Horse Manure

[KevB]

Hi All
Is is true that you cant buy horse manure at this time of year? due to an EEC ruling!!!tried to get some delivered today and was told that i could collect it but they cannot sell it / deliver it?? it's fine to buy mushroom compost and top soil is also ok! If it wasn't so STUPID I'd think it was a leg pull!
Cheers kevb
I'm getting the mushroom compost  2moz and topsoil so I'll let you know more details when I've spoken to him!!

[KevB]

[sandersj89]

I cant think of any reason why you cant get it delivered, certainly no EEC rules that I know off.

Maybe they just did not want the business/hassle?

Jerry

[Larkspur]

I am standing on uncertain ground here since I am not certain of my facts but I certainly understood that animal manure became classed as toxic waste about five years ago and restrictions were placed on its transportation in loose, bulk state. Perhaps someone else can clarify?.

[sandersj89]

I have searched DEFRA's (spit, spit) website and cannot find any referance to such a ban. Indeed it seems it is a bit of miss reporting:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/horses/topics/waste.htm

Jerry

[Ceratonia]

Plenty of people round here selling (& transporting) animal manures.

Our local zoo is offering tapir & zebra manure.

A quick google turned up

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmenvfru/707/3051402.htm

which essentially says that controls of transporting manure between farms were proposed, but it was decided in 2003 not to do this.

[KevB]

The Plot THICKENS so to speak(Sorry couldn't resist)
I will find out more tomorrow when the same bloke delivers what I've ordered and his explanation!! He did offer manure as long as i collected!! the wife wouldn't come in the car again if i did mmmmmm  :) :)
Cheers Kevb

[telboy]

Had an offer the other day - couldn't resist (stable manure). You're welcome, take as much as you want.
There today with my little trailer, tomorrow again to fill the biggest composting frame you've ever seen, it's steaming & covered.
It'll rot down to pig all but I'll top it up as long as the Yaris can cope!
YAHAAAAAAAAAA.

[slyfox-mal]

nope not true around here ive just got 8 ton of the stuff today two big tractor and trailer loads of it should have cost me 34 quid but i did a bit of a deal for an old knackered rotovator that owed me 12 quid so im happy

[digswell]

Had an offer the other day - couldn't resist (stable manure). You're welcome, take as much as you want.
There today with my little trailer, tomorrow again to fill the biggest composting frame you've ever seen, it's steaming & covered.
It'll rot down to pig all but I'll top it up as long as the Yaris can cope!
YAHAAAAAAAAAA.

Ideal for putting a coldframe on top of to bring the seedlings on that bit quicker..... free heating!

[peterpiper]

it is classified as hazordous waste under the said 2005 act so maybe this may have something to do with it.
around my area there are plent y of stables giving it away.
go get it yourself save the money for seeds.
peterpiper

[Zippy Seale]

I have been reading up on forced aerated composting of manures.
this involves laying a system of pipes, with holes in at the bottom of the pile and pump in air.
also passive system involving leaving open pipes at the bottom.
the pipes have a series of holes in them and air is drawn in by convection.

I have made a large bin for my horse manure to go in, measuring 10x8 ft it will keep the pile tidy. 
I am now considering layiong a series of pipes at the bottom.
first i will construct a small bin, normal size, 3x3 ft and as I scavenged some 2" pipe will drill in holes and connect them.
I have got an old inner tube from a mountain bike and using solvent/rubber solution seal the end and attach to the pipe.  the vavle can be connected to a small cordless inflator, and pump air in once a day.


here is a mock up. 
any ideas or thoughts on improving this design.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It looks very much like the design of the pineapple bed at Heligan, so that would be worth looking at.

[jennym]

Here's the Defra guidance:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/management/manure.htm

[KevB]

Thanks Jenny
that makes everything as clear as mud!!  ;) ;) Dont you think this is all a "tadge" over the top!! Manure / compost is good for the land NOT detrimental!!!
The farmer in question told me it was more a case of transferring the manure out of "season" than of any other cause!! in other words - waste transfer licences (I Think) Thanks again for researching, but does the whole process make any sense to us mere mortals!!
Cheers
Kevb

[Columbus]

Hi all, Hi Celtic,

I think your design is a muck squirter. Like a liquid muck spreader. The juice from the muck flows downwards. It fills the pipes and you pump air in. The juice is pushed out of the pipes at force all over your allotment neighbour.  ;D ;D

Please take pictures when this occurs.  ;D ;D

Col

[jennym]

A lot of the problems caused by manure are when the very rich high nitrate run-off gets into waterways. Most of us don't have huge amounts of it lying about, and so don't get the problem. I think in the US there is a health problem called blue baby syndrome, where water with a high nitrate content is used to make up baby milk, and babies can't get rid of the nitrates out of their blood as fast as adults can. It's also a problem amongst young horses and cows. Again, most of us get our water via the mains, but this does need to be taken seriously if you take water from a well on your land.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Another problem is that if too much nitrate gets into the waterways it causes algal blooms; the algae grow at a rate of knots, to the point where they use up all the oxygen in the water, and the fish die. I believe so much is going into the Gulf of Mexico that it's causing serious problems there, but I don't know the details.

[Gardenantics]

I think we have to take the word of DEFRA, as they are experts on bullsh*t so I guess they know alot of horsesh*t  too.

Brian