Feedlot cow manure as fertilizer

[paulinkansas]

Feedlots are where they auction off cattle to be processed into food. They basically starve them for 24 hours, weigh them, then auction them off. They use a skid steer to clean up the stables for the next group of cattle. They put the manure in a big pile, usually behind the feedlot. They give it away for free, and will even load it in your method of conveyance with their skid steer.

Warning: the manure can contain foreign seeds. I fertilized a pumpkin patch and there were certain areas that had jonhson grass patches that germinated. My sister in law fertilized her yard with manure and a few months later her yard was full of crab grass. But it's still a fun thing to do. The last time I went to get manure from the feed lot there was a partial cow skeleton in the pile.

 

[nvidura]

I’ve used manure from similar sources and learned to be cautious about very hard & very invasive types of weeds. I think the best thing you can do is to to compost it first... Or apply it in areas where you don’t mind dealing with those weeds....

 

[Meadowlark]

In my experience, the best thing you can do is "hot" compost it. That will get over 90% of the weed seed as well as kill unwanted pathogens.

I have a cattle operation and have been using composted manure for many many years. Weed seeds are not a problem and neither are pathogens. Encourage "hot" by keeping it turned and watered. You should see 135 deg F on the outside layers which means probably 180 deg F at the core. Believe me that kills weed seed dead!

 

[Chuck]

I don't know about Kansas but in Texas some of the manure that cattle deposit that ends up in a feed lot comes from hay that was grown in hayfields strictly for growing hay. These hayfields are sprayed with herbicides such as Picloram and its derivities. Other feedlots are for fattening up catle. These cattle stay in the feedlot for about 30 days eating cattle feed and hay. This hay usually comes from contracted hay growers. These growers make their money by growing hay that is weed free and protein heavy. Weed free means the use of herbicides. The herbicides used go through the cows digestive system and out as manure. These herbicides can last in the manure and soil for years. Use this manure and your soil will be ruined for a minimum of 2 years, usually around 5 years. But, not all hay is treated with these herbicides. A simple test is to fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of samples of the manure and then fill with water. Let it sit for 3 or 4 days and then pour the liquid onto a weed such as a thistle or dandelion. If within 48 hours the weed is unaffected the manure is safe. If the plants are showing any signs of deformity it is not safe.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

A simple test is to fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of samples of the manure and then fill with water. Let it sit for 3 or 4 days and then pour the liquid onto a weed such as a thistle or dandelion. If within 48 hours the weed is unaffected the manure is safe. If the plants are showing any signs of deformity it is not safe.

That sounds good, the other test I have seen is fill a flowerpot and plant a bean in it.

 

[Meadowlark]

That sounds good, the other test I have seen is fill a flowerpot and plant a bean in it.

That is the one I use...100% reliable...one small starter container with the compost and one without and one bean in each...in a matter of a few days the answer is clear.

 

[paulinkansas]

There is a lot of good shyt in this thread.