USAGE GUIDE
ASAM Product Usage Guide
Dilution ratios and field application guidance for soil drench, foliar spray, compost, and seed treatment.
Before You Begin
Know Your Products
Using TerraFerm ingredients, you can produce two distinct working products. Both serve the same purpose in the field — the key differences are the cost of input used and how long the product is performing at its optimum.
| Product | Full Name | Shelf Life | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASAM-C | Commercial Grade ASAM Concentrate | 2+ years (sealed, cool storage) | Long-term inventory; use as-is or as activation stock for producing ASAM-A |
| ASAM-A | Activated ASAM Concentrate | 14–45 days from activation date | Near-term field use; expanded volume from ASAM-C; use within the use-by window |
The dilution ratios in the tables below apply equally to both ASAM-C and ASAM-A. The activation process expands volume and shortens shelf life — it does not change the field dilution rate.
How to read the tables: “Dilution” is the ratio of product to water. 1:128 = 1 oz per gallon (1 gallon = 128 fl oz). 1:640 = 1 oz per 5 gallons. All rates are guidance ranges from field use and published EM research. Start at the lower end and adjust based on your crop, soil, and program goals.
Application Guide
Soil Drench & Irrigation
Apply to root zone via drip irrigation, furrow, sprinkler, or hand watering. Consistent seasonal application supports cumulative improvements in soil biology and structure.
| Method | Dilution | Practical Measure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drip / furrow irrigation | 1:256 to 1:640 | 1 oz per 2–5 gal | Apply every 2–4 weeks during growing season; flush lines after |
| Hand watering / soil drench | 1:128 to 1:256 | 1 oz per 1–2 gal | Apply to root zone; morning application preferred |
| Large spray tank / chemigation | 1:256 to 1:640 | 1 oz per 2–5 gal | Compatible with most organic inputs; avoid chlorinated water |
Do not mix with chlorinated water, copper products, bactericides, or synthetic chemical fertilizers in the same tank.
Foliar Spray
Apply as a fine mist to foliage. Microbial populations on leaf surfaces may support plant health. Compatible with most organic liquid fertilizers, seaweed extract, and fish hydrolysate.
| Application | Dilution | Practical Measure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard foliar spray | 1:128 to 1:256 | 1 oz per 1–2 gal | Apply in early morning or evening; avoid midday heat and UV |
| With liquid fertilizers | 1:128 | 1 oz per gallon | Combine with seaweed, fish hydrolysate, or kelp; compatible with organic inputs |
| Vine / orchard health | 1:128 (1%) | 1 oz per gallon | Rate used at Seresin Estate vineyard, Marlborough, NZ (Daly & Arnst, 2005) |
| Understorey / fresh-cut mulch | 1:10 to 1:20 | 10–20 L per hectare | Apply to fresh prunings and mulched material; supports decomposition |
Wait at least 4 days between ASAM applications and any copper-based, bactericide, or fungicide spray.
Compost & Compost Tea
ASAM can contribute to faster, more complete composting and may improve finished compost quality. In compost tea brewing, it introduces a broad microbial consortium into the brew alongside other biological inputs.
| Application | Dilution | Practical Measure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compost pile inoculant | Undiluted | 1–2 L per m³ of material | Apply in layers as pile is built; keep material moist; cover pile |
| Compost tea brewer | 1:128 to 1:640 | 1 oz per 1–5 gal of brew water | Add at start of aerated brew cycle (24–48 hrs) |
| Bokashi / fermented material | 1:20 | ~6 oz per gallon | Spray onto organic layers; seal container anaerobically |
| Wastewater / odor management | 1:128 to 1:256 | 1 oz per 1–2 gal | Assists pH stabilization and odor management in organic waste streams |
EM-treated compost showed improved plant growth response vs. standard aerobic compost in independent growth trials (Daly & Arnst, Seresin Estate, Marlborough NZ, 2005).
