Horse Bedding Research Articles

Impact of Aspergillus fumigatus inoculation on the composting of wood shaving bedding for horses.

Equine farming generates a significant amount of waste, prompting the need for effective management. Composting enhanced by filamentous fungi holds promise for this purpose. This study focused on inoculating Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in composting horse bedding made with wood shavings (Pinus elliottii). The experiment lasted 90 days, with two treatment groups, control and inoculated, analyzing temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total organic carbon and nitrogen content, and cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents. Both treatments entered the thermophilic phase by the fourth day, reaching temperatures above 55°C and mesophilic maturation at 35 days (41±0.2°C). The inoculated treatment exhibited higher electrical conductivity after 30 days and a more pronounced reduction in the total carbon content (42.85%vs. 38.29%) compared to the control. While there was no significant nitrogen difference, the inoculated treatment had a sharper reduction in carbon/nitrogen ratio, and cellulose and hemicellulose contents. Both treatments showed low coliform counts, no Salmonella sp., and reduced Strongyloides sp. larvae. Inoculating A. fumigatus in saturated horse bedding made from wood shavings improved compost quality, providing a possibility for sustainable equine farming waste treatment.

Assessing the cost efficiency and benefits of sawdust, pinewood, and rubber wood shavings as bedding materials

This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of using sawdust, pinewood shavings, and rubber wood shavings as horse bedding materials. Nine horses were used in a repeated measure design, where each horse was provided with each of the bedding materials for two consecutive weeks. The weight, cost, mucking out time, ammonia emissions, and urine holding capacity were measured and calculated for each bedding material. Results showed that pinewood shavings had the highest urine-holding capacity, while rubber wood shavings had the lowest absorbency for urine. Pinewood shavings also had lower ammonia emissions compared to sawdust and rubber wood shavings but were significantly more expensive. Sawdust was the cheapest of the three bedding materials, but it was used in greater quantities, which required more time for mucking out. The findings from this study could be used to make informed decisions on bedding materials for stables, taking into consideration the trade-off between cost, maintenance requirements, and labor hours.

Dynamics of bacterial and archaeal communities during horse bedding and green waste composting.

Organic waste decomposition can make up substantial amounts of municipal greenhouse emissions during decomposition. Composting has the potential to reduce these emissions as well as generate sustainable fertilizer. However, our understanding of how complex microbial communities change to drive the chemical and biological processes of composting is still limited. To investigate the microbiota associated with organic waste decomposition, initial composting feedstock (Litter), three composting windrows of 1.5 months (Young phase), 3 months (Middle phase) and 12 months (Aged phase) old, and 24-month-old mature Compost were sampled to assess physicochemical properties, plant cell wall composition and the microbial community using 16S rRNA gene amplification. A total of 2,612 Exact Sequence Variants (ESVs) included 517 annotated as putative species and 694 as genera which together captured 57.7% of the 3,133,873 sequences, with the most abundant species being Thermobifida fusca, Thermomonospora chromogena and Thermobifida bifida. Compost properties changed rapidly over time alongside the diversity of the compost community, which increased as composting progressed, and multivariate analysis indicated significant variation in community composition between each time-point. The abundance of bacteria in the feedstock is strongly correlated with the presence of organic matter and the abundance of plant cell wall components. Temperature and pH are the most strongly correlated parameters with bacterial abundance in the thermophilic and cooling phases/mature compost respectively. Differential abundance analysis revealed 810 ESVs annotated as species significantly varied in relative abundance between Litter and Young phase, 653 between the Young and Middle phases, 1182 between Middle and Aged phases and 663 between Aged phase and mature Compost. These changes indicated that structural carbohydrates and lignin degrading species were abundant at the beginning of the thermophilic phase, especially members of the Firmicute and Actinobacteria phyla. A high diversity of species capable of putative ammonification and denitrification were consistently found throughout the composting phases, whereas a limited number of nitrifying bacteria were identified and were significantly enriched within the later mesophilic composting phases. High microbial community resolution also revealed unexpected species which could be beneficial for agricultural soils enriched with mature compost or for the deployment of environmental and plant biotechnologies. Understanding the dynamics of these microbial communities could lead to improved waste management strategies and the development of input-specific composting protocols to optimize carbon and nitrogen transformation and promote a diverse and functional microflora in mature compost.

