2021
Calculating the Fertilizer Value of Poultry Litter
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Contributor/Checkoff:
South Carolina Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomicsSeed quality
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Bhupinder Farmaha, Clemson University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
South Carolina Soybean Board
$18,328
Institution Funded:
Clemson University
$18,328
Brief Project Summary:
Poultry litter and cover crops are two attractive choices in developing sustainable nutrient management practices in soybeans. This project involves finding variation in the total fertilizer substitution value of poultry litter and conducting field trials to study the interacting effect of cover crop and poultry litter on soybean production, profitability and soil health. Efforts calculate the total fertilizer value for primary, secondary and micronutrients, evaluate the response of soybean yield to poultry litter application rates with and without multi-species cover crops, determine the interacting effect of poultry litter and cover crops on soil health and calculate net profits of using cover crop and poultry litter in soybean production.
Key Beneficiaries:
#agronomists, #extension agents, #farmers
Unique Keywords:
#fertilizer, #poultry litter, #soil fertility, #soil health
Information And Results
Project Summary

Soybean yields have increased substantially in recent decades due to better management of improved varieties. In order to sustain high yields, we need to test, find, and use sustainable nutrient management practices. Poultry litter and cover crops are two attractive choices in developing sustainable nutrient management practices for soybean production. This project involves two components. In the first component, we will take litter samples from a variety of poultry houses to find variation in the total fertilizer substitution value of litter. The second component of the trial is to conduct field trials to study the interacting effect of cover crop and poultry litter on soybean production and profitability and soil health. The proposed research will generate new information that will make Soybean production more sustainable in South Carolina.

Project Objectives

1. Calculate the total fertilizer value for primary (N, P, and K), secondary (Ca, Mg, and K), and micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, and Na) in pounds and dollars per ton of litter.
2. Evaluate the response of soybean yield to poultry litter application rates (0, 1, and 2 tons per acre) when grown in rotation with and without multi-species cover crops.
3. Determine the interacting effect of poultry litter and cover crops on soil health parameters.
4. Calculate net profits of using cover crop and poultry litter in soybean production.

Project Deliverables

Outputs will be a better understanding of poultry litter and its fertilizer use values in soybean production. The results from this study will be presented to extension agents and producers in field days and winter meetings. We are planning to do this trial for two years. At the end of the second year, results will be compiled into an extension article made available for stakeholders along with a short (< 5 minutes) YouTube video.

Progress Of Work

Updated April 14, 2021:

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Updated July 15, 2021:

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Updated October 15, 2021:

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Updated December 16, 2021:

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Final Project Results

Updated January 19, 2022:

View uploaded report Word file

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

Outputs will be a better understanding of poultry litter and its fertilizer use values in soybean production.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.