Interstate Energy Group , in conjunction with Liquid BioNutrients and PQ Australia are currently conducting Broadacre Silicate trial to determine the efficacy of using OF 30 Potassium Silicate on Broadacre crops. Crops are expected to be harvested in the coming months. Look at the information on Silicates on the Foliar Sprays page under Products.
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Jim Beleheris – Almond Production
Several growers from the riverland district of Renmark North-Cooltong have embarked on biological programs in search of improvements in yield, quality, environmental sustainability and reductions in pesticide & fungicide use on their prospective properties.
One of those growers, Jim Belehis, has doubled his almond yields in two years and has not used ammonium nitrate in the last five years of production. Prior to this, ammonium nitrate was standard practice for Jim, with poor results making him look for alternatives. A shift to animal manure composts blended with biologically active brown coal Bio-Humate (FF50), has changed his views on synthetic NPK applied products.
Jim agrees, that by blending natural fertilisers with a humate base improves the retention of the products used, maximising their effect whilst promoting and stimulating the biological component. According to his wholesale merchant and consumers who try his almonds, Jim’s almonds have a better flavour, colour and crispness they don’t get from others.
“There is a flavour difference and consumers have noticed it, like it and pay extra for it.” says Jim. Jim has developed a new block and planted another 6000 trees using Ferbon ‘OF10’ high carbon fertiliser in the backfill of the planting holes. The result is that the trees are looking like clones of each other, with growth rates practically identical down every row.
John Farrant – Citrus
John Farrant has been on a biological program for more than five years now and doesn’t consider returning to a ‘conventional’ system again. John uses Bio-Humate FF50 blended with other ingredients like gypsum, soft-rock phosphate and/or lime to balance the major cations and other nutrients in the soil pre-season.
Microbes are brewed regularly and applied via fertigation, along with some specialty products to help improve production. Foliar applications are made frequently to assist with quality, maintaining good nutrient status in plant tissue for optimum photosynthesis.
Earthworms are more prevalent in the soil whilst the balance of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels have improved since he first started with these programmes.
John also grows citrus for local and export markets and applies similar programmes to his orange and mandarin trees. With his farm situated in a frost-prone area, John uses plenty of silica in the form of Silico-Sulfonate (OF29) on his trees, along with the nucleation inhibiting organism Pseudomonas fluorescens and some Tri-Kelp, to help his trees through the frosty nights of early winter. To date the results have seen little if any frost damage to his citrus crops, with the fruit holding up very well compared to others in the district.
reports supplied by Bio-Tech Organics
Ridenti Nominees
Sid & Joe Ridenti grow potatoes and onions on the Gawler river and at Kangaroo Flat, just north of the vast northern Adelaide plains horticultural disticrict of Virginia in South Australia. For many years their programs revolved around the old N:P:K regime with an emphasis on ammonium nitrate to grow their potatoes, with very little success.
The boys and their parents, Frank and mother Rosa, knew they had to do something to change the outcomes of their spud crops, as they were strguggling to make ends meet under their current practices. Their previous crops on 130 acres were barely achieving 10 tonnes per acre, with their 2003 harvest yielding only 1180 tonnes.
With this in mind they embarked on a mixed biological chemical regime and were stunned by the massive turnaround in production, quality and costs, to produce their 2004 crops. On 130 acres that season the crop yielded 2600 tonnes, a massive increase on previous crops, with chemical fungicide and pest sprays applied only once, where previously five sprays of each was the norm.
Not only did the crop produce more than double the previous years tonnages, the cost of production was reduced by a massive $100,000. The result speaks for itself and the increased profitability enabled them to erect a brand new production shed and packing plant for future onion crops.
Onion yields have improved dramatically over recent years where biological prescription blends have been used prior to planting. Before using prescription fertiliser blends average yields were around 28-35t:acre. The last two seasons, using FF50 Bio-Humate as a base, there has been around 6-10t:acre increase. Brown onion yields for example over the last two seasons have cropped at around 40-45t:acre with the quality.
The Ridentis are very happy with the results and are looking to expand their onion production to keep up with demand for their high quality produce.
reports supplied by Bio-Tech Organics
Soil Conditioners
Ferbon’s Bio-humate range of Soil Conditioners are based on special technologies for maximising the benefits of ancient composted plant life with its inherent high levels of concentrated humic acids. All Ferbon Bio-humate soil conditioners have a blend of biological additives, paramagnetic materials and a balance of various soil and plant nutrients. They are high in stable humus and humic acids, the “life force” of sustainable soil systems.
