We had a big wind storm just after Christmas. It ripped part of the roof off our old post frame barn. The roof was already pretty leaky, but now, the two stalls we had our goats in are completely uncovered. The straw we used for bedding is completely soaked. While we wait on someone to come out and replace the roof (among other barn repairs…), we were just bagging the old straw and taking it to the dump. Could we, instead, put this straw in our manure pile? I think it has some mold growing in it at this point. Thanks for any advice!
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Yes you can. Only issue with all hay or straw is IF it was sprayed with chems that would then kill plants if used in garden. Otherwise, it will compost anyway.
Have any low spots in yard or fields? Toss it there. Yes, if treated could kill weeds, normally not grasses - depends on chems. So it can rill holes and compost there.
Have any low spots in yard or fields? Toss it there. Yes, if treated could kill weeds, normally not grasses - depends on chems. So it can rill holes and compost there.
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Fill low spots in fields… I never thought of that. What a great idea. Thanks!
farmerjan
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... Glad to have a you as a new member.....Please, do not throw away organic matter like that... filling low spots in a field is great use... piling it into a compost pile and let it rot... mold is part of the process. The more carbonaceous material you can add back to the soil the better it will be. Some of the chemicals used to spray will kill plants in the garden, but they will dissipate and if put on the pastures, it will break down and you will barely if ever notice the lack of some plants. By the 2nd year, if there were any chemicals used, the microbes will break it down anyway and you will not notice the difference...
Hauling it off will negate any benefits and with the added manure, it will only help the soil.
