Knowledgebase

Can we turn manure that already has growth on it into compost? #859498

Asked February 20, 2024, 1:26 PM EST

Hi, At our facility, we have a horse manure bin that rests on the top of an incline and historically, horse manure has been pushed down the side face of the hill to be mulched down over time but for the past couple of years, the volume is exceeding its ability to be mulched down and it's just starting to pile up. Blackberries and other natural growth have started taking it over and unless we dig it up with a tractor we are forced to just leave it where it is. We've been hoping to either remove it or turn it into compost. What would be recommended for us and how would we go about doing it? The manure is spread over approximately 1/3 acre of declined hill and our current manure bin is not set up to be composting as it piles, it's more of a storage space. Thanks!

Lane County Oregon

Expert Response

Holli:

To provide a more comprehensive response, please tell me:
1. Is yours a commercial facility?
2. How many horses have you on site?
3. How much acreage do you control? How much of that is in field crops or in pastures?
4. Are the horses able to go outdoors at will? If so, are they on sacrifice areas, or on pastures?

Thanks,
Linda J. Brewer, Senior Faculty Research Assistant II Replied February 22, 2024, 2:23 PM EST

Hi Linda,

 

I’ve talked with our equine staff and this is what they’ve told me:

 

1. Is yours a commercial facility? We are technically a residential facility with both commercial and residential licensing. We are a residential treatment facility for abused children and the horses are part of an equine therapy program
2. How many horses have you on site? We have 7 horses; 3 full size, 1 pony, and two mini horses
3. How much acreage do you control? How much of that is in field crops or in pastures? We have 3 acres of pasture but they’re not utilized in any way relating to the horses, they’re just the amount of landscape allotted to the barn and arena
4. Are the horses able to go outdoors at will? If so, are they on sacrifice areas, or on pastures? The horses are not allowed free range outdoors. They have a small run on the side of the barn that they are put in from time to time to bathe or where new horses are put if they are being introduced to the others in the program but otherwise they have indoor stalls and an indoor arena.

 

Please feel free to reach out if you have more questions or if there’s any other information I can provide.

 

Thanks,

 

Holli Black-Held

Organizational Compliance Specialist

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From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2024 11:23 AM
To: Holli Black-Held <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Can we turn manure that already has growth on it into compost? (#0129422)

 

The Question Asker Replied February 22, 2024, 3:27 PM EST
Thanks, Holli, and sorry for dropping off for so long.

To answer your title question, yes, you can compost materials that have plants growing in them, although I would do everything I could to remove all blackberry materials, including roots. You likely know how difficult blackberry is to eradicate.

My concern is that you are applying way too much manure, over too many years, to too small an area. In addition, you indicate that there's a slope involved - suggesting drainage, a creek, or pond downslope from the area where you're spreading. Surely you don't want to degrade surface- or groundwater quality in your neighborhood. 

Generally speaking, one acre of land is able to process the manure from a single full-sized horse. According to my resource, ponies count as a full size horse, and the minis can count as one - so that puts you up to 5 full size horse equivalents.

You really do require a formal, implementable manure management system. There are a couple of extension resources I can recommend: I strongly urge you to consult with Lane County Extension's Melissa Fery. She has considerable experience with land management and works right in your own county! Her website is chock-full of resources that will be of value to you.
Linda J. Brewer, Senior Faculty Research Assistant II Replied February 23, 2024, 2:46 PM EST

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