Manure - Organic and Natural Products

Manure - AN EXCELLENT FERTILIZER

When developing a manure by-product market is important to understand that manure is a necessary by-product of the livestock industry and it is the technology involved in the treatment system that determines whether manure is a valuable resource or a costly liability.
The simple fact is, untreated manure is simply animal feces while properly treated/processed manure is a value added marketable organic residual. Technological factors involved in manure treatment systems have a significant influence on by-product quality and it is the quality that dictates the value

In addition to agriculture, the potential markets for high quality, composted manure products include horticulture i.e. gardening, landscaping, nurseries, topsoil production - silviculture i.e. Christmas trees, ornamentals - reclamation i.e. landfill covers, mine reclamation and other environmental uses i.e. biofilters, erosion control and wetlands restoration to name a few

Manure as a Fertilizer - Manure is an excellent fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients. It also adds organic matter to the soil which may improve soil structure, aeration, soil moisture-holding capacity, and water infiltration

To determine how much manure is needed for a specific application, the nutrient content and the rate nitrogen becomes available for plant uptake needs to be estimated. Nutrient content of manure varies depending on source, moisture content, storage, and handling methods.

Nitrogen content in manure varies with the type of animal and feed ration, amount of litter, bedding or soil included, and amount of urine concentrated with the manure. Moisture content is also a major consideration. For example: The moisture content of fresh manure is around 70% to 85%. The moisture content of air-dried manure is around 9% to 15%. As manure dries, the nutrients not only concentrate on a weight basis, but also on a volume basis due to structural changes (settling) of the manure. Volatilization of urine nitrogen can result in considerable loss of nitrogen, up to 50% or more of the total nitrogen

Generally, dry manure contains 1.5 to 2.2 cubic meters per ton. Dry poultry and steer manure contain around 1.9 cubic meters per ton.

Manure Handling - Handling can affect the fertilizer value of manure, particularly its nitrogen content. Nitrogen is present in manure in a variety of forms, most of which gradually converts to ammonium and nitrate nitrogen

The ammonium form can be lost to the air and the nitrates leached by rainfall. Ammonium losses can be minimized by not stockpiling manure while it is moist, minimizing its handling, and working it under immediately after spreading. Ammonia can be lost to the air each time manure is moved or hauled. Much of the loss is from hydrolysis of the NH2 groups (enzymatic) and then volatilization of N20 and NH3. This loss can be very high when spreading manure, especially during warm, dry weather. Here, at least 50% of the ammonium nitrogen can be lost within 12 hours. Studies have also shown that, by one week after spreading, almost 100% of the ammonium nitrogen can be lost. This loss can represent up to 50% of the total nitrogen available in stockpiled manure.Therefore, the importance of simultaneously spreading and working in manure is obvious.

Nutrient - Availability and Manure Application - Manure is a source of many nutrients including: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and many others. However, nitrogen is often the main nutrient of concern for most crops. Potassium deficiency is usually quite localized within a field and would not be corrected with common rates of manure. However, some improvement might be expected with high rates above 10 tons per acre. The high rates needed to correct a potassium (K) deficiency would supply an excess amount of nitrogen for many crops, and this should be avoided.

Table 1. (Typical) -

	Nitrogen	Phosphorus	Potassium	Calcium	Magnesium	Organic matter	Moisture content
	(N)	(P₂O₅)	(K₂O)	(Ca)	(Mg)

FRESH MANURE -	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
Cattle	0.5	0.3	0.5	0.3	0.1	16.7	81.3
Sheep	0.9	0.5	0.8	0.2	0.3	30.7	64.8
Poultry	0.9	0.5	0.8	0.4	02	30.7	64.8
Horse	0.5	0.3	0.6	0.3	0.12	7.0	68.8
Swine	0.6	0.5	0.4	0.2	0.03	15.5	77.6
TREATED DRIED MANURE -	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
Cattle	2.0	1.5	2.2	2.9	0.7	69.9	7.9
Sheep	1.9	1.4	2.9	3.3	0.8	53.9	11.4
Poultry	4.5	2.7	1.4	2.9	0.6	58.6	9.2

Rates of Manure for Nitrogen Needs -
The nitrogen compounds in manure are eventually converted to the available nitrate form. Nitrate is soluble and is moved into the root zone with water. It is the same form ultimately available to plants from commercial nitrogen fertilizers

