What is Oregon Bull?
Is Oregon Bull Organic?
Where does Oregon Bull come from?
What are the best uses for Oregon Bull?
Are there any potential negatives to using Oregon Bull?
What benefits might I expect if I use Oregon Bull in my garden?
Can you tell me about organic matter, and why it is beneficial?
What is Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and why is it important for my garden?
Oregon Bull seems very "dense" compared to other products. Why is that?
How do I contact Oregon Bull to learn more about this superior soil amendment?
- Oregon Bull Organic Aged Humus is a pure, nutrient balanced, moisture retaining, soil-building humus, rich in organic matter, and containing beneficial nutrients. Humus is the most stable form of organic matter, allowing soil organisms to feed and reproduce, and is often described as the "life-force" of the soil. If your gardening mission is to improve the health of your soil and the health of your family, Oregon Bull should be your first choice for a soil amendment. Be loyal to your soil, and you will be rewarded with delectable, nutritious vegetables and abundant flowers.
Is Oregon Bull Organic?
- Oregon Bull was previously registered with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) as an Organic Input Material. CDFA has one of the most rigorous organic registration programs anywhere. Further,Oregon Bull has been tested for heavy metals, pathogens, and more than 170 herbicides and pesticides. The results? Oregon Bull is clean! Build your soil with confidence.
If you are not using Oregon Bull, how will you know if your amendment is actually certified organic? How will you know if your amendment is free of pesticides and herbicides? You may want to ask these questions and more. Learn more about the National Organic Program by clicking this link.
Where does Oregon Bull come from?
- Oregon Bull is an Oregon native. Our soil-building humus began 60 years ago on the historic MC Ranch, in the pristine Warner Valley of remote south-central Oregon. In its heyday, the MC Ranch encompassed 18,000 acres of deeded irrigated land in the Warner Valley, plus grazing leases on nearby public land. In 1958, the MC established a finishing lot, where cattle were fed barley and molasses before heading to market. Warner Valley is in the Great Basin of southeastern Oregon in southern Lake County where low humidity and ample sunshine facilitated slow and steady decomposition of Oregon Bull, creating the rich and robust organic soil amendment we now bring to you.
What are the best uses for Oregon Bull?
- Oregon Bull is a true multi-purpose soil amendment: with a high moisture holding capacity, it can substantially improve the drought tolerance of your garden by increasing the capacity of your garden soil to retain moisture. As a humus rich in organic matter and with a very good cation exchange capacity (CEC), it can help build the tilth or texture of your soil, and increase the diversity of beneficial fungi, microbes and macro invertebrates. Oregon Bull fortifies your plants at all stages of growth and, because of the micronutrient content. Users note that it is especially beneficial during the flowering and fruiting stages. These same nutrients also build sturdy stalks and lush leaves.
Are there any potential negatives to using Oregon Bull?
- Do not over apply Oregon Bull. As with most soil amendments, it is best used as directed. Oregon Bull is a soil amendment, and not a potting soil (although it is a great addition to potting soil!). Do not try growing plants directly in Oregon Bull. It should be mixed with other soil, as directed. We've tested Oregon Bull at concentrations of up to 15% (1:6 mix of OB to soil) with very good results, although 10% (1:9) seems to be the "sweet spot." Home page
What benefits might I expect if I use Oregon Bull in my garden?
- Greater moisture retention in garden soils, resulting in water conservation and drought tolerance.
- Improved tilth and enhanced micro-environments for beneficial organisms.
- Healthier plants, with greater yields.
- Oregon Bull is an excellent compost accelerator. Turn yard waste and kitchen scraps into a valuable addition to your garden.
- Fortify your potting mix by adding up to 1 part Oregon Bull to 9 parts potting mix. In two years of field and lab trials, 10% to 15% works quite well. Blend the soil mixture well before adding water (unchlorinated is preferred).
Can you tell me about organic matter, and why it is beneficial?
- Soil organic matter can be defined as the fraction of the soil that consists of plant or animal tissue in various stages of breakdown (decomposition). Most of our productive agricultural soils have between 3% and 6% organic matter. Increasing soil organic matter has many benefits, including increases in the soil’s Cation Exchange Capacity [CEC] or its ability to hold onto and supply, over time, essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. It also improves the ability of a soil to resist pH change [also known as "buffering capacity"], accelerates decomposition of soil minerals over time, making the nutrients in the minerals available for plant uptake, and enhances soil microbial biodiversity and activity which can help in the suppression of diseases and pests.
What is Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), and why is it important for my garden?
- Cations include positively charged ions such as calcium , magnesium, potassium, sodium, hydrogen, aluminum, iron, manganese, zinc and copper. Oregon Bull is rich in these micronutrients. The capacity of the soil to hold on to these cations is called the cation exchange capacity (CEC). These cations are held by the negatively charged clay and organic matter particles in the soil through electrostatic forces (negative soil particles attract the positive cations). The cations on the CEC of the Oregon Bull soil particles are easily exchangeable with other cations and, as a result, these micronutrients are readily available to your plants.
Oregon Bull seems very "dense" compared to other products. Why is that?
- First, we provide our customers with only the finest pure and unadulterated Oregon Bull Organic Aged Humus. Oregon Bull is concentrated aged steer manure with no added ingredients. Many products contain vermiculite, unsustainable peat moss, or other low-density inputs added to intentionally "fluff up" the amendment with air. This gives the appearance of more product for the money when, in reality, it is quite the opposite. A package of Oregon Bull will go much further in amending your soil than a comparable size package of an adulterated brand.
How do I contact Oregon Bull to learn more about this superior soil amendment?