<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>Concerning the use of pomace as fertilizer and animal feed:

During my ethnographic work in northern Jordan and Palestine/Israel, many
of my contacts mentioned that solid pressing wastes were used for both
applications.

For animal feed, an experimental agricultural station near Irbid, Jordan,
was exploring the use of olive pressing wastes as an animal (primarily
sheep) feed additive. The pomace is mixed with grain and other feed
mixtures. A number of contacts told me that the pomace by itself is not
good for the animals. Several farmers mentioned that when they put the
pomace in the orchards as fertilizer, the sheep would eat a little of it
as they grazed. I have also seen an article or FAO guide that talks about
the use of pomace as animal feed (it may take me a while to find the
reference).

As fertilizer, spreading the pomace around the orchards seemed to be
common practice. I was told that you don't pack it around the trees
because it will heat up and injure the roots. The pomace is most commonly
burned as a fuel (both commercial and domestic), and the resulting ash is
also used as fertilizer for the orchards.

Something that may be worthwhile checking out, both ancient texts (Roman)
and my contacts mentioned that olive oil pressing wastes appear to have
herbicidal qualities. Spreading pomace in the orchards prevents grass and
other herbaceous plants from growing. I'm not sure how effective it is,
but it is worth investigating.

Sincerely,

Peter Warnock

Peter Warnock
Dept. of Anthropology
Swallow Hall
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 443-4203
(573) 884-5450 (fax)
c581927@showme.missouri.edu


On Tue, 4 Apr 2000, Alan Watt wrote:

> Does anyone have experience, knowledge or know of literature regarding the
> use of pomace for either stockfeed or as feed for wormfarms? Apart from
> growing olives I also 'run cattle' { I can tell you their names if you are
> interested]
> I would also be interested to know what is standard practice when it comes
> to spreading pomace around olive trees as fertiliser/mulch.
>
>
> Alan Watt
>
> Tanja Olives
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Get a NextCard Visa, in 30 seconds!
> 1. Fill in the brief application
> 2. Receive approval decision within 30 seconds
> 3. Get rates as low as 2.9% Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR
> Apply NOW!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/2646/0/_/137757/_/954822453/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> TODAY'S FEATURED SITE: http://www.victorianolivegroves.com
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~~~~~~~ Life is healthier with OliveOil ~~~~~~~
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> If you want to see your website address listed in the footer of future
messages, contact oliveoil-owner@onelist.com
>
>
</pre>
</td></tr></table>