Seed Treatment & Transplanting
Pre-treating seeds and transplants may support establishment by introducing beneficial microbes into the root zone at planting time. Use the most dilute rates listed — applying too high a concentration or leaving seeds in contact too long can initiate fermentation and kill the seed.
| Application | Dilution | Practical Measure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-soak, small seeds | 1:640 | 1 oz per 5 gal | 1–2 hours MAX. Drain and plant promptly. Do not oversoak. |
| Pre-soak, large seeds / bulbs | 1:640 | 1 oz per 5 gal | 2–4 hours; rinse lightly before planting |
| Root dip / bare-root transplant | 1:256 to 1:640 | 1 oz per 2–5 gal | Dip 5–15 minutes; transplant immediately |
| Transplant water-in | 1:256 to 1:640 | 1 oz per 2–5 gal | Apply to transplant hole at planting; supports root-zone establishment |
| Seed drill / drip (no-till) | 1:640 | 1 oz per 5 gal | Applied via drip system alongside seeder in no-till fields; do not saturate seed zone |
Seed safety note: Too high a concentration or too long a contact time can kill seeds by initiating fermentation. Always use 1:640 for seed contact. Keep soak times short. Do not use on chemically coated seed.
Animal Agriculture
Water-line inoculation and per-head dosing for dairy, livestock, and poultry operations. All rates apply equally to ASAM-C and ASAM-A. The microbial strains and inputs used in TerraFerm ASAM production are GRAS-listed under FDA standards. Buyers are responsible for confirming applicable state and federal regulations for water-supply additives in animal operations. Learn why water-line inoculation works →
Facility Water-Line Injection
Injected at the pump house or water-line header, this approach inoculates the entire facility water supply — reaching every trough, nipple drinker, and water contact surface. Shifts the facility-wide microbial environment from putrefactive to fermentative leadership. Observe significant odor reduction, fly reduction, and improved manure quality within days of first treatment. Requires ongoing application to maintain the shifted equilibrium.
| Animal Operation | Dilution | Practical Measure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairy & Beef Cattle | 1:640 | 1 oz per 5 gal of water supply | Inject at pump house header; treat entire water distribution system; ongoing daily application |
| Swine & Livestock | 1:640 | 1 oz per 5 gal of water supply | Same facility-wide approach; particularly effective for CAFO odor and fly management |
| Poultry (All Types) | 1:1500 | ~0.85 oz per 8 gal | Broiler, layer, turkey; dilute more sensitive due to bird size; also spray litter at 1:640 |
Per-Head Drinking Water Dosing
For smaller operations, individual waterers, or operations adding ASAM to individual drinking stations rather than the main line. Supports digestive microbial health and gut environment when used as a direct water additive.
| Animal | Dilution | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy & Beef Cattle | 1:500 | 3–5 oz per head per day in drinking water |
| Equine | 1:500 | 3–5 oz per head per day in drinking water |
| Calves | 1:1000 | 2 oz per head per day |
| Swine | 1:1000 | ¾ tsp per gallon of drinking water |
| Sheep & Goats | 1:1000 | ¾ tsp per gallon of drinking water |
| Poultry — Adult | 1:5000 | ¾ tsp per 5 gal; or spray 5% of feed |
| Poultry — Chicks | 1:10000 | ¾ tsp per 10 gal; or spray 2% of feed |
Feed additive (cattle, equine, swine, sheep): 1% liquid product to 99% feed — spray directly on feed before consumption. Do not use with chlorinated water. For litter treatment in poultry houses, spray diluted ASAM (1:640) onto litter surface and bedding to reduce ammonia and shift litter microbial environment.
General Application Guidelines
Follow these guidelines across all application types to protect microbial viability and get the most from your program.
Do Not Mix With
- Chlorinated or ozonated water
- Copper-based sprays or fertilizers
- Bactericides or fungicides
- Synthetic chemical fertilizers (same tank)
Wait at least 4 days between ASAM applications and any chemical spray.
Compatible Inputs
- Organic liquid fertilizers
- Seaweed / kelp extract
- Fish hydrolysate
- Humic and fulvic acid
- Compost teas and extracts
Timing
- Apply in early morning or late evening
- Avoid direct midday sun
- Avoid application immediately before heavy rain
Program Notes
- Start at the lower end of dilution ranges
- Increase frequency and rate as your program matures
- Log each application: batch, date, dilution, crop