Importance of Each Sector on the Food Web Organic Nutrients Fertilizers Minerals Biology (Microbes) Compost & Compost Tea Water Irrigation Very High Moderate -I have talked about the Food Web, soil biology and nitrogen cycling..... -Now I will get more specific about COFI Food Web Program -Read Statement -Explain Chart High Moderate

This is a chart showing the decomposition pathway of COFI fertilizers compared to compost and manure.

Goals of Soil Food Web Plan Increase organic matter Reduce salts and other negative items Increase biological diversity Increase biological activity Increase “Active” fraction of organic matter Increase availability of plant nutrients Increase crop yield and quality How? Food web organisms break down organic matter, eat it, then release it in a stable from -fixed N

Components of the COFI Soil Food Web Plan Soil Analysis Geography – Climate Zones – Air/Soil Temperature Crop Type/Planting Date/Days to Harvest Water Quality/Irrigation Method Fertilizer

Soil Analysis Determine the health of your soil Are the soil organisms – the soil food web – present in the right forms and at the right rates? How can we best feed your soil’s food web? Nutrient Analysis and other standard tests

Geography – Climate Zones Zone 1: Snowy winter climate, high elevation, and a very short growing season (75-150 days) characterize this zone. Zone 1 is the coldest of the western snowy winter regions. Zone 2: Snowy winter climate with lower elevations and consequently, higher winter temperatures than Zone 1. Winter temperatures range from -3 to -34ºF for a 20 year period. Growing season is from May through September. Zone 3: Mildest of the snowy winter climate zones. Slightly lower elevation than Zone 2 combined with the influence of Pacific air moderates winter temperatures (10 to 15ºF). Growing season is generally from May through September. Zone 4: Western Washington and British Columbia. Zone 5: Northwest coast with marine influence. Minimum temperatures range from 28 to 1ºF over a 20 year period. Growing season is typically March through November. Zone 6: Willamette Valley, Oregon. Zone 7: Low elevations of the Rogue Valley, Oregon and middle elevations of California’s low mountains comprise this climate zone. Hot summers and mild, but pronounced winters (lows range from 23 to 9ºF). Growing season is from May through September, and often into October. Zone 8: Cold-air basins of California’s Central Valley. Winter lows range from 29 to 13ºF over a 20 year period. Summer daytime temperatures are high and sun is nearly constant throughout the growing season (February through November). Long, hot summers. Tule fog appears often during winter months. This information is a summary of the Sunset Western Garden Book's climate zones.

Crop Type/Planting Date/ Days to Harvest The crop type, planting date and days to harvest will help us determine which product will increase the plant’s efficiency and yield.

Water Quality/Irrigation Method The irrigation method used will also help us to determine which product will aid in the overall improvement of your soil health.

COFI Soil Rating Chemical Analysis Biological Analysis This is based on a scale of 1 (highest quality rating) to 10(lowest quality rating). Currently, this rating is an arbitrary number determined by our agronomist and the grower after review of the above tests.

Organic Fertilizer Rating California Organic Fertilizers, Inc. (COFI) Organic and Natural OMRI – Listed NOP Soil Food Web Rating 61 Chemical Characteristics Biological Response Profile

COFI Fertilizer Food Web Rating System Chemical Characteristics (61) Salt index Nutrient Analysis C:N Energy Content Biological Characteristics Existing Organisms (native and added) Microbial Growth Response Plant Growth Response

Salt Index Ratings Salt Index Sodium Nitrate, 16.5% N 100   Salt Index Sodium Nitrate, 16.5% N 100 Potassium Sulfate, 50% K20, 18% S 42.6 Gypsum, 23% Ca, 17% S 8.1 Manure Salts, 20% 112.7 Manure Salts, 30% 91.9 Seabird Guano 12-12-1 42.9 Feather Meal 12% N 1.4 Bone Meal 3% N, 15% P2O5 1.8 Blood Meal 13% N, 1.5 P2O5 2.8 Meat & Bone Meal 8-5-1 3.9

COFI Fertilizer Food Web Rating (FFWR) Our Fertilizer Food Web Rating (FFWR) System takes into consideration a multitude of quantifiable variables. Our FFWR is based upon scientific data. Our FFWR is a number designed to be multiplied by the quantity of the input used. The totals from the combined inputs results in a value that may be compared to other possible nutrient programs. The higher the number, the better the program.

COFI Fertilizer Food Web Ratings FFWR Feather Meal 5.35 Seabird Guano 0.74 Bone Meal 4.85 Blood Meal 5.10 Meat & Bone Meal 5.13 Fish Solubles 1.48 Soybean Meal 3.38 Fish Meal (sardine) Poultry Manure -9.12 Sodium Nitrate -9.92 Potassium Sulfate 0.09

Note the total FWP points of 3383.8.                           TOTALS                             Explain Chart: The next two charts show how using different products will have a different effect on the Food Web, but not necessarily on the current crop. Note the total FWP points of 3383.8.

Talk about manure and sodium nitrate.

COFI Soil Food Web Plan (FWP) All of the factors discussed in the previous sections will be used to develop a unique food web plan for your specific needs. Food Web Soil Rating Geography – Climate Zones – Air/Soil Temperature Crop Type/Planting Date/Days to Harvest Water Quality/Irrigation Method Fertilizer Program Analysis Fertilizer Food Web Rating 61 Chemical Characteristics Biological Response Profile With all of the analytical and on-farm data we develop a field & crop specific FWP that uses the best inputs for maximizing yield and soil/plant health.