GLOBAL WARMING & AGRICULTURE: Oceans and forests sequester a lot more carbon than farmland based on total surface area and other absorbing factors. However, farmers can help reduce global warming while doing a lot more to increase the efficiency of their own farming operation and the quality of their production. The main carbon sequestering involves the production of organic matter in the form of humus as well as the immediate capture of carbon by photosynthesis in the growing crop. From a practical standpoint, the increasing of organic matter/humus may mean more to the grower’s future survival than the larger implication of global warming. Increased humus is going to help provide the soil structure and moisture holding capacity for continued production under adverse weather conditions or decreased availability of irrigation water. Humus is primarily a carbonaceous, amorphous [without form] compound created by bacterial and enzymatic soil processes. Since soil carbon, as humus, holds 5 times its weight in water, its desirability is obvious.

So how do you increase humus and/or increase water holding capacity and improve structure? The benefits and shortcomings of the Albrecht [CEC] concept concerning soil structure have been discussed previously, so we will concentrate on other aspects in this message. Compost is finally getting its due in agriculture, however, the discussion and agreements of its value far outweigh the actual application. Anything you can do to acquire and apply good compost should certainly be done. Good compost teas are the next choice. Discing down of any plant material with N, sugar, microbes and enzymes results in sheet composting that provides some active humus, but probably not much long range stable humus. Active humus is great food for the next crop. For those of you who don’t have access to good compost or compost tea, what are some other alternatives?

Humates, which are ancient compost reduced to concentrated humic compounds, offer a reasonable substitute for fresh compost. They can be spread easily and are reasonably priced. CSI has seen increased truckload sales of this type of product in recent years as an indication of humus awareness. Liquid humates – in the form of humic and fulvic acids that have been extracted from humates – are available from CSI. Their ability to increase the efficiency of fertilizers and chemicals as well as increase soil activity and moisture holding capacity is well documented. Since they are applied at lower rates than dry humates (1-4 gal/acre vs. 400#/acre), they don’t impact for the long term as dry materials.

Consider Tainio enzyme products, Pepzyme M for soil, G for grasses and foliar,C for water and/or organic. Pepzyme contains enzymes from commonly occurring microbes identifiable by spectrographic analysis. These are stable products, not affected much by sunlight, ultraviolet or climate conditions. Growers have reported soil pH, softening and microbial stimulation results from using this/these products. Agri-Gro’s enzymatic product has proven itself over the years as well. Enzymes are a major factor in the production of the 8,000 to 12,000 lbs of live organisms found in each acre of living soil. Growers have reported soil pH, softening and microbial changes results from using this/these products. Enzymes are often/usually applied with microbial products.

A Florida grower and a Carolina grower tried our Aqua Hold this year on sandy soils with hay crops and both reported as being the only ones in their drought area to get good first cuttings and continued growth for second cuttings. The main mode of action is the production of polysaccharides (long chain sugar/carbon compounds) produced from simple sugar being acted upon by the special bacteria in Aqua Hold. You are not creating humus, but you are creating water holding capacity that provides the potential for plant production which can become future humus when roots decay or the above ground crop is disked down. You also are opening up soils for water penetration, structural improvements and increased bacterial activity. The late Dr. Fred Wood tried out this program in the Arizona desert sands quite a few years ago. He was amazed that he found polysaccharides down as deep as 6 feet after applying the sugar/Aqua Hold.

Another product that has shown excellent response in opening up soils is Soil Restore. It acts as both a soil conditioner and a mycorrhiza stimulant. Increasedmycorrhiza activity gives your crop greater access to nutrients – multiplies root/soil contact by as much as 3 to 8 times – under any circumstance and again increases crop production and resultant potential humus formation. Soil Restoreworks especially well in conjunction with GSR Calcium to loosen heavy, high magnesium soils and help raise brix readings. Liquid Bacteria, a sister product, works well for cleaning up toxins in soil.

