Progress 09/15/00 to 09/14/04
Outputs
This grant focused on providing the Arkansas poultry industry and their contract producers with the opportunity to become better environmental managers through education and science. This three part grant focused on providing practical information on best management practice which could be cost-effectively implemented on-farm that provided poultry producers with an option for utilizing manure as a fertilizer while reducing the risk of phosphorus run-off. Two technologies were identified. The utilization of alum as a litter treatment was proven to reduce phosphorus run-off when the litter was land applied. Practical application of this technology confirmed this finding and the result was that the Arkansas Natural Resouce Conservation Service now recognizes the use of alum as a BMP. Additional demonstrations proved that P run-off could be reduced as much as 40-50% from pastureland by utilizing a pasture renovator. Efforts were continued to provide information on new
environmental laws, obth national and state rules to poultry growers through a series of presentations followed by question and answer sessions. These meetings were documented as having increased grower understanding on what the new environmental laws were as well as why they were necessary and why grower compliance was critical.
Impacts
Arkansas poultry companies and contract producers need information that explains the environmental laws and what options are available for complying with the rules. By providing this information in both fact sheets and meetings, producers are provided with an opportunity to develop an understanding of why the laws were passed, the importance of complying with the laws and how the laws can be implemented in their operations. Through this positive experience, an increase in compliance is expected and more producers are expected to obtained nutrient management plans for their operation and use them.
Publications
- Moore, Philip, A., Susan Watkins, Dennis Carmen and Paul Delaune, 2004. Treating Poultry Litter with Alum, FS A 8003, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
|
Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Economy of Arkansas is dependent on agriculture. Cash receipts from farm marketing are typically over $6 billion placing Ark in the top 10 states for agricultural income. About 1/2 of that total income is a result of poultry and poultry products. Ark ranks nationally as 2nd in broiler production growing about 1.3 billion birds annually on 7000 farms. These are primarily family owned farms averaging about 3 houses per farm with approximately 60,000 birds in residence on a farm at any time. Turkeys and table egg production are also significant. Litter and manure is considered a valuable by-product of poultry production and the first litter that is cleaned from houses is normally applied on the owner's land. In the past litter has been applied at rates to provide adequate nitrogen for forage production resulting in excess Phosphorus application. P accumulates in the soil when excess amounts are applied. This is of no known consequence to soils, forage or livestock
grazing high P pastures. Research has shown that high accumulations of P in soils can contribute to increased P in rainfall runoff. P then accumulates in surface waters resulting in increased aquatic growth. This changes the rate of aging of lakes and streams, changes the character of water body and creates taste and odor problems for water supply treatment plants. This project will coordinate efforts of several members of the Univ of Ark faculty to enhance their ability to provide an integrated research, teaching and extension education program focusing on nutrient management for Arkansas livestock producers.
Impacts
Arkansas poultry companies and contract producers need information that explains the environmental laws and what options are available for complying with the rules. By providing this information in both fact sheets and meetings, producers are provided with an opportunity to develop an understanding of why the laws were passed, the importance of complying with the laws and how the laws can be implemented in their operations. Through this positive experience, an increase in compliance is expected and more producers are expected to obtained nutrient management plans for their operation and use them.
Publications
- Goodwin, H.L., Frank T. Jones, Susan Watkns and Janie Hipp. 2003. New Arkansas Laws Regulate Use and Management of Poultry Litter and Other Nutrients. Univesrity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet.
- Moore, Philip, Susan Watkins, Dennis Carmen and Paul DeLaune. 2004. Treating Poultry Litter With Alum. Univesrity of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service Fact Sheet.
