Is there proper manure management for horses, hobby animals on Gabriola and other Gulf Islands? The answer: slim to none. Most acreages or hobby farms I visit are blissfully unaware of proper manure management techniques.
Our extremely wet, soggy winters and highly porous soil and subsoil structure combined with an uncovered, unmanaged manure pile is a complete recipe for guaranteed groundwater contamination. Not only e-coli and possible pathogens, but nitrate loading of groundwater -- extreme health hazard. Treatment for Nitrates is complex and expensive. Best practice: manage your manure carefully, and avoid problems.
An excellent B.C. resource is http://www.manuremaiden.com/
Prevent leaching -- cover, contain, compost! (image courtesy: manuremaiden.com)
Our extremely wet, soggy winters and highly porous soil and subsoil structure combined with an uncovered, unmanaged manure pile is a complete recipe for guaranteed groundwater contamination. Not only e-coli and possible pathogens, but nitrate loading of groundwater -- extreme health hazard. Treatment for Nitrates is complex and expensive. Best practice: manage your manure carefully, and avoid problems.
An excellent B.C. resource is http://www.manuremaiden.com/
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