Paramagnetism of soils is known to be a factor in both rain attraction and moisture holding capacity. It is pretty much agreed that the excessive use of 0-0-60 – potassium chloride – has destroyed the paramagnetic quality of most conventionally farmed American soils. A few years back, there was great excitement about using parametric rock to increase the paramagnetism of farmed soils. However, it soon became apparent that rather large quantities (5 tons/acre) were required to achieve noticeable results. Although some of the highest reading paramagnetic rock in the world is available out of Ontario, Canada at a very reasonable price, the freight costs to most parts of the US became prohibitive for large scale acreage. Paramagnetism can be increased by good farming practices, but it is a slow process. One way to speed this up is to use a Field Broadcaster to disseminate the energy over the farm using only about 20 lbs of paramagnetic material. (CSI has a source of inexpensive 20 lb boxes of paramagnetic rock ready to ship.)

As a broadcaster is being put into place, the paramagnetic rock is layered with healthy soil used to pack around the approximately two feet of pipe containing the bottom coil of the broadcaster. Paramagnetic rock can be placed on the surface around the broadcaster, but burying as described is much better. Restoring paramagnetism by any method increases your access to the free cosmic energies identified by Steiner, Callahan, and many others.

Specific soil processes are required to turn OM (organic matter) into humus. So take your pick of any or all of the above practices and products to improve your soil structure and moisture retention to improve your farm, prepare for more extreme weather and help combat global warming!

SULFUR DEFICENCIES IN ORGANIC CROPS: Most growers have sulfur deficiencies unless they are soil applying KS Plus, Ammonium Sulfate or Ammonium/Potassium Thiosulfate. Finding a soluble sulfur source for foliar feeding is difficult for organic growers. One of the best organic sulfur compounds is DMSO. If you can find it and purchase it directly, that’s great. If not, please note that DMSO is one of the compounds that makes our garlic & yucca product, CropGuard or RepellEx, so effective. Most alfalfa and soy growers like to keep it on hand for insect control, so if tissue test or visual signs show deficiencies, you can use it to help correct the deficiency. Use at the listed rates. Garlic is extremely penetrating and will help carry other nutrients in your spray into the plant and then disperse them uniformly.

TESTIMONIALS & COMPUTER LINKS: CSI would greatly appreciate any growers using our testing, products or technologies to provide us with testimonials of your results. We would like to post them on our website with or without your identification as per your choice. If you do wish to be identified, we will offer a link to your website or a lead for people to purchase your farm products if you don’t have a site. We can take testimonials over the phone if that is faster and easier for you. It’s a Win-Win, so send those cards, letters or give us a call. Thanks!

NAME CHANGE: To avoid possible confusion, the Sulfur, Potassium, Iron and Trace Mineral product we called Natural Potassium Sulfate (NKS Plus) will now be known as KS Plus. It is an amazingly energetic product that can also release additional tied up K from your soils and is much less costly than 0-0-50.

FALL SOIL TESTING: You can’t know how to get there unless you know where you’re starting from. Fall Soil Testing is an excellent time to assess where you are and where you need to go. See our new soil test format.

TISSUE & FRUIT TESTING: CSI has completed work on our new tissue and fruit testing system. If you want to use it, please call for a Tissue Testing Kit which contains bags and instructions for taking and shipping your plant tissue or fruit ample. Tissue sample is $45 and includes Ca, N, P, K, Mg, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, S, and Al. The Fruit sample is $70 and includes Ca, N, P, K, Mg, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Moisture and Weight, and Nutrient Ratios. Try it! You’ll Like It!

TENN. BROWN: We declare it as NOP, but it is still OMRI listed. Don’t forget that CSI absorbed a $5.00/ton cost increase in June. The truckload ton price will be $70.00/ton on Jan. 08. NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!

$100 REBATE FOR ATTENDING TAINIO CONF: We urge you to attend the Feb 7, 8 2008 Tainio Conference in Spokane, WA. If you do, CSI will give you a $100 discount off your first minimum $200 order of Tainio products in 2008. Ron Ward will be there to assist you!

VEGES^® SOUND UNITS: CSI has solved the production problems of the Veges^®units by having the sound boards made just south of Grand Rapids. The final units are still assembled in Minnesota and shipped from there to you. The units continue to amaze growers around the globe with sometimes unexpected, but always appreciated results. CSI has a special foliar feed with the same frequency imprinted in the liquid. A multilevel company has been very successful in selling kits with the Veges Cassette Tape or the new CD and Veges Foliar Spray for home and garden use. Many kits have ended up as demo kits for commercial growers with the resultant sales of large quantities of the imprinted liquid CSI calls Veges Boost. It will be on our 08 Price List. It is organic! (Note: the multilevel company sells it under the brand name, Soni Grow.)

