[Community_garden] Herbicide in Manure

[Mike McGrath]

I'll betcha that's the one that hit that University greenhouse.
                                    ---McG

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Burrows, Rhoda" <Rhoda.Burrows at SDSTATE.EDU>
To: <gordonse at one.net>; <community_garden at list.communitygarden.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2007 10:53 AM
Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Herbicide in Manure


> One of the herbicides you want to watch for in pastures is clopyralid.  It 
> is not in the grain, but could be on the grass as it is used to control 
> thistles and woody plants in pastures. Clopyralid will survive the 
> composting process; Calif. & Wash. banned its use on lawns because it was 
> showing up in city composts; and is active at a very low concentration.
>
> Rhoda Burrows, PhD
> Extension Horticulture Specialist
> Box 2140A; 255A NPB
> South Dakota State University
> 605-688-4731 voice
> rhoda.burrows at sdstate.edu
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: community_garden-bounces at list.communitygarden.org on behalf of 
> gordonse at one.net
> Sent: Fri 4/27/2007 12:42 PM
> To: community_garden at list.communitygarden.org
> Subject: [Community_garden] Herbicide in Manure
>
> We have a tricky situation here and would appreciate any advice.
>
> Our gardens have access to a horse manure source again.  In the past we
> have read of animals being fed herbicide treated gmo grains as part of
> their diet.  The herbicide on the grains makes it through the animal and
> into the manure.  The herbicide also survives the usual composting
> process.
>
> We  would like to use the composted horse manure if we can, so we asked
> the horse farm if there are gmo grains in the grain blend they feed their
> horses as a treat.  (Horses are mostly on pasture.)  The horse farm didn't
> know, but gave me the name of their supplier.  The supplier didn't know
> and said they would have the people that blended their horse feed mix call
> me.  In the meanwhile we have waited two more weeks for an answer.  (Will
> follow up as necessary.)
>
> Here I should probably note that we have a mix of gardeners on the
> gardening organic spectrum.  Many won't be using the composted manure
> since it's not organic.  Others will use it if it "just" has pesticide
> residue and not herbicide residue as they spray their own garden food with
> pesticide.  Some don't mind the herbicide if it's no longer active as they
> spray herbicides on their own food gardens.  However no one wants to use
> it on their food beds or rows if it still contains some active herbicides.
>
> If we can't get an answer or it turns out that there is gmo feed in the
> mix, we have several questions:
> 1) Is there a likely state group who can test for herbicides in the manure
> for free or frugally?  (Have already asked master gardeners and they
> didn't know)
> 2) Is there a national testing service that is good and frugal?
> 3) Is there a canary type test we could use in the garden such as growing
> a highly sensitive plant in a mix of our soil and the composted manure?
> If so what soil-manure ratio should we use and which annual vegetable
> plants are the most sensitive to the herbicides?
> 4) If it does contain active herbicide residue, how much additional or
> total composting time is it likely to take to break down all the
> herbicide?
>
> Sharon
> gordonse at one.net
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of 
> ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and 
> to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
>
> To post an e-mail to the list:  community_garden at list.communitygarden.org
>
> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: 
> http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
>
> -------------- next part --------------
> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
> URL: 
> http://list.communitygarden.org/pipermail/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org/attachments/20070429/b98307c0/attachment.html
> _______________________________________________
> The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of 
> ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and 
> to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
>
> To post an e-mail to the list:  community_garden at list.communitygarden.org
>
> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: 
> http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
>
>