However, the release of available nitrogen from the complete organic compounds during manure decomposition is very gradual. This slow release of nitrogen is manure's most important asset. It extends nitrogen availability and reduces leaching -- of particular importance in sandy soils

The idea is to first apply enough manure to meet the first year's need of available nitrogen. Decreasing amounts are then applied in following years because of the carry-over organic nitrogen that will be released from previous applications.If the same rate of manure is applied each year, it is possible for a field originally low in nitrogen to accumulate unnecessarily high levels in successive years.
The nitrogen in poultry manure is in released fastest, about 90% is released in the first year

Fresh manure which contains both the urine and solid portions and has a large amount of urea or uric acid provides a somewhat slower release rate, with approximately 75% of the total nitrogen released the first year

An even more gradual nitrogen release can be expected from dry feedlot steer manure, with only 35% of the total nitrogen released the first year

Benefits of Manure -
The use of manure helps to maintain the organic matter content of the soil which can improve soil structure and water infiltration. However, manure is quickly decomposed under warm, moist soil conditions. With the manure rates used for most crops, organic matter content in soil is only temporarily increased.

Possible Disadvantages -
Weed seeds are common in some manure. They may enter the animal with its feed and then pass through the digestive tract, still viable, or they may have come with the litter, or they may have simply blown into the feed yard

Poultry droppings typically have fewer weed seeds surviving the digestive processes. However, other animal manure may contain numerous viable weed seeds if the original feeds were contaminated. Composting and stockpiling manure can reduce the number of viable weed seeds

Manure commonly contain 4 to 5% soluble salts (dry weight basis) and may run as high as 10%. To illustrate, an application of 5 tons of manure containing 5% salt would add 500 lbs. of salt

Normally, irrigation and rain water will sufficiently leach well-drained soils to prevent damaging salt accumulations. However, one should be cautious with poorly drained soils, soils with existing salinity problems, or unusually high application rates, especially when concentrated near young plants

Zinc deficiency can be induced or increased with repeated high rates of manure, especially on sandy soils.
Moderate or infrequent applications do not normally present a zinc problem. However, growers should be aware of the potential problem, especially with soils and varieties or crops of known susceptibility to zinc deficiency

< The principal value of manure is its extended availability of nitrogen -- of particular value in the more readily leached sandy soils. Manure is also helpful in improving soil fertility in cut areas from land leveling

Nutrient content and rate of availability varies widely, depending mostly on manure source, handling methods, and water content. Fresh manure which includes both liquid and solid fractions with the least handling and then work in immediately after spreading will retain the most nitrogen. A laboratory analysis of the manure for nitrogen content is useful. An accurate sample of the manure requires a composite of many samples throughout the pile or lagoon

Generally, poultry manure is highest in nitrogen content, followed by hog, steer, sheep, dairy, and horse manure. Feedlot, steer manure requires fairly high rates to meet first-year nitrogen requirements because of its lower nitrogen percent and gradual nitrogen release characteristics

However, this feature provides for more continued nitrogen availability in succeeding years, allowing for progressively lower annual application rates to meet plant requirements.
Faster nitrogen-release sources, such as poultry manure, require more constant and lower annual rates to maintain nitrogen availability

The possible advantages of organic matter content and disadvantages of weed seed and salt content should be considered in using manure.

MANURE ODOR CONTROL - Manure odor control requires a high degree of management including proper storage and treatment. Odorous compounds are interactive, not additive, in their effect. That is to say, a combination of several odorous compounds may create a unique odor. Odor from swine operations, is a complex mixture of gases, vapors, and dust. Generally, the familiar smell of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide gas (rotten egg odor) is the result of bacteria digesting animal manure under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions This anaerobic process can also release volatile fatty acids resulting in odor even more offensive than either ammonia or hydrogen sulfide. Manure Fertilizer is a highly concentrated liquid, formulated to control odor and liquefy sludge in waste management applications. When used as directed, CBPA will eliminate odors associated with hydrogen sulfide, ethylamines, butylamines, mercaptans, ammonia, etc. In addition, CBPA creates a poor breeding substrate for flies, insects and other pests. CBPA is safe for the environment and is not harmful to animals, plants and humans.

