The appeal of composting manure and bedding was a no-brainer for Julie Stock. As a lifelong horsewoman, she understands the impact of horse-related waste materials on both the land and the pocketbook.
When Julie and her husband Christian bought their Callie Hill Farm in Cynthiana, KY in 2020, implementing a manageable and effective composting system was a top priority.
Their private farm is home to Julie’s retired 25-year-old mare and two donkeys, as well as her two dressage partners, Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred geldings.
They are all lucky enough to live out on pasture most of the year. In winter and in inclement weather, however, the mare and the donkeys have access to stalls in the barn, and the Stocks wanted an environmentally responsible manure management approach. (Julie’s dressage horses are boarded out nearby for the winter.)
Flax Flopped as Compost
“We used wood shavings when we started out,” Julie shares. “We then went to flax bedding, which was supposed to be highly compostable. However, it was slippery and made of very thin pieces. It stayed intact and did not allow air to get in and circulate, so it did not compost well at all. We tried all the different things to get air in there, but it still compacted so tightly that it didn’t work.”
The Stocks switched to Airlite Cardboard Bedding about five years ago and haven’t looked back. “We were looking for something lighter, that allows air to circulate, and that breaks down faster.”
Made of pre-consumer cardboard, Airlite ticks all those boxes.
Pre-Consumer Cardboard Pluses
There are several reasons that pre-consumer cardboard makes excellent compost material.
- High Carbon Content: Cardboard is rich in carbon, making it a “brown” material that helps balance nitrogen-rich inputs like food scraps or manure. Achieving the right carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is crucial for efficient composting.
- Improved Aeration and Structure: Shredded or cut into small pieces, cardboard adds bulk and structure to the compost pile. This improved texture helps prevent compaction, allowing air to circulate. Circulating air supports the microbes that break down organic matter.
- Moisture Regulation: Cardboard can absorb excess moisture if compost is too wet, which helps maintain the ideal moisture level. A balanced moisture content (about the consistency of a wrung-out sponge) is essential for aerobic decomposition and for preventing unpleasant odors.
- Cleaner Material: Pre-consumer cardboard is typically free from contaminants—like food residue, inks and chemical treatments—that are found in post-consumer cardboard. This purity ensures that unwanted chemicals or substances don’t end up in the compost, making it safer for garden and farm use.
- Faster Decomposition: When properly shredded and mixed into the compost pile, pre-consumer cardboard tends to break down efficiently, contributing to the overall organic matter without lingering for too long.
How They Compost
Callie Hill’s composting system is simple. Manure and soiled bedding are removed to one of two side-by-side composting bins. Because of weather and other circumstances, the Stocks can’t always “flip” the material to aerate it as often as they’d like to.
When the Stocks are able to turn the material, the volume decreases faster than it would if it were less frequently stirred. But even with intermittent mixing, the end product is ideal.
“It turns into beautiful black humus that we can spread on our fields and use in the garden,” Julie reports. They are also very happy they don’t need to depend on using a commercial dumpster service to remove the material. “And it’s kinda cool to see the material ‘cook’ in cold weather!”
Airlite’s pH-neutral characteristic supports the healthy nutrients in the soil, resulting in green, healthy grass and fields.
Composting is a money saver, too. The only cost of composting is a little forethought to design a system and the minimal labor involved in turning the material. Composting also reduces fuel use and emissions involved in transporting waste off the property.
At Callie Hill Farm, Airlite Cardboard Bedding helps the Stocks meet their goals for the health of their animals, their land and their peace of mind.