Bacteria and antimicrobial resistance profile during the composting process of wastes from animal production.

Livestock waste is widely used in agriculture. Although they provide benefits to the soil, and consequently to plants, they have the potential to contaminate the environment, as they contain pathogenic microorganisms and determinants of antimicrobial resistance, if not properly managed. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of composting horse bedding and poultry litter in organic and conventional production systems on the occurrence of bacteria in the Enterobacteriales order and to identify their antimicrobial resistance profiles. Bacterial strains were isolated from Salmonella-Shigella and eosin methylene blue solid media from animal waste during the composting process that was conducted for 125days. After isolation, the strains were identified by the MALDI-TOF technique; the disk diffusion test was then performed for phenotypic detection of antimicrobial resistance. A total of 158 bacterial strains were isolated during composting of three wastes. The Enterobacteriaceae family was the most abundant, whereas Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli were the species with the highest percentage in the wastes, which also exhibited a multi-resistance profile. Poultry litter showed a greater abundance of resistant bacteria than horse bedding did. Similarly, a greater number of resistant bacteria was detected in conventional poultry litter than in organic poultry litter. The results obtained reinforce that animal wastes are reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to antimicrobials and highlight the importance of developing management strategies that aim to reduce and/or eliminate these contaminants to guarantee their safe use in agriculture.

Assessment of Fertilizer Quality in Horse Waste-Based Bokashi Fertilizer Formulations

Agricultural waste is a type of solid waste that needs to be managed properly. Organic waste can be recycled to produce bokashi fertilizer, which can be used to improve soil health, increase crop production, and sanitize the environment. However, it may contain heavy metals that could be toxic to plants and can pollute the environment if not properly decomposed. This study was designed to evaluate the fertilizer quality of six different bokashi fertilizer ratios (bfrs) over seven- and thirty-day maturation periods. The raw materials used include horse bedding waste (HBW), cow dung (CD), and paddy husk charcoal (PHC) in different ratios, treated with an effective microorganisms (EM4) solution. All the nutrients studied (N, P, K, Mg, and Ca) were significantly affected by the bokashi fertilizer ratios (bfrs). The best bokashi fertilizer ratio was bokashi fertilizer ratio-6 (bfr6), but it was statistically similar to bokashi fertilizer ratio-5 (bfr5). Its N, P, K, Mg, and Ca contents were higher than the control (bfr1) by 133.9%, 225.5%, 196.4%, 105.0%, and 84.7%, respectively. Similarly, all these nutrients were significantly affected by time. N, P, K, and Mg increased by 21.2, 33.0%, 16.4%, and 28.8%, respectively, after 30 days of maturation, with a decrease in Ca only 2.4%, which was not significant A germination index (GI) of 90.1% was obtained using cabbage seeds. The heavy metals result and germination bioassay confirmed the safety and maturity of the bokashi fertilizer. In conclusion, the results revealed that good-quality bokashi fertilizer can be produced within 30 days. Bfrr5 and bfr6 are equally good candidates for producing good-quality bokashi fertilizer for effective crop growth.

Soil Health Assessment of Two Regenerative Farming Practices on Sandy Soils

The addition of organic amendments and cover cropping on sandy soils are regenerative farming practices that can potentially enhance soil health. South Florida mineral soils present low soil quality due to their sandy texture and low organic matter (OM) content. Few studies have focused on evaluating the effects of farm-based management regenerative practices in this region. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in soil properties associated with two regenerative farming practices - horse bedding application in combination with cover cropping (cowpea, Vigna unguiculata), compared to the practice of cover cropping only for two years. The soil quality indicators that were tested included soil pH, bulk density, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, OM, active carbon, soil protein and major nutrients (N, P, K). Results indicated no significant changes in soil pH, but a significant reduction in soil bulk density and a significant increase in maximum water holding capacity for both practices. Cation exchange capacity and the amounts of active carbon increased significantly after 1.5-year of the farming practices. Horse bedding application with cover cropping showed a significant 4% increase in OM during a short period. A significant increase in plant-available P was also observed under these two practices. Based on this study, horse bedding application as an organic amendment in conjunction with cover cropping provides an enhanced soil health effect compared to just cover cropping. As local growers explore farming option to improve soil health particularly during the fallow period using regenerative farming practices on sandy soils, these results will assist in their decision making.

