Spreader Composted Manure: spread it?

[pitt_md]

I have a couple of horse's on 30 acres and I do not compost as of yet. I do pile it up back by the woods but thats as far as it has gone. I wanted to mention that while "browns" in the form of wood shavings etc. removed from the stalls may be good for composting they will leach nitrogen from the fields when applied.

 

[Happyman]

I have a couple of horse's on 30 acres and I do not compost as of yet. I do pile it up back by the woods but thats as far as it has gone. I wanted to mention that while "browns" in the form of wood shavings etc. removed from the stalls may be good for composting they will leach nitrogen from the fields when applied.

That's another reason to compost before spreading.
You are absoulutley correct that the wood shavings will suck-up the nitrogen from the soil....but only if it is still "raw" when applied. Composted manure and shavings have balanced each others nitrogen needs so when it hits the soil it doesn't use all the nitrogen.
Composting is king!

 

[charlz]

Question: I do have a need to break up the clumps in it and was wondering what others have done. When I till it into the gardens the tiller breaks it up. When spreading on the pasture the manure spreader doesn't do a good job of busting up the clumps. I plan on selling some to local nurseries and garden stores but need to get it much finer. Maybe run it through a small garden chipper/shredder? Any suggestions?

Well, screening the compost would let you separate out the clumps for 're-processing'. The one downside to a chipper/shredder is that is always seems like a few small rocks make it into the manure I get. These would likely raise havoc with your chipper/shredder. I have thought of that as well but am also not sure sure I want to be near the cloud of particulate or whatever may be coming out of a chipper/shredder chewing on manure/compost.

 

[PGibber]

Happyman, is your compost mix primarily manure and woodshavings? The reason I ask is I am planning to build a compost bin and start composting manure and pine shavings; however, I have entertained the ideal of bedding my stalls with both pine pellets and pine shavings. Sounds like you a good system going, but was curious if your composting was strictly manure/shavings or other stuff included.

 

[Happyman]

Happyman, is your compost mix primarily manure and wood shavings? The reason I ask is I am planning to build a compost bin and start composting manure and pine shavings; however, I have entertained the ideal of bedding my stalls with both pine pellets and pine shavings. Sounds like you a good system going, but was curious if your composting was strictly manure/shavings or other stuff included.

PGibber, most of my compost is horse manure and pine shavings used in the stalls. Once in a while I add some grass clippings and a little left over hay gets tossed in, but 98% is manure and pine shavings.
Be sure you keep everything moist! I actually fill my FEL bucket with water and drive to my compost bin. Then use a 5 gal bucket filled from the FEL and spread the water over the pile. I keep a tarp over all the compost bins so they don't dry out or get too wet from the rain. Once a week I check the temp and turn it with the FEL when the temp drops around 100 degrees. This usually means it needs some oxygen. It usually needs another shot of water when turned.

 

[ampsucker]

i'll just chime in here on the clump issue. clumps in the soil are only a problem if you need a very fine seed bed for delicate tiny seeds (radishes, lettuce, carrots, etc.) for large plants and large seeds, clumps are actually desireable. they act to break up the soil and give it structure, provide resevoirs of moisture in the soil, and provide pathways for water and air to entrain into the lower depths of the soil without releasing ammonia (N2).

this is one reason tilling is controversial in organic gardening circles. tilling speeds decomposition and actually increases carbon emissions (in the form of co2) and nitrogen release while it's main benefit is only to break up sod and provide a seed bed which is only necessary on the top inch or two of soil. otherwise, "turning" the soil is much more beneficial as it maintains structure (clumps). a turning spade is the recommended tool, but for those of us who are more power equipment inclined (lazy), a moldboard plow is the friend of the home gardener. just watch out for plow pan development.

so, breaking up chunks with a chipper or spreader isn't necessary in most cases and can actually work against you. i would only break up or screen enough to make up the top inch or two the seedbeds for small, delicate plants. let the rest go or turn it into the soil. for spreading on fields, i don't think it would be worth it. a couple of rains will break up the clumps and erode them into the turf or pasture grasses. if you still have a clump issue, a pass with a dethatcher/harrow/drag/etc will take care of any remaining clumps.

amp

 

[Happyman]

Thanks ampsucker. Good advice.

 

[Alt5600]

ftp://dnr.metrokc.gov/dnr/library/2000/kcr737.pdf

 

[SkunkWerX]

Happyman, you have a good system. Thats a good way to do it.
I had a 3 bay system at my last place, smaller than yours, but same idea, New stuff, Cooking, and Ready Stuff.

I have the long thermometer too, that helps. Moisture can be a long conversation, depends on area, time of year, and raw materials.
I need more water for dry fall leaves, and less in spring time when the grass and manure has it's own moisture.

When my pile needs more moisture, I use the FEL to flatten and hollow the top of the pile, so it will catch more rain. If I think it's wet enough, I make it pyramid shaped. A rain barrel is good thing to dump a bunch of water directly into the pile. or even a trash can full.

As far as breaking up the clumps, well, my wild guess is that the clumps are parts that haven't totally decomposed. If you have a way to screen it, I'd put the clumps back in to the Cooking pile, and maybe they will break down further??

You can build a simple gravity screener with 2x4s and wire mesh. Set it at a steep enough angle, and drop the material down the screen, clumps and rocks will roll off down the end, the fines will go through the screen and make a nice clean pile.

Over in the Build It section I posted a "Down and Dirty Screener" thread a while back. Construction is really easy.