by MaryAnn Steele, Somervell County Master Gardener
The average cow produces 27,000 pounds of manure a year, a horse 18,000 pounds. Eighty percent of nutrients fed to a milk cow ends up in excrement, while as much as 90% of the nutrients used to fatten hogs and cattle ends up on the ground. Urine from most farm animals contains more nitrogen than does their manure.
A ton of cow manure has NPK values equal to 100 pounds of 12-3-9 chemical fertilizer, horse manure 14-5-11 and chicken manure 20-16-9. There is much more value in manure than the relative amounts nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potash (K) it contains. Garden soil needs organic matter to be healthy and manure, unlike chemical fertilizers, provides organic matter and trace elements to the soil.
Horse manure is considered to be more valuable than other manures. It is higher in nitrogen than cow or hog. Sheep manure is high in nitrogen. Rabbit manure compost is thought to be one of the best amendments to garden soil. Cow manure is plentiful and readily available.
Have your soil tested and use the manure that makes the most sense based on availability, cost, and convenience. “Free” manure from the horse stable or dairy barn makes good sense. Poultry and rabbit manure can be recycled on location if raised next to a garden.
There are many commercial products made from or containing manures that are widely available, come in bags, and are very user-friendly.