Composting Manure for Value Added Markets

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1 Composting Manure for Value Added Markets M. Charles Gould Michigan State University Extension Extension Educator-Nutrient Management Fillmore St., Suite 122 West Olive, MI (O) 616/ Making the Most of Your Manure: Manure $ense

2 Questions to ask yourself before you begin composting Do you know what compost is? Are you committed to manufacturing marketable compost? Have you developed a business plan (that includes a manure management plan)? Do you know if you have Right-To-Farm (RTF) coverage? Is your composting site appropriate? Impatiens media demonstration project (20% compost by volume)

3 Definition of Compost and Composting Compost is defined as a group of organic residues or a mixture of organic residues and soil that have been piled, moistened, and allowed to undergo aerobic biological decomposition resulting in a dark or black carbon-rich relatively stable product (humus). Source: On- Farm Composting Handbook Composting is defined as a method of solid waste management whereby the organic component of the solid waste stream is biologically decomposed under controlled conditions to a state in which it can be handled, stored and/or applied to the land without adversely affecting the environment Source: The Art and Science of Composting - BioCycle, 1991

4 Compost Feedstocks Sources of Carbon Sawdust Chopped straw Spelt hulls Bean pods Shrub and tree trimmings Leaves Shredded cardboard or newspaper Chopped cornstalks Wasted feed Cornhusks, cobs Wood chips and shavings Sources of Nitrogen Fresh manure Manure with bedding Hay and legumes (peas, beans, soybeans) Fresh horse manure Horse manure with bedding Grass clippings Finished compost

5 Compost Production Commitment Equipment Time Analysis Recordkeeping

6 Compost Production Commitment Making a fertilizer claim vs. declaring compost to be a soil amendment. Regulated Not Regulated More fertilizer claim information:

7 Statewide Comprehensive Compost Market Assessment Data collected from: 276 landscape firms 311 nurseries 437 farmers Full report can be found at edu/compost and click on Publications Worms Producing vermicompost using composted horse manure

8 Statewide Comprehensive Compost Market Assessment Compost Demand Potential Total demand potential by the landscape, nursery, and agriculture sectors is estimated at $200M annually or 17 million cubic yards. Ninety percent of the total demand potential is in the agriculture sector. Compost windrows covered with geotextile fabric

9 Statewide Comprehensive Compost Market Assessment Green waste and disposal costs (3,10) Product specifications (6,13,17) Willingness to pay (7,14,18) Rotating drum in-vessel composting system Shady Side Farm, Holland, MI

10 What does it mean to have Right-To-Farm coverage? The Michigan RTF Act requires the establishment of GAAMPs. These practices are written to provide uniform, statewide standards and acceptable management practices based on sound science. On a livestock farm where manure is produced, these practices are implemented through a Manure Management Systems Plan (MMSP) found in the Manure GAAMPs. A farmer complies with the intent of the Michigan RTF Act when a MMSP is developed, implemented, and sufficient documentation is provided to prove the plan was followed. As an increasing number of farmers are composting manure, there has been some confusion about how far RTF coverage extends, especially for farmers who: Bring feedstocks used in compost production onto the farm, and, Sell compost to others. So, what coverage can a farmer expect under RTF if he/she chooses to compost manure? According to the Manure GAAMPs, a biological treatment system is designed to convert organic matter, such as feed, bedding, animal manure, and other agricultural by-products, to more stable end products. Composting is listed as a biological treatment method in the Manure GAAMPs. Therefore, compost production, as a biological treatment system for manure, is part of a farm s MMSP.

11 Compost Production on the Farm Michigan RTF Implications The feedstocks used to make the compost, scale of farm operation, composting method, and final utilization of the compost will determine whether the material and activities are covered under RTF or be regulated by the MDEQ. Scenario I In general, manure generated and composted on a farm (as a form of treatment) may be used on that same farm or taken off that farm for offsite utilization at another farm under RTF. Compost use and application should follow GAAMPs recommendations. Scenario II (A) Manure generated on one farm and brought to a different farm for composting (as a form of treatment) may be used on the farm where it is composted under RTF, if managed according to GAAMPs. (B) Any distribution of the composted manure from the farming operation will be considered 'commercial composting' and subject to NREPA part 115 rules, as administered by MDEQ WHMD. A farmer has no RTF coverage in this scenario.

12 Compost Production on the Farm Michigan RTF Implications Scenario III Similarly, yard clippings (i.e. grass clippings, leaves, small brush, etc. as defined by part 115) brought to a farm for composting (as a form of treatment) may be used as a soil amendment on that same farm under RTF, if managed according to GAAMPs. In most cases the farm will need to have and follow a Compost Operation Plan (COP) approved by MDA. A COP includes: A site plan An inventory of amount(s) of material(s) received A description of how the materials will be composted A description of storm water and runoff management practices An explanation of how the finished compost will be utilized For MDA to make a GAAMPs determination under this scenario, the farm will need to: Submit a COP to MDA Allow MDA to conduct an on-site inspection Produce adequate records to document adherence to the COP and conformance to GAAMPs for Nutrient Utilization

13 Compost Production on the Farm Michigan RTF Implications Scenario IV Yard waste brought to a farm for composting (NOT as a form of treatment) and distributed from that farm in any form (raw yard waste, partially composted compost, or finished compost) is considered a commercial composting facility and is solely under MDEQ jurisdiction. A farmer has no RTF coverage under this scenario. Go to click on Treatment and then Manure Composting.

14 Composting Site Neighbor Relations Management Operations Water Quality Protection Leachate/Runoff Control (Manure GAAMPs) Temporary stored and land applied Source of moisture in compost production process Grass filter strip MDEQ regulations Sources of siting information include the Manure GAAMPs, the On- Farm Composting Handbook (Rynk, 1992), and the National Engineering Handbook (USDA, 2000).

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