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  Nick Steele June 21, 2008 at 9:13am

  I don't think asking questions about the manure's history is going to be sufficient safeguard - its all but impossible to trace back where the straw/hay/silage came from, and even if you could, the farmer is unlikely to have records, or be willing to reveal them if he has, on what chemicals he's used and when. There is also very little hard evidence in the public domain as far as I can see on exactly how persisitent these chemicals are - I've seen half life estimates ranging from 20 days, to five years !
  
  My recommendation would be NOT to use manures in a professional capacity - use at your own risk on your own plot by all means, but it sounds like far too big a risk to me to be putting the stuff on clients gardens.
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  Phil Voice June 21, 2008 at 9:24am

  I agree Nick that it will be difficult but a little forensic activity should be able to trace the straw movements to the farmer who sold/gave away the manure.
  
  I can see this having further implications from worried environmentalists who might question the practice of re-introducing natural waste back to the soil.
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  Francoise Murat July 1, 2008 at 8:54am

  I live in a rural area, surrounded by farms. All of them use pesticides- except for some organic farms. Mostly older generation and they all think using no pesticides is crazy. Different generation and different beliefs. I get my manure from the organic farm, BUT...remember there is a run off from other farms, we live in a hilly area, so who's to say one does not contaminate the other???
  My plants so far have not suffered - but then I also use a lot horse manure, and the owners usually leave the horses to do their stuff with no added nasties.
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  Phil Voice July 13, 2008 at 9:08pm

  Replies for this discussion are now closed - please visit the new thread https://landscapejuice.ning.com/forum/topic/show?id=2074886%3ATopic%...