Thursday, September 17, 2009
Worm Cocoons
Do worms breed continuously throughout the year in the large-scale systems. Yes... BUT..you definitely see more dominant mating periods at specific intervals throughout the year as well. We can pinpoint 5 specific times (or ranges of time) of the year in which we see increased mating and resulting cocoons.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Composting prior to Vermicomposting
1. It removes some of the potential for the material to heat up (compost) after being fed to the worm population (removal of energy). The last thing we want is to have the feedstock material start actively composting in the worm beds; thus making the living conditions undesirable or uninhabitable for the worm population (higher temps);
2. PFRP = a path to further reduce pathogens;
3. Weed seed destruction. Finished products should be weed seed free;
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Worm Power AgriTourism Event
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Temperatures In Large-Scale Vermicomposting Digesters
We get questions all of the time regarding the temperatures within our large-scale vermicomposting digesters (aka worm beds). It must be stressed that temperatures within these larger vc (vermicomposting) systems will be much different than those observed in smaller vc (home) units. Upfront I should also state that we have an enclosed facility that aids in controlling temperature swings. The building does have insulation and is minimally heated in the winter (building is heated to 48 F in the winter). Active ventilation assists in cooling the building during the warmer summer months.
- Typically we see an average temperature (T) range between 70 degree F and 100 degree F throughout the year within the beds (measured about 4 inches from the bed surface). I can safely say that the beds really have never dipped below 68 degree F and never above 110 degree F for any significant length of time. At the those extreme temperatures (below 68 F and above 110 F) we start to worry about worm health and put remediation measures into place in order to adjust the temperatures to within an adequate acceptable range. It is also very typical to have a range of temperatures within a single bed at any one time. The ends of the beds exhibit different temp characteristics then other bed areas.
- It's uncommon but you can get "hot spots" (greater than 110 F and less than 125 F) in the beds during the warmer periods of the summer. Hot spots may occur if feed material is placed over uneaten portions of the bed thus resulting in some form of composting action to occur. This is one reason to never overfeed your system. We precompost our feedstock (dairy manure) prior to feeding it to the worms. This action aids in reducing the energy in the material thus limiting the potential for it to reheat (composting) in the beds. We have also observed increased T in areas of greater worm activity (which makes sense).
Please comment or ask questions and I will do my best to answer or explain.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Home Use Worm Bins
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Vermicomposting Digesters (aka Worm Beds)
The system also significantly saves on labor input (I don't know about you, but I can only shovel for so many hours per day) as the harvesting system beneath the beds is also automated.