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Somers, CT

I have a line on Horse Manuer from the Equestrian Center. Comes from a good line. It is free, they will load and may possibly even deliver. Is there any advantage to cow manuer over that of a horse? Thanks, Rob

3/28/2006 10:57:35 AM

Itzetown City

If the cows were feeding with thus muscle buildings pills, I would prefer cow manure. lol
Seriously, if both are rotten enough (2 years?) I think it does'nt matter.

3/28/2006 11:36:08 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I believe there are slight differences in the NPK ratios between cow and horse manure but one thing to consider is that cows digest their food more completely than horses so there will be more weed seed in the horse manure. But it also depends on how cooked it was. But I just go with whatever's free and easy and that is generally horse around here.

3/28/2006 11:41:40 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

cow = less weed seed
horse = lots of weed seeds but more organic matter

3/28/2006 11:42:06 AM

Somers, CT

Great information! Thanks.

3/28/2006 11:43:16 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

cow manure N .5-.20 P .2-.9 K .5- 1.5
HORSE ----- N .5-2.5 P .3-2.5 K .5- 3.0

3/28/2006 11:55:53 AM

ENGLAND

Rob. Are the horses bedded down on Wood Shavings or Straw at the Equestrian Centre ?

3/28/2006 2:09:40 PM

Sheridan . NY

A horses ---diegestive systum will not kill the weed seed--as a cow does---i would suggest letting it set for a year or two----craig

3/28/2006 3:39:37 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

The taste..... BWA HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

3/28/2006 6:26:11 PM

Norton, MA

LOL! If you ever find yourself without a pitchfork, choose the cow, those patties are much bigger than the little horse poops, you'll be able to hand scoop them much easier! AleX Noel.

3/28/2006 6:43:51 PM

Somers, CT

Mike, They use wood shavings. They asked me if it makes a difference. What is the difference? Thanks, Rob

3/29/2006 1:14:50 PM

ENGLAND

Rob. It's just that wood shavings break down at a much slower rate than straw and you may need it to compost a little longer than if it were straw based manure. Wood shavings also use up more of the available nitrogen while breaking the wood shavings down. All in all though it makes a great compost/patch additive and i have seen 1 perticular pumpkin patch over here that is like a giant chocolate sponge cake due to years of wood shaving based manure it has in it. Oh, and the same patch grew a 1048 uow Pumpkin last year so all is good.

3/29/2006 2:16:44 PM

Puyallup, WA

Joel Holland once compared cow manure to chicken manure. He could not see the difference in the plants....or pumpkins. I was told by one New Hampshire grower that they prefer horse over cow manure.....for what it's worth!

3/29/2006 6:26:39 PM

Norton, MA

I prefer free manure. Similarly: anyone know about pig, or sheep? Thanks, AleX.

3/29/2006 6:43:20 PM

Somers, CT

Thank you everyone for the great information as always. Tom, I will let you know about that one. LOL. The manuer is anywhere from 6 years old to 40 with some fresh mixed in. Nice people. They are delivering two ten yard truckloads for $20 each. I need OM so this is a good start. Tom, any idea regarding Pig or sheep. I know chicken is kind of crunchy if it is left in the sun too long.

3/30/2006 7:43:09 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Sheep is excellent. Pig can be high in salts.

3/30/2006 9:51:32 PM

Ca

I like them all. Tried them all except Bat Guano. Sheep is some good stuff, but the best in my opinion is Rabbit Manure. It's my secret weapon! Along with planting fish under my seedlings. Shhhh it's a secret lol

3/30/2006 9:59:16 PM

Norton, MA

O.K., Thanks.
Pig made my main patch 3 years ago, things should be O.K. now.
I had a 30 yd. mountain of sheep all free from a lady down the road, started a new patch with it.
Sounds good, AleX.

3/31/2006 7:41:10 PM

Somers, CT

I have seen quano on many sites. It is the secret ingredient if you read the ads. Maybe we can get U2 to do a commercial. "Mano Y Mano. Bono uses guano."

I did get my 20 yards of horse manuer today. I ran to the driver as I had just pulled in. The wife never saw me run so fast. This stuff has shavings but the makeup is very airy and will do a great job. I also did not stink out my neighbors. I may pick up a load of fresh cow manuer for the icing on the cake.

3/31/2006 9:28:53 PM

Montoursville, PA

Rob if there are shavings it is not as old as you indicated. Shavings breakdown nicely, in a year, if the pile is being turned at all.

When huge piles are made and not turned all conversions are put, on slow or nearly no movement due, to a lack of good oxygen entry, to the pile. In this case you may indeed have old by age but much newer, by condition.

Anything composted will eventually smell like real rich earth. If it smells like crap it is.

4/4/2006 12:03:03 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I know one of our Anamosa area growers raises hogs in hoop buildings with a deep bedding pack of corn stalks. He composts the stalks and manure, and has excellent results.

4/4/2006 1:54:10 PM