Advantages and Disadvantages of Composting Manure

Why compost manure?  Manure is nutrient rich as it is, but must be applied to organic fields at least 120 days before planting.  Other reasons to compost manure are below. 

Advantages

• Concentrates Nutrients
• Easier to transport
• Composting Kills Parasites
• Usable in organic systems.
• Usable on land where food is grown for direct human consumption
• Kills weed seeds 
• No odor when spread

Disadvantages

• Loses about half the available nitrogen
• Releases greenhouse gases
• Need to have a composting area
• Need to control rainfall runoff from the composting area
• Difficult to do with liquid manure
• Some manures might need a carbon source

University of Minnesota gives some good information on using compost and manure.  It is a good idea to test manure or compost before applying so that you know what nutrients you have.