Construction activities, urban runoff, and horse farms are the predominant sources of nonpoint source pollution in the coastal Monmouth County drainage basin in New Jersey (US). We have proposed to implement Best Management Practices for manure composting on small horse farms (1-5 horses). It was known that simple composters used in the backyard do not efficiently reduce pathogens due to their small scale. However, it was not clear if small-scale composting on horse farms could ensure pathogen reduction during all seasons. The objective of this study was to evaluate pathogen reduction in a simple shed composter from fall to spring under typical farm operational conditions. Horse manure mixed with wood shavings (bedding) was composted for 4-8 weeks in the fall, winter, early spring and late spring. Fecal streptococci were used as pathogen indicator organisms. In addition, eggs of strongyles, which are a major recognized health concern for horses, were monitored. Composting of horse manure in simpleshed composters increased the temperatures in all composting piles during all seasons. After 4 weeks, the fecal streptococci reduction was about 10- to 100-fold and, after 8 weeks, about 100- to 1000- fold. The only seasonal effect in fecal streptococcireduction was seen in the Late Spring experiment, when the best fecal streptococci reduction was found. Strongyle eggs in this study were very low and were reduced over time.
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