Compost and raw manure look similar from the tractor seat. They don’t spread the same. Compost is finer, drier and denser in nutrients per load in some cases. Raw manure is lumpy and wet. Set the spreader the same for both and one will be wrong.
How they differ
Raw solid manure:
- Wetter and lumpier.
- Straw and bedding in it.
- Nutrients vary a lot.
Compost:
- Finer and more uniform.
- Usually drier.
- Often more stable nutrients.
- Lighter per cubic metre in many cases, so loads hold more volume.
Settings that change
- Floor chain speed. Compost often flows more easily, so you may need slower floor speed for the same rate.
- Ground speed. Adjust to hit the target rate.
- Beater speed. Fine material can drift in wind, so watch spread width.
- Door or gate. If your spreader has one, it can control flow.
Calibrate both
Calibrate separately for compost and raw manure. Rates and widths will differ.
Machine choice
- Rear discharge with vertical beaters: handles both well across open fields.
- Side discharge: handles wet raw manure and lumps well.
- Spinner or box spreaders: often used for fine compost.
Wind and drift
Compost is fine and light. Spread when it’s calm. Watch near roads, houses and waterways.
Nutrient testing
Test both materials. Compost nutrient availability differs from raw manure. Use test results to set your rate.
How compost differs
Compost is drier, finer and more even than raw manure. It flows more easily and spreads wider. Raw manure is lumpier, wetter and often has bedding in it.
Settings for compost
- Lower floor speed, because it flows easily.
- Watch the spread width, it can go wider.
- Calibrate, rates can be quite different from manure.
Settings for raw manure
- Higher floor speed may be needed.
- Beaters need to break up lumps.
- Watch for bedding wrapping.
Rates
Compost often has nutrients in a different balance than raw manure. Test both. Your rate for compost may be lower or higher than for raw manure depending on what you’re trying to supply.
Dust and wind
Dry compost can blow. Spread in calm conditions and watch drift, especially near roads and houses.
Cleaning
Raw manure is more corrosive. Wash out after use. Compost is easier but still clean regularly.
Same spreader for both
Many spreaders handle both. Just adjust settings and calibrate for each.
Quick questions
Do I need a different spreader for compost? Usually not. Adjust settings and calibrate.
Is compost lower in nutrients? It varies. Test both.
Should compost be incorporated? It depends on your system and rules. Ask your advisor.
From the show floor
Folks often think compost will spread just like manure. It’s lighter and flows more freely, so it goes on heavier than you expect if you don’t slow the floor down. Calibrate the first load.
A simple routine
- Test the compost.
- Set the floor slow.
- Spread a load and measure the area.
- Work out the rate and adjust.
- Record settings for next time.
Moisture changes everything
Wet compost acts like manure. Dry compost acts like powder. Check moisture before each spreading day and change settings to suit.
The short version
Compost flows freely and goes on heavier than you expect. Raw manure is lumpier and needs the beaters to work. Same spreader can do both, but the settings are different, and both need a quick calibration whenever the material changes. Test both for nutrients so the rate means something. Keep the settings on a card in the cab, and you won’t be starting from scratch next season.
Quick questions
Does compost blow more? Dry compost can. Spread in calm weather.
Will compost clog the beaters? Rarely. Wet raw manure with bedding is more likely to wrap.
Can I blend compost and manure? You can, but test the blend and calibrate.
Do I need a cover for road travel? For dry compost, a cover or careful loading stops spills and dust.
Our range
LEO rear discharge spreaders handle a range of materials, and side discharge machines suit wetter manure. Ask your dealer about setup for compost.
Bottom line? Different material, different settings. Calibrate both.
