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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #192593

Title: MANURE: AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF PHOSPHORUS FOR FARMERS IN SOUTHERN REGION OF BRAZIL

Author
item SHIGAKI, FRANCIROSE - UNIV OF SAO PAULO
item Sharpley, Andrew
item PROCHNOW, LUIS - UNIV OF SAO PAULO

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2006
Publication Date: 3/15/2006
Citation: Shigaki, F., Sharpley, A.N., Prochnow, L.I. 2006. Manure: an alternative source of phosphorus for farmers in southern region of brazil [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Paper No. 207-1.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: An increasing world population that demands high quality protein and fiber production at low cost has resulted in the intensification of agricultural production systems. Brazil is no exception, with a 33% increase in animal numbers from 1993 to 2003. Most of this increase has occurred in the southern region of the country, where 43 and 49% of total Brazil's swine and poultry production is now located. Although beef comprise the greatest number of animals in Brazil (196 million head), their manure is not a manageable resource as is swine and poultry manure. In 2003, swine and poultry in the southern region of Brazil produced 28 million tonnes of manure with 25 million tonnes from swine. Regional surveys of this manure show just over 1 million tonnes of P are produced annually by swine. This contrasts with only 4,000 tonnes applied annually to the regions crops. Even if P added as fertilizer was replaced by swine manure, the large surplus of P is clearly of environmental significance. The potential for P-related water quality problems to occur in this region is compounded by the fact that the region is typified by high rainfalls (1500 to 2500 mm/yr) and undulating landscapes. There is a need to form incentive programs for nutrient management by the combined efforts of the farming community, animal industry, and government to facilitate the environmentally sound use of P in manure, rather than treating it as a disposal problem. We will show how some of the lessons learned and technology developed in the U.S. can be applied to alleviate costly water quality impairment in southern Brazil.