Alternative Waste Management: Composting General and Special Uses Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs BIOAg Coordinator WSU CSANR Sustainable BIOAg Organic Biologically- Intensive

BIOAg BIOAg = Organic and/or bio-intensive, if it’s sustainable. Organic agriculture: A legally defined and regulated practice that focuses on use of natural materials & non-use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, etc. Biologically Intensive: using renewable biological materials & processes. Sustainable: Producing high quantity and quality food & fiber with long-term economic, environmental, & social viability. Organic Sustainable Biologically- Intensive BIOAg

Composting Advantages Reduces odors Volume reduction Nutrient concentration May result in a marketable product Potential income by incorporating other waste streams Reduced pathogens Relatively simple Disadvantages Requires two handling systems – liquid and solid Does NOT address excess nutrient problem May not have an available market for product Composting does not reduce the amount of nutrients that needs to be utilized. In order to address that problem, it must be moved off the production site. This is only feasible if there is a market for the product.

What is composting? Decomposition en masse The transformation process is similar to that which occurs in every topsoil Transformation of raw materials biologically chemically physically Bacterial and fungal activity thermophilic = heat-loving organisms Microaerobic = not fully aerobic, not anaerobic

Finished compost with humic matter Composting is a biological process wherein organic raw materials or “feedstocks” are transformed by organism activities into a stabilized soil-like material called compost. Heat CO2 Raw materials Organic matter Oxygen Water Microbes Finished compost with humic matter

Compost Temperature active phase curing phase Time Temperature Tremendous microbial activity produces heat. Thermophiles At ~130 F, most plant and animal pathogens and weed seeds die. 130 F  active phase Temperature curing phase Time

Good compost builds rich topsoil Complex humic acids (humus) form. Composted material is darker, particles are smaller and softer, texture is fine like good topsoil. Good compost is often unrecognizably different from its feedstocks. No unpleasant odor, no undecomposed material, and stable in long-term storage. Approx. ½ of C, volume, and mass have been lost but most nutrients were retained.

Create a Composting Environment Factor OK range Optimum C:N 20:1 – 50:1 25-30:1 Moisture 40 – 65% 50 – 60% Oxygen >5% >>5% pH 5.5 – 9.0 6.5 – 8 Particle size 1/8 – ½” varies

Material C:N ratio Animal carcass 5:1 Soil humus 10:1 Young grasses   Narrow or low C:N Animal carcass 5:1 Energy materials Soil humus 10:1   Young grasses 20 - 40:1 Balanced materials   Manure 20 - 50:1     Wheat straw 80:1   Bulking materials Tree leaves 60 - 100:1     Wood 400:1 Wide or high C:N  

Passive composting pile Temperature will rise, stabilize, slowly drop. Minimal management Inconsistent results.

Aerated Windrow Composting Composting is an effective treatment method to deal with separated solids or poultry litter. It can be done on an open or roofed impermeable pad using a windrow procedure as shown here, or it may be done in a container (in vessel composting). Emphasize the point that composting is an aerobic process and sufficient oxygen must be supplied by one method or another to keep the microorganisms alive. Composting stabilizes nutrients and reduces odors and pathogens. It results in an excellent soil conditioner. However, it is relatively low in nutrient concentration per unit volume and cannot be transported long distances economically. In order for this treatment process to be effective, there must be a viable market nearby or there must be a high potential to develop one. Perforated pipe Blower NRCS National Engineering Handbook Part 637 -Chapter 2 Composting

Compost Temperature – Passive or static system 130 F  active phase Temperature curing phase Time

Turned composting Heavy equipment used to mix compost every 1 - 14 days

Compost Temperature – Turned System When compost no longer reheats after turning, curing begins. Decomposition continues to slow, but never really ends. 130 F  turn turn turn Temperature active curing Time

Composting Bins Speaker Notes: Here is a composting bin that is typical among broiler and turkey operations. A base layer of carbon material, or poultry litter is placed on the floor. Then dead birds are placed in the composter, and topped with additional litter or carbon material. Dead animals should not be piled on each other, or placed within 6 inches of the wall – to prevent seepage. As the bin fills up, additional “slats” or front retaining boards are put in place to maximize the use of space. Once this PRIMARY bin is full, it is then “turned” or moved to the adjacent SECONDARY bin. The SECONDARY bin may or may not be moved to a THIRD bin. This all depends on the time between turns and the size of the composter. Note the optional steel plates that were installed to protect the front columns from over zealous or non-attentive farm workers. Required Course Materials: Supplemental Resources: Settler, D. 2001. Mortality Management. Lesson 51 - National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service and US EPA. Suggested Learning Exercise:

4-bin composter - Iowa Speaker Notes: Over the past 20 years mortality composters have taken many shapes and sizes to meet the needs and desires of the producers. This bin composter in Iowa doesn’t use a front retaining wall but has installed concrete bin dividers. Required Course Materials: Example CNMP Supplemental Resources: Settler, D. 2001. Mortality Management. Lesson 51 - National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service and US EPA. Suggested Learning Exercise:

Compost quality determines its best use 3 primary uses for compost: potting soil (best quality required) soil amendment, turf topdressing mulch (esp. for compost with C:N>25) The closer the plant contact (in space and time), the greater the quality and maturity must be. Lower quality composts may be used as mulch, or less mature compost may be incorporated in soil several months prior to planting.

