Cow/pig manure

[pat32rf]

Had a tenant who dumped a load of mixed cattle, pig and chicken manure behind the garage.
Tenant is now GONE, so is most of the manure. What is left has a coating of sand but the stench remains, especially when it rains.
Does anyone have a suggestion of something (ag lime, etc) that I can spread to reduce the smell for the new tenant? It is right beside a small lake so ground water is only about 10" down...

 

[Streetcar]

How much material, can you till it in existing soil
Pig has bad odor, chicken and cattle not too bad

 

[bigtiller]

About the only thing you can do is help it dry out faster. Spread it out so the sun and wind can get to it or bury it. All of which means it's going to worse before it gets better.

Or load it up and give it back to the old tenant.

 

[Oldoak]

Your best approach is to spread hydrated lime all over it. Cover it with a healthy dose, a couple of 50# bags. The hydrated lime will break it down into compost and kill the smell. It will also cut down on the flies and mosquitoes living off the manure pile.

Be sure to get hydrated lime, not pulverized lime stone or pelletized lime.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Be sure to get hydrated lime, not pulverized lime stone or pelletized lime.

I hope he can do that. I can't. I have found hydrated lime almost impossible to buy here in Virginia. I have no idea why. I can buy pelletized, or crushed, but not hydrated, except in 5 pound bags at Lowe's. There's not a farm store in the state that seems to carry it. If I look in other states, it seems to be a stock item. ???

 

[oosik]

Well, I have never used any type of lime. Concern about farm animals getting into it. I would till, disk or spade it in and be done with it.

 

[jimmysisson]

You might have luck buying hydrated at a masons supply store. Jim

 

[Oldoak]

Well, I have never used any type of lime. Concern about farm animals getting into it. I would till, disk or spade it in and be done with it.

I take it you never lived or worked on a dairy farm and had a menagerie of farms animals?

We whitewashed our barn once a year using hydrated lime and never harmed a single animal and used it in the drops every so often.

Mark, I thought all farm supply and Ag supply stores carried it. What's up with Virginia? Do you have any Tractor Supply stores? They all stock it here in PA along with all the other Ag supply stores.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Yeah, we have TSC and Southern States. None of the farm stores here carry it, but I have gone online and I see that you have it in PA, and Maryland too. It's downright weird.

I've tried the mason's supply stores, too. Nothing. :confused2: It's almost like it's banned here or something....

I've been wanting to try making some whitewash, and buying 5 lb bags is not going to cut it!