- Location
- Gods country (England)
A more than “fair price” would be a straight swap regardless of straw price fluctuations because the higher the price of straw the higher the value of FYM in all reality!!
Pig muck value
- Thread starter Cobblers
- Start date
- Location
- Cheshire
I’d have thought a straight swap was the best way forward. Straw in the swath for muck in a heap.
I understand the valuing NPK. How would you value the organic matter in the muck? I’ve always wondered how you would quantify it? Farms that use muck crop better than farms that use just the bag. But I haven’t a clue how it can be costed.
I understand the valuing NPK. How would you value the organic matter in the muck? I’ve always wondered how you would quantify it? Farms that use muck crop better than farms that use just the bag. But I haven’t a clue how it can be costed.
Really difficult to measure a direct N value from ploughing straw back in as the C:N ratio of straw is very high so there is potential for short term reduction in plant available N as soil microbes expand population size in oreder to breakdown the C in the straw. There would be a value in having the straw OM in the soil as opposed to selling it off and never to return......
Potash K on the other hand is 5kg/tonne of straw (approx.).
This graph might help, it's lifted out of the research done here: http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/...kage_1_-_Effects_on_Soil_and_Crop_Quality.pdf
So using just mineral fertiliser the WW ytielded 6.3t/ha but with FYM the WW yielded 6.9t/ha, if my memory serves the FYM nutrients were topped up with the required mineral NPK where necessary, so an integrated nutrient management approach.
Basically the FYM use resulted in just over 0.5t/ha yield.......
Hilly
Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders.
You won’t regret spreading pig poop on arable land your crops will grow really well.
If the pig muck is in the livestock farmers' yard it is worth £0.00/T, it is worth that until it is spread. The value of any FYM will vary according to when it is spread and onto what crop. The local market for straw and organic matter also has to be considered. The agreements I am involved with mean that the arable farmer leaves the straw in the swath, the livestock farmer bales and carts the straw and tips the muck back in the arable farmers' field. The arable farmer then has the cost of spreading the FYM.
- Location
- Fife
Sounds like the livestock farmer is getting shafted.
- Location
- mid wales
Nothing new there then. 
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
Depends if you put a cost on the added traffic on your land and your time. Does this add up to the extra nutrient value of what the pigs/cattle were fed?
And, do you value more moisture in your system - heavy land may benefit more from the straw and light land may benefit more from the shite - or it could be the other way around. It is a difficult one.
Your whole system decides the answer, and it is generally the answer you want!
Matt
Member
- Location
- herefordshire, uk
Just swop straw for muck.
All the best crops round here have muck in the rotation.
When straw is cheap you wont need to pay him to add value to your straw.
All the best crops round here have muck in the rotation.
When straw is cheap you wont need to pay him to add value to your straw.
Matt
Member
- Location
- herefordshire, uk
Especially when the arable man drops a load of straw day before rain then moans about straw in swaths still.