Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the soil at least 4 weeks before seeding or transplanting. Using raw manure on gardens is
not recommended due to the risk of
E. coli
bacterial infection.
Compost it.
The best and most environmentally friendly method of dealing with horse
manure on a small acreage is daily collection and composting. Composting is efficient,
convenient, and environmentally responsible. The manure does not have to be hauled off
the property every day or week, and composting reduces bulk by up to 50 percent while
concentrating nutrients.
Composting releases nitrogen and other nutrients slowly, so little nitrogen and phosphor-
us leaches or runs off, minimizing environmental pollution. In addition, compost does not
have an unpleasant odor to most people and is pleasant to handle. A properly composted
manure pile will kill parasite eggs and many weed seeds, prevent flies from breeding, and
result in a good-quality soil enhancer and fertilizer.
The maintenance of a compost pile requires air, moisture, and temperature control. It
would be ideal to have three compost piles: one to which fresh manure is being added daily,
one that is in the process of decomposing, and one that is fully composted and ready to
spread. Assume that 300 to 600 cubic feet of space (depending on the type of bedding you
use) will be needed to store a year's worth of manure from one horse
Before starting a pile, check your local zoning ordinances. Be sure the pile is out of sight
and smell of residences and downwind from the stable and the house. It should be located
at least 150 feet away from waterways, including streams, irrigation ditches, and wells.
Locate the pile so that it is convenient for daily dumping and periodic hauling and so that
you can reach it with a hose for watering.
If possible, the piles should be located on a sloped (concrete) floor with 4-foot walls.
The fresh pile is usually left open for convenient daily addition. Because an open pile is
subject to drying by the sun and leaching of nutrients by rain and melting snow, the other
piles could be covered.
Sanitation layout plan