RADIONICS CLASS: Class is scheduled for Dec.3, 4, 5 prior to the Acres USA Conf. in Louisville, KY. Watch for our ads in Acres and be sure to sign up early! We now have 5 brands of new devices available for purchase ranging from $1250 to $1950. Used devices are in very tight supply. You will have one-on-one class help as Louisa Wheeler & Ron & Dorothy Ward will be there to assist Dr. Phil. SEE YOU THERE!

CSI SCHEDULE: Dr. Phil & Louisa will be driving from MI to TN and on to TX this Oct. We will be in Freeport, TX the week of Oct. 19-26 in a Gulf Shore time share. We will return through Tulsa, OK. If anyone needs/wants a consulting day anywhere along the route, please let us know ASAP. It would be a perfect time for Tainio Symphony, Tainio Field Broadcasters, Lovel Field Broadcasters or Veges^® Sound Machine installations. We can also consider a stop for a short getacquainted no cost visit. Of course a glass of sweet tea would always be appreciated. You northerners can serve hot herbal tea.

Phil, Louisa, Ron & Dorothy will all be at the Radionics Class and Acres Conf Dec 3 – 8. Phil & Louisa plan on being at the TOFGA (TX) conf. on Feb.1 – 3, 2008 and then go out of the country till March 12^th. Ron will cover the office in our absence, and will be attending the Tainio Conf. on Feb. 7-8, 2008.

WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK REGARDING POSSIBLE NEW PRODUCTS:

Please call us regarding your interest in the following:

I.          CSI has been receiving calls from large acreage farms that want to make a transition to sustainable Ag and beyond. However, they are so deep into conventional Ag that they need more time weaning off of the NPK treadmill using a slower process. To this end, CSI has decided to begin offering what we call a premium line of Hot Mix liquids to service anyone who wishes to go through (or remain in) the sustainable paradigm. Of course none of the products are organic. We have chosen to offer products from a well established company with manufacturing facilities in several locations across the mid-west. Watch for our Jan. 08 newsletter and price list. However, if you have some current needs this fall, we would be glad to service them.

Premium Liquid Fertilizer Products: Excellent Products for the Sustainable/Biological Grower

Release Patterns Designed to Meet the Demand Curve

Low Leaching Potential – Not Harmful to the Plant or Environment

High Usability – Larger Percentages Used by the Plant

Virgin Raw Materials are FREE from Chlorine and Heavy Metals

High NRG-N 27-0-0-1S (Nitrogen)

Is formulated for controlled release of Nitrogen. It contains trace amounts of secondary and micronutrients for synergism, sulfur for plant protein formation and is protected to reduce loss to leaching and volatility. Thus1 gal can do the job of 5 lbs from other sources. Application: Sidedress corn should be done within 30 to 35 days after planting. Not recommended to be applied in fall for following spring crop.

Pro-Germinator 9-24-3 (Phosphorus)

Is formulated for controlled release and protection from fixation (tie-up) which can account for up to 90% loss of conventional phosphate. Thus 1 gallon can do the job of 10 – 13 lbs from other sources. Application is based upon phosphate (P₂O₅) levels AND soil pH for banded row-crops:

1 gal per 10 lb P₂O₅ recommended when pH > 7.7

1 gal per 12 lb P₂O₅ recommended when pH 7.1 – 7.6

1 gal per 13 lb P₂O₅ recommended when pH < 7.1

Broadcast for drilled or standing cover crops e.g. wheat, alfalfa, turf.

Sure-K 2-1-6 (Potassium)

Is formulated for efficient utilization from both soil and foliar applications. It is very usable, has no harmful “carriers” and comes from a pure from of potassium. Thus 1 gallon can do the job of 13 lbs of K₂O from other sources. Can be applied as a band application at planting, sidedress or broadcast.

Micro 500 B – 0.02%; Cu – 0.25%; Fe – 0.037%; Mn – 01.2%; Zn – 01.8% (Micronutrient Package)

Is a combination of 5 essential micronutrients: boron, copper, iron, manganese & zinc for synergist performance. Apply based upon desired zinc rate. Other micronutrient‘s can be added or shipped as well. Individual or mixed micronutrients can be added to above products.