The relative isotopic abundance (δ13C, δ15N) during composting of agricultural wastes in relation to compost quality and feedstock

ABSTRACTVariations in the relative isotopic abundance of C and N (δ13C and δ15N) were measured during the composting of different agricultural wastes using bench-scale bioreactors. Different mixtures of agricultural wastes (horse bedding manure + legume residues; dairy manure + jatropha mill cake; dairy manure + sugarcane residues; dairy manure alone) were used for aerobic–thermophilic composting. No significant differences were found between the δ13C values of the feedstock and the final compost, except for dairy manure + sugarcane residues (from initial ratio of −13.6 ± 0.2 ‰ to final ratio of −14.4 ± 0.2 ‰). δ15N values increased significantly in composts of horse bedding manure + legumes residues (from initial ratio of +5.9 ± 0.1 ‰ to final ratio of +8.2 ± 0.5 ‰) and dairy manure + jatropha mill cake (from initial ratio of +9.5 ± 0.2 ‰ to final ratio of +12.8 ± 0.7 ‰) and was related to the total N loss (mass balance). δ13C can be used to differentiate composts from different feedstock (e.g. C3 or C4 sources). The quantitative relationship between N loss and δ15N variation should be determined.

Phosphorus Sorption Behavior of Torrefied Agricultural Byproducts under Sonicated Versus Non-Sonicated Conditions

The application of agrichar derived from organic feedstocks has the potential to improve soil fertility and crop production by providing major nutrients like phosphorus (P) to the crop, and in some cases also reducing P leaching. The effect of agrichar on the leaching of P in soils is not uniform and can vary depending on the type of agrichar and amount applied. The objective of this study was to (i) evaluate the behavior of four agrichars (rice hulls RH, palm fronds PF, horse bedding HB, and bagasse BG) for their ability to retain/release P and (ii) determine the effect of wet sonication on P sorption behavior. The feedstocks were torrefied at 500 °C using a top-lit updraft gasifier and used in multiple batch incubation experiments to evaluate equilibrium phosphorus concentration, maximum P sorption capacity (Smax), and adsorption/desorption potential. Both, RH (12.6 g kg-1) and HB (11.5 g kg-1) contained 10-15 times higher total P concentration than PF and BG, rendering RH and HB as potentially suitable products to be used as soil amendments. However, this initial P content of the agrichar seemed to have an overriding effect on the P sorption behavior of the agrichar. PF had Smax of 676 (±127) mg kg-1 for the non-sonicated agrichar, and 237 (±91) mg kg-1 following sonication. There was significant increase in CEC for PF and BG agrichar upon sonication. PF agrichar increased from 27 (±3) cmolc kg-1 to 41 (±4) cmolc kg-1 with sonication. Similarly, BG agrichar CEC increased from 21 (±2) cmolc kg-1 to 45 (±5) cmolc kg-1 with sonication. Initial total P and Ca concentration and their ratios was found to play significant roles on P adsorption and desorption. Major cations like Ca, Fe, Al and Mn are found to act as active sorption site for phosphorus controlling its fate and mobility along with compounding effects of other physicochemical parameters.

Mesophilic anaerobic digestion of several types of spent livestock bedding in a batch leach-bed reactor: substrate characterization and process performance

Spent animal bedding is a valuable resource for green energy production in rural areas. The properties of six types of spent bedding collected from deep-litter stables, housing either sheeps, goats, horses or cows, were compared and their anaerobic digestion in a batch Leach-Bed Reactor (LBR) was assessed. Spent horse bedding, when compared to all the other types, appeared to differ the most due to a greater amount of straw added to the litter and a more frequent litter change. Total solids content appeared to vary significantly from one bedding type to another, with consequent impact on the methane produced from the raw substrate. However, all the types of spent bedding had similar VS/TS (82.3–88.9)%, a C/N well-suited to anaerobic digestion (20–28, except that of the horse, 42) and their BMPs were in a narrow range (192–239NmLCH4/gVS). The anaerobic digestion in each LBR was stable and the pH always remained higher than 6.6 regardless of the type of bedding. In contrast to all the other substrates, spent goat bedding showed a stronger acidification resulting in a methane production lag phase. Finally, spent bedding of different origins reached, on average, (89±11)% of their BMP after 60days of operation. This means that this waste is well-suited for treatment in LBRs and that this is a promising process to recover energy from dry agricultural waste.

