Use of composting to produce organic fertilizer from horse stall residues

Abstract

The development of agriculture in Brazil has changed the role of horses from working animals to animals for sport competition and recreation. Horse breeding is a relevant activity in Brazilian agribusiness and approximately 6 million animals are currently involved in such activity. Recreation and sport horses are usually confined in stalls, where the animals spend the days. A variety of materials are used for bedding horse stalls, such as wood shavings, rice husks and dry grasses. These materials are removed daily or weekly. Horse manure is not well regarded as good plant fertilizer. The present work aims to develop a methodology for the reuse of waste from equine stalls (wood shavings, feces, urine, and animal food remains) through composting, characterizing, and evaluating the potential of the final product as a biofertilizer. For this, beds of 2 horses were used, composed of wood shavings, feces, urine, and food leftovers dropped by the animals on the bedding. Two types of wood shavings were tested – sawdust and chips. After 15 days of confinement, the litter was removed and went through a composting process with daily control of temperature, humidity, aeration, and smell until stabilization of the compost, which occurred after approximately 60 days. After this period, part of the material was collected for analysis of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentration, and C/N ratio. The results obtained indicate that the final compost is suitable for use as organic fertilizer.