the mass is mixed again, this time with water. Water makes the chicken manure too sticky, so it forms lumps. Obviously, sticky lumps of chicken manure are more difficult to mix properly. The first day in particular, when the chicken manure is still dry, is when the best mixing quality can be achieved - and not the following days when the chicken manure has already attached to the straw. Mixing the windrows daily for five days with a compost turner creates more homogeneity and introduces extra oxygen into the compost, because precisely at this very early stage of the process the bacteria consume very high levels of oxygen. Some water can be added if necessary each time the windrow is turned. Many people worry that the compost structure will be dama- ged too much by this frequent mixing in the first five days, but that worry is unfounded as nor- mally the straw is still relatively hard at this early stage so there is less risk of it being chopped into small pieces. However, this is dependent on the quality and structure of the straw, as well as on how ‘roughly’ the turner handles the materials. The ideal situation is a machine that mixes well but handles the materials gently enough. The paddles or rods on the drum, and the rotational speed of the drum and spinner, plus the speed of travel of the machine, have a big influence how roughly the materials are lifted and turned.
After the first five days
After these first five days, it is important to mix the windrows every two days to allow the com- post temperature to rise above 75 degrees Celsius for the best composting results. If the windrow has been mixed properly at the start of the pro- cess, the temperature will rise to above 80 degrees at the centre of the windrow. Two days after mixing with the turner, the temperature in the windrow will drop again (usually due to lack of moisture and/or oxygen). Now mechanical mixing is necessary again, and some water can be added needed. The total duration of a good windrow composting process greatly depends on which raw materials are used, with an important role played by the initial hardness of the raw materials. It goes without saying that the quality (effectiveness) of the process also has an influence. A general gui- deline for windrow composting is 15 to 20 days after adding chicken manure.
For companies that compost in windrows, it is important to form the windrows using a hopper (see photo) if possible so you can create an airy and homogenous pile.
The human factor To return to the question of whether making equally good quality compost in windrows or on aerated floors is possible. Well, much depends on
the people in charge of managing compost pro- duction. It is essential to pay attention to the details throughout the process, such as very good water management, especially if rain is predic- ted. In addition, things like perfect mixing and a good compost turning schedule with the right turning machines (here too the quality differs) are extremely important for the end results The quality and continuity of windrow composting is more susceptible to fluctuating conditions than modern aeration systems, and logically more dependent on weather conditions. It's also wise to remember that mistakes can still be made even with the most modern aeration systems, and the results also depend on human factors. Having said that, it is still astonishing that such good results can be achieved using the windrow composting system in the USA!
The mixing drums of a compost turner can be seen well here.
Forming windrows with a hopper is preferable. MUSHROOM BUSINESS 65
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
