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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #180823
Title: TEMPORARY STORAGE OF POULTRY BROILER LITTER

Author
item MITCHELL, CHARLES - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Torbert, Henry - Allen
item TYSON, TED - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2006
Publication Date: 11/10/2006
Citation: Mitchell, C.C., Torbert III, H.A., Tyson, T.W. 2006. Temporary storage of poultry broiler litter [abstract]. Agronomy Abstracts, ASA. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Temporary storage of poultry broiler litter in fields where it is to be spread is an obstacle in implementing nutrient management plans in poultry producing states. Current USDA-NRCS temporary storage practices discourage some row crop producers from using broiler litter as a source of nutrients. A study was conducted to determine the effects of litter treatment on covered and uncovered piles of poultry litter exposed to the weather in Central Alabama from December through May. Treatments included different covers, different shapes of litter piles, and a polymer-based, spray-on coating of a litter pile. Moisture within the piles, runoff, and litter quality were monitored. Exposed piles, regardless of shape, absorbed rainfall during the first few weeks and resulted in excessive nutrient runoff (P and K) during the rest of the 6-month storage period. Most of the N runoff was ammonium. Litter quality deteriorated rapidly in all exposed piles compared to the covered piles.