Bieri [m.bieri_ing@swissonline.ch] wrote:
>In the last years I put my concern on natural recycling of organic nitrogen.
>Because in waste management the most delicate and mobile nutrient
>element is N. ......(cut)....
>
>Question 1:
>what is the importance for Bali-farmers of N-recycling
>
>Question 2:
>What is the importance of vegetal growing in Bali ?

Dear Markus
I like to avoid responding to the above questions as the topics are outside
the scope of the paper for discussion. However I take this opportunity to
comment on the nitrogen flow at the project site.

The site (6 ha) has a research centre and an abattoir and meat processing
factory (to be constructed). The nitrogen inputs into this site will be in
the animal feeds (for the centre's activities and the animals in temporary
feedlot and the animal holding area) and in the animals that are purchased
fattening and for slaughter. We estimate that there will be a daily 8 m3 of
solid wastes and 9 m3 of liquid waste water at the whole site to handle. 1
m3 of the solid wastes will be compound materials (i.e. generated within
the site).  Most of the nitrogen in the liquid and solid wastes will come
from the abattoir and feedlots (i.e. in manure, blood) and thus the nitrogen will be from the external inputs (e.g. from purchased cattle feed, and cattle).

The question of concern to me, is:
will the site experience an overload of  N ?

I dont think so.
The on-site N-sinks are (a) compost (b) fodder crops (c) animals.

Thus N is in a form that can be re-used or sold. There will be a volatile
portion and some will be loss into the ground.
N in the liquid wastes and wastewater will be contained if a biogas
digester is in operation but NH3 loss is anticipated when the digested
effluent is used. A theoretical estimate of N in the resource inputs and
product outputs is possible and would make an interesting research study.

Markus :
do you know of any studies on the N flows in a feedlot/livestock-fodder crop site ?

Julian Chara may wish to comment on N-accumulation at Pozo Verde Farm.

>Question 3:
>In this case your scenario 2 is quite a
>good improvement in nutrient recycling - but are people willing to use the
>technique of vermicomposting ?

The hired workers involved in waste management will have to handle
earthworms. It is not a cultural taboo or a religious problem. There
are/have been projects in Indonesia on vermiculture.

regards
jacky foo