Ferbon Bio-humate Soil Conditioners are a feed source for soil microbes; organocarbon complexes give energy for microbes; microbes naturally lock up nitrogen in their bodies.
Ferbon Bio-humate Soil Conditioners;
- have a very high CEC,
- have high moisture retention
- provide a very stable home for microbes
- have effective life up to 3 years in the soil.
FF 50 Bio-humate Soil Conditioner:
A unique soil life enriching blended product especially formulated for commercial operators who are seeking to raise their soil’s fertility.
Much less labour and costs over time are experienced by using Ferbon’s FF50 Bio-humate Soil Conditioner rather than pure green manures, composted green or animal waste.
Uses of FF 50:
- Soil conditioning and basic fertility raising by the supply of stable humus, fulvic and humic components.
- Component of fertility boosting with either another hi-tech Bio-humate granular and or fish/seaweed ground spray. Also a home for nitrogen fixing and phosphate releasing microbes.
- Base for a soil blend for use by nursery/building supplies/turf company.
- Enriching regular compost with humic and fulvic acids. Most compost is extremely low in life-raising humic and fulvic acids, due to time limitations.
FF 20 Bio-humate Soil Regenerator:
FF 20 Bio-humate Soil Regenerator is a product specially formulated using FF 50 Bio-humate Soil Conditioner as the base material with the added benefit of added Fish Oil, Paramagnetic Rock Dust and Lime.
FF 60 Bio-humate Phos Boosted Soil Regenerator:
FF 60 is a special blend of 75% FF 20 and 25% Soft Rock Phosphate. With the Soft Rock Phosphate and FF 20 combined during the composting process the microbial action on the Soft Rock Phosphate makes the “P” more readily available.
Products Safety Data Sheets
Click on Product Link to open Product SDS.
Ground Sprays
OF 64 Bio-humate ‘Poly Plus’
Ferbon OF 64 ‘Poly Plus’
The bio-enhancing properties of Bio-humate ‘Poly Plus’ are essential for today’s progressive Eco-farmers. By feeding the soil as well as the plant, the vast interdependent of microscopic beneficial soil micro-flora is enhanced, enabling natural processes to take place. This huge integrated workforce has the ability to feed and defend the living plant, maximising the yield and quality potential of the crop species. Soil vitamins, enzymes, proteins, antibiotics, metabolic processes etc. so naturally necessary for the vitality of the crop are all related to the soil micro-organisms.
- Bio-humate ‘Poly Plus’ concentrates are complete highly soluble forms of a group 11 humic acids used in agriculture to improve soil structure, buffer against the effects of both salinity and adverse pH.
- Bio-humate ‘Poly Plus’ increases water retention and generally improves soil fertility by encouraging beneficial soil micro-organisms and fungal activity.
- Bio-humate ‘Poly Plus’ is beneficial particularly on soils over fertilised with phosphates, nitrates etc.
Foliar Sprays
T.E. ‘Plus’ Trace Elements
Organic Base Soluble Foliar & Fertigation Concentrates
Ferbon T.E. ‘Plus’ Series Sprays are formulated to provide for specific trace element absorption where and fruit set conditions indicate severe deficiencies often activated by poor nutrient translocation and soil imbalance. The biological and chelating additives also include micro-nutrients to ensure efficient photo-synthesis resulting in improved sugar levels and pigmentation.
All Ferbon T.E. ‘Plus’ Sprays are based on liquor consisting of organic chelating agents, and micro-nutrients. The COMBO grade combines the individual grades OF 100 – OF 400 with the additional micro-nutrients especially for pasture application.
- OF 45 Calcium
- OF 46 Zinc
- OF 47 Copper
- OF 48 Boron
- OF 49 Cobalt
- OF 50 Molybdenum
- OF 100 Magnesium
- OF 200 Zinc/Manganese
- OF 300 Iron
- OF 400 Phosphorus
- OF 500 Combo Grade
OF 29 Silico Sulfonate
A soluble organic spray concentrate serving as a valuable tonic to promote more effective photosynthesis, especially among winter leafy vegetables and fruit bearing plants and vines in cooler areas. Increases in plant tissue size as well as raised sugar levels creates longer lasting, greener appearance and increased Brix readings have been reported.
OF 29 Silico Sulfonate is an Ultra Filtered blend of silicate, potassium, seaweed, an organic form of sulphur, humic concentrates and molasses. OF 29 is primarily a foliar spray, but may also be used as a ground spray.
