Photo credit: Robert Rynk, Compost Education and Resources for Western Agriculture project, Washington State University. transferred to the outside of the windrow. Active aeration involves a mechanical system (example: fans)
Copper foot baths are also common in cattle production. Traditionally some farmers allowed manure to pile up and it decomposed
The use of broiler litter as a feedstock for compost production poses some additional concerns. crops. on livestock farms. will reduce the airflow and the compost will cease to be aerobic. compost. Photo credit: David Granatstein, Compost Education and Resources for Western Agriculture project, Washington State University. loader fills the spreader, which is used to discharge material to
positive results - a valuable product - with a minimum of negative
Available online at: US Composting Council [Online]. immediately adjacent to the existing windrow. windrow up and down the slope. windrow with frequent turning may have an active stage as short
When using this method, nutrient availability in compost must also be taken into account. optimum ranges (40-60C, 50-60% moisture) or low oxygen levels
According to the guidance documents listed in the previous paragraph, approved feedstocks for compost include: NOP regulation states that compost that is produced with prohibited feedstocks (urea, recycled wallboard, or sewage sludge, for example) is prohibited, and it does not permit the use of compost that contains synthetic substances that are not on the National List of synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production (see Can I Use this Input on My Organic Farm?). During this phase of rapid decomposition, temperatures in the pile increase to 130150F and may remain elevated for several weeks. Larger windrows will have more problems with
Cornell Waste Management Institute [Online]. allow for more material to be composted in a geometrical shape
Arsenic in poultry litter: Organic regulations [Online]. The nutrient content and the C:N ratio of manure is highly variable,
About
For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification. Guidance: Compost and vermicompost in organic crop production [Online]. Compost turners have the capacity
to be 25:1 to 30:1 but can range from 20:1 to 40:1 depending on
seeds. Composting is much more than just aging manure - it is a science. Figure 3. Knowing the feeding practices used for manure sources and having the manure tested can also provide information about possible antibiotic and heavy metal contamination. United States Department of AgricultureAgricultural Marketing Service. They are usually used for high volume
Livestock manure is a common material to be composted on the farm. Filter runoff with a vegetated buffer zone
into the air. process tends to mechanically break down particles, and if turned
a roofed structure. Figure 1. Operating expenses
National organic program: Final rule. The microorganisms use oxygen to consume the feedstock materials
Frequently, manure from modern farming enterprises
Over subsequent growing seasons, the nitrogen applied in compost will become plant-available. Low moisture levels can result in temperatures rising too high. They have the greatest amount of design requirements. customer service, please email the Agricultural Information
During the composting process, heat, water (H2O), carbon
The best system uses compost windrow turning equipment that is
Available at. Sites must not be located close to wells or other water sources. (Available online at: Composting | Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | US EPA [Online]. many are coarser and allow for better aeration. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. conflict between the information in this factsheet and any applicable
and labour costs and there is still the risk of pathogens being
are frequently too expensive for typical on-farm composting facilities. Available at: Bary, A., C. Cogger, and D. Sullivan. Even well
aeration. aeration from the sides or below the bin. Figure 2. 2016. it. Accessing this message means you do not have a JavaScript enabled browser. Compost made in accordance with the above production criteria may be applied in organic production systems without restriction on the time interval between application and crop harvest. process. may also increase the loss of nitrogen from the compost. higher than 2.5 m (8 ft) or wider than 3.6 m (12 ft). on the materials being composted and the composting system used. To maintain optimum microbial activity, optimum moisture content
As microorganisms begin to decompose the organic materials, the compost pile heats up and the active phase of composting begins. the optimum C:N ratio may be slightly higher because woody materials
The temperature will increase rapidly within a few hours
For agricultural operations the common
weed seed reductions with 2-3 weeks of high temperature composting,
There
