Depends on how fresh it and what crops you use it on. If you are going to introduce it just before planting time it's best if it's aged a good year. More doesn't hurt. If you are going to introduce it in fall and let it mellow til spring then it could be a lot fresher. Leaf crops and some root crops - notably turnips - will stand fairly fresh manure.

pnbrown's advice is right on - nothing fresh belongs in the garden. While some root crops will tolerate fresh, it isn't recommended because of the associated health and food safety aspects. Using only well-aged or composted manure is the safest and easiest way to go.

Here are links to several informative articles on the safe use of manure in the vegetable garden. They should answer all your question.

Fresh Manure and Food Gardens Don't Mix

Reduce Risks of Using Manure as a Garden Fertilizer

Manure for Your Garden Tips

Guidelines for Using Manure on Vegetable Gardens

Dave

compost first...absolutely!

If it's straight manure or manure/sawdust, just pile it up, let it compost for 5 days or so, then shovel or fork it into another pile right beside the first one. Let it go another 5 days or so, then shovel it back to the original spot. Make sure you scrape off the top and sides each time and put them at the bottom or center of the next pile, so all parts will heat up. If you can do this 4 or 5 times in the month, you should have killed off most of the pathogens, and then you can add it to your soil.

Sue

Well thanks to eveyones answers. It looks like what you are saying is that I need to wait and compost it into my compost for next spring. I have no idea how fresh it is but to be safe I shall do it this fall for next spring. Thnaks again