Composting is a process that transforms various organic wastes into valuable resources. These wastes can originate from farms, such as animal manures and crop residues, or from urban areas, such as sewage sludge, paunch manure from slaughterhouses, and household garbage. These wastes can pose several problems, including:
- Nuisances: Fresh animal manures, paunch manure, sewage sludge, and garbage attract flies due to their odors and moisture.
- Environmental Concerns: Landfilling, a common disposal method for garbage and sewage sludge, is expensive and can contaminate groundwater.
- Health Hazards: Dry manure in feedlots or animal confinement facilities creates significant dust problems.
Composting provides a solution by converting these wastes into valuable resources.
How does composting work?
Composting involves the biological decomposition of organic wastes piled together. Microorganisms consume the cellulose and fiber in the waste, significantly reducing its moisture content due to the generated heat. This process results in:
- Volume Reduction: Composting can reduce the bulk of the material, for example, 4 to 6 tons of beef cattle manure can be converted into one ton of finished compost.
- Nutrient Concentration: Composting increases the concentration of plant nutrients in the waste.
- Disease Control: The heat generated during composting pasteurizes the waste, killing disease organisms.
For successful composting, a compost pile requires ample air for the microorganisms to break down the waste. The pile is typically aerated by mixing when the temperature reaches around 140° to 150° F (60° – 66° C).
Benefits of Composting
Composting offers multiple benefits:
- Nutrient Recycling: Composting conserves and concentrates nitrogen in manure. Composted manure also contains higher levels of phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and zinc compared to fresh manure.
- Soil Improvement: Applying composted wastes to soil enhances its structure, leading to increased water intake rate and soil aeration.
- Water Conservation: Continued applications of organic wastes contribute to reduced rainwater runoff.
- Energy Conservation: Utilizing animal and human wastes for crop production could save a significant amount of natural gas, which is used to produce commercial nitrogen fertilizers.
Types of Wastes Suitable for Composting
Various organic wastes can be composted:
- Beef Cattle Manure: Fresh beef cattle manure, with a high moisture content, can be composted into easily spreadable small particles.
- Municipal Wastes: Sewage sludge, a significant source of plant nutrients, can be composted and recycled in agriculture.
- Paunch Manure: Paunch manure, the stomach contents of slaughtered cattle, can be composted to eliminate its high moisture content and odor.
Composting in Practice
- Composting Equipment: Specialized equipment, such as the Brown Bear integral auger tractor, is available for handling large volumes of waste.
- Custom Composting: Custom composting operators offer services for communities unable to handle composting due to equipment and labor costs.
- Compost Value: The market price for composted manure can reach $25 per ton in bulk, demonstrating its economic value.
Composting offers a sustainable solution for managing organic wastes, transforming them into valuable resources while benefiting the environment and agriculture. By recycling nutrients and improving soil health, composting contributes to efficient and productive crop production.
