Figure 2. transferred to the outside of the windrow. low C:N ratio may be referred to as nitrogen materials in the compost
compost. manure and other feedstock that go into the mix. Even well
Larger piles will not allow air
on-farm processing wastes, etc). Good records can help you to improve your compost quality. compost when needed. plants. piles can be located in buildings to reduce weather factors. commonly 2-4 m wide and 2-3 m high at the start of the composting
Composting Handbook, Stabilize organic components and nutrients, Pathogen control requires high temperatures and good aeration, Often requires additional bulking material (carbon), Land required for composting and storage areas, Windrow/pile composting - active aeration, Windrow/pile composting - passive aeration (PAWS). For more information on site selection for in-field composting
This problem is increased if the windrow
As explained in USDA to Address Green Waste Compost Ruling, a proposed rule is under development to address this issue. needed. and weed seeds. good compost. Fans are attached to the ventilation
by using multiple channels and tractor-loaders to turn and move
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?). than other systems discussed here. are of improper C:N ratio or moisture. and the need to have excellent mixing and appropriate C:N ratios
When the compost becomes anaerobic there is a potential for odours
seeds. sometimes referred to as carbon materials or bulking materials since
be made of a material that allows the infiltration of oxygen and
Immature compost may injure the germinating seeds and plants
Optimum moisture
that allows for air to circulate into the compost. 2005. Windrows
The majority of arsenic consumed by poultry is excreted and incorporated into the litter, leading to the potential for build-up in the soil and leaching from compost piles into lakes and streams. may also increase the loss of nitrogen from the compost. on a concrete pad that incorporates a ventilated floor and air plenum
The frequency of turning
where temperatures are well below the temperatures required for
feedstock materials and optimum moisture contents are critical to
tour other similar facilities and compare notes with others to learn
Turning the pile
usually have lower nitrogen losses than windrow composting. suitable for composting. or vacuumed out of the pipe (negative pressure). than 40C) even after the pile is turned. as hot spots. This is a very low management system where you pile it and leave
By increasing soil organic matter content, which fuels microbial activity and nutrient cycling, compost applications will increase overall soil fertility. Additionally, increased plant vigor due to compost application can increase resistance to plant pathogens. used for the turning. Organic Production Publication Series, Center for Environmental Farming Systems. In agronomic and horticultural operations, compost can be used as a soil amendment, seed starter, mulch, container mix ingredient, or natural fertilizer, depending on its characteristics. is advisable to reach and maintain temperatures above 55C for
Foul odours may indicate anaerobic
when the most rapid breakdown of materials occurs. it. customer service, please email the Agricultural Information
Arsenic in poultry litter: Organic regulations [Online]. too dry for microorganisms to work effectively. up a compost windrow. or other appropriate treatment method. of future problems. not be broken up thereby reducing the amount of aeration. windrow or having a slight indentation on the top will trap some
Check with your state government to ensure compliance with composting regulations. As a general rule, windrows should not be
composting process. and some will convert from readily available forms (nitrate and
materials include geotextiles. found in the OMAFRA Factsheet, On-Farm Composting of Livestock and
Field Storage of Solid Manure or Prescribed Materials, Temporary Field
Windrows that are not turned and do not have mechanical aeration
Turning of the windrows can be done by one of three equipment systems: The tractor-loader is the simplest system for most small farm operations. When the compost is being used on farm and the time to finish the
exhausted air. composting is to work with your neighbours to reduce the potential
Clarification of these regulations is provided in USDA to Address Green Waste Compost Ruling (USDA, 2016); GuidanceCompost and Vermicompost in Organic Crop Production (NOP, 2011a), and GuidanceProcessed Animal Manures in Organic Crop Production (NOP, 2011b). This vegetable producer in Washington State built his own compost spreader from existing equipment. stable humus-like material called compost. and labour costs and there is still the risk of pathogens being
Frequently they are contained
to manure storages with respect to neighbours, wells, water etc. of moisture condition and any odours. Filter runoff with a vegetated buffer zone
The tractor-loader plus a second tractor with a manure spreader
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). US Composting Council. and respire carbon dioxide. most of the rainwater. composting. It has been estimated that less than 15% of the nitrogen
These worms are added to the feedstock materials
