Several research and demonstration trials have been conducted in Alaska using white cod bonemeals as a fertilizer source. This material was provided by Mr. Bob Greig, Alaska Sea-Ag of Palmer. Mr. Greig is a local potato producer and cooperator in the aforementioned studies. Since 1991, bonemeal samples have been analyzed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station analytical laboratory located near Palmer, Alaska. The analyses included total nitrogen by micro-Kjeldahl, total phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, iron, boron, and sulfur by nitric/perchloric digest, and dry matter determined at 105º C (Gavlak et.al., 1994, Plant, Soil, and Water Reference Methods for the Western Region, Western Region Extension Publication No. 125). The analytical results indicated that white cod bonemeals were reasonably consistent in nutrient content as shown below:

(This analysis was conducted on white cod bonemeal. Analysis figures vary depending on the fish used and the location the fish were caught.)

November 8, 1996
Raymond G. Gavlak, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Agronomy Specialist
Alaska Cooperative Extension
University of Alaska Fairbanks

Proprietor Larry DeVilbiss of Wolverine Farm in Palmer, Alaska, producer of organic carrots writes (February 1997):

"On Wolverine Farm we have two fields that have been strictly organic for a number of years. We use a variety of local supplements such as liquid lime and blood in combination with foliar spraying other imports. In 1990 we began applying white cod fish fertilizer from Alaska Sea-Ag to one of the fields and left off all other supplements - even the crop rotation. (Although we do fallow one-third of the field every third year.) We apply one thousand pounds of white cod fish fertilizer to the acre each year, and we keep waiting to see signs of weakness, but to date have only seen this 1½ acre patch increase in productivity. We have also noted that the ground is not affected by the drought years nearly as much as the commercial fields are. We have never irrigated either of the organic fields, and even on a drought year like this year the yield exceeded 40 tons to the acre. I highly recommend the white cod fish fertilizer product of Alaska Sea-Ag."

Mark Rempel practices regenerative agriculture in Palmer, Alaska.

He uses Alaska Sea-Ag white cod fish fertilizer on carrots, potatoes, and assorted vegetable crops. He stated in an interview (February 1997) that the outstanding difference he has seen since using white cod fish fertilizer on potatoes has been the uniformity of the size of the tubers and the smoothness of the skins.

 

Mark had a twenty foot wide problem section of a carrot field that produced corrugated or ridged carrots. Since fertilizing with Alaska Sea-Ag white cod fish fertilizer the carrots are smooth skinned and indistinguishable from the carrots in the rest of the field.

 

Mark stated that he has noticed more birds on this farm and fewer cut worms since using white cod fish fertilizer. There are a couple of tricks to using the product that are worth noting. It must be worked into the soil to keep dogs and cats from being attracted to the fish odor. Don't attempt to apply the fertilizer on a windy day, since it is granulated not pelleted and will travel in the wind.

Shirley Jacobson of Jacobson's Greenhouse in Wasilla, Alaska gives Alaska Sea-Ag white cod bonemeal this endorsement (February 1997):

"Alaska cod bonemeal is more than a bonemeal - it's a complete fertilizer. Use it for tomatoes. The high calcium content helps prevent blossom end rot. Use it for all your bulbs. A prominent bulb company recommends this formula. At Jacobson's we have used Alaska Sea-Ag white cod bonemeal exclusively in our flower beds for years. We recommend it to our customers and they keep coming back for more."

Alaskan Granular Fish is a truly organic fertilizer made by recycling the by-products of fish waste products. Try it - for your soil's sake.

For more information or to order our fertilizer product, please contact:

Alaska Sea-Ag
HC5 Box 6930-D <> Palmer, Alaska 99645-9613 <> Phone & Fax (907) 745-5725
E-mail: info@alaskasea-ag.com

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