How to Make Cattle Manure Compost
If you have a farm with cattle, or simply live near one, you are already familiar with with cattle manure. Your experience of cattle manure is probably limited to its smell and the problem of safe disposal. Cattle manure compost is a great way to solve this problem and improve your soil at the same time. Cattle manure compost will deliver nutrients and improve both sandy and clay soils, making them better able to hold on to moisture and nutrients. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 4-foot square compost bin
- 2, 5-foot lengths of 4-inch PVC pipe
- Power drill with 1/2-inch drill bit
- Cattle manure and bedding
- Pitchfork or shovel
- Hose and water source
- 6-foot square tarp
- 4 large rocks
Instructions
-
-
1
Build or set up the compost bin(s). One bin is sufficient to compost the waste from one to three animals. If you have more than three cows, or want to compost faster, use a three-bin system.
-
2
Drill a line of 1/2-inch holes down the length of the PVC pipe, spaced 3 to 4 inches apart. Turn the pipe 90 degrees and drill another line of holes. Repeat until you have four lines of 1/2-inch holes running the length of the pipe. Repeat with the second pipe.
-
-
3
Put the drilled PVC pipes lengthwise into the compost bin on opposite sides. They should stick out of the top of the bin. These will provide aeration into the center of the compost pile, allowing you to turn it less frequently.
-
4
Use the pitchfork or shovel to fill the compost bin with fresh cattle manure and bedding material. If you are using a three-bin system, fill the first bin with fresh manure and bedding.
-
5
Wet the pile with water until it is about as wet as a damp sponge. Cover the compost bin with the tarp to retain moisture and heat. During wet seasons the tarp will keep the compost bin from getting soggy. Weigh the tarp down with the rocks.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Even with aeration pipes, you will still need to turn the compost every 1 to 2 weeks, or any time you add new material or water the compost. This will move new material into the center of the compost pile where it will begin to decompose faster.
You will know the compost is ready when it is evenly colored and textured and looks like loose, crumbly soil.
Watch the moisture level of your compost bin. If it gets too dry, the cattle manure will take longer to decompose. If it is too wet, the manure will run off causing ground and water pollution.
Do not use manure from carnivorous animals including dogs and cats. This manure can introduce harmful parasites that can be transferred to the food in your garden.