Effects of biochar amendments on soil microbial biomass and activity.

Environmental benefits reported in the literature of using biochar as a soil amendment are generally increased microbial activity and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study determined the effects of amendment with biomass feedstocks (spent coffee grounds, wood pellets, and horse bedding compost) and that of biochars (700°C) produced from these feedstocks on soil microbial biomass (C and N) and activity. Soils were amended with these substrates at 0.75% by weight and incubated for up to 175 d under laboratory conditions. Biochar residual effects on soil microbial activity were also studied by amending these soils with either ammonium nitrate (NHNO, 35 mg N kg) or with glucose (864 mg C kg) plus NHNO. Soil microbial biomass C and N, net N mineralization, and CO, NO, and CH emissions were measured. Amendment with biomass feedstocks significantly increased soil microbial biomass and activity, whereas amendment with the biochars had no significant effect. Also, biochar amendment had no significant effect on either net N mineralization or NO and CH emissions from soil. These results indicate that production of biochars at this high temperature eliminated potential substrates. Microbial biomass C in biochar-amended and unamended soils was not significantly different following additions of NHNO or glucose plus NHNO, suggesting that microbial access to otherwise labile C and N was not affected. This study shows that biochars produced at 700°C, regardless of feedstock source, do not enhance soil microbial biomass or activity.

A Comparison of the Quantity and Quality of Leachate Generated by Five Compost Feedstocks Exposed to Simulated Rainfall

A study of five compost feedstocks that have been proposed for use in composting animal carcasses was conducted in the fall of 2008. The purpose of the study was to compare the moisture retention and loss characteristics for the feedstocks by themselves when exposed to extreme rainfall events. It also included analyzing the leachate for a number of characteristics. The study is a prelude to a similar study that will collect data on leachate quantity and quality for one or more of the feedstocks when used to compost an animal carcass. An impervious collection platform was constructed to collect leachate generated by separate piles of various feedstocks, where each pile was exposed to 30 minutes of simulated rainfall (approximately 416 L total or the equivalent of a 25 year/24 hour rain event). Five compost feedstocks that may be used for animal carcass composting were tested: wood chips, a sawdust/shavings mix, leaf and yard waste, horse bedding, and immature sludge-derived compost. Three replicates of each feedstock (Trials 1-3) were constructed into small piles measuring 3 m in volume. Each pile received simulated rainfall twice over a seven-day period (on Day 1 and again on Day 7). Piles were covered by moisture impervious materials between simulated rainfall events. Individual leachate samples (100 ml) were collected at regular intervals during the simulated rainfall periods and were analyzed for: micro nutrients; total phosphorus; nitrate-nitrogen; ammonia-nitrogen; total nitrogen; pH; and conductivity. Total leachate volumes varied widely between the various feedstocks tested. Wood chips averaged the most generated leachate (145 L), whereas the sawdust/shavings mix yielded the least leachate (40 L). Municipal sludge compost and horse bedding recorded the highest levels of nitrate-nitrogen in the collected leachate, whereas horse bedding and municipal leaf and yard waste leachate recorded the highest levels of total phosphorus. However, a review of nutrient uptake capacities of vegetation in a grassed filter area, demonstrate that none of the leachate collected during this study would exceed the ability of a vegetated filter area to utilize both nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus.

Water Absorption Capacity of Flax and Pine Horse Beddings and Gaseous Concentrations in Bedded Stalls

