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APPENDIX B.
Data on Material Composition

Jay Regan
6/14/90


Material % H2O Density (lb/ft3) % N (d.b.) C:N
I. Bulking Agents
Peat [10] 21.8 - 10.8 0.8 - 1.5
Peat [10] 0.2 - 0.8 90
Heavy Fine Sawdust, covered [1] 28 12 - 20 0.1 500
Mill Sawdust, uncovered [1] 76 7 - 12 0.1 500
Sawdust [9] 0.11 511
Sawdust, loose [2] 12
Light Coarse Wood Chips, covered [1] 28 6 - 11 0.1 500
Shavings, loose [2] 9
Shavings, baled [2] 20
Wood Shavings, kiln dry, bagged [1] 5 16 - 20 0.1 500
Wood Shavings [4] 18 (ave.) 0.11 500
Barley Straw [3] 11.6 - 17.9 0.75 - 0.781
Oat Straw, baled & chopped [1] 14 3 - 7 1.0 80
Oat Straw [4] 8 - 12 1.05 48
Straw, loose [2] 2 - 3
Straw, baled [2] 4 -5
Wheat Straw [3] 15 0.56 - 0.62
Wheat Straw [4] 8 - 12 0.3 128
II. Wastes
Cow, barnyard [10] 76.0 2.1
Cow, manure [10] 77.0 1.5
Dairy Manure [1] 85 - 90 3 20
Dairy Manure [2] 87.3 62 3.9
Dairy Manure [6] 75 - 852 12 - 18
Dairy Manure, bedded stalls [7] 78.9 44.4 2.71 17.6
Fish Gurry [7] 80.4 44.4 12.45 2.6
Fish Scraps [9] 6.5
Fish Meal [10] 3.9 - 10.8 9.5 - 10.8
Poultry Carcasses [5] 70 5
Poultry Carcasses [12] 90 15
Poultry Carcasses [13] 65 45 -60 2.883
Brood Manure [8] 71.6 6.58 6.8
Deep Poultry Litter, straw, 11 mths [3] 33.6 - 36.2 3.1 - 3.58
Deep Poultry Litter, straw, 16 mths [3] 39.6 3.14
Layer Manure [8] 62.2 - 65.4 51 5.50 - 9.02 3.6 - 6.5
Layer Manure, aged [8] 70.4 52 8.84 3.7
Poultry Manure, broiler/layer [2] 74.8 60 5.5 - 6.8
Poultry Manure, layer [3] 73 - 80 3.5 - 6.0
Poultry Manure 5] 30 15
Poultry Manure [9] 6 <10</>
Poultry Manure [10] 56.0 3.5
Poultry Manure, dry [10] 4.0 0.83
Poultry Manure, with litter [10] 60.0 3.5
1 Noted as being unusually high.
2 Lower value is for stanchions, higher value is for free stalls.
3 Estimated by chicken is 18% protein and protein is 16% N.

[1] A. T. Sobel, 1990, "Composting of Dairy Cow Manure."
[2] 1985, Livestock Waste Facilities Handbook.
[3] J. Tinsley and T. Z. Nowakowski, 1959, "The Composition and Manurial Value of Poultry Excreta, Straw-Droppings Composts, and Deep Litter," J. Sci. Food Agric., 10, March.
[4] A. T. Sobel and D. C. Ludington, 1963, "A Discussion on Composting of Poultry Manure."
[5] Dennis Murphy, "Composting of Dead Birds," University of Maryland.
[6] Robert Rynk, "Composting as a Dairy Manure Management Technique," University of Massachusetts.
[7] James S. Geiger, 1987, Compost, Crop of the Future.
[8] 1987, Agricultural Composting in Massachusetts.
[9] Farm Composting Handbook.
[10] E. Pfeiffer, 1956, The Compost Manufacturer's Manual.
[11] Mark Kelley, 1989, "Facts on Organic Soil Amendments," Grounds Maintenance, February.
[12] Stu Ackerman from 6/6/90.
[13] Dr. Keshavarz from 6/14/90.


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