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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fayetteville, Arkansas » Poultry Production and Product Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #379220
Research Project: Quantifying Air and Water Quality Benefits of Improved Poultry Manure Management Practices

Location: Poultry Production and Product Safety Research

Title: Profitability & Feasibility of Sub-surfaced poultry litter on pasture ground

Author
item STULTS, JAMES - University Of Arkansas
item POPP, MICHAEL - University Of Arkansas
item Ashworth, Amanda
item Nieman, Christine
item COFFEY, KEN - University Of Arkansas
item Owens, Phillip

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/9/2020
Publication Date: 10/9/2020
Citation: Stults, J., Popp, M., Ashworth, A.J., Nieman, C.C., Coffey, K., Owens, P.R. 2020. Profitability & Feasibility of Sub-surfaced poultry litter on pasture ground. Abstract. Southern Agricultural Economics Association, Irvine, Texas. February 6-9, 2021.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Livestock producers often spread commercial fertilizer or broadcast poultry litter to improve forage nutrient availability. Poultry litter is widely available across the Southeastern United States and is a much cheaper option when compared to competing fertilizers. Applying litter below the soil surface is more costly than broadcasting but leads to greater nutrient retention. Also, while fertilizer provides immediate nutrient availability when an application is followed by rain, litter nutrient availability is slower and prolonged (~ 2 yr). Field trials are currently underway and suggest promising returns to sub-surfaced litter. The objective of this research is to quantify under what circumstances, sub-surface applied litter can compete with commercial fertilization practices on pastures. To that end, a spreadsheet tool was developed to evaluate user-specified scenarios where i) new vs. used equipment; ii) custom application; and iii) desired nutrient targets are evaluated over the course of a two year window given the slow nutrient release nature of litter. Initial results show sub-surface application of litter can compete with commercial fertilizer especially in situations where organic farming practices are targeted. The tool offers no comparison to broadcast applications of litter given associated problematic nutrient runoff which is avoidable with litter and fertilizer applications.