[USCC] Composting wood chips

[Eugene R. Moore]

To All:

Thanks for the responses and calls concerning composting the wood chips.

Due to the inability to eliminate the large pieces on a cost effective 
basis, and due to the small size of the resulting available 
product--------about 2000 cubic yards maximum, we decided to NOT proceed.

If there were more product, and if we could have found a relatively cost 
effective way to grind out or eliminate the chunks..........I would have 
proceeded to obtain the chips, if for no other reason than to add the chips 
to the existing piles of composting poultry litter piles for the purpose of 
adding the fiber to the soil.  Our soils are quite heavy for the most part, 
and putting such fiber therein ought to accomplish a similar result as 
allowing long, large rooted plants to function as cover crops, providing 
pathways for air and water along decaying root systems.

We may have had to add more N to the soil in order to offset some tie-up due 
to the increased carbon source, but we will be getting that with the hog 
slurry which should be available commencing this fall.  I think the 
combination would have been a plus for the health of the soil.

Again, thanks for your interest.

Eugene R. Moore
Spring Valley Farms of IA, Ltd.
1701 3rd Avenue East, Suite 7
Oskaloosa, Iowa  52577
Telep:  641 673 6964
Fax:     641 673 6551