Does covering broiler litter in open field minimize nutrient losses and reduce environmental concerns

Authors: KONETI, S - Auburn University; CHAKRABORTY, D - Auburn University; PRASAD, R - Auburn University; Watts, Dexter; Torbert, Henry - Allen

Submitted to: Alabama Water Resources Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/8/2024
Publication Date: 9/4/2024
Citation: Koneti, S., Chakraborty, D., Prasad, R., Watts, D.B., Torbert III, H.A. 2024. Does covering broiler litter in open field minimize nutrient losses and reduce environmental concerns [abstract]. AL Water Resources Conservation Conference, Sept. 4-6, Orange Beach, AL.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Broiler litter (BL) is a popular row crop soil amendment with a nutrient grade of 3-3-2. Approximately 12.6 million metric tons of chicken litter is generated annually by the poultry birds produced in the United States. However, the timing of BL cleanout from poultry house may not coincide with the optimal periods for field application, necessitating the storage of BL for varying durations. The storage of BL poses significant environmental and agronomic challenges. One primary concern is the potential for nutrient runoff and leaching during precipitation events, which can degrade water quality in nearby water bodies. This study focused on quantifying the changes in nutrient concentration (total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), mineral N, organic carbon, water-soluble phosphorous (WSP), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), pH, and ash content) from the BL during a 12-month period under three different storage conditions. Broiler litter heaps of 3.5 feet in height were created and replicated three times at the E.V Smith research station in Shorter, Alabama. The treatments were a) uncovered stockpile, b) covered stockpile (covered with tarpaulin), and c) stockpile covered with a layer of soil. Nutrient concentrations were tracked on a monthly basis by using a multipoint sampling technique where homogenous BL samples were collected from the pile and thoroughly mixed to represent the entire pile. We hypothesize that the type of storage method will alter the nutrient concentration of BL. Preliminary results suggest that there is a temporal trend in changes in nutrient concentrations with BL stored under tarp effectively retaining higher concentrations of nutrients compared to uncovered and soil-covered treatments. Total C and TN showed a decreasing trend among all the treatments with storage time. Water soluble P decreased in greater proportion in uncovered and soil covered treatments indicating losses due to leaching and runoff, compared to tarp covered treatment. Nitrate concentration in all the treatments increased with a greater increase in tarp treatment indicating mineralization of organic N. Covering BL with tarp can be adopted as a best management practice to reduce nutrient losses and minimize environmental concerns due to BL storage in open fields.