Cold Springs Farm in Hanover, Illinois, operates a mid-sized beef cattle feeding operation that has successfully implemented an efficient and cost-effective manure management system. By using a tractor-mounted aerator composter, the farm has improved its environmental footprint while increasing productivity and profitability.
Pen Cleaning and Animal Health
The aerator composter effectively removes manure from the farm’s clay-based enclosures. This process leaves the clay base intact, resulting in cleaner pens. Consequently, the farm has reduced the incidence of diseases like foot rot and minimized the presence of flies and other insects. As a result, the cleaner and drier environment allows animals to focus their energy on weight gain instead of navigating through wet and muddy conditions.
Farm Manure Management Composting Process
At Cold Springs Farm, all manure produced is collected, composted, and recycled back into cropland. The aerator composter mixes manure with hay, forming windrows that are turned regularly. This ensures thorough aeration and decomposition. The resulting compost is a rich, high-organic soil additive that is virtually free of weed seeds and pathogens.
Benefits of Composting
The use of compost has led to significant improvements in soil quality and crop yields. For instance, compost increases the humus content of the soil, enhancing water retention, workability, and overall productivity. Notably, corn yields have doubled while alfalfa yields have increased by 25%. Additionally, deep root growth from alfalfa helps reduce soil compaction.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness
The aerator composter has proven to be a highly efficient investment for Cold Springs Farm. It can process a large volume of manure and hay—turning up to 900 tons per hour. The resulting compost is easier to handle and distribute than raw manure. Moreover, the farm has significantly reduced its clay replacement costs thanks to the precise cleaning action of the aerator.
Overall, Cold Springs Farm serves as a model for other beef producers looking to improve their manure management practices. By investing in an aerator composter, the farm has achieved a more sustainable and profitable operation while minimizing its environmental impact.
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- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): This link provides resources and guidelines for sustainable manure management practices, including composting. USDA NRCS – Manure Management .
- Grainews – Composting as a Manure Handling Option: This article discusses the benefits of composting manure and provides insights into effective composting techniques, relevant to Cold Springs Farm’s practices. Grainews – Composting is a Manure Handling Option .
- Penn State Extension – Manure Management: This resource offers comprehensive information on manure management strategies, including composting and its benefits for soil health and crop yields. Penn State Extension – Manure Management .
- Virtual Farm – Dairy Farm Manure Management: This page discusses various manure processing technologies, including composting, and their environmental benefits. Virtual Farm – Manure Management .
- ASCE – Composting for Agricultural Practices: This article details how composting can enhance agricultural practices, including improving soil quality and crop productivity. ASCE – Composting in Agriculture .
