Blue
Ribbon Business
For years I have watched the
steam rising off manure piles in the winter and thought that there must be
some way to capture that energy and put it to good use. Now there is. Guest
author Josh Nelson shares information about an exciting new technology.
A New Reason to Compost
By Josh Nelson
As horse ownership continues to increase, so increases the human population.
We are all competing for space and need to optimally manage our environment
and resources for long term sustainability. Much can be done to make stables
more environmentally friendly. One of these beneficial practices is
composting of manure, bedding and organic materials generated around the
farm.
Compost use has numerous benefits for the soil and environment, but most
importantly, converting your fresh manure and bedding to compost will help
protect fresh water supplies close to or on your property. Clean water
supplies are a dwindling resource upon which we all depend for life. Be
proactive and look at your options to protect resources and better manage
your operation. You may even find you can save or make money!
Whether you are managing a few horses at home in a rural environment, or
managing a sixty horse facility in the shadows of an urban based community,
horse manure is a reality that has to be addressed daily. In some regions,
new State and Federal regulations mandate how horse manure, stable bedding
and organic waste should be managed so as to be environmentally compliant.
Lets’ look at the reasons horse manure needs to be better managed;
Why Compost?
1. The average 1000 lb. horse generates about 50# of manure and urine daily.
This amounts to about 9 tons, or 730 cu. ft. of horse manure annually.
2. Non composted manure becomes a breeding ground for air borne pests and
flies.
3. Composting manure and bedding kills fly larvae reducing air born pests.
4. Composted manure kills weed seeds aiding in weed control when used on
pastures, fields, gardens or landscaping.
5. Leachate from untreated manure can contaminate ground and surface water
sources. Horse manure and urine are high in salts.
6. Run-off often contains fecal coliform and therefore, stockpiled or raw
manure should be kept at least 150 feet from well heads, creeks and ponds.
7. Horse manure contains bacteria and often parasites. Proper composting
will kill these and reduce risk of transmission to horses, animals or
humans.
8. Horse manure and soiled bedding takes up a considerable amount of space.
If you own horses, you know!
9. Manure management requires human and equipment resources on a daily or
routine basis to manage it. For larger equine facilities, this is an
operating expense. You pay dearly for what goes into your horses. Why not
try and get some benefit back from what comes out!
10. If manure and bedding is hauled off site, possibly the service cost is
increasing due to rising fuel prices associated with vehicle operation.
Processing it on-site might be more cost effective with additional benefits
which are discussed below.
Well made compost is an asset, not an environmental or economic nuisance.
Look at it as a resource, not an expense. Stabilized compost can be used in
numerous applications or sold to those recognizing its’ benefits. It can be
applied to hay fields, turn out pastures, landscape and gardens. Once
stabilized and dried, it can even be used in your arena as a percentage of
your footing.
Applying and using compost increases soil health and if used annually,
reduces plant watering requirements. Healthy soil achieved through increased
compost use will promote healthy plants which increases their resistance to
drought, disease and pests.
From a gardening and farming perspective, increased compost use means less
purchased fertilizer and reduced use of chemical based herbicides and
pesticides which can harm you, your animals, wildlife and infiltrate ground
water. Compost use helps promote a cleaner and healthier environment for
all, including horses, pets and people on your property.
Hopefully many of you are composting on some level already, if you are,
Congratulations! If you are not, hopefully this article will help move you
in a new direction. For current and “wannabe” composters, here is a great
new incentive.
Reduced Operating Costs
Costs related to farm and stable operations continue to increase. Some due
to escalating fuel costs. If you live in a region where it is cold several
months out of the year, you have already experienced the painful cost
increases associated with heating. Wow, wouldn’t it be neat if you could
turn your horse manure and bedding into free heat and have a usable or
marketable compost product as the end product! Well now you can. Composting
technology has evolved to a new level which makes heat recovery economically
viable.
The technology has been in use for over one year in northern Vermont, taking
the soiled bedding from a 1000 calf rearing facility, composting it and
using it to heat both hot water and channel hot water through tubes buried
in the concrete aisles of a 250’ long barn using radiant floor heating. When
it is -20 F outdoors, it is a comfortable 40F in the barn, making it the
perfect temperature for calves and people. The same can be done for horse
facilities. Various systems are in development applicable to small, medium
and large scale livestock, poultry and equine facilities.
Heat Recovery from Compost
Aerobically composted materials when properly managed in volumes of several
yards, or more, will generate heat in the range of 120-165 degrees (F), for
extended periods (several weeks) while decomposition takes place.
Reactivating of the thermophylic heat generation in the composting process
occurs every few weeks during the first 30-60 day period as material is
moved which results in aeration. Systematically managing the compost from
beginning to end generally takes about 120 days and is then stock piled for
a few weeks or longer prior to use or sale.
The heat recovery system is based on construction and positioning a series
of PVC pipes
in the sub-floor of a composting pad below ground level where tractors or
equipment will not hit, crush or damage the pipes. Pipes are protected below
the floor level by rigid grates level with the floor. Air channels are left
around the pipes so hot air vapor generated by the compost pile can be
pulled down, through the pipes and into a collection chamber where the steam
makes contact with a series of “isobars” (sealed tubes) which instantly
collect and transfer the heat energy. The captured heat is then passed
through another series of isobars which are immersed in a large insulated
tank, heating that water.
The resulting hot water can then be used in closed loop, radiant floor
heating systems or to heat hot water tanks used for washing, rinsing, etc.
In new building design and construction, radiant floor tubes can be
incorporated directly into concrete or aisle floors. For larger equine
facilities, radiant floor tubes can be incorporated into the base layer of
riding rings and arenas, providing radiant heat up and from the footing
material.
For smaller horse operations, small scale systems are under development
which will accommodate hot water and space heating needs for smaller areas.
Therefore, for a large enough facility incorporating a heat recovery system
into their composting process can supply all of your facilities needs and
generate finished compost which will be of higher quality and value. The
compost can then be used on your facility or sold locally to landscapers and
regional residents who recognize the benefits and merits of good organic
soil material.
Financial Incentives
Incorporating composting into your farm operation now makes more sense than
ever. Take a look at what your manure handling and related costs are. Also
look at what you are spending annually for electricity and fuel related to
hot water and space heating needs on the property. Odds are it is a
significant expense. Investing in heat recovery from compost production may
just be the incentive you’ve been waiting for to make some “green changes”
on the farm.
As well, many State and Federal programs are in place which can help offset
the cost of these systems. This technology qualifies for cost sharing and
tax credits in numerous states under both energy conservation and
environmental protection programs. Check with your local NRCS, Cooperative
Extension and USDA offices, or, contact us and we will be glad to help.
Composting Resources:
A wide array of information is available on the internet and in book form on
composting technology and techniques. Please refer to these sources for
direct information.
About the Author
Josh Nelson is a Master Composter and works with private and public entities
consulting on methods to increase recycling efficiency globally. His work
focuses on issues relating to agricultural and environmental sustainability.
He is a successful inventor and has developed several products for the
horse, pet and composting industry. He can be reached at :
riwiggler@aol.com
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