According to a recent article published on The Poultry Site, the importance of time in manure treatment cannot be overstated. As farmers seek sustainable waste management solutions, understanding why time matters in composting could be the difference between success and failure.

By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming

More Than Just Waste Management

The Poultry Site emphasises that “composting manure is more than just waste management but also nature’s way of recycling organic material into something useful and safe”. This perspective is particularly relevant for South African agricultural operations, where efficient resource utilisation is crucial.

As reported by The Poultry Site, the key to successful composting lies in allowing sufficient time for the process to complete properly. Without adequate time, farmers risk producing an unstable product that could harm rather than benefit their soil.

Understanding the Aerobic Composting Process

The Poultry Site describes aerobic composting as “a controlled biological process in which manure is broken down by aerobic bacteria in the presence of oxygen”. For South African farmers, this process offers multiple benefits when managed correctly. It preserves essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, while making these nutrients more available to plants. The process also sanitises manure by destroying pathogens and parasites, and improves soil structure and long-term fertility.

The Three-stage Process

According to The Poultry Site’s breakdown of the composting timeline, the process begins when fresh manure under aerobic conditions sees temperatures rise to 40°C to 45°C as microorganisms decompose simple compounds like sugars and proteins. The process then enters a high-heat phase where temperatures reach 55°C to 70°C, which The Poultry Site notes is crucial, as it destroys pathogens, parasite eggs and weed seeds while breaking down complex fibres. Finally, during the maturation stage, the material cools and stabilises, becoming what The Poultry Site describes as “safe to use, rich in beneficial microflora, and an asset to both soil and crops”.

The Dangers of Rushing the Process

The Poultry Site warns of significant risks when using immature compost. Their research indicates that immature compost can still contain high levels of sugars and easily degradable organic matter. When applied to soil, this creates competition between soil bacteria and crops for available nitrogen, potentially leading to nitrogen deficiency in plants, slower crop growth, reduced yields and loss of intended benefits.

Additionally, The Poultry Site notes that incorrectly processed manure may accumulate toxic nitrite (NO₂⁻), while proper aerobic composting transforms nitrogen into the stable, plant-available nitrate (NO₃⁻) form.

Also read: How pigs and chickens complete the regenerative cycle at Tlhokomela Mobu Farm

Why South African Farmers Must Prioritise Time

Drawing from The Poultry Site’s expertise, it’s clear that time isn’t optional in composting – it’s fundamental. Only with sufficient time can manure properly progress through heating, pathogen destruction, fibre breakdown and gradual maturation stages.

For South African agricultural operations, this patience ensures that the final product is stable, safe and nutrient-rich, with nitrogen in a form that plants can absorb efficiently without causing soil complications.

Proven Solutions for South African Conditions

The Poultry Site highlights how companies like Kohshin Engineering have developed reliable composting solutions used across more than 40 countries, including regions with challenging winter conditions similar to parts of South Africa. Their automated approach minimises manual labour while helping farmers save space and achieve consistent results.

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