EQUINE BEDDING MATERIALS EFFECT ON PHYSICAL AND
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF COMPOSTED STALL WASTE
ABSTRACT
In recent years new bedding materials have been marketed to the
equine industry. Limited research has been conducted to evaluate
how composting impacts the physical and chemical properties of
these materials. In 2010, a study was conducted to evaluate the
effects that bedding materials have on the physical and chemical
properties of composted equine stall waste. Two bedding materials
were evaluated including a pelletized straw product and wood
shavings. Differences were observed in final mass, organic matter,
particle size distribution and several chemical parameters.
Composting resulted in significant reductions in final C:N ratio for all
bedding materials with the greatest reductions occurring in the
straw-based material. Bedding materials appear to influence the
physical and chemical properties of composted equine stall waste
and can have dramatic impacts on the potential of using composted
equine stall waste as a soil amendment.
INTRODUCTIONA typical 455 kg (1,000 pound) horse produces 0.023 m3 (0.82 ft3) of manure
per day weighing more than 22.7 kg (50 pounds). In addition to manure,
equine stall waste includes various bedding materials such as straw or wood
shavings. The amount of bedding added varies based on individual
management, but has been found to range from 2.7 kg per day for wood
shavings to more than 3 kg per day for straw (Komar, 2009). Disposal of this
waste material can be an issue, particularly on small farms with limited
available acres for spreading manure. Recently, composting of this waste
material has been suggested as a potential handling technique for small
equine operations. Much of the research comparing bedding materials’
impact on compost quality has been conducted using beef and dairy waste.
Limited research has been conducted to evaluate the impact that bedding
materials have on the chemical and physical characteristics of composted
equine stall waste.
MATERIALS AND METHODSA study was conducted at the Rutgers Equine Science Center in New
Brunswick, New Jersey to evaluate the chemical and physical characteristics
of two common equine stall bedding materials following an aerated
composting process. The bedding materials included a pelletized wheat
straw product and pine wood shavings. Compost piles were constructed on
May 12, 2010. Four replications of each of the bedding materials were
constructed and placed in a randomized complete block design for statistical
analysis. Digital thermocouples were used to monitor the temperature in the
center of each pile during composting. Physical and chemical properties of
the compost were evaluated using conventional laboratory procedures at the
beginning (day 1) and end of the composting process (day 100). Data were
subjected to analysis of variance and means separated using Fisher’s LSD
(P=.05).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONAll materials reached maximum temperatures during the first weeks of
composting. Among materials, only the pelletized straw maintained
temperatures above 55°C . This is in compliance with USEPA guidelines for
microbial decline of at least 15 days at 55°C. Temperatures were below this
threshold for the remainder of the experiment (Figure 1) reaching
temperatures near ambient by the conclusion of the trial. Composting resulted
in significant mass reductions for both bedding materials with numerical
differences observed between the straw and wood materials ( Figure 2.).
Organic carbon was reduced during composting for both materials suggesting
that composting occurred for both treatments (Figure 3.). Differences were
observed in available P with concentrations increasing for both materials
(Figure 4.). No differences were observed in K concentration following
composting (Figure 5.). TKN was greater in the pelletized straw material
following composting (Table 1.). Differences were observed in nitrate-N
following composting with the greatest increase occurring in the pelletized
straw. Particle size was reduced for both materials following composting
suggesting that organic C was degraded during composting (Table 2.)
CONCLUSIONSAs the equine industry continues to expand in New Jersey, manure
management will continue to be an important component of a well-managed
equine operation. Farms with limited acres will need to maximize the
effectiveness of their manure applications to ensure maximum crop yield
while minimizing the potential for environmental impact. Composting horse
stall waste appears to be a promising manure management strategy by
reducing manure volume while providing crop nutrients. Bedding type
appears to impact volume, as well as, the physical and chemical
characteristics of composted equine stall waste. More research is needed to
quantify the effectiveness of alternative bedding materials and to determine
their acceptance by the equine consumer.
Komar*, S.J.1,Williams, C. 2 , Westendorf, M. 3 , Miskewitz, R. 4 Mickel, R.C. 5 ,Bamka, W.J.61Extension Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Sussex County, Newton, New Jersey 07860, 2. Extension Specialist, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New
Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, 3.Extension Specialist, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, 4.Assistant Research Professor,
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, 5 Extension Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Hunterdon County, Flemington, New Jersey 08822, 6
Extension Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Burlington County, Westampton, New Jersey 08060
Treatment
TKN
%
Nitrate
Nitrogen
ppm
Ammonium
Nitrogen
ppm
Initial Final Initial Final Initial Final
Pelletized
Straw
1.76 2.34 a 9.45 321.94 a 6.07 3.45
Wood Shavings 1.3 1.39 b 9.5 7.67b 6.09 6.01
Effect of Composting on Nitrogen
Table 1. Bedding materials effect on various forms of nitrogen. Any two
means in a column with a different letter are different according to Ficher’s
LSD (P=.05)
Physical appearance of bedding materials after 100 days of composting.
Stall waste is often spread on pasture or hay land
making composting a potential solution for disposal.
Manure management will continue to be an important
consideration for equine operations in New Jersey
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
Pile T
em
pera
ture
(d
eg
rees C
)
_____ Wood
Shavings
Treatment> 1” >1/2” >1/4” >1/4”
Initial Final Initial Final Initial Final Initial Final
Pelletized
Straw 25 22 26 24 25 26 24 28
Wood
Shavings 26 22 27 28 25 20 24 26
Wood
Shavings
Pelletized Straw
Table 2. Percentage of material particle size before and after composting.
Any two means in a column with a different letter are different according to
Ficher’s LSD (P=.05)
Particle Size Distribution
0
100
200
300
400
Pelletized Straw Wood Shavings
Mas
s (K
g)
Dry Mass
Initial Final
Figure 2. Dry matter mass (Kg). Any column with an * is
significantly different according to Fischer’s LSD (P=.05)
0
20
40
60
80
100
Pelletized Straw Wood Shavings
%
Organic Carbon
Initial Final
Figure 3. Percent organic Carbon. Any column with an * is
significantly different according to Fischer’s LSD (P=.05)
0
50
100
150
Pelletized Straw Wood Shavings
PP
M
Available P
Initial Final
Figure 4. Available Phosphorus (PPM). Any column with an *
is significantly different according to Fischer’s LSD (P=.05)
0
20
40
60
80
100
Pelletized Straw Wood Shavings
PP
M
Available K
Initial Final
Figure 5. Available Potassium (PPM). Any column with an
* is significantly different according to Fischer’s LSD
(P=.05)
Figure 1. Temperature (°C) during 2010 composting cycle.
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