FIG. 1.

Compost experiment time course (2005 to 2006). Manure was maintained in feedlot pens for 79 days (d) before construction of compost windrows. Cattle were removed from the feedlot on 17 July 2005 (box 1), compost windrows were established on 4 October 2005 (box 2), and the active compost period lasted 126 days; the compost curing phase commenced on 7 February 2006 (box 3) and lasted 91 days, and the experiment was terminated on 23 May 2006 (box 4). Filled circles indicate sampling periods without compost turning, whereas open circles indicate sampling periods followed by compost aeration. The experimental duration was 310 days (ca. 10 months).