Horse Manure Compost The Renewable Resource Dr Ann Swinker, Penn State University
How Much?? Waste Space One 1,000 lbs. horse produces ~45 lbs. manure daily+ Bedding = 730 cubic feet/year of waste to manage per 1,000s of animal.
Manure Handling Site Consider topography and flood patterns when developing manure facilities. Not near streams Not in Flood-prone areas Not on steep hillsides Flat, impermeable, deep water table
Dry - Manure Storage Stock piled for future use Composting on site
Both Require a Storage Site Select a high dry spot Keep away from bodies of water Easily accessible Confine the pile Treat any runoff
Traditional Use of Manure
Commercial fertilizer vs. Manure Manure contains organic matter Organic matter is good for soil health & structure
Applying Manure/Bedding Fresh Improve the health of grass Apply according to soil test Good idea to keep animals off pasture for a few days When weather permits
Haul Off the Property Haul manure & stall waste off property PA Mushroom Growers contact with horse farms to remove manure and straw. Compost all stall waste
Composting Natural aerobic process for stabilizing organic matter Well composted manure has humus smell, 25-50% volume reduction, and destruction of pathogens and weed seeds due to heat of composting.
Simple, easy. Natural biological process. Recycling. Bio-secure. Environmentally sound. Low odor. Low fly production.
Mechanical breakdown of large particles Increase surface area for microbes Feed on bacteria and fungi.
Microbial activity is related to availability of food source, surface area, moisture and oxygen availability.
Composting Principles
Cone Shaped Windrow
Chimney effect
Unimproved Surface
Active vs. Passive Composting
Actively Compost Requires turning, moisture, oxygen, C:N
Properly composting manure Heats up to 145 degrees F can kill parasite eggs and weed seeds 22
C:N ratio Oxygen Content (Porosity) Moisture Content Temperature ph Particle Size
Active composting occurs in the temperature range of 50 o F to 160 o F Pile temperature may increase above 140 o F but this is too hot for most bacteria and decomposition will slow until temperature decreases again. Remember, Compost pile heat is the direct result of microbial metabolism!!!
Supply of total carbon compared to total nitrogen in compost pile. If C:N is too high the compost process will slow. If C:N is too low, more likely to lose Nitrogen as ammonia gas or in leaching. Ideal initial C:N mixture range is 20 30:1. Very important!
Temperature (F) Active Phase Curing Phase 140 100 Thermophilic Mesophilic 2 4 6 8 Weeks of Composting
Need Oxygen for most efficient process. 21% oxygen in air. 5%-10% is optimal for compost process. <5% process slows. As pile heats more oxygen will be consumed by microbes.
40-65% moisture range 0% Optimal conditions for microbes 50-65% 100 % Too Dry Too Wet
0 7 14 Fungi (5.5-8.0) Bacteria (6.0 7.5)
C:N Ratio - 20 to 30:1 % Moisture - 50-65% Oxygen - 5-10% ph - 5.5-8.2 (acceptable) Particle size - 1/4 to 3 inches Temperature -110-160 o F
ixed sizes are preferred. Wood shavings ideal.
Solid Manure Storage Covered facilities Tarp may provide cover with less cost and more labor Stack or stockpile in a well-drained area for later hauling Regulations may require runoff control
Choosing a Manure Storage Facility Land application methods, Type of bedding Hauling, distances, volume Space and size requirements Treatment Common Since!!
Design system to fit your goals Storage area? Consult NRCS
Manure Compost Bin Two Bin Composter
Economy Model
Size Matters
Other Uses of Composted Horse Manure
Landscaping - Gardening
Riding Arena Footing
Compost- Use on Sustainable Trails as Footing
Mortality Compost Management
Animal bedding Waste feed Manure Straw Wood shavings, sawdust, woodchips Others?
For large animals
Land apply after 90 more days Six months total or use on new composting row
Bones from immature animals degrade quickly and can be land applied. Big bones from mature animals may need to be picked out.
Factors Affecting Odor Release and Dispersion 1. Wind speed 2. Area 3. Source concentration 1. Temperature 2. Wind speed 3. Topography
Summary - Manure Management Each farm should have a plan for managing manure spreading and disposal. Store manure in a dry, level, impermeable location free from storm-water runoff. Manage storm-water to prevent manure contamination of water and eliminate runoff. Actively compost manure and bedding Control animal access to manure pile sites. Visual out of sight-out of mind
Questions????