We love our Mountain Doo
Mountain Doo farm style! The feeding sheds are cleaned out, and the manure bedding mix is stacked so the pile can breakdown and be ready for use next year. I didn’t re-size this photo, click to enlarge to see the King of the Mountain.
While the dogs see this as a place to play and survey their domain, we see it as a way to enhance the fertility of our pastures and gardens. Instead of buying fertilizer as an input, we buy straw for the carbon part of our composting. The straw keeps the cows comfortable in the winter, and ties down the nitrogen in the manure.
Once the bedding is about a foot deep it starts to heat a little, and gives the cattle a warm place to lay as they ruminate. Usually around 100°F – which feels good on a cold winter day. It helps the cows retain body heat and they need less hay to get them through the winter. True creature comfort 
Mountain Doo for organic farmers!! Being a Dr. Pepper gal myself, I never have understood the Mountain Dew thing.
Hangdog estimates this is about 150 cubic yards. Picture 15 dump truck loads. You can see how it dwarfs Trace. The pile will break down, and shrink during the composting process, but what an asset! It smells good and composty now, and as soon as it rains, the worms will move in and start their magic.
Speaking of magic – I didn’t see any aphids, maybe she is just admiring this dark sunflower.
Food Renegade
Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op
Matron! I LOVE dr. pepper! It’s my fave fave favorite. Though..it’s really not good for me
Such a bummer.
My hubby…well he’s a mountain dew kind of guy—though I wish we had some doo like yours hehehehe. Bet he would prefer it too….though maybe not with his burger
I should have said I used to love Dr. Pepper, but it doesn’t taste the same now…must be old age. But ahh the memories!!
I always love the titles to your posts. We love all the doo around here, sure does grow some fine veggies!
Kim, I couldn’t resist on that one
It really does grow some great veggies!!
Do you put fresh straw down for the cows and the pile is what’s been down for a while? I always wondered what helped keep them warm on winter days.
Jenny
Jenny, we just keep adding bedding, and in a little bit it starts to compost slightly. The rule is, “If you smell manure add more carbon.” Much easier than always trying to get the exact ratio of carbon to nitrogen. Just let your nose do the work.
Some of the best fertilizer in the whole world!!!! Does wonders for our farm also!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Linda, it is amazing stuff, that.
I want to be a dog, cow or ladybug at your place, looks wonderful!
Tami, I always wonder about that too, the dogs seem to have it made here. Endless days of eating, napping, posing for photos and maybe chase a deer or two!!
I wish I have some doo for my garden.
Love that first picture…definitely King of the Hill.
YDavis, they love high places, this seems to be the favorite this week
Nice looking King of the Mountain!
Lisa, he loves it up there!!
Whoa … dung beetle heaven! I have one question … do you have to deal with the hay getting too hot? I’ve seen steaming hay before, and was stunned at its temperature. PS: I’m a pepper, too.
Paula, you’re thinking of spontaneous combustion from hay baled too green or hay that has gotten wet and then is stacked in the barn. This won’t get that hot, so no danger of fire
10, 2 & 4!!
Wonderful heap – I can feel the heat from here !
Do you cover the windrow, err-mountain, during the winter?
Yes, with a large piece of old greenhouse plastic.