Today we will focus on one of the best manures for use as fertilizerSheep manure. We'll analyze its benefits, what it does for the soil and plants, as well as the preparation processes and correct methods of application in horticulture and gardening.
Why choose sheep manure as organic fertilizer?
El sheep manure It enjoys an excellent reputation among organic fertilizers for its balanced composition in essential nutrients, its low moisture content, and its great ability to improve soil structure and promote microbial life. It's also one of the least aggressive natural fertilizers, ideal for adapting to different types of soils and crops.
The use of properly treated manure It is essential for soil nutrition and, by extension, for plants. Most of the organic matter contributed to soils comes from compost, various mulches, and, especially, processed animal manure.
Can sheep manure be applied directly?
A common mistake is to think that the Manure can be applied fresh directly to the orchard or garden. However, direct application is never recommendedFresh manure is biochemically unstable, may have a pH that is too high or too low and, above all, high levels of ammonia nitrogen which can burn plant roots and negatively affect crop development.
The solution involves a process of maturation, composting or stabilization, either alone or mixed with other plant materials. In this way, we transform manure into a stable and safe fertilizer for plants, eliminating the risk of phytotoxicity and improving its use as fertilizer.
When collecting manure from domestic animals such as sheep and goats, it is usually mixed with straw beds, which is beneficial for the composting process: it provides aeration and helps reduce unwanted fermentations that can generate toxic compounds or nutrient loss.
The seed problem and how to solve it
One of the Main reasons to compost or ferment manure It is the high presence of adventitious seeds from sheep feed, which often graze in rugged areas and consume a wide variety of plant species. Many seeds survive the digestive process and, if fresh manure is applied, will germinate easily in fertile soil, competing with desired crops.
El proper composting It allows reaching temperatures high enough to eliminate the viability of most of these seeds, thus ensuring a safe supply of organic matter without the risk of weed proliferation.
Is sheep manure the best fertilizer?
Compared to other animal manures, sheep and goat manure is usually of the most balanced and less acidic, even slightly basic. This favors its use in a wide range of soils and crops. Furthermore, it generally contains less nitrogen than cow or chicken manure, which reduces the risk of nitrate contamination and facilitates better fertilization control.
La C/N ratio (carbon/nitrogen) of sheep manure is usually low, around 14-15, when the ideal for a good compost is between 20 and 25. This allows applying a larger quantity of fertilizer without fear of exceeding the legal nitrogen limits, also providing significant doses of potassium and phosphorus. You can also check the properties of horse manure to better understand the differences between manures.
Nutritional analysis of sheep manure
The fertilizing value of sheep manure is observed in its complete nutritional analysis:
| Humidity (%) | 38,5 |
| pH | 8,51 |
| Electrical conductivity (dS m-1h) | 11,33 |
| Organic matter (%) | 45,6 |
| Lignin (%) | 21,1 |
| Cellulose(%) | 11,4 |
| Hemicellulose (%) | 11 |
| Total organic carbon (TOC, %) | 25,2 |
| Total nitrogen (NT, g kg-1) | 17,7 |
| Ammonium (NH4+, mg kg-1) | 889 |
| Nitrate (NO3-, mg kg-1) | 520 |
| Nitrite (NO2-, mg kg-1) | nd |
| C/N ratio | 14,3 |
| Fat content (%) | 0,5 |
| Water-soluble carbohydrates (%) | 0,4 |
| Water-soluble polyphenols (%) | 0,3 |
| Water-soluble carbon (COH, %) | 3,5 |
| Phosphorus (P, g kg-1) | 2,2 |
| Potassium (K, g kg-1) | 16,5 |
| Calcium (Ca, g kg-1) | 100,9 |
| Magnesium (Mg, g kg-1) | 18,7 |
| Sodium (Na, g kg-1) | 3,9 |
| Sulfur (S, g kg-1) | 3,2 |
| Iron (Fe, mg kg-1) | 4139 |
| Copper (Cu, mg kg-1) | 51 |
| Manganese (Mn, mg kg-1) | 226 |
| Zinc (Zn, mg kg-1) | 185 |
| Lead (Pb, mg kg-1) | 12 |
| Chromium (Cr, mg kg-1) | 19 |
| Nickel (Ni, mg kg-1) | 25 |
| Cadmium (Cd, mg kg-1) | nd |
Properly treated sheep manure It is an excellent slow-release fertilizer, with less odor than others even when fresh, and barely perceptible after composting.
