HELP! Need to get rid of horse manure (Michigan)

Little_Bit_Red · #1 03/11/13, 06:30 PM

Mods, if this is in the wrong place, please move.

Ok, I help my elderly neighbor (she's 70) with her horses. And, she has a very large pile of soiled horse bedding/manure that needs to be disposed of. For the most part, it has been composting itself over the last 4 months, but it is added to daily. It's hot, the snow will not stay on it, and there are some mushrooms growing on one of the piles.

The manure is mixed with bedding from Tractor Supply - Natural Pine Pellets that break down when wet, and Large Pine shavings.

I have posted to Freecycle - no one has answered yet.

Can anyone help me - she's asked me to use my computer to see if l can help her. She is trying to not have to pay to have it removed, and was looking for anyone who might need it.

We are in Michigan, the Novi area, about 60 miles north east of Detroit. She is willing to load it it - she has a tractor with bucket loader, and even deliver it, within reason.

Please pass this on to anyone in Michigan who might be able to use some good manure.

tinknal · #2 03/11/13, 06:35 PM

If she can load and deliver it she should be able to get at least $50 a load for it in town.

Helena · #3 03/11/13, 06:37 PM

I totaly understand. I have a "wall" of manure from my horses and goats and you can only use sooo.... much in your own garden. No one wants to come and haul it themselves. Husband actually thought of putting a match to it..with water nearby...and let it burn..baby...burn... But,...what do you think of that idea ???

lordoftheweeds · #4 03/11/13, 06:39 PM

I'm in northern MD, PM me for directions, just kidding. Try craigslist

Little_Bit_Red · #5 03/11/13, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinknal

If she can load and deliver it she should be able to get at least $50 a load for it in town.

But where in town? Who does she go to? Who do we ask???

where I want to · #6 03/11/13, 06:45 PM

Contact any local gardening club or university or some at any farmers market or institution that grows its own food or bag in old feed bags and put out a sign $5 per bag or put a sign at the local community garden.
I can't believe that there aren't people lined up to get it even if it is snowy there. My neighbor has stolen mine for 5 years.
If you wait, the pile will get at least one third smaller as soon as the steam stops.
What is wrong with the world that black gold can not find a home.

Silvercreek Farmer · #7 03/11/13, 06:55 PM

PM Forerunner! Seriously, if she had a tractor just spread it on the nearest field. Dump a scoop then back drag it flat. One field can handle a lot of manure. It could even go in the woods.

Barn Yarns · #8 03/11/13, 07:46 PM

this time of year would be great for hot boxes. its too bad that horse manure is so hot it has to sit for almost 2 years before its useable in gardens. but its great for hotboxes.

I second the gardening club.

Bearfootfarm · #9 03/11/13, 09:35 PM

Spring is coming.
Put it on Craigslist at $25 a pickup load and I bet it won't last long

am1too · #10 03/11/13, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little_Bit_Red

Mods, if this is in the wrong place, please move.

Ok, I help my elderly neighbor (she's 70) with her horses. And, she has a very large pile of soiled horse bedding/manure that needs to be disposed of. For the most part, it has been composting itself over the last 4 months, but it is added to daily. It's hot, the snow will not stay on it, and there are some mushrooms growing on one of the piles.

The manure is mixed with bedding from Tractor Supply - Natural Pine Pellets that break down when wet, and Large Pine shavings.

I have posted to Freecycle - no one has answered yet.

Can anyone help me - she's asked me to use my computer to see if l can help her. She is trying to not have to pay to have it removed, and was looking for anyone who might need it.

We are in Michigan, the Novi area, about 60 miles north east of Detroit. She is willing to load it it - she has a tractor with bucket loader, and even deliver it, within reason.

Please pass this on to anyone in Michigan who might be able to use some good manure.

A horse boarding stable near me had that problem till I saw it. Get 6 yards a week of stall cleanings.

Big Dave · #11 03/11/13, 10:32 PM

Wish yall were closer

rambler · #12 03/11/13, 10:43 PM

Sure that was within 5 miles of me, I'd bring my own tractor ampnd spreader, take everything I could get for free. Farmers pay big money for hog and chicken manure, horse manure is not as rich but it still has the goods to be worthwhile.

I see ads like that on CL but figure you all are not looking for a farmer to come in and get the whole pile? I see manure as a valuable asset, maybe I should be looking at those ads differently?

If any farming is done around her, just dial a few neighboring farmers, should not be a problem.

Paul

unregistered353870 · #13 03/12/13, 02:01 AM

I used to spend time in that area because my son lived there for a while and if I remember correctly isnt Novi just 10-15 miles or so northwest of Detroit? Surely nowhere near 60 miles. Reason I ask is the location you gave confused me and it makes a difference in the advice I would give since I know theres a lot of horses in the area still but not much farmland left to spread manure on. But if it really is 60 miles out of Detroit theres plenty of farmland and homesteader types who would probably take it off your hands. Otherwise you might have to expand the search area. Post a few craigslist ads and see if anyone bites and if not try again in a month since thats when people will be getting into their gardens. You also might want to ask whoever your neighbor buys her hay from if they can use the manure.

unregistered353870 · #14 03/12/13, 02:05 AM

Another thing I thought of that I've heard of is to offer it for sale for $5 a load or free if they take it all. I keep all my nutrients on my own ranch but friends say that actually helps get rid of it faster because somebody will come along and take it all even if they dont really want it all.

Usingmyrights · #15 03/12/13, 09:38 AM

I'd put it on craigslist instead of freecycle. In my area freestyle has turned into more of a "give me" site. There's probably 3-4 wanted posts to every offer post.

geo in mi · #16 03/12/13, 10:56 AM

Might be about a month early........and here's the CL locations near you--might be iffy for your location. Do you have a weekly shopper newspaper?
http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/

geo

KIT.S · #17 03/12/13, 11:13 AM

Our nearest big city has a recycle site where they grind up yard debris the garbage folks pick up and compost into soil. They would take that type of thing to add to their pile. You might check with the nearest city and see if they do the same.
Kit

siletz · #18 03/12/13, 11:20 AM

I think it's a little early in the spring for people to be looking. They want to be able to pick it up and spread it on the garden in the same day. I'd give it another month or so, then post it on Craigslist.

Little_Bit_Red · #19 03/12/13, 12:04 PM

Ok, Milford is 45 miles from Detroit (sorry, i was just estimating - this time I used Google Maps)

I have listed on Freecycle and Craigslist.

I will give her the information that y'all have provided: The city, the county, the local nickel shopper idea, garden clubs, and I will have her ask where she gets her hay and feed from.

I had no idea that horse manure is too hot to put on a garden for 2 years! WOW! Good to know.

She would spread it if she had a manure spreader, but she doesn't, and the pile is very big, so she wants it gone before it starts to smell (and it's a little smelly right now, well, yesterday, with the big warm up of 50 degrees and rain.)

Funny, she isn't looking to make a profit, but if this works for her this time, maybe she will start to offer it at $5 a bag (empty feed bag sized)....

I will ask here, then i will PM Forerunner: How would she be able to keep that pile for two years without smell, in order to make it a side business????

Thanks! Keep the info coming!

Jayfl77 · #20 03/12/13, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little_Bit_Red

I had no idea that horse manure is too hot to put on a garden for 2 years! WOW! Good to know.

Me either, and I was just looking at some craigslist adds this weekend that were advertising free horse manure.

I might have to get some when we get our new property and just pile it up and let it sit for 2 years