Would compost reduce the parasitic transmission potential of stable waste?
Strongyles are the most abundant roundworm found in horses and ponies. Three previous studies have shown that temperatures above 45oC adversely affect strongyles eggs hatchability and larval survival. HCBC Study showed that there was a significant reduction of larvae 56 days after the start of composting. In the present study, the temperature in all piles reached values higher than 45oC, and lasted close to three weeks. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that composting is likely to reduce the parasitic transmission potential of stable waste. Acknowledgment Most of the contents of this factsheet were taken from the report on the Composting of Stable Waste, a project was funded by the British Columbia Agriculture Environment Partner Initiative, BC Agriculture Council. This document was reviewed by Geoff Hughes-Game, BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.
