2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): Develop improved nitrogen management practices for poultry litter by utilizing conservation crops and high-residue tillage to reduce nitrogen loss to groundwater and the atmosphere. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Conduct field research to measure parameters to describe nitrogen release from poultry litter and nitrogen uptake of rye cover crops for the EPIC model. Conduct field research to evaluate high-residue tillage implements for reducing ammonia loss from poultry litter. 3.Progress Report: The objective of this subordinate project is to develop improved nitrogen management practices for poultry litter by utilizing conservation crops and high-residue tillage to reduce nitrogen losses to groundwater and the atmosphere. The approaches are to:. 1)conduct field research to measure parameters describing nitrogen uptake of rye cover crops that are appropriate for modeling nitrogen dynamics in models such as EPIC, and. 2)conduct field research to evaluate high-residue tillage implements for reducing ammonia loss from poultry litter. Progress includes conclusion of field research to study the nitrogen dynamics of rye cover crops and the evaluation of high-residue tillage equipment. These studies are being carried out at the Wye Research & Education Center and at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and are evaluating the ability of using the heat unit concept to guide the growth and development of a rye cover crop. The turbo-till high-residue tillage implement and sub-surfer litter injector are also under study to evaluate their ability to conserve surface residues and reduce ammonia volatilization compared to surface applications of litter. Laboratory analytical work has been completed, and statically analysis and data summaries are underway as part of a peer-reviewed paper being planned for December 2012.