Best Management Practices for Horse Manure Composting on Small Farms in Monmouth
County/New Jersey. (NE_03-krogmann872892-oral)
Authors:
U. Krogmann* - Rutgers University M.L. Westendorf - Rutgers University B.F. Rogers - Rutgers University P.V. Romano - Rutgers University
Abstract:
Construction activities, urban runoff, and manure from horse farms are the
predominant sources of non-point source pollution in the coastal Monmouth County drainage basin in New Jersey (USA). We have proposed to implement Best
Management Practices for manure composting on small horse farms (1-10 horses).
Horse manure composting reduces pathogens in the manure, produces a storable end product for on- and off-farm use and therefore lowers non-point source
pollution from horse farms. Most farmers on small horse farms are pleasure farmers and are only able to implement simple, cost-effective composting methods. Based on preliminary results from two farm demonstration sites and a small shed
composting research project conducted at Rutgers University, New Jersey, draft Best Management Practices for manure composting on small horse farms were developed which will be presented in this paper. These practices include
information about horse manure production and characteristics, feedstock
preparation, the composting process, monitoring of the composting process, sizing, siting, equipment, environmental issues and compost use.
Speaker Information: Uta Krogmann, Rutgers University, Dept. of Env. Sciences 14 College Farm Rd., New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8551; Phone: 732-932-9060; E-mail: