To worry about the smell of whatever they're spreading on the fields?

[MrsWinnibago]

We live on the outskirts of the countryside and our route to school is down a long country lane bordered by farms.

The lane is about 2 miles long...for the last two days it's smelled really badly...it's not muck...as in manure...it's something else but I don't know what...something more pungent and I keep worrying about what it IS exactly? Can you tell me? Could it be toxic? How can I find out?

[LividofLondon]

MrsWinnibago when I lived in the country there was one incident where the air was full of the strongest vilest stench I've ever smelt. I'm fine with country smells, can tell the difference between pig shit and cow shit for example (and don't mind either), but this was different. As you say, somehow not like shit, more chemically and man-made. It was so strong I had to breathe through my mouth as it was that bad. Thankfully it was a one off. Shame I never found out what it was.

[FloatIsRechargedNow]

As what shg said and me too upthread before my (unrelated NC). I will defend farmers all the way, and often they do things not because they're 'bad' but have been sold a 'bad thing'. I will not defend agri-business in the same way. Make sure you know more than your MP before you go - get those soil and water samples and test results. Just a little ramble at night with a few sterilized jars should do it.

[shggg245]

Locally after several years if sustained campaigning we succeeded in restricting movement and expansion of composting through planning / transportation legislation. Our mp was involved as was the mep.

I am a country girl and must stress that this is not comparable to pig or poultry farming. It is intolerable and is the smell of decomposition. Seriously do your research and contact local authority, mp and mep.

[samsam123]

I like the smell of chicken shit

[samsam123]

I like the smell of chicken shit ///emo/te/2.gif

[IamRechargingthankYou]

Seriously - if you can take your own soil(?)/water(?) tests and get them tested privately, really do that, then you can sort the 'wheat from the chaff' and deal with any bullshit you might be told.

If it is this dead male baby chick stuff - then they need to process it better. Seriously.

[mrsmalcolmreynolds]

Guano (bird shit) does have a really chemical/ammonia type smell in large quantities - it really catches the back of youe throat and makes the eyes water.

Not on topic, but the worst smell I think I've ever encountered was at a seal beach in Namibia - it was absolutely breathtaking, again in that ammonia sort of way.

[mrscumberbatch]

The farmer who used human sewage on his farm in Bishopton which stunk out a 20 mile radius and made people sick in their own homes may be prosecuted...

link to bbc website

[aufweidersehenpet]

Could the smell be coming from a farm incinerator? Some farms around here have them (I think they need a permit from Environmental Health) and they use them to burn dead carcasses. Some farmers also burn other stuff as well - if they can get away with it. Recently a farmer was chastised by EH for having a sideline in burning old furniture. Someone reported a foul chemical burning smell emanating from the farm!
As the incinerators are usually housed in small buildings you wouldn't necessarily see a huge fire, just a plume of smoke.

[Patrickstarisabadbellend]

I live in the area. It's not pig shit.

It's treated sewage, food from factories, left over stuff from the chicken factory and other lovely things.

[Ladyflip]

How did you get on with Environmental health OP?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

It'll be pigs' shit, it's really awful

[newfavouritething]

And finally, after a day of deliberation, I have remembered what the rancid smell at the side of the a14 in Suffolk was called (this thread reminded me of it), back from the days when pigs were fed swill.

Woolpit Whiff sound familiar to anybody?

[Nomama]

As far as I know it is a blood and bone style manure, as shggg245 says, probably made from various clinical and abattoir waste materials.

Blood and bone for gardeners smells bad enough, the stuff I am thinking off is weird, and does have a dead and burning smell. It is heart stoppingly vile - and will get an additional wet dog smell if it rains too lightly.

New(ish) EU regs on composting and incineration mean it is likely we will be smelling more of it as councils try to make a bit of cash to help offset the costs.

[shggg245]

HI we have had this - it's gross, not a normal country smell. EH are monitoring and we have to call them when it is really bad. It's been big news politically in East Yorkshire. It's so bad they're only allowed to transport it at night.

Sounds very similar to what you're describing. I believe it is made up of dead baby male chicks from poultry farming, clinical waste and blood. It's meant to be thoroughly composted first but sometimes isn't. Google smell from compost - spaldington and you will find out more.

I would second calling EH.

[AscoyneDAscoyne]

The thing is the waste from places like abattoirs, sewage works and chicken factories has to go somewhere so a lot of it is recycled and used as fertiliser.
This means that your crops will be fertilised with things like blood, shit of all varieties and animal carcasses.
There are also cases of the bodies of hundreds of puppies being used (illegal but something to consider when you buy that cute little puppy off a puppy farm)
But I agree chicken factory waste smells fucking awful.

[specialsubject]

quite a lot of the world still fertilises crops with human waste. Think about that next time you buy those out-of-season veg that have come halfway round the planet.

evil smells are the downside of living near cultivated fields.

removing trespassers with it is a lot quicker than waiting for the council eviction.

[AnnoyingOrange]

Agree that the chicken shit is beyond vile. There is a processing facility about 20 miles away and if I ever have to drive past it I hold my breath

[MrsWinnibago]

Bike I wish there was some kind of smelly version of Youtube where I could just log on and sniff!

[BikeRunSki]

Another vote for chicken/turkey shit. Smells vile, especially if it gets a bit wet or a bit hot.

[MrsWinnibago]

Wizard then environmental health will be getting a call from me today. I want to know what's being spread out there. As PatrickStar said, local to her (which is local to me) there has been human waste spread and I want to know that the rules are being adhered to regarding this. I didn't see the machine ....I can't see any activity at all...there are cows in fields and then some fields which appear to have wheat or something in them...but I see no people or machinery.

[FFSFFS]

I hope it rains soon for you. I can just picture the smell

[Ifyourawizardwhydouwearglasses]

The council will be able to tell me who is spreading what in the area...I assume these activities are registered somehow.

They're not. Thank fuck. There's enough paperwork on a farm as it is...!

I'd bet chicken shit. It doesn't really smell like shit, it just smells VILE. Lingers for days too.

It'll not be anything toxic. Could poss be a pesticide but they don't usually smell. Did you see what kind of machine did it?

[IamRechargingthankYou]

Yep- some farmers are really pissed-off unfriendly people, having come across a few myself. I have always found a way round this - not sure if anyone here would like to know how they can do it too. The best way is work it out for yourself - imagine you are them and if you were them - why on earth would you be so horrid. Then the answer unfolds.