It can be a challenge to find suitable horse bedding materials that provide higher moisture absorption, better animal comfort, greater fertilizer values, and improved indoor environment. Our first objective was to determine the water absorption capacity (WAC) of two bedding materials, flax shive (FS) and pine wood shavings (PWS), commonly used by equine facilities. The second objective was to measure ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations emitted from these bedded stall surfaces. In this study, the WAC of bedding materials were measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours in the laboratory. A total of eight horses were used for a 14-day study period. Of these, four horses (group-1) were bedded with FS and the other four (group-2) were bedded with PWS for week-1. In week-2, bedding materials were switched between the two groups. Ammonia and H2S were measured in situ. For GHG measurement, air samples (methane [CH4], carbon dioxide [CO2], and nitrous oxide [N2O]) were collected 152 mm above the bedded stall surface in Tedlar bags using a vacuum chamber and analyzed for GHG using a gas chromatograph. The WAC of FS was 56% greater than the PWS. There were no significant differences in NH3, H2S, CH4, CO2, and N2O concentrations between the two bedding materials (P > .05). Nutrient contents between fresh and soiled bedded samples for each bedding type were different (P < .05). Measured nutrient contents between fresh FS and PWS and bedded FS and PWS bedding materials were similar (P > .05).

Alternative methods for the control of gastrointestinal parasites in horses with a special focus on nematode predatory fungi: a review / Alternatywne metody kontroli pasożytów przewodu pokarmowego u koni ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem drapieżnych grzybów nicieniobójczych: artykuł przeglądowy

Abstract The paper describes a review of alternative methods of horse parasite control. Horses serve as hosts for a wide array of parasites, among which strongylid nematodes (Strongylidae) constitute considerable pathogens. Due to the short and monoxenous life cycle of these parasites and also the resistance to benzimidazole and other drugs, the control strategies are often ineffective. Thus, the treatment of strongylids constitutes a priority aiming at the improvement of animal welfare, with special attention paid to the stable and pasture organization. The treatment carried out in the stable should consider the frequent exchange of horse bedding at regular time intervals, periodic disinfection of stalls and maximum limitation of contact of feed and water with the stable substratum. An application of feed supplements, i.e. plants or plant extracts, which act as natural dewormers, also constitutes an important factor in the control of parasitic infections. Among the treatments applied to the pasture, the regular removal of waste, quarter pasturing, as well as an alternate pasturing with other animal species, are of special importance. The use of deworming properties of fungi, which constitute a natural component of green growth in pasture, seems to be the next method of nematode control, already confirmed by several studies.

Horse Manure and Bedding Disposal Practices, Variations and Magnitude

Horse Manure and Bedding Disposal Practices, Variations and Magnitude

Survey on control and management practices of equine helminthes infection

Twenty-nine stud farms were selected in the Medium Paraíba region of the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. After an interview with the person responsible for the animals, faecal samples were collected from mares and analyzed via the EPG technique, faecal cultures, Sedimentation-centrifugo-flotation, and modified Ueno and Baermann techniques. The prevalence of helminths in the mares and in the stud farms was calculated. The stocking rates of pasture, change of horse bedding, absence of pasture rotation, absence of technology in the property, and less frequent treatment of the animals were associated with a greater prevalence of helminths, showing that these variables must be considered in equine control programs. The intensity of the parasitism was also associated with the stocking rate of pasture, absence of dunghill, presence of the animals only in paddocks, lack of technology in the property, less frequent treatment of the animals, and absence of the use of rotation regarding the anthelmintic class.

Suitability of Composts as Potting Media for Production of Organic Vegetable Transplants

Composts, used alone or in mixtures with other materials, can serve as horticultural potting media in organic production systems. In this study, we evaluated the suitability of two locally available composts as media for lettuce and tatsoi produced organically in an unheated greenhouse. One of the composts was produced from food residuals with landscape wastes as a bulking agent, while the other was generated from used horse bedding. Although the two materials had relatively similar total N contents, C:N ratios, and bulk densities, they performed very differently as potting media. Net N mineralization, measured in laboratory incubations, was high in the compost derived from food residuals, but the horse-bedding compost showed net N immobilization, perhaps due to high salinity. Crop production in the food residuals compost was statistically similar to a control treatment consisting of a commercial peat-based potting medium with synthetic fertilizer. Crop growth in the medium consisting of horse-bedding compost, used at 100% or in a 50%/50% mixture with a commercial substrate of bark, peat, and sand, was unacceptable for commercial production. Although the cost per flat of the food residuals compost was slightly higher than that of the commercial peat-based medium, for organic production this additional cost may be insignificant since there are limited potting media options, and price premiums are typically available.

