Compost Made For Modern Ag

I'm Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

Thad Schutt, President of Royal Organic Products, is no stranger to farming; he was raised on a family farm near sunnyside where they grew wheat, corn, mint and other irrigated rotation crops, which means he knows that farmers want and need compost products that are affordable, efficient, easy to apply and enhance yields. Royal Organic compost products are nutrient rich compost made from yard waste, food scraps and other common green waste, and are especially suited to ag uses. Originally designed to be used in irrigated crop production, it was after they were approached by direct seed growers that Schutt says they developed Compell, their pelletized compost product for precision application with direct seed drills.

SCHUTT: We're able to do 40 pounds on the dryland wheat basis compared to what you'd normally think on bulk compost of 2 to 3 tons an acre when you're discing it in 3 to 4 inches. So, it's all about the concentration near that seed zone when the seed first emerges or first starts sending out the roots and sprouts, and making contact quickly.

Data gathered by research expert Dr. Jill Clapperton has provided documentation of yield increases and improved soil health benefits gained from the compost applications.

SCHUTT: We've been showing over 4 years 20 to 24 percent yield increase on wheat consistently. On canola last year we showed 31% yield increase when you're adding it to your normal fertilizer; barley was 34.4% yield increase. We've also being doing a little bit on potato last year.

For more information about Royal Organic Products visit your local fertilizer dealer, or go to www.roporganics.com and www.CompellNature.com.

That's Washington Ag Today.

I'm Lacy Gray with the Ag Information Network of the West.