Manure Fertilizer is safe for use in Close confinement animal operations Manure lagoons, holding tanks & pits, Dairy lagoons & holding ponds, Sanitary landfills, Poultry operations, Vet clinics, Composting facilities

BENEFITS - Can be incorporated into most waste management systems with minimum capital expenditures. Eliminates odor. Suppresses pathogenic bacteria. Reduces ammonia levels. Reduces volume up to 40% in solid waste applications. Decomposes insect & fly larvae.

APPLICATION DATA HOG BARNS: Dilute Manure Fertilizer at a rate of 1:100 in water and spray walls, floors, pens, pits, farrowing crates, etc. CBPA is compatible with most disinfectants.

MANURE HOLDING TANKS: To lift and liquefy solid sludge from the bottom of holding tanks, dilute Manure Fertilizer at a rate of 1:100 in water and inject the diluted solution directly into the bottom of the sludge layers. Repeat at three to 5 day intervals until desired results are achieved. For continued sludge reduction and odor control, add CBPA concentrate at a rate of 1 Litre / 250 Litres tank volume.

MANURE HOLDING PONDS & LAGOONS: Initial Application: Dilute at a rate of 1:50 in water and blanket spray the entire surface area at 3 day intervals until odor is under control. Maintenance Applications: Dilute at a rate of 1:100 in water and blanket spray the entire surface area at at seven to ten day intervals or as required. Typical application rate: 1litre diluted solution / 250 square meters. Lagoon Inflow Applications: Apply a one time SHOCK DOSE of 10 to 15 PPM at the inflow. Wait 7 days and commence regular maintenance applications of 3 to 5 PPM as required. Each treatment environment is site-specific and operators may need to experiment with application rates and dilution rates to ensure optimum efficacy. Manure fertilizer can provide advice on technical matters to ensure that odor control and wastewater operations meet customer expectations. - Floor Raised Birds To control ammonia emissions from reused litter during the critical 2 or 3 weeks following the placement of a new flock, dilute Manure Fertilizer at a rate of 1:50 in water and spray the litter four to six days prior to placement of new flock. Normal heating and ventilation practices should be followed.

SAFETY - The materials used in the production of Manure Fertilizer are derived from naturally occurring and sustainable sources. CBPA is non-caustic, non-corrosive, non-flammable and environmentally safe. In addition, It is not harmful to animals, plants and humans.

COMPLIANCE - Manure fertilizer products can fully comply with EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) and the rules, orders and regulations promulgated thereunder including: a) Sections 4, 5, 6 & 7; Title 40 Chapter 1, 707.20 thru 707.75; b) 40 CFR Sections 704.3. 710.2(e) and 720.3(c); and c) Sections 5 and 13, reference 42FR64583 d) Does not contain marine pollutants as defined in 49 CFR 171.8. Manure fertilizer products can are produced in accordance with NOSB (National Organic Standards Board) guidelines. The materials used in the production of Manure fertilizer products can are consistent with organic principals and the National List of Allowed Substances. The processes used in the production process are strictly natural and/or biological and include (1) fermentation (2) distillation (3) centrifuging (4) hydrolysis and (5) pressing. STORAGE & HANDLING: Manure Fertilizer requires no special handling. Store in a safe place away from direct sunlight. For storage, temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees Celsius (55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit) are ideal.

Manure Additive

Environmental Cleanup - Bioremediation

Oil Spill Cleanup

Waste Water Treatment

Waste Management - In waste treatment environments i.e. waste lagoons, compost facilities, oil spill cleanup sites, waste water treatment plants, etc., biological activity is a function of the nutrients available to sustain and develop healthy biomass. Manure Additive is a non bacterial concentrate formulated to stimulate microbial activity in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. Unlike bacterial treatments, EC-4000 is not adversely affected by low temperatures. Manure Additive is an environmentally safe Micronutrient Biostimulant formulated for use in waste water treatment plants, manure lagoons, oil spill cleanup sites, sewage treatment plants, municipal landfills, hydrocarbon bioremediation projects, composting facilities etc. EC-4000 is derived from natural plant extracts. It is non-toxic, non-caustic, non-corrosive, non-flammable.

Manure Additive is:
Environmentally Safe
Non-toxic, non-caustic, non-corrosive, non-flammable.
Derived from natural plant extracts, no chemicals, dyes or perfumes.
Effective & easy apply.
Easy - Requires only common sense safety equipment.