Spreading Manure #2

From dawn to dusk, over the varying seasons between cuts of hay, the farmer spreads manure over the field. Even with the larger spreader, he can... more

by J McCombie

Title

Spreading Manure #2

Artist

J McCombie

Medium

Painting - Photographic

Description

From dawn to dusk, over the varying seasons between cuts of hay, the farmer spreads manure over the field. Even with the larger spreader, he can only take one pass of the length of the field before he has to refill the spreader.
Manure is organic matter, mostly derived from animal feces except in the case of green manure, which can be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Manures contribute to the fertility of the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are trapped by bacteria in the soil. Higher organisms then feed on the fungi and bacteria in a chain of life that comprises the soil food web. It is also a product obtained after decomposition of organic matter like cow dung which replenishes the soil with essential elements and add humus to the soil.
Most animal manure consist of feces. Common forms of animal manure include farmyard manure (FYM) or farm slurry (liquid manure). FYM also contains plant material (often straw), which has been used as bedding for animals and has absorbed the feces and urine. Agricultural manure in liquid form, known as slurry, is produced by more intensive livestock rearing systems where concrete or slats are used, instead of straw bedding. Manure from different animals has different qualities and requires different application rates when used as fertilizer.
Animal manure, such as chicken manure and cow dung, has been used for centuries as a fertilizer for farming. It can improve the soil structure (aggregation) so that the soil holds more nutrients and water, and therefore becomes more fertile. Animal manure also encourages soil microbial activity which promotes the soil's trace mineral supply, improving plant nutrition. It also contains some nitrogen and other nutrients that assist the growth of plants.
Manure from pigs and cattle is usually spread on fields using a manure spreader.
Manure is also commercially composted and bagged and sold retail as a soil amendment.
Manure generates heat as it decomposes, and it is possible for manure to ignite spontaneously if stored in a very large pile. Once such a large pile of manure is burning, it will foul the air over a wide area and require considerable effort to extinguish. Therefore, large feedlots must take care to ensure that piles of fresh manure do not get excessively large. There is no serious risk of spontaneous combustion in smaller operations.

Uploaded

August 4th, 2015