 Also:  Nutritional Foliar 4-1-2; Woody Plants & Trees 4-8-2; Green & Grow Wright Professional 9-6-3;

Nutritional Transplant 3-8-2; Green and Bloom 12-4-2 and MORE!

II.         BAICOR PRODUCTS: CSI has been handling Baicor products on a limited basis for several years. We have mostly sold their chelated and complexed trace minerals that are OMRI listed. The company is located in Utah and is noted for its use of natural organic and amino acids to complex and/ or chelate nutrients to increase their efficiency of uptake and utilization by plant. Baicor produces very strong chelates that can be mixed with phosphates or each other without reacting in the solution. The majority of their products are developed for foliar feeding, but can be used for soil application through fertigation, drip irrigation or side dressing.

Baicor has excellent lab and field testing systems in place. We recommend them for high end producers that want high purity, high efficiency and performance and a large line of available products to meet their needs. CSI has catalogs available for interested growers and will have them at our booth at Acres Convention in Dec. It should be noted that we already have one dealer in the MD, & PA area doing well with the Baicor line.

The following are some of the Baicor Organic Registered Products:

MICRO-PLENTY™: 2-0-1 (2% Fe, 2% Zn, 2%Mn, 0.1% B, 0.1% Ca) An excellent general purpose foliar/soil product for multiple trace and prime nutrient deficiencies.

FOLIAR FRIEND™: A non-ionic surfactant, wetting agent and penetrant for foliar sprays and problem soils.

COMPLEXES: BORON, MOLYBDENUM, AND COBALT, each separate in 3% solutions.

CHELATES: CALCIUM 5%, MAGNESIUM 2.5%, COPPER 5%, MANGANESE 5%, IRON 5%, ZINC 5%, each as separate products.

III.       DRY BLENDED FERTILIZERS from MORGAN COMPOSTING: CSI has watched Morgan Composting of Evart, MI develop into a successful business over the last few years. They have been bringing in our TN Brown Phos to add to blends. With the addition of new equipment they are now ready to offer bag, bulk bag and bulk blended fertilizers or bag or bulk bag individual materials for the smaller grower. Their excellent compost can be the basis of their blend or they will make any blend you wish in minimum 1 Ton quantities.

They offer CSI’s 3 main minerals, TN Brown Phos, KS Plus and NM Humates. You can also add: Feather Meal, Meat & Bone Meal, Chilean Nitrate of Soda, K-Mag, Gypsum, Hi-Cal Lime, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Boron, Vermiculite, Perlite, and Sphagnum Peat to make any blend. All NOP/OCIA. Chilean is just NOP.

The Jan. newsletter will have pricing on semi-loads of some standard blends in bulk, bulk bag or 50 bags. CSI will refer you directly to Morgan for anything less than semi-loads of any single or blended commodity.

This is your chance to have a compost based product designed to match your mineral replacement needs or just blended minerals. The compost based product should be spread with a lime spreader. All mineral blends could use a standard fertilizer cart. THESE ARE NOT PELLITIZED OR PRILLED PRODUCTS! The costs per unit of actual minerals can easily beat any east or west coast blends throughout the greater Midwest and South.

(Note: CSI WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE YOUR DIRECT SEMI-LOAD MINERAL NEEDS AT THE LOWEST PRICES AVAILABLE!

IV.       RepellEx, the straight garlic product we discontinued last year has been brought back to the market by the makers of Crop Guard. It can be used in the row as a preventive root insecticide or for early above ground repellency. Also can be used for addition to animal feed or water.

V.        NEEM & KARANJA OILS: These natural oil extracts are starting to find their way into commercial agriculture. They have known insecticidal and fungicidal properties and would work synergistically with our CropGuard and/or RepellEx products OR as stand alone products. CSI would like to offer them next year in a variety of container sizes for your needs. The cost per acre is usually quite reasonable. We are considering some blends as the two oils have synergistic properties. Any Interest Out There?

PLEASE CHECK OTHER SIDE FOR OUR NEW SOIL TEST FORMAT! WE THINK YOU’LL LIKE IT!

Hope you have a successful Harvest! Dr. Phil, Ron & Louisa!