manure compost not so good???

jjc 3/9/2013, 8:59 pm

I just read a fact from the Colorado State University Extension under 'composting yard waste', that said "Compost made with manure is questionable for use in food gardens due to newer strains of bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses". What do you guys think about that? I thought that manure was ok to use.

Coelli 3/10/2013, 12:23 am

It probably depends on your source. If I had to guess, a lot of the commercial manure comes from CAFOs that are using tons of antibiotics and where a lot of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are developing. If you're getting your manure from a known source, I wouldn't be nearly as concerned (especially if it's from horses, goats, llamas, etc.)

I have a lot more to say about feedlots and stuff... but will refrain. Very Happy

jjc 3/10/2013, 8:38 pm

Thanks for info. I picked up some chicken compost from a garden supply store so that's probably o.k. but I hoped to get some composted manure from Aubuchon Hardware when they finally pull it out of the snow.

plantoid 3/10/2013, 9:02 pm

jjc wrote:I just read a fact from the Colorado State University Extension under 'composting yard waste', that said "Compost made with manure is questionable for use in food gardens due to newer strains of bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses". What do you guys think about that? I thought that manure was ok to use.

If you hot compost using the Berkley 18 day hot composting method the temperatures generated of 150 oF for several days at a time will sterilize most strains of bacteria & weed seds and root nodes .

Even rotting vegetation made into cold compost can give you salmonella and ecoli etc .
Washing veg or peeling and cooking it kills these bacteria off.

The only problem I know know of is if you water with a tee made of poorly made composts and you put it on salad or strawberries which are eaten raw and have not ben washed properly . I know you can wash salad stuff in a solution of mild baby bottle sterilizer solution if your'e that concerned about things .

I don't think you can use it on the strawbs , so never liquid feed whilst fruit is there .

jjc 3/10/2013, 9:31 pm

plantoid wrote:
jjc wrote:I just read a fact from the Colorado State University Extension under 'composting yard waste', that said "Compost made with manure is questionable for use in food gardens due to newer strains of bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses". What do you guys think about that? I thought that manure was ok to use.

If you hot compost using the Berkley 18 day hot composting method the temperatures generated of 150 oF for several days at a time will sterilize most strains of bacteria & weed seds and root nodes .

Even rotting vegetation made into cold compost can give you salmonella and ecoli etc .
Washing veg or peeling and cooking it kills these bacteria off.

The only problem I know know of is if you water with a tee made of poorly made composts and you put it on salad or strawberries which are eaten raw and have not ben washed properly . I know you can wash salad stuff in a solution of mild baby bottle sterilizer solution if your'e that concerned about things .

I don't think you can use it on the strawbs , so never liquid feed whilst fruit is there .

Great info, thanks! jjc

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