What ONE thing do you hope your guests won't notice? The information that I found listed Dairy Cow manure at I thought the question was a legitimate one to ask, that being why people would choose to use one over the other. I think dchall was laughing more at the product--those cheap bags of manure are sometimes crap in more ways than one. There's really no way to tell the exact nutrient content of what is in those bags without sending it off to be tested.
Depends on age, what the cattle were fed, etc. As for eating it I wouldn't use it to top dress--worked into the soil the manure shouldn't contain anything harmful to people or plants. There are generally better sources of nutrients and organic matter out there, some of them even less expensive if not free. If this manure is the best you can obtain for now then get it.
Steers are generally fed a diet higher in grains than dairy cows are, so they put on weight fat faster, and that may account for the higher readings. Dairy cows are fed more roughage, grasses, because a lot of grain cuts into milk production. It is important to discuss the source of manure. Most packaged steer manure is from last-stage feedlots or slaughterhouse stockyards, while commercial cow manure tends to be from larger factory-type dairy farms.
This has a direct impact on the type of hormones and medications found in manure. Steer manure is going to have more of the steroid-type hormones in smaller quantities, while cow manure is going to have more estrogen-type hormones in higher amounts. If the manure is from factory-type farms then more of the synthetic hormone, rBGH, will be present. Cow manure might show more medications antibiotics, etc.
It used to be true that "steers are generally fed a diet higher in grains than dairy cows", but not necessarily now with the factory-type dairies. In fact, watch what your milk prices do now that ethanol is now pushing up the price of corn. The big reason cow manure is lower in nitrogen is because it is diverted into milk production in the cow. On the other hand, most of the "modern" cow manure is usually much higher in phosphorus. Moreover, it is next to impossible to separate the bedding materials from manure from smaller dairy farmer.
Most factory-type diaries do not use bedding; instead, they flush the manure with water into holding ponds and let it separate. Manure from these types of farms comes from the bottom of the ponds when they are drained. In the end, it probably doesn't matter all that much if we are talking about a few bags of commerical manure in a small vegetable garden on a city lot.
It ultimately is organic matter which is always a good addition to any garden. Thanks for the clarification on this. There's surprisingly little detailed info out there about how that poop finds its way to big box stores. I do use it when I amend for roses. They seem to thrive on the Black Cow product available at Lowes. I came upon this thread by searching "steer manure vs cow manure". I have a rock and sand backyard that I am slowly trying to amend.
Only steer manure is available in my local Lowes. I have added a few bags. Within a short time - I have seen earthworms in my garden. Just before I amend, I dig about 2 feet deep and I remove the rocks and boulders foothills of mountains. The sand is lifeless with not even one earthworm, but now in areas already amended, it is different.
I am pleased. Before eating root crops raw from manured soil, they should always wash the produce carefully and peel it. Leaf crops that contact the ground may also be trouble makers. Wash lettuce carefully. If you want still more protection, add a teaspoon of bleach to a gallon of water, soak the leaves for a minute and rinse.
When Ann and I were in the Peace Corps, we treated our lettuce this way routinely, knowing that growers in our host country sometimes used night soil. Q: I'm going to plant my vegetable garden four to six weeks from now. Should I apply fertilizer now so the ground will be fertile when I plant?
Or is it better to wait until planting time? A: Applying fertilizer during our rainy season practically guarantees some of the nutrients will leach or run off. I'd postpone the job until planting time.
Then I'd band the fertilizer. Banding is the placement of fertilizer under ground, below or to the side of seeds and transplants. Chris Smith is a longtime Kitsap County gardener. If you apply raw steer manure 6 to 12 months before planting, the risk of pathogens contaminating your vegetable garden is greatly reduced. As the manure dries, and is exposed to the elements, the bad bacteria die out.
The contaminates still could affect nearby water sources. If you do not have the time, the best way to keep your vegetable garden and water sources safe from dangerous pathogens is to use well-composted steer manure that is available from a local garden center or nursery.
The natural composting process raises the temperature of the manure high enough that the pathogens are killed, but the nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus remain. One pound of well-composted steer manure supplies enough nutrients to enrich about one square foot of garden space, says the University of California.
If your garden measures by feet, you would need pounds of dried steer manure for your vegetable garden. Related Articles. The Advantages of Cow Manure. Dairy Cow Manure Nutrients Dairy cow manure is among the top choices as an organic fertilizer. Steer Manure Nutrients Although steer manure contains similar levels of nutrients with an N-P-K ratio of , it has a slightly higher nitrogen content.
Feeding Differences Dairy cows and steers are both cattle with the potential to produce manure with the same composition, but they are fed differently. Using Cow and Steer Manure Cow and steer manure -- if you're not worried about increased salt levels in the soil -- serve as all-purpose fertilizers and soil amendments.
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