Testing Other's Manure for Aminopyralid

[VirginVegGrower]

OK - the allotment directly bordering mine and the one opposite have had steaming heaps of manure delivered. Nothing wrong with that per se. The old chap next to me has spread his already, right up to my raspberry canes. The old girl opposite has started to fork some in on her beds, but we are divided by a three foot path. Question is this, can I grab bits of their manure heaps to test for aminopyralid and if so, how do I test it - have googled and found a broad bean test? Has anyone else used this one? I did talk to the lady opposite, who had not heard of aminopyralid and she seemed unconcerned, as was I this time last year (before reading the vine)! The old boy wouldn't give two hoots, so no point speaking with him. It is my understanding that once in the soil it can spread through water content. We have put such a lot of work in this year that I don't want to see my crops fail through other's use of potentially contaminated manure. Does anyone else have this problem or these concerns? Should I just ignore and keep fingers crossed.It's the allotment bordering mine that worries me most.

[Thelma Sanders]

I'm not aware of anything sggesting damage would move from one plot to another ...and I thought there had to be a path between all plots?

[zazen999]

If it's not on your plot then I'd not worry too much. However if they are right next to your rasps and it's contaminated then your rasps will start to show signs in a few weeks as they don't like it at all - the leaves start to grow misshapen and horrid. Why right up to your rasps - shouldn't there be a path between of some sort? The 3 ft path - should be fine.

[Bigmallly]

I don't know the ruling on the paths but as I only have a half plot, the other half is divided by a wire fence. Some allotments only give 1/4 plots to newcomers so I guess that would be a lot of paths. Hope there is no problem with the manure anyway.

[Alison]

I'm not aware of anything sggesting damage would move from one plot to another ...and I thought there had to be a path between all plots?

We don't have paths between our plots although most of us do have paths around the outside so the effect is probably the same.

[super trowel]

I know a little about this.
But I was talking to a plot holder (couple of plots down to me)
And he put a few tons of manure on his plot a year!!

I asked him about this ama... Whatever its called
And he believes that farmers don't use it or import it anymore?

Anyway, what I am trying to get at is...

Has anyone on this site recently (in the last couple of years) been affected by it?

If I was that concerned about it I would pick up a little nugget to test. But I am just pleading ignorant

[Linnea]

As I understand it the chemical was removed from sale following the reporting of issues with its continued effectiveness even after goint through the digestion process. However I believe it was re-introduced following a stewardship scheme which should mean less instances of contamination

Weedkiller in manure / Royal Horticultural Society

[Thelma Sanders]

Look at zazen's thread
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...lid_48600.html

[chris]

I was concerned about this too, but for years my site has been using some from the same stables, and I was told not to worry. Literally, everyone on site uses these stables, so erm *shrug*

Unless i have the wrong end of the stick, I'd personally ask them for a 3" plant pot full or similar to test it, rather than just taking some - not sure about your site, but if people are seen helping themselves to other peoples stuff they're gone! (So I have just been told when reporting some thieving git taking my pallets!)

[jacob]

I've attempted this bean test, having picked up a few bag of manure.

So far, the beans have germinated and are looking healthy with about 6 leaves.
Detail:
10 x 50/50 mix manure / soil. All germinated and looking healthy
10 x soil. 50% germination to date, look the same as the manure ones.
5 x compast. 60% germination to date, also look fine.

So, should I go ahead and dig in the muck?

[zazen999]

I've attempted this bean test, having picked up a few bag of manure.

So far, the beans have germinated and are looking healthy with about 6 leaves.
Detail:
10 x 50/50 mix manure / soil. All germinated and looking healthy
10 x soil. 50% germination to date, look the same as the manure ones.
5 x compast. 60% germination to date, also look fine.

So, should I go ahead and dig in the muck?

If they have germinated and look fine - then I'd say the manure is ok. I found things wouldn't even germinate and when they did - they had horrible mangled leaves and stems.

[zazen999]

I was concerned about this too, but for years my site has been using some from the same stables, and I was told not to worry. Literally, everyone on site uses these stables, so erm *shrug*

The farmer that sold us the manure had been supplying the allotments for donkey's years. And he has started up again. I'm waiting for one of the blokes who have bought it to ask me for the name of the bloke at Dow who had to arrange for mine to be taken away - in about 6 weeks time I reckon.

[super trowel]

I was concerned about this too, but for years my site has been using some from the same stables, and I was told not to worry. Literally, everyone on site uses these stables, so erm *shrug*

Unless i have the wrong end of the stick, I'd personally ask them for a 3" plant pot full or similar to test it, rather than just taking some - not sure about your site, but if people are seen helping themselves to other peoples stuff they're gone! (So I have just been told when reporting some thieving git taking my pallets!)

I don't mean grab a bucket load

But if I had put a load of muck down to my boundary, or even the other way round.
I wouldn't mind a handful going missing, and either side are the same.
I do understand about people stealing etc though.

[jacob]

If they have germinated and look fine - then I'd say the manure is ok. I found things wouldn't even germinate and when they did - they had horrible mangled leaves and stems.

Brill -- from the expert [victim ] too! I've got manure, lots of compost, leaf mould and woodash to add to garden. Hoping for some good crops...

[chris]

The farmer that sold us the manure had been supplying the allotments for donkey's years. And he has started up again. I'm waiting for one of the blokes who have bought it to ask me for the name of the bloke at Dow who had to arrange for mine to be taken away - in about 6 weeks time I reckon.

Fair point, I hadn't thought of that