Manure.

[farmer2009]

Going to mix a bunch of it and then move it and put in the flower beds. Around the fruit trees, and trees on the lawn. Almost finished building our home, so plenty of soil to be amended.

Ok. The way I understood your first couple of post it was all for the garden. One suggestion do a soil test on your to be you amended soil, to make sure you get it right also have a nutrient test done on the manure. I would do one at eat fruit tree, and in each flower bed. Yards and grass are more forgiving than ornimintal plants, fruiting trees and vegitables. Your local extension agent will be able to get it tested for you. I think UK charges like $5 per test so if you are close to the state line you may be able to send it there. Although I would think UT would do it also.

As to your other question about the seeds. Composting properly should get rid of most weed seeds. If you can find out what was fed to the cattle you can determine the weed load of the manure. Manure gets blamed for bringing in a lot of weeds, when in reality all it did was bring your soil nutrient levels up enough to sustain a higher population therefore the seeds that were already in the soil could germinate more per year. Manure from hay will have more potential for seeds than manure from silage. You have remember these seeds have already been through the cows stomach and exposed to the acid there which damages the seeds outer coating which then can either help it sprout(clovers) or sterilize it.

 

[dave1949]

Farmer2009: Manure gets blamed for bringing in a lot of weeds, when in reality all it did was bring your soil nutrient levels up enough to sustain a higher population therefore the seeds that were already in the soil could germinate more per year.

I've noticed that. Same weeds as always but more and healthier.

 

[Fan of the 1911]

I have had the soil test, adjusted the lime around the trees and the garden spot, and lawn. Have since lost my results. It did show low for everything as I remember. I had 20 tons of lime spread about 4 years ago. I have had a noticeable decrease in sage grass and briers. I have limed the fruit trees at the end of the summer, and a little to the garden when I turned it over. Just trying to get my ducks in a row and not shoot myself in the foot.

 

[Stimw]

I have been composting Horse Squeeze and adding it to my garden for about 7-8 years.
While it has really improved my soil I have a horrible problem with weeds. A year ago I did 3 back to back treatments with Round-Up and still have a major problem.
I have tilled then waited for the new weed growth then burned them with a propane torch, planted and more weeds come up and take over.
I have taken 2 year old composted from the pile and put it in flower beds and the weeds come up big time.
The pics are how I haul the squeeze from the stables down the road. The trailer won't dump very well so I put the frame in the bed. I have the chain attached to the frame and I hook the chain to a tree and drag the whole load out easily!
You can see the pile in the background, I keep it turned over.

 

[farmer2009]

Stimw, how many weeds are growing on your compost pile? My guess is very few. Seeds need 3 things to germinate water, light and air. The soil has both water and air in it. It only takes a small amount of light to meet this requirement. Tilling or walking across the soil can provide this amount light. While the compost pile has these also it doesn't have the seed load of the soil.
Roundup has no residual activity. So it only kills what it hits the new flush is new seeds germinating.

1911 glad to hear you are using soil test. But get the manure checked after it has composted or as close to spreading as possible.

 

[SPIKER]

cow manure is better than Horse as the cows make better grinding of the seeds and internal seed killing ability. As mentioned you have to compost both, horse for 2 years min and cow for at least a year. put the manure and the sawdust into same pile toss in some nitrogen (time release pellet type) and till them all together real well. then let set for a week and flip over with FEL (don't re-till until ready to go into the garden.) After first few flips it should become much darker with lots of steam on the flips. once it is darker increase flip time to once a month with the need to water it some too if it get dry...

Mark

 

[Stimw]

Stimw, how many weeds are growing on your compost pile? My guess is very few. Seeds need 3 things to germinate water, light and air. The soil has both water and air in it. It only takes a small amount of light to meet this requirement. Tilling or walking across the soil can provide this amount light. While the compost pile has these also it doesn't have the seed load of the soil.
Roundup has no residual activity. So it only kills what it hits the new flush is new seeds germinating.

Right now the pile is covered with weeds!! I need to spray it but have been working 6 days a week with my business since spring and can't seem to get to it.
Things are slowing down and I might get to spraying tomorrow. ???