Best quality manure?

[stv]

Is there a time when the manure is less useful for the garden? i.e Can it be too old and broken down?
I have just picked up what seems to be great stuff, fluffy, almost peat like, but still moist, no smells etc. however no worms. In other areas of the enormous pile you could tell it was still breaking down and there were plenty of worms.
Is there a manure law of diminishing returns!?

Thanks,
Stv

[rustylady]

Sounds absolutely ideal. Manure is more a soil conditioner than a fertiliser, and works on all types of soils. If it's too fresh it will burn your plants if you use it as a mulch, and if you stack it to rot down it will probably take ages (and space). Use yours as a mulch or dig it in.