An Alberta producer is hoping three-year field trials at Olds College will provide the proof he needs to show his organic soil enhancer improves soil quality and gives plants a boost.
Initial tests in the lab and greenhouse at Olds College showed promising results for Agri-Boost, said Sam Lentz of Leduc.
Lentz has worked on the development of the alfalfa-based pelletized product for about five years and has enough anecdotal evidence to prove to him he’s onto something good.
“It increases everything fivefold,” said Lentz.
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He said the main customers for his product so far are oilfield reclamation companies that use the product to help break down clay soil and allow grass to regrow on old oilfield sites.
“It’s a real boost.”
Agri-Boost adds nitrogen, breaks down clay and neutralizes alkaline in soil and it works for three years, unlike fertilizer that has to be applied every year, he said.
Idea emerges
Lentz got the idea for the product when he was approached to use alfalfa compost in his field, but didn’t want to worry about weed seeds from compost. He is hoping the trials at Olds, funded by a $16,000 grant from AVAC, will provide data to back up his claims of the product as a soil enhancer. AVAC is an Alberta-based not-for-profit private company that invests in innovative ideas that add value to agricultural commodities.
“Agri-Boost has shown considerable potential and has been used successfully in a number of soil reclamation and enhancement projects,” said AVAC president Keith Jones.
“By funding the company’s field trials, we’ll help Agri-Boost evaluate and demonstrate the cost effectiveness and performance of its product. It’s an important step in further marketing and commercializing this product.”
The pellets are manufactured at Legal Alfalfa Products, north of Edmonton, with a special patented process. Revealing that secret ingredient would be the same as Coke giving away its soft drink recipe, said Lentz.