|
Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
A ten week course entitled Managing Animal Resources for Environmental Quality was offered at three sites via compressed video to Natural Resource Conservation Service Water Quality Technicians, industry personnel, Cooperative Extension personnel and graduate level poultry and animal science students. This course offered two hours per week covered the following topics: 1. The history of animal feeding operations and can a way of life be changed without government intervention 2. Identifying government agencies. The federal and state regulations on air, soil and water quality. The microbiology of waste management. 3. The basics of soil and water chemistry including the movement of nutrients through soil and water. 4. Land use and water quality. Understanding point and non-point sources of nutrients. 5. How to develop and use a nutrient management plan. 6. Identifying and using best management practices for nutrient management. This session also covered the development
and implementation of the Phosphorus Index. 7. The economics of creating of off farm uses for animal nutrients. 8. Identification of financial support for implementing environmental conservation practices. 9. The impact of public perception on farm practices including waste management. The legal issues involving waste management. 10. How nutrition of the bird impacts the nutrients in the manure. Industry perspective on environmental issues. Student feedback at the competion of the course indicated that the course was well received with all topics rating 1.5 or less (scale of 1= excellent and 5=poor). In addition to the course, a day long Phosphorus Workshop was hosted on the University of Arkansas campus which showcased the research efforts of University and USDA/ARS faculty to industry, regulatory and extension personnel. This workshop helped to stimulate
Impacts
By educating the industry, cooperative extension personnel and NRCS water quality technicians on how the environmenal issues have evolved and what efforts agriculture needs to take to alleviate the impact of poultry production practices on water quality degredation, the expected results are companies who do a better job of conveying to their contract growers the critical need for good nutrient management practices. It is also expected that by educating water quality technicians and extension personnel, these individuals will be better qualified to explain the concerns and issues to their clientele thus doing a better job of promoting environmental stewardship.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Three rainfall simulations were conducted on variable slope plots ranging in slope from 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 28%. Slope significantly affected the amount of surface runoff (runoff volume) with the higher slopes resulting in increased runoff volume. Rainfall simulations were conducted on 25 paired plots with five different forage species (bluestem, switchgrass, eastern gamma grass, tall fescue, and Bermuda grass). The most recent rainfall simulation further support initial results suggesting that fescue is the only grass that significantly affects pasture hydrology. Twelve small plots were constructed at an established research site where grazing had been discontinued for almost seven years. 4 small plots were constructed running up and down the slope; 4 plots were constructed on a cattle trail area; 4 plots were constructed in the over grazed pasture in close proximity to the other plots. The plots were in similar landscape positions up and down the
slope. A series of four constant (7 cm/hr) rainfall simulations were conducted within a seven-day time frame. The cattle-trail and overgrazed areas had a substantially higher runoff volume than runoff volume from inside the ungrazed area. Soil bulk density measurements followed similar patterns. Runoff plots were constructed on Taft and Pickwick soils which vary greatly in soil, hydrologic properties and runoff potential. Runoff and phosphorus loss were greater with the Pickwick soil as compared to the Taft soils. Three manure treatments were used in this study: no manure, poultry litter application and swine slurry application with each applied in control and renovated (aerated) plots. Pasture renovation reduced phosphorus loss in all manure treatments by increasing infiltration of simulated precipitation into the soil. Phosphorus losses in the swine slurry treatment were substantially less than poultry litter treatment. Similar results were observed one month after pasture
renovation. Three sites were identified and the soils classified as either Captina Silt Loam, Jay Silt Loam, Newtonia Silt Loam, Nixa Silt Loam and Taloka Silt Loam. Twelve runoff plots (0.75 x 2m) were built on areas with low to high levels of soil test phosphorus. Portable rainfall simulators were used to provide 6- 7 cm hr-1 storm events. The first three rainfall simulation events occurred prior to any fertilizer additions and prior to the fourth runoff event, poultry litter treatments were applied based on the P Index and NRCS recommendations. Runoff water was collected for thirty continuous minutes and anlyzed for soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP. Forage yields were measured from each plot on three farms. The small size of these plots resulted in high amounts of variability in hydrology. Large differences in runoff volumes were observed on the same plots for different runoff events. Therefore, it was difficult to measure P loading in this phase of the study. Average SRP
concentrations in runoff from the six- runoff events were poorly correlated to soil test P (r = 0.06, P >0.05) but there was a highly significant correlation between SRP concentrations in runoff and the P Index (r = 0.77, P <0.0001).
Impacts
Results from this project may provide nutrient management information which would make it feasible for poultry producers to continue to land apply manure resources even if soil test phosphorus levels are high. The economic impact would be tremendous for poultry producers if they can continue to utilize poultry manure with on-farm best management practices.
Publications
- DeLaune, P.B., and P.A. Moore, Jr. 2001. Predicting Annual Phosphorus Losses from Fields Using the Phosphorus Index for Pastures. Better Crops 85:16-19.
- DeLaune, P.B., P.A. Moore, Jr., D.K. Carman, T.C. Daniel, and A.N. Sharpley. 2001. Development and validation of a phosphorus index for pastures fertilized with animal manure. [CD-ROM] In Proceedings of International Symposium Addressing Animal Production and Environmental Issues. Oct. 3-5, Raleigh, NC.
- Moore, P.A., Jr., P.B. DeLaune, T.C. Daniel, D.K. Carman, A.N. Sharpley. 2001. Estimating annual phosphorus loads at the edge of field using the phosphorus index for pastures. In Proceedings of the Arkansas Water Resources Center Annual Conference on TMDL and Related Water Quality Issues. (In press)
|
|