MANURE COMPOSTING PROCESS MONITORING

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--- INITIAL PILE SETUP & MATERIAL ASSESSMENT ---
[ ] Date of Pile Construction
[ ] Description of Manure Source (e.g., cow, poultry, swine)
[ ] Estimated Manure Volume (cubic yards)
[ ] Estimated Carbon-Rich Material Volume (e.g., wood chips, straw) (cubic yards)
[ ] Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N) Ratio Estimate (Visual) (Low (likely nitrogen-limited), Optimal (around 25:1 to 30:1), High (likely carbon-limited))
[ ] Materials Added (select all that apply) (Wood Chips, Straw, Leaves, Food Scraps, Other (specify in LONG_TEXT))
[ ] Notes on Material Condition (e.g., presence of weeds, contamination)

--- TEMPERATURE MONITORING ---
[ ] Date of Temperature Reading
[ ] Time of Temperature Reading
[ ] Core Temperature (°C/°F) - Center of Pile
[ ] Core Temperature (°C/°F) - Pile Surface
[ ] Ambient Air Temperature (°C/°F)
[ ] Temperature Phase (Mesophilic/Thermophilic/Cooling) (Mesophilic, Thermophilic, Cooling)
[ ] Notes on Temperature Observations (e.g., hot spots, unusual readings)
[ ] Pile Depth (cm/inches)

--- MOISTURE CONTENT ---
[ ] Moisture Content (%)
[ ] Method Used for Moisture Determination (Grab Sample - Weighing, Core Sampling - Weighing, Field Moisture Meter, Other (Specify))
[ ] Notes on Moisture Assessment (e.g., visual assessment of dampness, areas of dry/wet material)
[ ] Date of Moisture Content Measurement
[ ] Time of Moisture Content Measurement
[ ] Number of Samples Taken (if multiple)

--- AERATION & OXYGEN LEVELS ---
[ ] Pile Temperature (for correlation with oxygen)
[ ] Oxygen Level (%) - Measurement 1 (if using a meter)
[ ] Oxygen Level (%) - Measurement 2 (if using a meter)
[ ] Oxygen Level (%) - Measurement 3 (if using a meter)
[ ] Turning Frequency (Current) (Daily, Every Other Day, Weekly, As Needed)
[ ] Observations regarding aeration (e.g., visual signs of settling, unusual odors)
[ ] Turning Method (Front-end loader, Pitchfork/Shovel, Compost Turner Machine, Other)

--- PILE VOLUME & DIMENSIONS ---
[ ] Initial Pile Length (feet)
[ ] Initial Pile Width (feet)
[ ] Initial Pile Height (feet)
[ ] Current Pile Length (feet) - During Monitoring
[ ] Current Pile Width (feet) - During Monitoring
[ ] Current Pile Height (feet) - During Monitoring
[ ] Notes on Pile Shape/Condition (e.g., settling, compaction)
[ ] Date of Volume Measurement

--- ODOR ASSESSMENT ---
[ ] Distance from Pile (meters)
[ ] Overall Odor Intensity (None, Slight, Moderate, Strong, Very Strong)
[ ] Odor Characteristics (Select all that apply) (Ammonia, Sulfur, Rotten Eggs, Fecal, Other (Specify in Long Text))
[ ] Describe any unusual or concerning odors (if applicable)
[ ] Date of Odor Observation
[ ] Time of Odor Observation
[ ] Corrective Actions Taken (if any)

--- MATERIAL BREAKDOWN & APPEARANCE ---
[ ] Describe the overall appearance of the pile (e.g., color, texture, uniformity).
[ ] What degree of material breakdown is observed? (Select all that apply) (Little to no breakdown, Partial breakdown (some visible size reduction), Significant breakdown (noticeable size reduction), Complete breakdown (uniform, dark material))
[ ] Estimate the percentage of original material volume remaining.
[ ] Note the presence and type of visible solids (e.g., undigested feed, bedding).
[ ] Estimate the size of the largest remaining particle.
[ ] Describe the texture of the composting material (e.g., crumbly, fluffy, cakey).
[ ] Describe the color progression observed since the last observation. (No change, Slight darkening, Moderate darkening, Significant darkening)
[ ] Upload any photos or videos documenting the material appearance.

--- PEST & VECTOR CONTROL ---
[ ] Observed Pest/Vector Presence (Flies, Rodents, Birds, Mosquitoes, Other (Specify in LONG_TEXT))
[ ] Specify 'Other' Pest/Vector Observed
[ ] Estimated Pest/Vector Population (Relative Scale)
[ ] Describe Control Measures Implemented
[ ] Date of Control Measures
[ ] Potential Attractants Identified (Uncovered Pile, Leachate Runoff, Standing Water, Nearby Food Sources, Other (Specify in LONG_TEXT))
[ ] Specify 'Other' Potential Attractant

--- RECORD KEEPING & DOCUMENTATION ---
[ ] Date of Monitoring
[ ] Time of Monitoring
[ ] Pile ID/Location Number
[ ] Observer/Monitor Name
[ ] General Observations/Notes
[ ] Average Pile Temperature (°C/°F)
[ ] Moisture Content (%)
[ ] Odor Intensity (Scale 1-5) (1 - No Odor, 2 - Slight Odor, 3 - Moderate Odor, 4 - Strong Odor, 5 - Very Strong Odor)
[ ] Photo/Video of Pile (Optional)

--- FINISHED COMPOST ASSESSMENT ---
[ ] Moisture Content (%)
[ ] pH Value
[ ] C:N Ratio (estimated)
[ ] Odor Assessment (Describe any odors detected) (None, Slight earthy odor, Ammonia, Sulfur, Other - Specify in LONG_TEXT, Unacceptable)
[ ] Describe visual appearance (color, texture, particle size)
[ ] Presence of Undigested Materials? (No, Yes - Specify in LONG_TEXT)
[ ] Attach Compost Sample Photo
[ ] Overall Compost Quality Assessment (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)

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