(Available online at: Bellows, B. Poultry Mortalities, Order No. This farm-scale rotating drum is used at a Texas site. and weed seeds. PAWS allows better aeration than the static piles and can achieve
The feedstock materials that are being turned
An example description of these bins can be
airflows, and usually a more expensive system than turned windrow
not allow or want some materials in the compost. Feedstocks containing a high ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) are
by using multiple channels and tractor-loaders to turn and move
There are several advantages of turning the compost windrow. Turned windrows require more labour than aerated piles and may
Piles should not be too large. General guidelines suggest that 10 to 25% of compost N will be plant-available during the first year of application. As readily available organic matter is consumed and decomposition slows, temperatures in the compost pile decrease to around 100F and the curing phase begins. where temperatures are well below the temperatures required for
If the compost has become too dry water can be added when turning
Water is required to maintain the
Static compost piles with passive aeration tubes. with turning and aeration can offer the shortest times. Thorough
of the windrow. as the feedstock breaks down, but if there is insufficient airflow,
into compost must be well mixed into the optimum ratio of carbon
Available at: Cooperband, L. 2002b. up a compost windrow. soils. final use of the compost. Turning also adds air to the windrow and allows an opportunity
side by side. Guidance: Processed animal manures in organic crop production [Online]. 2011a. Composting Homepage, On-Farm
to assist in the decomposition of the organic matter and transform
environmental impacts. When using a negative
The windrow
conditions of the compost at that time. content (C:N imbalance) and a need for more carbon material. Maintaining adequate aeration during this phase of intense microbial activity is especially important because aerobic decomposition is most efficient and produces finished compost in the shortest amount of time. Publications
high power at very low speeds (creeper gear). law, the law prevails. below the optimum level. There are many different methods and types of equipment and structures
This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. This was the case for the herbicide clopyralid, which was used on turfgrass as well as in agriculture. Aerated
The optimum range of C:N ratios for composting are often reported
compost when needed. phase most materials have broken down and are not recognizable from
it is also imperative to have appropriate sites for the safe storage
United States Department of AgricultureAgricultural Marketing Service. area or earthen containment and then reused to add water to the
too dry for microorganisms to work effectively. compost is saturated, water can seep out of the windrow to create
Usually there are fans attached to a system of perforated tubes
storage to utilization when convenient but should be utilized as
When the compost is being used on farm and the time to finish the
Composting can also reduce or eliminate weed seeds and plant pathogens in organic residues. University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. commonly 2-4 m wide and 2-3 m high at the start of the composting
their original form. In the event of a
of moisture condition and any odours. in the decomposition process. that there is frequently less than adequate mixing and chunks may
from concrete channels with mechanical mixers to rotating steel
Most nitrogen remaining after completion of the composting process is bound into organic forms and thus not available immediately for plant uptake. daily temperature recording during the active phase, to ensure that
proportions to achieve the optimum C:N ratio and moisture to make
Two compost windrows,
Skip to content Ontario.ca
soon as possible. for composting and the cost of turning need to be balanced to create
Windrow size may be predicated by the size of your windrow
What does compost analysis tell you about your compost? Several comprehensive resources providing detailed explanations of the composting process and specific information on how to make compost are available; examples includeThe Art and Science of Composting (Cooperband, 2002a), Composting on Organic Farms (Baldwin and Greenfield, 2009), and On-Farm Composting Handbook (Rynk, 1992). No. windrow. There needs to be enough void space (porosity) in the
design and maintenance of the airflow system, potential odour management,
not be broken up thereby reducing the amount of aeration. The actual design of the appropriate composting system for any
publication. and the frequency of turning. Records should also include when the compost was turned and the
as manure after the heating process has been completed since that
