Production cost of composting horse waste at a stud farm in Hokkaido, Japan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9168.2026v19.e13994Palavras-chave:
Sustainability, Management, Economy, Organic Compost, Equine breedingResumo
A Japan’s equine industry is mainly focused on horse racing, including breeding and sport. It generates about USD 21.3 billion annually, providing jobs and income, but also produces organic waste that requires proper management for environmental sustainability. This study aimed to analyze the operational cost of composting horse waste at a stud farm located in Hokkaido, Japan. The costs of a composting operation at a Thoroughbred horse breeding facility were assessed, considering waste generated by 152 horses over a period of 121 days. During this period, 54 tonnes of horse waste were processed, resulting in 43.5 tonnes of organic compost ready for use as a biofertilizer. The effective operational costs and total operational costs were allocated throughout the process, and the real cost of the waste was equivalent to the final disposal cost plus the cost of the raw materials that composed the waste, resulting in an estimated final cost of USD 820.70 per tonne of compost produced. The analysis showed that 68.6% of the total is linked to equine breeding, mainly due to labor, welfare, and hygiene costs. While the composting of horse waste offers significant environmental benefits, it requires high initial investment and elevated operational costs.
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