I recently read about county compost piles being contaminated with chemicals from a field that had been sprayed then the hay brought to the compost pile. I get well-aged manure from a friend who has a horse-pen full of manure (he hasn't had horse in it for several years so I know that it's not fresh manure). I'm sure he bought hay to feed his horse. Should I be concerned with the hay being treated, the horse eating it, and now the manure being contaminated? Also, is it a good idea to sterilize the manure and how do you recommend I do it?

This is an excellent read on the subject:
http://css.wsu.edu/compost/compost.htm

By the sound of this, you should not be unduly concerned, OMom. Composting IS sterilization, the key words are "well aged manure" and "several years". That is a pile of gold!

As we learn more about the "side effects" of brainless over-applications of potentially dangerous synthetic chemicals, our tendency is naturally to worry. And often, we simply do not know and err on the side of caution. Often rightly so but in your scenario, I would enjoy the benefits of well aged manure.

John from www.ecologicalsgardens.com

There is some concern about a Dow Agrosciences herbacide which remains unchanged through the composting process and is deadly to the legume family and the nightshade family. It can contaminate the garden for up to two years. Go to the OG Watchdog Forum and look at the messages about compost warnings. There are some great links there. The only saving grace is that this may be a relatively new 'cide and so the manure which is several years old may be uncontaminated. Perhaps John from Ecologicals has more info.?
Keli

Other than this one, http://www.jgpress.com/BCArticles/2001/070125.html

not much more, Keli, as this is a "new" eco disaster. Let's hope the stuff won't be approved for home garden use....

John/Ecoyamacallit