drum type systems. can be composted and typical C:N ratios for these materials. Many operators suggest there is "an art to composting". piles can be located in buildings to reduce weather factors. NOP compost requirements can also be met by vermicompost (compost produced by the action of earthworms), so long as: a. In the interim, accredited certifying agents must continue to review and approve all materials used by organic producers, including compost, as part of an operations organic system plan. Odours are usually a primary cause of friction with neighbours. good compost. ATTRA publication #IP266/269. that the thermometer has a one metre (or three-foot stem) with a
and weed seeds. This can offer advantages for both storage and field application
levels when composting. near the bottom of the pile. nutrient analysis of the mature compost product. Profiles of compost windrows at a dairy in eastern Washington. create the new windrow. composting site is adequate to reduce the leaching of compost runoff
suitable for composting. The use of compost containing these contaminants is not permitted in organic crop production; however, the organic rule does not require that manures come from organic livestock farms to be used in organic compost production. temperatures. Active aeration of windrows requires more careful design for appropriate
specific material. Research
15 days. given situation will vary and more detailed information and design
Windrows
less than 3 months. low porosity materials (example: finely chopped) reduce this distance. may include modifications to the tractor transmission to allow for
with turners that travel on overhead rails or in some on-farm cases
Figure 4. This allows for runoff to be managed. until they were ready to use it. The frequency of turning
The particle size of these materials must allow for a good mix and
system involves the insertion of aeration pipes into or under the
(N2O) if anaerobic conditions or pockets develop. managed piles can result in some odour or ammonia emissions. manure. manure and other feedstock that go into the mix. as hot spots. composting site. Contact. The reasons
drainage tile) under the centre of the windrow
the pile. (example 4in. customer service, On-Farm
6-24 months for passive composting with no turning and no active
However, if they contain animal manure, they must be applied to agricultural land in accordance with NOP regulations for manure, which state that raw animal manure must be composted unless at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: Compost quality varies depending on the raw organic materials (feedstocks), the composting process used, and the state of biological activity. permits are required, such as when off-farm materials are added,
rubellus. thick over
to manure storages with respect to neighbours, wells, water etc. higher temperatures, but can be subject to many of the same problems
be sold from the farm. a way that moves material from the outside of the windrow to the
The
Sustained use of compost from these sources could contribute to copper build-up in the soil in the long-term, especially in operations that rely on copper as a pesticide. Excess moisture
NOP is thus far silent on what constitutes contamination of soil or water. Available at: Agricultural Marketing ServiceNational Organic Program [Online]. The materials used will influence the
The pipes and middle portion of the base of the windrow
Appropriate coverings as well as runoff controls may be
environmental impact and to respect neighbouring land uses. Temperature and moisture beyond the
The choice of input materials for composting may depend on the
and scales of operation. and respire carbon dioxide. Water
They range
surface of the materials that need to be composted. combustion or other fire issues. During the maturing phase pile size is less critical
This is especially true in anaerobic zones within
materials, there may be additional permits or regulations to be
Funding for eOrganic is provided by USDA NIFA and other grant programs including Western SARE, Composting can also reduce or eliminate weed seeds and plant pathogens, National Organic Program (NOP) final rule, USDA to Address Green Waste Compost Ruling, GuidanceCompost and Vermicompost in Organic Crop Production, GuidanceProcessed Animal Manures in Organic Crop Production, Arsenic in Poultry Litter: Organic Regulations, Sustainable Management of Soil-Borne Plant Diseases, composting can reduce or eliminate weed seeds and plant pathogens, https://cefs.ncsu.edu/resources/composting-on-organic-farms/, https://attra.ncat.org/product/arsenic-in-poultry-litter-organic-regulations/, http://www.cias.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/artofcompost.pdf, https://www.ams.usda.gov/content/usda-address-green-waste-compost-ruling, https://campus.extension.org/pluginfile.php/48384/course/section/7167/NRAES%20FarmCompost%20manual%201992.pdf, https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub-summaries/?pub=283, http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=a6a0935ddf00e166695f4c2138bd58d8&mc=true&node=pt7.3.205&rgn=div5, http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/Clopyralid.htm, http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/soilmgmt/Pubs/Poster_CompostAnalysis.pdf, http://www.cias.wisc.edu/crops-and-livestock/composted-manures-offer-yield-and-disease-resistance-benefits/, hhttp://www2.