We help people
care for their land.
care for their land.
This program helps me and other students learn about the environment and teaches us to be future leaders to help us and others.
–Michael, 13
Search Native Plants
Manure
It just keeps piling up, literally. A 1000 pound horse or cow can produce 50 pounds of manure per day. Livestock and horse manure management is a challenge on most of the properties we visit. A few key practices can help you turn this waste product into an excellent fertilizer source.
Managing the Manure Pile
Location, Location, Location
The manure pile should be located in a dry, flat area as far away from downspouts, ditches, streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds, and the property line as possible. Water plus manure makes a muddy mess for you, and can be a source of water pollution. Another important consideration is to choose a spot that is convenient for you to haul the manure to. If you plan to use a tractor to load, move, and turn the pile be sure to put the pile in a spot that you can access with machinery year round. If you plan to use a wheelbarrow, locate the pile closer to the barn. If your current pile is in a wet, muddy, difficult to access location, tarp the pile and do not add any more manure to it. Create a new manure pile in a better spot, and let the old pile breakdown until you can spread it during the dry season.