Cow Pats

[JennieAtkinson]

Sadly the gymkhana this year was not held in the field next to our house but 2miles away, which I thought was a bit of drag with a wheelbarrow .

But .......... we have a herd of bullocks in the field next to us at the moment, and they seem to be plastering the place with loads of cow pats.

Need some advice folks - can I treat them in the same way as the pony poo? ie in my compost box for 5 months then spread them on the "to be" spud area? in February prior to planting out my spuds in late April?

Thanks

[Hazel at the Hill]

No idea, Jennie, but besides being of a less manageable consistancy than pony poo - the cow pats must be made of the same basic ingredients (i.e. 'processed' grass)???

[cottage garden]

I've heard that cow pats are the best manure for veges. I would probably leave it a bit longer to ferment personally. Once it has lost its smell its supposed to be fine or does it decompose quicker if mixed in with compost. Yea okay, I'm a fat lot of help...just airing my thoughts!

[Snadger]

Cow pats don't HAVE to be mixed with straw, but straw will add bulk. After all, FYM is mainly added to the soil to increase the organic content not for it's nutrients!

[shirlthegirl43]

My mum used to get cow doo from the farmer before we had horses. Makes everything shoot out of the ground to get away from the stink

[kernowyon]

can't get anywhere near cows at the moment. even our friendly farmer that delivers poo to the allotments can't move it, don't blame him though with everything else going on around here.

[Birdie Wife]

I'll have to read my copy of Geoff Hamilton's Organic Gardening to check what he says. The nautrient levels are slightly different but I think you can definitely use it in the same way as horse manure (I have!). You should probably check first if the farmer has been using Ivermectins or other supplements, as these would affect the ability of the bacteria and worms to break the poo down.

[Madasafish]

I collect cow pats from the field next door, place in a pile, cover with plastic (prevent rain washing out nutrients) , and leave for 6 months. By then it will have rotted down.. and be full of worms.

Great for adding to hanging baskets and vegetable growing beds.

[bubblewrap]

Is'nt there some where that has a cow pat throwing competition?

[bazzaboy]

Jennie, having just spent most of this weekend barrowing manure I feel close affinity with this subject... all the time I was digging it out two ponies stared at me with a look of "You want that stuff, guv...?" I've always thought (no idea where I got it from...) that cow manure was best for sandy soil (coz stickier, forgive the fine detail!) and horse manure for clay soils (such as I have). But either is preferable to none providing it's composted (as long as the worms like it....). I believe cow manure is called "cold" manure (horse is "hot") and cold is quicker for application whereas hot needs to be composted longer (that said I can remember my Dad going out with a shovel if a passing horse had obliged and joyfully putting it around the rhubarb... just like the seaside card jokes, "I prefer custard on mine"). You can also make cowpat soup (lol... like comfrey or wormery tea but smellier) - but well dilute it before application. Life's a strange thing, isn't it? I'm off for a bath!

bb

[carlseawolf]

try this site it deals with poo and what it can be used for.
www.plantea.com/compost-materials.htm

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks everyone for your great comments and the link to the site carl.

I had thought I might go in to the field this morning, but there is now a HUGE!!!!! bull in with them too. Most unusual up here to see cattle around us, its normally sheep. However, I must say they are much more interesting to watch!

[bazzaboy]

A P.S. Crikey, seems Dad was right (again...!) with his *raw* UNcomposted manure around rhubarb.... Looking up something completely different on the Organic Gardening site (is there a higher source?) I stumbled across their recommending exactly that.... not for the organic content but because the active rotting generates heat which aids the forcing (hotbed style, Victorian pineapples etc): "If possible surround the forcer with fresh manure. The heat generated from the manure as it rots will force the rhubarb even quicker." Worth a try next Feb (suddenly so cold here tonight I could do with some myself! .

bb