Questions on composting manure and straw (first time)

[CalG]

I often have compost piles that are heavy on oak leaves and low on green material. It would take a couple of years on it's own. With compost starter, it's done in a year. It does work if you have trouble getting it going.

I wouldn't hesitate to put WAY MORE hay and straw into the mix than the 15% you indicated. (Or is that 15% by weight?)


You are trying for a mineralized product , Compost users like "tilth". ;-)

 

[svenlylethor]

there are some regulations out there that deal with compost piles. along with odor smell. along with water regulations (being to close to wells, lakes, streams, etc..) possibly run off water being an issue from pile/s. there may be some sort of distance issue from your own home / other folks homes.

keeping correct temperatures , aerating pile (turning pile) i would think help speed up overall process of stuff breaking down.

getting into non-aerobic bacteria, bugs, etc... that dislike oxygen. = generally takes much longer to break stuff down. when speaking about waste treatment.

getting into aerobic waste treatment that deals with getting air mix'ed into the process = a shorter time for stuff to break down.

would suggest contacting local agricultural department for your area. they might recommend some things. work with them and you will more likely get much further along.

might suggest watching some youtube videos from other folks that have some sort of composite buisness or DIY compost for homes. and reading up on the material. most of it is all the same just different amounts "small home" vs large waste from livestock. and ways of doing certain things to make better use of tools / area at hand.

The original link I sent has all the information about regulations, temperatures, etc. They even had a youtube video. I've looked at a few other studies and even found one that's specific to Utah. It's telling me to do a 25/75 mixture of straw and manure. Doesn't say anything about covering it either. I've even found a few compost thermometers on Amazon. I'll probably get one for spring.

I've been in touch with the USU extension agriculture department for certified weed free hay and a few other things but I haven't talked to them about composting. I'll definitely shoot them an email to get their thoughts.

I'm probably overthinking it a little bit but I definitely have a good idea on what I want to do. I can even play around with the mixture amounts a little and see which ones do better - it'll be like making my own secret sauce.

 

[hslogger]

Man just pile the stuff up. Dampen it down now and then, turn it once in a while. Once you get some of it composted, the rest will follow suit. When you wanna use it always leave a third or quarter of the pile like you would do for a sour dough starter. It speeds up the process. Look for the worms and bugs in there and yes you can check the temperature. I never do. I just know when it is cooked down that I can use it. A lot has to do with your locale and the weather.
Some USDA plans show a shelter with bins on concrete. Mine is on the ground and yes there is some leaching of nutrients but it is all on my place so I don't care. I never cover it.

 

[svenlylethor]

I wouldn't hesitate to put WAY MORE hay and straw into the mix than the 15% you indicated. (Or is that 15% by weight?)


You are trying for a mineralized product , Compost users like "tilth". ;-)

I read another study specific to Utah and they're saying to use 25% straw by volume. I might try to mix some wood chips with it and see what happens. I'll just experiment with a few piles and see where it takes me.

 

[fishheadbob]

You really are overthinking things. Keep in mind that what you're doing essentially involves a big pile of ****. I add a little dirt to mine, and turn it every month or two. Everything goes into it. Cow and horse poop, lawn clippings, leaves, wood ashes, spoiled hay,and on and on. Makes great stuff, just be sure to kill the horse manure seeds. I eyeball it to when it steams pretty good on turning. A few months of that gets rid of seed problems.

 

[ESBkevin]

Pile it and turn it is good. The microbes in soil will kick start (as would existing compost). Once they are in there they multiply daily even hourly so that's why they help kick start the process. A regular supply of air will reduce the overall composting time. You can get it ready for your own spring cultivations (good for the long term health of the soil). Or sell it to gardeners and growers.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I read another study specific to Utah and they're saying to use 25% straw by volume. I might try to mix some wood chips with it and see what happens. I'll just experiment with a few piles and see where it takes me.

You might research the wood chips and sawdust, I'm told they suck up the Nitrogen.

You Bet Your Garden - What can you do with SAWDUST?

 

[2diamondfarm]

take a look at this thread on composting
Extreme Composting - Homesteading Today
lots of good reading

 

[svenlylethor]

take a look at this thread on composting
Extreme Composting - Homesteading Today
lots of good reading

Man, that guy is intense. It's like composting is his religion... but then again, I kinda feel like that when I farm too.

 

[CalG]

You might research the wood chips and sawdust, I'm told they suck up the Nitrogen.

You Bet Your Garden - What can you do with SAWDUST?

Sure, the woody material does "suck up the Nitrogen", but where can it go but back into the pile?
Plus, the operation revolves around "too much animal manure". I would say he is "Nitrogen rich", and would benefit from materials that might counter the "stink".

I could be wrong, I though I was once........;-)