The Rural Voice, 2002-03, Page 35six market pigs and a sow were put in
each of the bins. College researchers
also compared turning the pile after
three months and six months to
turning it every two months for six
months. The compost should sit for a
further three months before
spreading.
They found the composting
worked well with only large
bones left at the end of the
process. Even these bones are fragile
by this point and could be broken up
or could be put back into another pile
to compost again.
Leaving the pile for three months
before the first turning seemed to
work best, Morris said. Turning too
often causes problems.
There is a nutrient value to the
mixture that comes out of the bins
and it should be treated as part of
nutrient management planning for the
farm, Morris said.
As part of the experiment the
researchers seeded four bins with a
salmonella -like bacteria (not the
bacteria itself) then tested the
finished compost to see if the
bacteria survived. They couldn't find
any sign of the bacteria in the final
material from the system.
Despite the storage not being
roofed, Morris found little problem if
sawdust was used and the pile was
shaped to make the water run off the
top. "A roof would be helpful if it
were a high -rain area but then you
might have to add water (for proper
composting)." Two feet of sawdust at
the bottom of the pile prevented
leaching, he said.
The Ridgetown experiment was
located well away from other
buildings. Despite the Cockles' good
experience with a composter right
beside the barn, Morris
recommended suitable distances from
farm and neighbouring residences
and keeping it out of sight as much as
possible. A south -facing site would
be wise, he said.
Between straw and sawdust, the
researchers found sawdust worked
best. However any high carbon
material such as corn cobs, corn
silage or a mixture of straw or
sawdust with manure would do the
trick.
Morris recommended using 1 kg.
of sawdust for every kg. of deadstock
to be composted.
For winter -time use, Morris
recommended a pile should be started
in September or October, filled over
the winter, turned in May and
emptied in September. Avoid starting
a pile from December to February, he
advised.
Bury dead animals at least a foot
from the edge of the pile and keep
animals covered by at least two feet
of sawdust, he advised. There are
enough catalytic bacteria and
enzymes in a carcass to initiate the
process of breaking the bodies down,
he said. Warm bodies buried quickly
will start to break down faster than
cold bodies and rapid burial also
helps to reduce odour problems and
the possibility of animals getting at
the body.
Composting may be a safer
alternative than burial because we
just don't know where the water table
is and since all animals are supposed
to be at least two feet below ground
there's a potential for groundwater
problems, Morris said.
"On-farm composting does make
sense," Morris said. "There are more
issues with centralized
composting."0
loin us at the fair!
The 19th Annual
e%kern Ontario 4,4
44.4'
Chesley Community Centre
Noon to 9:00 p.m.
SPONSORED BY THE
CHESLEY KINSMEN CLUB
Over f00 4lri-23K htg £Y4i6it& rl
For booth space information contact Susan at 519-363-3308
PROCEEDS TO COMMUNITY BETTERMENT
MARCH 2002 31