Economic and Environmental Manure Solutions

composting

Technology Description (from Bonhotal, 2001)
Composting is the controlled biological decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms.  Composting dairy manure reduces odors, kills pathogens, stabilizes the manure product for easier handling, and allows storage of phosphorus until it is moved to fields or off-farm completely.  At the same time composting can produce a sellable soil amendment product with many benefits including the potential to suppress pests including plant diseases.

There are several broad classes of technologies currently being used to compost organic material.  Each has advantages for different material in various situations.  The technologies range from low-intensity methods such as unaerated static piles and passively aerated windrow to medium intensity methods such as turned windrows and aerated static piles to high intensity approaches such as in vessel systems and vermicomposting.  Space availability, the amount and characteristics of raw ingredients to be composted, the ability and means of collection, and economic feasibility will collectively dictate the type of composting method used on each individual farm.

Sources of Additional Information
A listing of composting research and guidelines in NY State can be found at the http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu website.

References
Bonhotal, J.  “Managing Manure Solids.”  Proceedings from “Dairy manure Systems:  Equipment and Technology” Rochester, NY  March 20-22, 2001  NRAES Publication No. NRAES-143  pp. 155-161.

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Cornell University

Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering

Ithaca, NY 14853

Fax: 607.255.4080