coarse material under the pile. Excess P can result in surface water pollution (and potentially threaten organic certification). The air is permitted to flow passively through the pipes and the
United States Department of AgricultureAgricultural Marketing Service. When using off-farm
environmental impacts. (Available online at: Bellows, B. surface of the materials that need to be composted. In addition to having suitable sites for the composting process
The NOP's draft guidance on compost and vermicompost in organic crop production (NOP, 2010b) identifies these processes as examples of methods for producing acceptable composts, and states that: An example of another acceptable composting method is when: a. Compost is made from allowed feedstock materials (either nonsynthetic substances not prohibited at 205.602, or synthetics approved for use as plant or soil amendments), and b. Compost turners have the capacity
and seepage from the compost. Compost should be considered a slow-release source of nitrogen. During drier months having a flat-topped
It passes through animals in the urine, and therefore if they eat forage with clopyralid residues, the herbicide ends up in the bedding and potentially in the compost. Available at: Rynk, R. 1992. The nutrient value of compost can be highly variable depending
will reduce the airflow and the compost will cease to be aerobic. Maturity is an indication of the degree of humification or the conversion
Knowing the feeding practices used for manure sources and having the manure tested can also provide information about possible antibiotic and heavy metal contamination. activity. to become a problem, especially when it is loaded or mixed. High moisture levels reduce oxygen. Feedstocks with
Available at: United States Department of Agriculture. The monitoring of the above parameters must be documented in the Organic System Plan in accordance with 205.203(c) and submitted by the producer and verified during the site visit. design and maintenance of the airflow system, potential odour management,
windrow. original compost feedstock volume. The compost pile is mixed or managed to ensure that all of the feedstock heats to the minimum of 131F (55C) for a minimum of three days. temperatures. material such as wood chips and/or aerated pipes to improve aeration. with setting up air pipes when establishing the windrow and permits
or pile to mix materials from the surface into the centre of the
A composting
composting site. content (C:N imbalance) and a need for more carbon material. The finished volume of the compost is frequently 40-60% of the
dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) are released
If legal advice is required, consult a lawyer. Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin, Madison. 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. As soon as feedstocks are compiled, the composting process begins. and decomposition is done by aerobic, thermophilic, organisms including
windrow with frequent turning may have an active stage as short
locations on the farm. Increasing use of copper in broiler and hog operations may result in manures with high concentrations of copper. Sometimes known as PAWS (Passive Aeration Windrow System), this
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. (Available online at: Sullivan, P. 2004. of the windrow. high power at very low speeds (creeper gear). The most common design of this system is to place aeration
purposes only and should not be relied upon to determine legal obligations. 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. and nitrogen (C:N ratio). The reasons
Figure 5. Clopyralid in compost [Online]. as 1-4 months, or up to 4-8 months with less frequent turning and
volume decreases and the phosphorous and most other nutrients become
area or earthen containment and then reused to add water to the
the pile in several locations at each monitoring event. Rural
creates the conditions for quickly reducing pathogens and stabilizing
This can offer advantages for both storage and field application
windrow, note the warm moist air escaping. Compost managers should
Frequent turning
Choose the composting site carefully to reduce the potential for
system involves the insertion of aeration pipes into or under the
Usually there are fans attached to a system of perforated tubes
critical. and oxygen in the windrow. levels when composting. the windrow. to turn compost up to ten times faster than a tractor loader system. Figure 4. added during the turning operation. Thorough
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. Frequently, manure from modern farming enterprises
However, recognizing that background levels of pesticides are present in the environment (referred to as unavoidable residual environmental contaminationURECin the regulations) and may be present in organic production systems, NOP regulation does not mandate zero tolerance for synthetic pesticide residues in inputs, such as compost. and bedding and various residual plant materials (straw, culls,
The disadvantage is
Factsheet, On-Farm
One of the keys to successful
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Composting is one of the recommended ways to handle mortalities
especially if the mixing is inadequate or if the feedstock materials
to assist in the decomposition of the organic matter and transform
Manure spreader setting
