Muck Heaps - Spread 'Fresh' or Let Rot?

[Mad Max 2]

Hi,

This is our first year running a small holding; we've got some nice big muck heaps from muck scraped from the yards where our cattle have been feeding over winter. The fields are drying out and grass is starting to grow now, so no danger of run off.

When is the best time to spread it on the fields? Now, while the heaps are fairly fresh, or do I need to let it rot down - if so for how long?

All things being equal, we'd rather spread sooner rather than later to avoid it getting too stinky.

Lastly, what length of time before we allow the cattle back on the mucked fields - min 3wks is what i've seen as guidance.

Any help appreciated!

Cheers, Mad Max (2)

 

[shearerlad]

If you are spreading the dung onto grass land I’d leave it for at 12 months to compost down. That allows for a much more even spread without big lumps killing the grass underneath, also when it is 12 months old there is virtually no smell from it when spreading.
Cattle should be fine after 3 weeks if you are extra concerned then leave a wider headland.

 

[milkloss]

There’ll be a lot more go to it if it’s spread sooner rather then later but won’t look pretty. A dung lump left uncovered for any period of time will lose nutrients.

My preference though, as said above, would be to leave for a year.

 

[Nithsdale]

Depends on the dung, IMO.

If it is scraping up - in other words muck and p!ss ONLY, get it spread now.

If it's bedded - in other words got a lot of straw in it, leave it to rot before spreading.

 

[Mad Max 2]

Thanks Shearerlad. How much of a difference does it make? I was hoping to get it done earlier to get the yard clear for next winter - it had crossed my mind about leaving it until end Aug and spreading early Sept to catch the autumn growth. Thoughts?

 

[Mad Max 2]

Depends on the dung, IMO.

If it is scraping up - in other words muck and p!ss ONLY, get it spread now.

If it's bedded - in other words got a lot of straw in it, leave it to rot before spreading.

- It's mainly muck/pee with a bit of dropped hay from 'spoilage' mixed in. No bedding though as the yard is just for feeding. Does that mean it's as well to get on and spread it now? Cheers, Max

 

[Nithsdale]

- It's mainly muck/pee with a bit of dropped hay from 'spoilage' mixed in. No bedding though as the yard is just for feeding. Does that mean it's as well to get on and spread it now? Cheers, Max

Yes, get it spread! The grass will rocket on it.


The only reason you heap muck to let it rot, is to break down the straw content to a 'compost' so that it gets taken in by the ground quicker.

 

[Mad Max 2]

Top stuff. Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[Princess Pooper]

We get it out of the yards into a field heap as soon as we can after turnout but them spread early autumn, If you are putting stock (esp cows) onto lush spring or autumn grass that has had muck then watch out for grass staggers.

 

[pauld]

There have been some trials to that show fresh straw based manure encourages bigger worm populations which in turn improves soil structure and drainage, than rotted FYM. So basically rotted manure for short term nutrient boost or unrotted for longer term soil improvement - you make your choice.

 

[Lovegoodstock]

Thankfully most feed is home grown so not too many issues with nettles, docks and straw certainly free of blackgrass, but if any of these an issue in fodder or straw then removing muck from shed into a pile and leaving before spreading allows these pain seeds a chance to chit and die before spreading, I tend to spread straight from shed nearer autumn, too wet in spring then too much grass, so a lot on pre maize and post grass silage, then rotated around every field over a five year period

 

[brigadoon]

[

Hi,

This is our first year running a small holding; we've got some nice big muck heaps from muck scraped from the yards where our cattle have been feeding over winter. The fields are drying out and grass is starting to grow now, so no danger of run off.

When is the best time to spread it on the fields? Now, while the heaps are fairly fresh, or do I need to let it rot down - if so for how long?

All things being equal, we'd rather spread sooner rather than later to avoid it getting too stinky.

Lastly, what length of time before we allow the cattle back on the mucked fields - min 3wks is what i've seen as guidance.

Any help appreciated!

Cheers, Mad Max (2)

There are both swings and roundabouts here - first of all do you know what is in the muck in terms of weed seeds? If the answer is yes or you are planning cultivating the field then you will get the best nutrient value by spreading fresh.

If not then composting it will hopefully kill off a large proportion of weed seeds and it should spread a bit easier.

If you are simply planning to throw it out where the cattle are grazing then I would compost it. Yes 3 weeks is minimum but I think hi-health recommendations are a lot longer.

 

[newholland]

There have been some trials to that show fresh straw based manure encourages bigger worm populations which in turn improves soil structure and drainage, than rotted FYM. So basically rotted manure for short term nutrient boost or unrotted for longer term soil improvement - you make your choice.

Do you have any links which go through the benefits of spreading fresh straw FYM in more detail please

 

[Mad Max 2]

Great insights, thanks very much all.

 

[Clive]

rot ? I prefer the term compost

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

I’ve a pile that a 9.5M telehandler cant get any higher and must be 30M in length that’s been sitting since spring last year that I couldn’t get on last back end due to the monsoon that’s been raging since August here after second cut. It must be like soil under the new yard scrapings, is it just me or does anyone else get excited about the prospect of good muck like that to spread?

 

[Clive]

I’ve a pile that a 9.5M telehandler cant get any higher and must be 30M in length that’s been sitting since spring last year that I couldn’t get on last back end due to the monsoon that’s been raging since August here after second cut. It must be like soil under the new yard scrapings, is it just me or does anyone else get excited about the prospect of good muck like that to spread?

It’s not just you ! That stuff is gold for soils

 

[JMTHORNLEY]

I’m itching to get at it now. Thought we were in for a good drying day today but yet again a kick in the sausage when it starting persisting down again this evening

 

[Paddington]

Does anyone sell bagged FYM and if so how much do they charge ?

 

[TexelBen]

I’ve a pile that a 9.5M telehandler cant get any higher and must be 30M in length that’s been sitting since spring last year that I couldn’t get on last back end due to the monsoon that’s been raging since August here after second cut. It must be like soil under the new yard scrapings, is it just me or does anyone else get excited about the prospect of good muck like that to spread?

I've got loads of room over here for you to spread it on [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]