[USCC] Horse manure/bedding

Tue Oct 16 16:17:25 CDT 2007

While not disagreeing for one moment with the concept that each input stream should pay its 
way, I used horse manure / bedding very successfully as an additive to fruit and vegetable 
waste obtained from a wholesaler, and found the combination to be an excellent compost 
recipe. In situations where it is the missing ingredient that makes a mix work, it could 
certainly be much appreciated.

Is it correct to say that recent posts on the effect of the composting process on antibiotics 
suggest that composting may be significantly reduce the harmfullness of these compared to 
direct application?

Agas.

On 16 Oct 2007 at 12:28, Len Walde wrote:

> I second John on this, ----  every "compatible" biomass material must carry 
> it own weight as an expense line-item, or it should not be used.  Many new 
> composters learn this lesson the hard way by having to land-fill poor 
> material, at their own expense.
> 
> We have researched the composting  of horse manure/bedding at length for a 
> number of large horse operations and one often overlooked element is the 
> prevalent use of antibiotics by owners, breeders, and trainers.  Their 
> presence in the biomass often severely limits the effectiveness of the 
> composting process and some of them can carry though to the food chain. 
> There is not much hard data on this but it is a matter of concern, both as a 
> technological composting problem but also from a food and ground-water 
> safety perspective.   This last characteristic is being discussed and 
> studied in the wastewater treatment world as it impacts the use of 
> biosolids in agriculture. This is something to think about.  We have done 
> some work on this problem and have ideas in the works but any technological 
> solution adds cost to the finished product.  Rest assured that the time will 
> come when the horse people will have to bear the burden as a cost of 
> disposal, when horse manure/bedding is tested and then treated like 
> biosolids-containing metals and antibiotics,  are controlled in many more 
> jurisdictions. When this happens only "organic" horse manure will be 
> processed into a compost product.
> 
> One additional observation:  I have visited a large horse operation in 
> Florida where they practice the spreading of the biomass on their own land, 
> while ignoring the impact on the water table.  I am waiting for this 
> practice to hit the news.
> 
> For what it is worth!
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Len Walde,P.E.
> 
>                Sigma Energy Engineering, Inc.
> Creative Problem Solving & Process Engineering
> Serving Agriculture, Mining, Industry & Commerce
>              through "Symbiotic Recycling" tm
>                         Est. 1985
> 
>       Ph:  925-254-7633
>       E-mail: sigma at ix.netcom.com
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John A. Crockett" <jac at magicsoil.com>
> To: "'U.S. Composting Council listserve'" <compost at mailman.cloudnet.com>
> Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 10:09 AM
> Subject: [USCC] treating compost as a science, art and business
> 
> 
> 
> Recently I saw a post on the list asking if anyone was willing to accept
> horse manure and shavings with no tipping fee, and they even expected the
> composter to pay for the loading and hauling.
> 
> I tried composting horse manure and shavings for six and a half years,
> without much tipping fee, and one of the things I learned is that finished
> product sales income, even at $25 / cy, does not provide enough income to
> provide a reasonable profit after paying the cost of proper management of
> the material.   Composting, to be done right, and be sustainable, must yield
> a reasonable return on investment of capital and other resources, including
> our time and energy.  Finished product sales income can't cover all those
> expense.  Those who generate the organic residuals need to bare a
> significant portion of the cost of transforming those organic residuals into
> a marketable product.
> 
> Creating a sustainable environment requires that we cover all costs. To
> create a better industry image, we've got to improve our processing so there
> are NO foul odors, and no risk to ground water quality, no adverse affects
> from our composting.  That costs money, and much of that has to be covered,
> in my opinion, by tipping fees.
> 
> If you don't believe you, and your services have real value, then your
> belief will undermine your ability to command a reasonable tipping fee.
> With some organic residuals, $50 per ton, or more, may be a very reasonable
> tipping fee.  If you're a composting professional, and want to stay in
> business, look at realistic numbers, an income and expense statement.
> 
> Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
> John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
> Mother Nature's Farms, Inc.
> (845) 225-7763
> http://www.magicsoil.com/
> jac at magicsoil.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 
> Join us at the US Composting Council's 16th Annual Conference & Trade Show
> Oakland Marriott City Center, Oakland, CA | February 9-12, 2008.
> The National forum for those involved in the development and expansion of the composting and organics recycling industry.
> Conference Highlights, Registration forms, Exhibitor information and Sponsorship Opportunities available at the USCC website: www.compostingcouncil.org or call the USCC at 631.737.4931 
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Compost maillist - compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
> http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> _______________________________________
> This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council (USCC).
> (c) Copyright 2004 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
> 
> Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation, or the Board of Directors.
> 
> Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through its website at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm
> 
> Members posting CC copies to the list and other addresses may have their posting privileges suspended. For discussion list policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or other options, go to: http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost
> 
> For additional help in unsubcribing or to report bugs and problems, send a message to the List Manager at compostlistmanager at compostingcouncil.org
> 

-- 
Andreas Groth
Motheo (Pty) Ltd.
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