Benefits of On-Farm Composting

Farmer’s Use of Composted Manure on Crop Fields/Pastures
Rather than Using Raw Manure

Composted Manure:

• Gives a slow release of nitrogen back to the soil and plant intake.
• Binds the P to compost particles, reducing Phosphorous runoff.
• Kills manure pathogens (bacteria) yet provides bacteria beneficial to soil.
• Kills weed seeds.
• Increases soil moisture retention in sandy soils.
• Adds porosity which provides moisture drainage for heavy clay soils.
• Aerates soil if worked into the topsoil.
• Increases water holding capacity - especially helpful in dry weather.
• Compost doesn't add any chemicals to soil as fertilizer does.
• Decreases future years requirement of herbicide chemical treatment.
• Decreases future years requirement of pesticide chemical treatment.
• Decreases future years fertilizer requirements.
• Adds organic matter to soil, fertilizer does not.

Advantages of AG-BAG composting system:

• No weather or changes in weather conditions concerns.
• Control of odors produced from raw or lagoon manures & control of leachate (runoff) concerns.
• Less composting maintenance compared to any other method of composting.

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