Spreading manure has been around since the dawn of time. But, what about manure spreading is so important in the present day? For those working in Agriculture, they will know right away. That is why Chandler is here to teach you how to spread manure. If that wasn’t enough, Chandler also wants to teach you how to spread litter. Finally, we want to teach how to get the most return out of your fertilizer.
Manure takes these major forms:
- Green manure
- Compost
- Farmyard/Livestock manure
Now, there are those that will make the argument for wood ashes being the fourth kind of manure. We will get back to that at another time. For now, let’s discuss those daily droppings left in the farmyard by our livestock friends.
How to put packaged/cow manure on your farm and other grass-filled property
Everyone working in Agriculture has memories of visiting their grandparents and others with lush green rolling plots of grass. However, it’s a little harder to maintain when it’s your property. That’s because you want to exercise the extra control needed for maximum return on investment.
This doesn’t mean having to sift through and research piles upon piles of manure. What it means is taking stock of what you have, then finding the best manure that matches your needs.
So which kind of manure do you choose? There is the fresh kind that an active farm will produce. But, there is also the pre packaged materials that most people can identify. What are the differences between picking up manure in a bag or shoveling it out of a pasture?
Packaged manure tends to be a little dry. That makes it easier to put into your spreader, but a word of advice. Try to break up the larger bits of manure before you start spreading. Nothing is worse than having a big clump of manure jam up a spreader.
When working with a manure spreader, it is ideal to let the manure flow at a slow rate. You want to ease out the manure in a straight line, as you move through your lawn/yard/farm. Plan on refilling your spreader’s hopper while doing this. No one has ever covered a farm with one bag of manure.
Your spreader works the same with natural manure. While some farmers prefer natural manure due to the processing methods in package manure, it ultimately works the same. In terms of what we’re discussing, we will avoid discussions of synthesized chemicals vs. what your cattle naturally drops on the ground.
This is more about how to effectively manure spread. Basically, go slow and steady. Keep the spreader from jamming and don’t be afraid to use enough manure.
If successfully done, you’ll want to reapply this manure fertilizer every 4-5 weeks during the warmer months. Your lawn will thank you for the fresh coat of fertilizer.
What is fertilizer spreading? Also, how do I spread fertilizer?
At Chandler, we have found many ways to spread fertilizer. The Chandler FTL-EXW is designed to fit a wide range of truck chassis from Single Axle, Tandem Axle or a Semi -Float setup. It features a four blade design that produced an oval shaped pattern. This allows fertilizer to spread an even pattern to encourage growth.
Fertilizer spreading is a multi-step process. Try to water the area you plan on fertilizing at least a few days in advance. Pick your spreader. Ideally, you will find the spreader that is best for your farm. Apply fertilizer around the outside and move slowly into the middle. From there, properly put away any remainder fertilizer.
You can try to spread fertilizer by hand, but we don’t recommend it. It is virtually impossible to get an even coat of fertilizer by acting like Johnny Appleseed in your field.
That’s why Chandler recommends any effort to spread fertilizer or otherwise begins with a spreader. If you have questions, feel free to contact Chandler Equipment today.
What is poultry litter?
Poultry litter is chicken droppings. Farmers, farmhands and others that work the land have more colorful ways of describing it. But, it’s more than that. Poultry litter can be everything from excretions, feathers to spilled livestock feed. It’s organic material that has been used for bedding and eventually fertilizer for centuries.
Now, poultry litter causes a great deal of concern among farmers. While it is super handy in your poultry house, it causes a ton of other issues to arise. How are you going to spread poultry litter around and how are you going to clean it up?
Chandler has options for poultry litter spreading. However, all of our equipment touches upon bio-security concerns with poultry. After all, it’s one thing to keep your poultry house clean. But, are you doing enough to keep yourself from getting sick after cleaning up after your chickens? Talk to Chandler today about your poultry clean-up needs.
What is litter spreading?
Litter spreading of any sort is a material handling operation. That means wearing proper protective equipment to keep yourself safe and the work site clear. But, what else do you need to achieve with litter spreading? Chandler offers many options for litter spreading where you don’t even have to get out of your truck.
Litter spreading at its most basic level is using chicken excretions as fertilizer. While working the same as cow manure, you’re often dealing with more tiny little producers of your litter fertilizer. But, why choose litter over basic fertilizer?
When you’re picking which fertilizer best supports your farm operations, it is important to do your homework. However, litter application is quite a great low-cost fertilizer. Litter spreading has been shown to replenish soil with plenty of Potassium, Phosphorus and Nitrogen.
Litter quality depends on bird and spread quality. It’s not uncommon to see poultry litter from one part of the country test higher than other parts. So, again…it’s best to treat poultry litter as you do fertilizer. Know what your farm needs and plan from there.
Have tractor? Will spread manure!
Manure should be spread at the rate your crops will use in a year. No one wants excessive manure to be in use. After all, it stinks. So, what are you going to do with all that manure you have started stockpiling? Find a tractor or truck to mount a manure spreader.
Chandler has many options for mounted spreaders. But, we ask that you check out our various mounted and pull type spreader configurations. If you have questions about a particular spreader to help spread manure/fertilizer, feel free to contact Chandler.
What is in your fertilizer and manure?
Do you know what is in your manure? Too often people shovel one pile of animal droppings into the same place over and over again. If you don’t record and know what’s in the manure, you run the risk of burning the soil and damaging nutrient value. So, how do you prevent that?
The simple answer is by keeping records. Document what you have success with each and every year. Measure how much you use and plan around that. From there, it’s a matter of testing which gives you the most success. Sometimes, it might be a mix of litter, manure and other fertilizer.
How can Chandler Equipment help me spread manure?
Poultry litter is firmly in Chandler’s wheelhouse. Our spreaders have a rich history of poultry litter out of chicken houses and farms. While we have mentioned and showed off our poultry litter equipment, the ultimate choice belongs with you.
Fertilizer makes the world go round. You have livestock making it, farmers moving it around fields and then modern scientists finding new ways to make it stronger. But, what are you using to spread manure?
The history of manure has taken many turns. Over the years, farmers have created a variety of new innovative tools to move it around. Whether it’s your hands, a rake or a spreader…you’re going to get dirty with manure.
We have shown you many options and will go deeper as the year goes on, we just wanted to put some thoughts out there before planting season begins. Talk to us at Chandler and see how we can best serve you.