In 1988 German reports on orchard use of an early more “primitive” form of diluted silicon type spray showed increases in apple total sugar levels of 28% approx. Absorption appeared to be by the CUTIN (the main part of the cuticle). Corresponding increased root uptake of soil nutrients was also noted, as well as earlier ripening (maturity).
Results now to hand here in southern Australia indicate that Ferbon Silico Sulfonate, a much improved form of silicon spray, is supplying a better all round balance of enhancement.
OF 29 Silico Sulfonate Brochure
OF 30 Potassium Silicate
A soluble Potassium Silicate concentrate (32% SiO2 ) suitable for all applications where a clear silicate solution is required. Particularly in fruiting crops where staining on the bottom of the fruit may occur late in the season if using OF 29 Silico Sulfonate. The benefits are similar to using OF 29 Silico Sulfonate as both enhance plant growth and resilience. See below
Silica in Plants
♦ Calcium and silica in plant cell walls help determine the ability of a plant to provide resilience to environmental and biological stressors.
♦ Calcium is important in nutrient transport in plant cells, but has low mobility.
♦ Soluble silica can increase the mobility of calcium in plant nutrient pathways.
♦ Silica provides cell-strengthening capacity and functions as an immune support.
♦ Enhances ability of chloroplasts to maximise solar energy efficiency in production of plant sugars and tissue.
Benefits in Crop Production
♦ Enhances efficiency of photosynthesis.
♦ Stimulates crop vigour and quality.
♦ Lessens biotic stress to improve plant structural strength and immune function.
♦ Decreases effects of excess or deficient nutrients, e.g. N, P, Fe, Mn.
♦ Alleviates abiotic plant stress e.g. frost, low sunlight, drought, chemical.
♦ Increases tolerance to salinity, sodicity and heavy metal toxicity.
♦ Rapidly incorporated into the cell walls
♦ Enhances the mobility of calcium in plant nutrient pathways.
♦ Improves Brix levels (dissolved nutrients) to enhance growth and crop quality.
♦ Can be applied to all crops including certified as organic.
♦ Low cost and easy application.
Complimentary Products
Humus Plus4 is a certified natural product that is specially blended with neutral cellulose combined with Brown Coal (Lignite – which contains high levels of naturally occurring Humic Acid complexes) to create humic energy in Australian soils. Humus Plus4 is the ideal soil conditioner for any Australian soil, whether alkaline or acid soils.
- Can be used on neutral or calcium deficient soils.
- Helps increase microbial activity.
- Improves CEC or nutrient holding levels.
- Improves moisture retention.
- Source of humic compounds and Trichoderma fungi.
- A 50/50 blend of Crushed Brown Coal & recycled cellulose which is sourced from recycled cardboard and paper.
Humus Plus4 is an environmentally friendly product
- Contains no pesticide residues above organic certification.
- Contains no heavy metals above organic certification.
- Has no odour.
Humus Plus4 is easy to handle and the product is screened and is best spread with a belt spreader due to variable moisture levels. Once spread the Humus Plus4 soil conditioner is best incorporated into the soil.
Conventional Fertilisers & Trace Elements
Ferbon is able to provide a wide range of conventional agricultural grade fertilisers as well as most trace elements at extremely competitive prices. We are able to provide discounts for larger forward orders.
Due to the large number of products available we are unable to list them all here, so contact us with your requirements and we will give you a competitive quote. Due to the regular price fluctuations we can only give quotes for 14 days, therefore offering you the most competitive price.
Blended Fertilizers
OF 54 Bio-humate Seed Germinating Energiser
Ferbon Seed Germinating Energiser
- A specialty horticultural formulation for stimulating earlier seed germination and strengthening plant root and potato tuber development.
- Provides for the ready availability of a balance of those necessary elements for earlier root or tuber growth.
- A carefully selected blend of seaweed/fish biomass, calcium, paramagnetic materials, trace elements and concentrated humic extracts.
- Milled to a fine consistency and suitable for either hand or seeder machine application hoppers mixed with the selected seed.
OF 54 Seed Germinating Energiser Brochure
OF 10 Concentrated Bio-humate Fertiliser
- Helps improve soil texture.
- Has excellent buffering action against acid and alkaline soil conditions.
- Has high moisture retention.
- High organic carbon and humate content.
- Slow and fast nutrient release to plants.
- Faster microbial action due to inclusion of Ferbon BCA (Biological Complex Additive).
- A carefully selected blend of concentrated humic extracts, natural minerals, fish oil, paramagnetic materials, natural calcium sources and trace elements.
- As a general purpose fertiliser it can be used in most circumstances in accordance with recommendations based on a soil test.