How to compost or stabilize sheep manure
There are two main methods for preparation of sheep manure:
- If only manure mixed with straw is available, it is left ripening in a heapThe process raises the internal temperature and ensures proper decomposition.
- In compost piles, it can be mixed with plant remains such as grass clippings or tender prunings, increasing the richness of the resulting compost.
Commercial presentation and formats of sheep manure
Sheep manure can be found, in addition to bulk, in granulated or pelletized formatThis presentation facilitates storage, transportation, and application to all types of crops, while also ensuring greater product consistency and the absence of weed seeds.
For example, sheep manure pellets are usually certified as organic, be rich in humic and fulvic acids, and guarantee the absence of harmful phytopathogens. They can also be enriched with microorganisms of agronomic interest, algae and amino acids for further improve plant development.
Usual composition of sheep pellet manure
- Humic acids: 6%
- Total nitrogen: 3% (organic N 2,5%)
- Phosphorus: 3%
- Potassium: 1%
- Organic carbon: 28,5%
- Iron: 1%
- C/N ratio: 11,4
- pH: 6
- Maximum humidity: 10-14%
- Presence of Ca, Mg, S, Mn and Zn
- Poor in chlorides
- Enriched with algae and amino acids
These fertilizers offer a balanced and easy-to-handle composition, suitable for all types of crops, with highly effective in the slow release of nutrients.
Benefits of organic sheep manure
- Lower cost against chemical fertilizers
- Easy application and transport
- Contribution of quality organic matter
- High coefficient of transformation to humus
- Improves oxygenation and microbial activity in the soil
- Facilitates the absorption and mobilization of nutrients
- Boosts plant growth and plant health
- Improves the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the soil
Recommended doses according to the crop
- Citrus and fruit trees: 3.500-6.000 kg/ha
- Strawberries and vegetables: 4.000-6.000 kg/ha
- Corn: 2.000-4.000 kg/ha
- Olive and vine: 3.500-4.000 kg/ha
- Tropical crops: 3.800-6.000 kg/ha
- Almond: 2-3 kg/tree
- Olive: 5-10 kg/tree
- Vineyard: 0,75-3 kg/vine (depending on type)
- Field crops: 300-800 kg/ha (cereals), 2,5-4 t/ha (potato, melon, watermelon, strawberry)
- Turf: 50-100 g/m2
It is essential to apply manure before planting or during the vegetative rest period to ensure proper incorporation and utilization of nutrients.
Comparison with other manures: advantages and limitations
Horse manure: It is moderate in nutrients, ideal for improving the structure of eroded soils, although it should be supplemented with worm humus for a better nutrient balance.
Cow dung: Traditionally widely used as compost, but low in nitrogen and especially useful for mulching in cold climates.
Chicken manure: Rich in nitrogen, but very acidic and must be handled with caution to avoid damage from excess nutrients, especially in calcareous soils.
Rabbit manure: High acidity and nutrient concentration, it must ferment for a few months before being applied.
Guano: Highly concentrated in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, excellent for growth phases, although it must also be dosed carefully to avoid excesses.
Extra tips for using sheep manure
- The quality of manure depends on the feeding and handling of the animal. Better if it comes from sheep that graze freely in varied pastures.
- El smell of manure sheep's is smaller and more bearable than that of other animals, especially after composting.
- The composting process raises the temperature and helps eliminate seeds and pathogens.
- The humus resulting from the fertilizer increases the cation exchange capacity, reduces nutrient leaching and improves the profitability of the fertilizer.
Applying sheep manure responsibly and properly prepared transforms the soil, boosts plant health, and promotes a more natural and sustainable environment. Organic fertilizers like sheep manure are a safe bet for those seeking quality, balance, and respect for the environment, helping crops and gardens flourish.