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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fayetteville, Arkansas » Poultry Production and Product Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #151048
Title: NUTRIENT AND B17-ESTRADIOL LOSS IN RUNOFF WATER FROM VARIOUS POULTRY LITTERS.

Author
item Haggard, Brian
item Moore, Philip
item DELAUNE, PAUL - UNIV OF ARKANSAS CSES
item Smith, Douglas

Submitted to: American Water Resources Association Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2003
Publication Date: 5/12/2003
Citation: Haggard, B.E., Moore Jr, P.A., Delaune, P.B., Smith, D.R. 2003. Nutrient and b17-estradiol loss in runoff water from various poultry litters. American Water Resources Association Conference Proceedings. CD-ROM, TPS-03-01. Kansas City, MO.

Interpretive Summary: Poultry operations are generally concentrated near critical infrastructure, particularly in northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. Poultry litter (manure plus bedding) is often land applied as fertilizer to pastures; the density of poultry operations results in an excess of poultry litter in many watersheds. The proposed solution is exporting excess litter from sensitive watersheds to areas low in soil phosphorus availability, e.g., eastern Arkansas and western Oklahoma. We evaluated nutrient and B17-Estradiol concentrations in runoff water from small plots receiving various poultry litters. Six poultry litters were evaluated including raw poultry litters and alum-treated poultry litter, and also pelleted forms of these poultry litters. Poultry litters were applied at about 67 kg P ha-1 to the small plots. Four replicates of the six poultry litters and a control were used; the total number of plots was 28. Rainfall simulations were conducted immediately following poultry litter application at a precipitation rate of 7-cm hr-1, lasting until 30 minutes of continuous runoff was observed from each plot. Composite runoff water samples were analyzed for N, P and B17-estradiol concentrations using appropriate methods. B17-Estradiol concentrations were greater from plots receiving the various poultry litters compared to unfertilized plots. Pelleted [raw] poultry litters had greater N and P concentrations in the runoff water compared to raw poultry litter. Similarly, pelleted alum-treated litter had greater P concentrations in runoff water than just alum-treated poultry litter whereas N concentrations were generally similar. Alum-treated poultry litter had the least P concentrations in runoff water compared to other poultry litters. These results suggest: (1) that alum additions to poultry houses is an effective best management practice at reducing P concentrations in runoff water from lands receiving poultry litter and (2) that pelleting poultry litters may increase the potential for P loss in runoff water.

Technical Abstract: Poultry operations are generally concentrated near critical infrastructure, particularly in northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. Poultry litter (manure plus bedding) is often land applied as fertilizer to pastures; the density of poultry operations results in an excess of poultry litter in many watersheds. The proposed solution is exporting excess litter from sensitive watersheds to areas low in soil phosphorus availability, e.g., eastern Arkansas and western Oklahoma. We evaluated nutrient and B17-Estradiol concentrations in runoff water from small plots receiving various poultry litters. Six poultry litters were evaluated including raw poultry litters and alum-treated poultry litter, and also pelleted forms of these poultry litters. Poultry litters were applied at about 67 kg P ha-1 to the small plots. Four replicates of the six poultry litters and a control were used; the total number of plots was 28. Rainfall simulations were conducted immediately following poultry litter application at a precipitation rate of 7-cm hr-1, lasting until 30 minutes of continuous runoff was observed from each plot. Composite runoff water samples were analyzed for N, P and B17-estradiol concentrations using appropriate methods. B17-Estradiol concentrations were greater from plots receiving the various poultry litters compared to unfertilized plots. Pelleted [raw] poultry litters had greater N and P concentrations in the runoff water compared to raw poultry litter. Similarly, pelleted alum-treated litter had greater P concentrations in runoff water than just alum-treated poultry litter whereas N concentrations were generally similar. Alum-treated poultry litter had the least P concentrations in runoff water compared to other poultry litters. These results suggest: (1) that alum additions to poultry houses is an effective best management practice at reducing P concentrations in runoff water from lands receiving poultry litter and (2) that pelleting poultry litters may increase the potential for P loss in runoff water.