What to do with years of straw bedding in barn?

[oosik]

Ah - all good answers. I have a more basic question. Reread that first sentence again - " Cleaning out a 600 sq ft barn IN A HOUSE WE BOUGHT." That must be one old style house. Here on the homestead where I'm at - the original house was a combined house for people, sheep and chickens. It how things were done back in the good old days. After the couple established a valid claim on the homestead - they built a conventional house - just for people. They ALL lived in the combined house for three years - in the beginning.

 

[ruffdog]

Do you have steep slopes/banks that give water run off problem,if so spread there.

Are you suggesting to spread it where there is a run-off issue?

farm runoff blue green - Google Search

 

[jaxs]

Do you have steep slopes/banks that give water run off problem,if so spread there.

Are you suggesting to spread it where there is a run-off issue?

Bad idea.:thumbdown:

 

[oosik]

Gentlemen - using the straw and goat poop to control erosion can be done properly and not create problems. You are all assuming that any resultant runoff will go somewhere and create a problem. That is not necessarily the case.

IF the job is not done properly and IF the resultant runoff can/does create a problem - well, then that's a whole other matter.

Initial evaluation will show whether or not it should be used for erosion control.

 

[ruffdog]

Straw is ok for erosion control.....not poop.

farm runoff blue green - Google Search

 

[oosik]

Quite honestly ruffdog - I don't care what links you post. Properly done - it will not create a problem. I will give you this - straw with any type of poo in it - seriously limits its usefulness. However, properly done it will not create a problem.

 

[jaxs]

Gentlemen - using the straw and goat poop to control erosion can be done properly and not create problems. You are all assuming that any resultant runoff will go somewhere and create a problem. That is not necessarily the case.

IF the job is not done properly and IF the resultant runoff can/does create a problem - well, then that's a whole other matter.

Initial evaluation will show whether or not it should be used for erosion control.

OP is asking for instructions so what is the proper way of using straw bedding on "STEEP"slopes and banks? TxDot use's tons of straw to control erosion along roadways but it's in bales on steep banks and ditches.

 

[Ford850]

To me, compost would be much more valuable than plain straw. I would pile and compost all of it, to be used in a couple years on gardens, around trees, yards, etc.

 

[ruffdog]

Putting manure on "steep" slopes, where erosion happens, leads to fertilizer runoff and is irresponsible and, in some places, illegal. We do use straw bales staked to the ground for erosion control. As others have stated, making a pile will let it compost...gardeners will like it.

Banning of phosphorus fertilizer in Washington and other states:
STATE LAWS BANNING PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER USE

 

[oosik]

And again I have to agree - ruffdog - making compost out of the stuff would be far superior to using it for erosion control. But properly done - it can be used and create no problems to the environment.

And BTW - its not the phosphorus that creates the problems with agricultural fertilizers - - its is and always has been the nitrogen. The legislation has no effect on the big farmers around here - they have been using phosphorus free fertilizers for generations. Its a successful ploy by politicians to satisfy the greenie, tree hugging eco-friendly no-nothing groups. They thump their chests and proudly show off the environmentall friendly legislation THEY got passed. And all the while the nitrogen contamination gets worse and worse.

Its all the west siders here in WA thinking they know what best for the farmers and environment over here on the east side.