QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q 1: What size removal containers are available?
Q 2: How much manure and bedding does one horse generate?
Q 3: How many horses does it take to fill one 20 cubic yard container in one month?
Q 4: How much does it cost to have one 20 cubic yard container removed?
Q 5: What if I only have two or three horses but still want manure removal services?
Q 6: Where can I get more information about the State’s new Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) guidelines?
Q 7: What if I field apply my manure/stall waste?
Q 8: I’ve heard many people say that they have their own compost/black dirt after their manure sits around for a couple of years. Is this considered compost?
Q9: Is on-farm manure storage acceptable?
Q 10: Is manure disposal or manure removal an approved manure management option?
Q: What size removal containers are available?
A: We have 20 cubic yard containers. We do not offer any other size containers.
Q: How much manure and bedding does one horse generate?
A: Studies done by Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension show that on average one full-size horse will generate 1 to 1 1/ 2 cubic yard of manure and bedding waste per month.
Q: How many horses does it take to fill one 20 cubic yard container in one month?
A: It takes approximately 20 full-size horses to fill one 20 cubic yard container in a month.
Q: How much does it cost to have one 20 cubic yard container removed?
A: $225 per container [ fee schedule ]
Q: What if I only have two or three horses but still want manure removal services?
A: We suggest one of the following options:
1) Accumulate 20 cubic yards of waste in an approved manure holding area, and then give us a call. We will wait while you load the container. Removal of the full container is $225.00.
If you do not have equipment to load the container, we will come with the container and our own loader and operator to fill the container. An additional fee of $80.00 will be charged for our equipment.
- You can bring your animal waste to our composting site. Drop off fee is $10.00 and all appointments must be scheduled in advance.
- We will leave a 20 cubic yard container at your site to fill as needed. Monthly rental is $80.00 per month, for sites not producing 40 cubic yards or 2 containers per month. Removal of the container when full is $225.00.
Q: Where can I get more information about the state’s new manure management rules?
A: See the New Jersey Department of Agriculture website for more information. http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/ agriassist/animalwaste.html
Q: What if I field apply my manure/stall waste?
A: Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Rutgers Equine Science Center have published the “Agricultural Management Practices for Commercial Equine Operations.” E296 Bulletin 1 AUTHORS Donna L. Foulk, Program Associate, Rutgers Cooperative May 25, 2004. Link to Rutgers: http://www.esc.rutgers.edu/downloads/e296a.pdf
Field application
Field application can be a good on-farm solution; however there are some things to consider:
a) Many farms have limited, if any, acreage to field-apply manure. If you do have land available, you must test the soil prior to application to determine the quantity of manure the fields require. It is possible to overload the field with nutrients, which is a major cause of water pollution from surface runoff.
b) Generally, stall waste is not just manure; it also contains bedding material, such as sawdust or wood shavings. The bedding material does not breakdown easily with land-application and requires further decomposition once field-applied. Valuable nutrients and oxygen from the fields are taken away from the crops in order to decompose the bedding materials. The end result is an unbalanced soil which leads to poor crops and high weed concentrations.
- If not tilled into the soil immediately after field application, farm waste can also cause odor complaints from neighbors, increase fly population, and may lead to internal parasites for your animals.
Q: I’ve heard many people say that they have their own compost/black dirt after their manure sits around for a couple of years. Is this considered compost?
A: NO! Compost is the end product of the controlled decomposition of organic matter. Organic matter includes: kitchen scraps, manure, leaves, grass clippings, and straw. On‑farm composting, if done properly, can create a quality soil amendment to be applied to your fields
However, agricultural composting requires a certain level of expertise, expensive machinery, and time. Adequate space is required to properly compost your farm waste, as you may require additional fields to land-applying the finished product.
Link to http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/compost/452-231/452-231.html
Q: Is on-farm manure storage acceptable?
A: Manure storage facilities can be used to store the manure until it can be removed or used by other farmers or landscapers.
Storage facilities need to be constructed as described in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide and may require a roofed storage area. Wet manure can provide a breeding ground for flies and perhaps fly maggots. There is a possibility of overusing pesticides to control flies,
Q: Is manure removal an approved manure management option?
A: Having the waste removed and handled in an environmentally-responsible way is a recognized management practice and this is the Ag Choice solution!
When you contact Ag Choice, we will come to your farm for a free consultation to help develop a manure management plan that meets your individual needs.
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