Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

livingontheland - [Livingontheland] Human Pathogens From Livestock Manures

livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Healthy soil and sustainable growing

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@gilanet.com>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] Human Pathogens From Livestock Manures
  • Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 15:22:10 -0700

Dear colleagues,

Manure has been used as a fertilizer since at least 2,300BC, compost has
been used since at least Greek and Roman times. The USDA¹s current National
Organic Program (NOP) standards create particular challenges for producers
who are integrating crop production with livestock production or the use of
livestock manure. For many growers the 90-120 pre-harvest intervals for raw
manure and the composting standards contained in the NOP are a departure
from the manure management techniques they have relied upon for decades, and
one that has driven some farmers to either abandon the use of manure or
abandon the organic certification process.

Oregon Tilth, Inc. (a long standing organic certification agency) and Oregon
State University Extension co-sponsored a National Summit on the management
of human pathogens from livestock manure on June 30, 2003. More than 80
participants represented organic growers, organic dairy operators, compost
tea makers, compost facility operators, vermicomposters, organic
certification agencies, government agencies, scientists, consultants,
extension agents and educators. Discussions addressed food safety and
agricultural concerns associated with manures in relation to the current
National Organic Standards. The proceedings are available on Oregon Tilth¹s
website at www.tilth.org (look under publications for ³pathogen summit²).

After introductions, producers described on farm practices. Wali David Via,
a biodynamic farmer and composter, described how following the organic rule
in the wet spring of 2003 decreased soil health, caused extra expense and
delayed planting. He further stated that farmers will tolerate rules that
are based on sound science combined with principles observed in the field,
but will not tolerate rules that are unsound and would abandon certification
to explore other alternatives.

Brian Baker from OMRI described the evolution of organic standards and other
researchers addressed pathogen management in raw manure, compost,
vermicompost, compost tea and food safety during post harvest handling.

After the speaker¹s presentations all participants joined focus groups that
dealt with manure, processed manure, compost, vermicompost, or compost tea.
Groups worked on:
* Education: opportunities for educating operators, regulators and the
public on compliant practices and safe, holistic food systems
* Standards: identifying standards that are flexible enough to address
traditional and innovative procedures, and
* Research: identifying key areas for future research.
Each focus group selected an individual to present their findings to the
summit. Findings were transcribed and edited for the proceedings.

The current issue of Biocycle includes an article titled ³Pathogens, Manure
and Composting² that discusses related issues and describes the summit.
Findings from the summit will be presented at the West Coast Biocycle
Conference in Portland, OR from March 15-17 (registration information is at
www.biocycle.net).

Thanks for your interest,

Nick Andrews
Oregon Tilth, Inc.
470 Lancaster Drive NE
Salem, OR 97301
office: 503 378 0690
cell: 503 539 4497

Oregon Tilth, Inc. is an education and research organization,
the purpose of which is to support and promote biologically sound and
socially equitable agriculture,
as well as other related purposes of §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code.



_______________________________________________
Compost maillist - Compost@compostingcouncil.org

This list is a service provided by the US Composting Council.


This Month's USCC List Sponsor is BioCycle's 20th West Coast Conference:
COMPOSTING/ORGANICS RECYCLING in Portland, Oregon, March 15,
16, 17, 2004. Visit http://www.jgpress.com/Conferences/wc2004/main.html for
complete agenda, and to register. Or call 610-967-4135, ext. 21 for more
information.


Food Industry Environmental Network (FIEN), a regulatory and policy e-mail
alert service for environmental, food and agricultural industry professionals.
Contact Jack Cooper 301/384-8287 JLC@fien.com --- www.fien.com

Renewable Carbon Management, LLC with the containerized, in-vessel NaturTech
Composting System www.composter.com rcm@composter.com

(c) Copyright 2003 United States Composting Council - All rights reserved
Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the USCC, the Foundation or
Board of Directors.

Non-members of USCC are encouraged to join the Council through our website
at: http://www.compostingcouncil.org/membership.cfm For discussion list
policies and information regarding subscribing, unsubscribing, digest or
other options, go to:http://mailman.cloudnet.com/mailman/listinfo/compost

For additional help in unsubscribing or to report bugs and problems, send a
message to the List Manager, Jim McNelly, at jim@composter.com




  • [Livingontheland] Human Pathogens From Livestock Manures, Tradingpost, 02/27/2004

Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page