There is limited information on the impact of poultry litter application on yield and quality of soybeans, and research is needed to determine the optimum poultry litter application rate for soybean production in North Carolina. What we do know is that many high-yielding soybean produces across the state use poultry litter at some point in their rotation, some directly before soybeans. Four poultry litter rates will be evaluated in three locations across the state. Soil nutrient status, soybean yield, and soybean quality will be monitored throughout the growing season. These poultry litter rates will be compared to inorganic fertilizer treatments to determine whether differences in yield or quality are due to nitrogen availability, or other factors such as micronutrients or lime provided by the poultry litter.

1. Determine optimal application rate of poultry litter to maximize soybean yield in NC

2. Measure yield and quality of soybeans under various poultry litter rates in three regions of the state

3. Assess the nitrogen availability and lime equivalence of various poultry litter application rates ranging from 1 to 6 tons per acre

4. Maximize Extension impact through grower meeting presentations, field days, electronic media updates, fact sheets, and posts on the Soybean Extension Portal. This information will be transferred to County Agents through training and extension activities.