Value of manure?

[hunter63]

This seems like a dumb question, but does anyone know what the real value of munure is besides getting it out of the barn.

Seems to me that most of the nutrients would have been taken out during digestion.
So what is left?

[leelanauferg]

I'm no expert but I think it has alot of nitrogen. I filled my raised beds with mostly rotten horse manure last season, and applied >nothing< to the soil for the whole growing season and everything went like gangbusters.

[jeanette]

manures are also an excelent source of Micronutrients;including zinc, boron, iron, and copper..
Not only does manure supply nutrients, it helps hold them in the soil.
Do not put manure from dogs, cats, and pigs in your food garden. They can carry disease organisms and parasites that can be transmitted to humans. Other precautions must also be taken to use livestock manure safely.

[mckenzygirl]

When we first moved to our homestead five years ago, the lawn (grass) looked dead.
Then we got chickens, geese, and muscovy ducks.
Our lawn is so green now it's looks like we have a lawn care service.

(Of course , you have to watch your step around here!)

[GrannyG]

Believe it or not, years ago, (in the old days ), if you got a thorn in the foot, fresh green cow manure was put on it as a poltus, and a rag tied on it, was supposed to draw the thorn and the poison out. Guess that's why my grandpa always told me I was full of it.

[hunter63]

I've heard of that also, from a guy from England. They used it to draw out a what he called, "a nine headed carbunkle"??
Maybe he was full of it also.
Anyway,the logic was that lifted the tar out of the road.
Guess I'll pass.

[digger48]

My mother had a infection her toe. She was in her 80's and diebetic. Dr had tried differtent meds but not good results. So mother asked my wife to go and visit a lady and get fresh cow manure. This has to be nonmedicated cattle. Well wife went for two weeks and got fresh manure and soaked mothers foot in it daily. After she went to the doctor and he was toatally amazed the infection was down to a ballpointpen mark. He fianally asked them what they did to get the infection down. My mother smiled and told him. He said he had heard of it but never had seen it work. It was messy but saved her leg.

[crazy1]

I've been told that if you have athletes foot to walk around in manure and let it dry then wash it off. It supposadly works.
As to its bennifit to the ground, most of the protien is digested or removed from the feed,while some of the nutrients pass through the system. These nutrients are already begining to be broke down. Which makes them more accessable to plants.
Hope this gives you some understanding of how it works.

[Pharmer Phil]

I added a chart with the nutrient content (average) of the most common manures above, the action of most of these are complimented by the good they do for your soils microbial activity. It stands to reson that what would heal your sick body parts, would also heal your soils short comings!

[Compost Pharmer]

Thanks Phil for posting the two charts.

[hunter63]

Phil, thanks for the charts, I guess this is what I was looking for when I first posted the question.
And thanks to all for the input.