Farmers' Secret Weapon: Manure Fertilizer

0:00It's April 22nd, welcome in. This is Hartford News today, where local news meets AI, I'm Corey, with the story. If you live near a Connecticut farm, brace for that strong manure smell this summer. Farmers are spreading it as their go-to fertilizer to nourish crops and keep operations running. May from cow, horse, or chicken waste mixed with bedding, it's aged or composted to add natural nutrients to the soil, way better than pricey. Six stuff from factories, prices for chemical fertilizers have skyrocketed lately, jumping from $500 to over $860 per ton. That's thanks to global shipping issues tied to the war in Iran earlier this year, hitting key routes hard, big operations like Oak Ridge Dairy, Connecticut's largest, with nearly 3,000 cows across 600 acres, lean heavy or manure to dodge. Those costs, it'll run them over $1 million a year otherwise. Farmers swear by it for healthier, greener crops that last longer and need just one application

1:03per year, unlike chemicals that wash away fast. Guys at Hayes Farm in Rocky Hill say their grass-fed beef and other goods thrive on it, and any initial stink fades after a few days or the first. Rain. They process manure right too, composting it three to twelve months until it's dark, crumbly, and earth scented, hitting temps up to 140. These Fahrenheit to kill off pathogens. Sure, both manure and fertilizers can harm waterways if mishandled, but done properly, manure builds soil health without the runoff or emissions. In the end, this natural boost keeps farms sustainable, feeding communities without breaking the bank or the planet.