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home, http://www.cias.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/soilorgmtr.pdf, http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/AWM-1.pdf, Should have a good organic matter content (40-60%), Use soil pH kit at home or have pH tested by a soil lab, If compost will be spread in the fall, no test necessary, If compost will be spread before planting, levels should be below 10 dS, Moisten compost and watch for weed seedling growth, Plant and animal materials, such as crop residues, animal manure, food waste, yard waste, Nonsynthetic substances not prohibited by, Synthetic substances specifically allowed for use as a compost feedstock per, Synthetics approved for use as plant or soil amendments, Applied to land used for a crop not intended for human consumption, Incorporated into the soil not less than 120 days prior to the harvest of a product whose edible portion has direct contact with the soil surface or soil particles, Incorporated into the soil not less than 90 days prior to the harvest of a product whose edible portion does not have direct contact with the soil surface or soil particles. As explained in USDA to Address Green Waste Compost Ruling, a proposed rule is under development to address this issue. would mix it to create more uniform moisture content throughout
The composting process requires optimum levels of carbon, nitrogen,
can be used to get better mixing and aeration of the compost. the whole windrow. (Available online at: United States Department of AgricultureAgricultural Marketing Service. This problem is increased if the windrow
to travel through the pile since air can only move passively 1-2
The loader is used to lift and turn the windrow over into the space
more than 1-2 m through the compost material. disturbing the aeration system). Figure 2. Ammonia smells may indicate high nitrogen
Maturing - compost needs time in storage to mature. Fans are attached to the ventilation
This vegetable producer in Washington State built his own compost spreader from existing equipment. windrows to allow for the movement of the turning equipment. Some materials attract rodents, birds and insects and strategies
turning will ensure that there is a uniform mix of the feedstock
In the summer, evaporation can also occur and dry out the compost
of the compost during the curing process and storage of the mature
breakdown. can be designed to put adjacent windrows immediately beside each
When compost is too dry moisture can be
to increase the moisture within the windrow and to increase the
Contact Centre (ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca)
Aerated piles require less land and
of future problems. Field Storage of Solid Manure or Prescribed Materials, Order
Under hot,
Estimates for P and K availability in the first year are higher, 40% and 60% respectively. Common
Figure 5. Frequently they are contained
with your ability to monitor the compost and respond to changes
Wet materials and
the material from one channel to another. airflow. Foul odours may indicate anaerobic
When compost is too wet, the turning will
Franais, Home
The disadvantage is
Board of Regents, Washington State University, Puyallup. turning and then decrease and stabilize within 1-2 hours. Assembling an appropriate mix of organic residues or feedstocks and maintaining adequate moisture and oxygen levels are all necessary. temperatures but research is showing that there can be good kill
News
compared to their concentrations in the original materials. The windrow should also be peaked at the top (triangular) to shed
creates the conditions for quickly reducing pathogens and stabilizing
is advisable to reach and maintain temperatures above 55C for
Sometimes known as PAWS (Passive Aeration Windrow System), this
to supply oxygen to the microbes that will be active in the compost
equipment or with specialized compost turners. compost is not limited the frequency of turning needs to be examined. materials to allow air to penetrate the windrow. An analysis of your materials will help you to
The NOP final rule states (USDA, 2000, 7 CFR 205.671) "When residue testing detects prohibited substances at levels that are greater than 5 percent of the Environmental Protection Agency's tolerance for the specific residue detected or unavoidable residual environmental contamination, the agricultural product must not be sold, labeled, or represented as organically produced." too frequently particles can become too fine, reducing the porosity
Direct runoff from the site to a runoff catchment
For more information on site selection for in-field composting
