As a form of ruminant manure, sheep dung is dry, fine-textured, rich in thermal energy, and nutritionally balanced; with an organic matter content ranging from 24% to 27%, it serves as a premium raw material for the production of organic fertilizers. The production of organic fertilizer represents a vital pathway for the resource utilization of agricultural waste. Through scientific processing, this agricultural byproduct can be transformed into a "golden fertilizer" capable of improving soil structure and enhancing crop quality. The organic fertilizer production process is a seamlessly interconnected chain, wherein every single step embodies a blend of scientific rigor and meticulous craftsmanship.
The first step in production is raw material pretreatment, which serves as the foundation for successful fermentation. Workers utilize vibrating screens and manual sorting to remove impurities—such as stones, plastics, and hair—from the sheep manure, thereby ensuring the raw material meets purity standards. Subsequently, the moisture content is adjusted—either through mechanical dewatering or air-drying—to a range of 40% to 45%. This achieves the ideal consistency: when a handful is squeezed, it forms a cohesive clump; moisture appears between the fingers but does not drip; and upon release, the clump crumbles apart. Concurrently, auxiliary materials—such as pulverized corn stalks and rice husks—are added at a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 25:1 to 30:1; this optimizes fermentation conditions and enhances the material's aeration.
Microbial inoculation and aerobic fermentation constitute the core stages of the production process. First, a composite microbial inoculant is mixed with brown sugar water in specific proportions to activate the microorganisms, creating an active liquid culture. This liquid is then sprayed uniformly over the raw material. Next, the material is piled into long windrows—typically 2 meters wide and 1.5 meters high—and periodically turned using a windrow compost turner to maintain an aerobic environment. The fermentation process unfolds in three distinct phases: heating, high-temperature, and cooling. When the internal pile temperature rises to between 65°C and 75°C and remains at this level for more than three days, it effectively eliminates 99% of pathogenic bacteria and insect eggs. The entire process takes approximately 10 to 15 days; fermentation is deemed complete once the material turns a dark brownish-black color and emits a distinct, wine-like aroma.
Following fermentation, the material undergoes a post-processing phase to be transformed into the final product. First, large clumps of fermented material are broken down using a crusher. The material is then passed through a rotary screen; any coarse particles that have not fully decomposed are separated and returned for re-fermentation. Finally, the material undergoes granulation and drying: the powdered fertilizer is formed into uniform granules ranging from 2 to 4 millimeters in size, and then dried to a moisture content of ≤15% to prevent caking and ensure product stability. Finally, the product undergoes a coating treatment to lock in nutrients, followed by packaging via an automated machine to facilitate easy transport and storage.
Before leaving the facility, the finished product undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that its organic matter content is ≥30%, its total nutrient levels meet established standards, and its heavy metal content remains below national limits. The production of organic fertilizer from sheep manure realizes the resourceful utilization of agricultural waste; this process not only reduces pollution but also helps alleviate soil compaction, thereby fostering the development of green agriculture. From field waste to high-quality fertilizer, every stage of the process embodies the principles of ecological recycling, injecting a continuous stream of momentum into the sustainable development of agriculture.