aeration. 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. the surface. Pathogen reduction allows for the use of compost where
cannot enable JavaScript in your browser and would like to know the last modified
For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification. and to release the carbon dioxide and other gases that are generated
have been heat treated within the windrow and increase the survival
Windrow dimensions must be sized according to the equipment being
from their mistakes. Proper mixing of the
As microorganisms begin to decompose the organic materials, the compost pile heats up and the active phase of composting begins. This farm-scale rotating drum is used at a Texas site. materials to allow air to penetrate the windrow. High initial cost and continuous
Feedstocks containing a high ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) are
hot spots where there is overheating or accumulation of high moisture
Ammonia smells may indicate high nitrogen
windrow up and down the slope. loader and may require windrows to be located endwise instead of
Excess moisture
maintain adequate airflow. (Available online at: Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. NOP is thus far silent on what constitutes contamination of soil or water. the material from one channel to another. No. the front one is covered with a semi-permeable textile cover. By providing a favorable environment and food source, compost encourages the growth of microorganisms that compete with, parasitize, or produce natural antibiotics against plant pathogens. They are usually used for high volume
surface water runoff or leaching issues. from concrete channels with mechanical mixers to rotating steel
This covering
The windrow
There are extra space requirements to use a tractor and
(Available online at: Composting | Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | US EPA [Online]. Board of Regents, Washington State University, Puyallup. The compost process reduces the
and the frequency of turning. If you
create the new windrow. The materials used will influence the
What constitutes "contamination of crops, soil or water"? Well-managed
monitored regularly. Some compost turners also have optional
Windrow size may be predicated by the size of your windrow
turned windrows, aerated pile or aerated bin composting systems. Available at: Cooperband, L. 2002b. Generally, compost can be considered more as a soil conditioner than as a fertilizer substitute because it improves plant productivity primarily by improving physical and biological soil properties and increasing soil organic matter, rather than by directly supplying significant amounts of plant-available nutrients. The nutrient content and the C:N ratio of manure is highly variable,
conditions of the compost at that time. are also higher than for aerated piles, depending on available equipment
low porosity materials (example: finely chopped) reduce this distance. Temperatures need to be
in the windrow are exposed to temperatures high enough to kill pathogens
Publications
The information in this factsheet is provided for informational
While most reports indicate good
Contact Centre (ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca)
soils. These include: Success with any composting system will require management skills
Active aeration involves a mechanical system (example: fans)
To maintain optimum microbial activity, optimum moisture content
As water evaporates,
Odours need to be managed especially when using odorous materials. bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi and protozoa. process. compared to their concentrations in the original materials. This can result in recontamination of materials that
Figure 3. Turning adds air spaces
When there is no turning of a windrow, the uniform mixing of feedstock
Research brief #45. hazards. compost. or central composting systems and require a higher level of management
As readily available organic matter is consumed and decomposition slows, temperatures in the compost pile decrease to around 100F and the curing phase begins. Check with your Ministry of Environment and local municipal
Photo credit: Robert Rynk, Compost Education and Resources for Western Agriculture project, Washington State University. 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. Poultry Mortalities, Order No. Available at: Cooperband, L. 2002a. 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. pathogen kill (55 C). News
designed to turn windrows efficiently and turns the materials in
breakdown. this water goes to the bottom of the pile creating anaerobic conditions
with your ability to monitor the compost and respond to changes
This was the case for the herbicide clopyralid, which was used on turfgrass as well as in agriculture. as they occur. date for this page, please contact the webmaster at -internet.webmaster.omafra@ontario.ca, Agricultural Information
Vermicomposting is worm composting. with high C:N ratio materials (such as straw) in the compost windrow. Oxygen levels will rise immediately after
maintain good airflow through the pile or windrow. that there is frequently less than adequate mixing and chunks may
The ability to make good compost starts with a good recipe and
Both on-site and off-site water runoffs must be addressed.
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