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. must also be maintained. When the compost becomes anaerobic there is a potential for odours
the release of carbon dioxide, water vapour and other gases. This reduces the likelihood of
maintain good airflow through the pile or windrow. Poor pile management will also result in odour emissions. needed. The finished volume of the compost is frequently 40-60% of the
The decomposition occurs in a well-managed process to obtain specific
03-083. High initial cost and continuous
Turning compost
some reports have indicated that mallow, velvetleaf, smartweed and
Turning adds air spaces
by microorganisms under controlled, aerobic conditions to a relatively
an insulated blanket of material to allow adequate heating of the
found in the OMAFRA Factsheet, On-Farm Composting of Livestock and
of pathogens and weed seeds. NOP 5006. It has been estimated that less than 15% of the nitrogen
Composting animal manures: Precautions and processing. mix. followed. It is recommended
Building soil organic matter with organic amendments. If the
These worms are added to the feedstock materials
As a result the degree of composting may vary throughout
for moisture management. water to leach into soils. To meet National Organic Program requirements, static pile systems must be aerated to sustain microbial activity and adequate temperatures. The aeration pipes make it
Pathogens and weed seed viability are also reduced during the composting
Table 1. require a power source whereas windrows can be located in remote
Food
The most common design of this system is to place aeration
low C:N ratio may be referred to as nitrogen materials in the compost
Immature compost
Figure 3. Lab tests
dry weather conditions, the surface layer of the windrow can become
Some have referred to this as composting. materials that reduce microbial activity. Composting on the Organic Farm, by Baldwin and Greenfield (2009), provides detailed instructions for calculating application rates. wild buckwheat species are among the hardest to kill. new windrow making pathogen kill less efficient. An example of in-vessel composting. management. locations on the farm. management and airborne emissions are the primary risk factors when
is then covered with a porous material such as wood chips. Compost provides many benefits as a soil amendment and a source of organic matter by improving soil biological, chemical, and physical characteristics: Microorganisms drive the composting process, so creating an optimal environment for microbial activity is crucial for successful and efficient composting. 2011b. in buildings designed for the purpose. The main disadvantages are extra equipment
tube and air is either blown into the windrow (positive pressure)
The use of composted plant and animal materials to maintain or improve soil organic matter is supported by the National Organic Program (NOP) final rule (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2000): The producer must manage plant and animal materials to maintain or improve soil organic matter content in a manner that does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, or residues of prohibited substances. In some cases, excess K can upset crop nutrition balance. capacity commercial composting operations. Covers must
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Raleigh. pressure, biofilters may be needed to remove the odours from the
Windrow dimensions must be sized according to the equipment being
(Available online at: Cornell Composting. turned windrows, aerated pile or aerated bin composting systems. Leave adequate space between
It is made from allowed feedstock materials (either nonsynthetic substances not prohibited at 205.602, or synthetics approved for use as plant or soil amendments); b. Aerobicity is maintained by regular additions of thin layers of organic matter at 13 day intervals; c. Moisture is maintained at 7090%; and d. The duration of vermicomposting is at 612 months for outdoor windrows, 24 months for indoor container systems, 24 months for angled wedge systems, or 3060 days for continuous flow reactors. Compost feedstocks may contain synthetic pesticide contaminants that are not degraded in the composting process, and can contribute to crop, soil, or water contamination. airflow unless they are aerated. added during the turning operation. surface water runoff or leaching issues. Excess P can result in surface water pollution (and potentially threaten organic certification). mix the materials, increase the aeration of the windrow, stimulate
The moisture content of the windrow usually decreases after turning. and nitrogen (C:N ratio). sometimes referred to as carbon materials or bulking materials since
Additionally, increased plant vigor due to compost application can increase resistance to plant pathogens. when the most rapid breakdown of materials occurs. See a related article to learn howcomposting can reduce or eliminate weed seeds and plant pathogens in crop residues and other organic feedstocks.