Compost Recipe Development and Weed Seed Viability Evaluation with Cranberry Leaves

A small-pile demonstration study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of composting cranberry leaves on commercial cranberry farms in Southeastern Massachusetts. The recipe ratios tested were: 20:0:0 (cranberry leaves only), 10:10:2, and 10:10:1 (leaves:horse manure and bedding:fish hydrolysate). Both mixed recipes generated thermophilic temperatures (between 43-66°C for at least 20 d), conditions known to destroy many plant pathogens and weed seeds. Analysis of leaf samples indicated that all three recipes were more acidic than most other types of compost (values below pH 6). Nitrogen levels were at or below the low-end (0.45-0.75% N) of the typical level seen with most compost (1% N). The final C:N ratios (22:1 to 38:1) were within the acceptable range for many uses. The mixed piles attained thermophilic temperatures for sufficient duration to prevent germination of the seven species of weeds tested. Leaf residue levels for eight common cranberry pesticides were also determined. The insecticide, chlorpyrifos, and the metabolite of the herbicide dichlobenil, BAM (2,6-dichlorobenzamide), were detected at levels below food tolerance and slightly above the food tolerance threshold, respectively. These levels were within a range that would allow the pursuit of commercial development of the compost since ingestion is not an anticipated end-product use. The data from this preliminary demonstration study would suggest that the composted product would be acceptable for use on-farm as well as for distribution to other off-farm sites, but additional replicated research studies are warranted.

Nitrogenase activity in composting horse bedding and leaves

To date little or no nitrogen fixation has been found in composting materials. However, some materials have high C:N ratios and thus might be expected to support nitrogen fixation. We examined windrows of composting horse bedding and leaves for nitrogenase activity via acetylene reduction and used carbon monoxide controls to differentiate ethylene evolved by nitrogenase from that evolved by endogenous processes. In both piles temperatures were substantially elevated and partial pressures of oxygen greatly reduced thus indicating vigorous microbial activity. In the horse bedding, there were only low rates of ethylene evolution and little of this was due to nitrogen fixation. In contrast, much higher rates of ethylene evolution were measured in the leaf pile and 94% of this was due to nitrogenase activity. We estimate that the leaf pile fixed approximately 0.062 mg N/g leaves during a 5-week period.

Detection of Emericella nidulans from bedding materials in horse breeding environment and its significance as a causative agent of guttural pouch mycosis in horses

Sixty-six new and used samples of horse bedding materials: 60 rice straws, 2 wheat straws, 2 timothy hays and 2 wood chips, were collected from horse breeding stables of 33 farms in Japan and examined for the presence of Emericella nidulans (E. nidulans; anam. Aspergillus nidulans). The incidence of E. nidulans in the bedding materials was 75.8% and there was no significant difference in detection of the fungus between the new and used materials (25 out of the 33 samples, respectively). The growth of E. nidulans isolated in sterilized rice straw culture was accelerated by the addition of water up to about Aw 0.94, which as determined to be the most favorable moisture content. The addition of 0.3% urea solution onto the sterilized rice straw culture also appeared to very effectively enhance its conidial and ascocarp formation. A significant influence of urea on conidial and ascocarp formation of E. nidulans isolates was confirmed by their cultures on a synthetic medium which had urea as the sole nitrogen. These results suggest that severe contamination of E. nidulans on new bedding materials can be hazardous and its proliferation can readily occur at the stable due to the enhancing effect of urine. This analysis is meaningful to elucidate a reservoir of E. nidulans as the causative agent of guttural pouch mycosis in horses.

A RECLAMATION APPROACH FOR MINED PRIME FARMLAND BY ADDING ORGANIC WASTES AND LIME TO THE SUBSOIL

Surface mined prime farmland may be reclaimed by adding organic wastes and lime to subsoil thus improving conditions in root zone. In this study, sewage sludge, poultry manure, horse bedding, and lime were applied to subsoil (15-30 cm) during reclamation. Soil properties and plant growth were measured over two years. All organic amendments tended to lower the subsoil bulk density and increase organic matter and total nitrogen. Liming raised exchangeable calcium, slightly increased pH, but decreased exchangeable magnesium and potassium. Corn ear-leaf and forage tissue nitrogen, yields, and nitrogen removal increased in treatments amended with sewage sludge and poultry manure, but not horse bedding. Subsoil application of sewage sludge or poultry manure seems like a promising method in the reclamation of surface mined prime farmland based on the improvements observed in the root zone environment.