Special-use compost: livestock bedding Starting and ending materials have higher C:N Some “high energy” feedstock necessary for producing high temperature Larger particle sizes ok Final product drier (25-40% moisture) Compost as bedding may reduce mastitis

Specialized composting: livestock carcass disposal Not rocket science, but must be done right Some high carbon feedstock necessary for collecting moisture, odor, balancing the high-N carcass Composting saves money and nutrients

Mortality is a Waste Management Issue A carcass is a concentrated source of organic matter it is a source of odors it is a source of undesirable critters it is a potential source of pathogens it is a source of nutrients Thus, the mortality problems are similar to manure problems Speaker Notes: Managing mortalities is vary similar to the issues we have been discussing related to manure and nutrient management. Mortalities, if improperly handled, are a source of odor, rodents and other critters, potential pathogens, and nutrients. Required Course Materials: Example CNMP Supplemental Resources: Settler, D. 2001. Mortality Management. Lesson 51 - National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service and US EPA. Suggested Learning Exercise:

Planning for the Impossible... Natural disasters can and do happen Flooding (IA, 1993 & NC, 2000) Heat Waves (CA, 2005) Snow (Blizzard of 1993) millions of broilers and chicks lost to building collapse and loss of power for heating Whole herds may be destroyed Speaker Notes: There are only two things in this nation that are inevitable…death and taxes. This holds true in the area of livestock production. Managing mortalities, be it one animal or the catastrophic loss of 20,000 broilers, it is not something that comes foremost in the planning process of any new or existing facility. But emergencies happen and diseases happen. Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards or avian influenza have and will continue to inflict small and large losses to the animal industry. However, with prior emergency action planning we can hope to minimize these losses and with proper mortality management we can prevent the spread of diseases or impact to the environment. Required Course Materials: Supplemental Resources: Settler, D. 2001. Mortality Management. Lesson 51 - National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service and US EPA. Suggested Learning Exercise:

Responding to tragedy Speaker Notes: When the flood waters receded producers and state regulators were left trying to deal with the tremendous loss of animals, the temperatures rose into the 90s and the threat of another hurricane loomed in the Caribbean. Thoughts quickly focused on how to quickly remove these carcasses from barns before diseases began to spread or leach into the groundwater. Required Course Materials: Example CNMP Supplemental Resources: Settler, D. 2001. Mortality Management. Lesson 51 - National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service and US EPA. Suggested Learning Exercise: PRESENTER NOTES Key Discussion Topics: Discussion Question: What provisions need to be taken ahead of time to prevent the severe loss of animal? References: LPES Lesson 50: page 8 LPES Lesson 51, Mortality Management

Passive Piles or Windrows Place the carcass on >24” high-carbon base to absorb moisture & allow airflow Speaker Notes: Passive Composters are designed for larger animals where the carcasses will be placed and allowed to decompose and compost without turning the pile for mixing. In this slide, the producer uses old round bales to provide structure to the system. First a 12- to 18-inch layer of carbon material (bark, wood chips) is placed on top of the ground. Then the carcass is placed in the center. Carcasses should not be placed within 1 foot of the edge of piles. Cover the carcass with 2 feet of carbon material and moisten. Required Course Materials: Supplemental Resources: Settler, D. 2001. Mortality Management. Lesson 51 - National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service and US EPA. Suggested Learning Exercise:

Cover the Carcass, Build the Pile Minimum 24” co-composting material around the carcass to help decompose, discourage critters, and allow airflow

WAIT -- Composting takes time An active pile stays hot. This pile was 135-152 F through December. With carcasses, wait ~2-6 months before disturbing the pile

Typically only large bones are left identifiable after 2-6 months. Re-compost these quickly. Speaker Notes: Composting and degradation of the carcass occurs fairly rapidly. After six weeks the only identifiable bones are typically skulls and hip bones. These bones that did not compost can either be discarded or recycled with a new carcass. Compost for mortality systems should be tilled into the ground within 12 hours of after application to reduce rodents and other vectors. Many producers have used simple screens to clean the compost before application. Required Course Materials: Supplemental Resources: Settler, D. 2001. Mortality Management. Lesson 51 - National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum. Midwest Plan Service and US EPA. Suggested Learning Exercise:

Allow 1-2 more composting periods Temperature will rise again, but not as hot.

Special-use compost: organic agriculture Moderate-to-high quality compost Must follow special NOP regs: Feedstock mix C:N must be 15 – 60:1 Temperature must reach 131 F at least 3 days Turn or ensure that all parts of pile reach temp Test for E. coli, Salmonella Use a turned or aerated system, not passive No biosolids, no prohibited materials used If requirements not met, use as if it’s manure

Composting – It’s hot!