Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We have continued to work with commodity groups in the state of Alabama which include, the Alabama Cotton Commission, Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain Committee, Alabama Soybean Commodity Group, Beef Committee, Hay and Forages Group, Pork Committee, and Poultry Committee to discuss the importance of environmental stewardship and disseminate results and experiences from this project. Interaction with these groups or individuals occurred at the Annual Alabama Farmers Federation Commodity Organizational Meeting, various Extension field days and conference across Alabama, farm visits by investigators to visit with producers and managers, and during other meetings or functions (i.e. Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival). Presentations were also made at various professional conferences by the investigators and their graduate students to convey results for the different studies to faculty and researchers from other institutions along with industry representatives. Investigators also worked with both National and Southeastern State USDA NRCS personnel in the planning of programs and sharing results of this project. Extension publications and other information have been published through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) and delivered through various websites supported by ACES. Within these activities we have been able to convey how the densification of broiler litter lowers transportation costs and negative environmental impacts from litter, the value of litter as a fertilizer source and how it can be applied properly to reduce runoff potential or infiltration to sub-surface water bodies thereby improving environmental stewardship. Further, the litter DSS system developed through this project has been presented as a way to develop nutrient management plans and optimize land application and statewide distribution of excess poultry litter. Copies of the Environmental Stewardship in Broiler Production Handbook were distributed to broiler producers across Alabama with growers using them to improve record keeping of litter production and management. A website is being maintained to provide current poultry litter news and information for Alabama growers. County and area educational meetings were conducted for broiler growers covering records and environmental stewardship at several locations around Alabama. CAFO trainings were held to disseminate the current research results and news related to broiler production. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Puneet Srivastava helps coordinate the overall project along with the poultry litter decision support system development and hydrological process studies. Dr. Frank Owsley provides overall project coordination along with all extension activities related to this project. Dr. John Fulton assists with project coordination and assisted with the densification study and extension activities related to this project. Dr. Oladiran Fasina helped coordinated the densification and identifying physical properties study. Drs. C. Wesley Wood and Edzard van Santen help coordinate the forage and fertilizer value studies. Dr. Yucheng Fang coordinated the microbial evaluation aspect of this project with Dr. Henry Fadamiro directs the impact of raw and densified litter on insect populations investigation. Dr. Russell Munifering helps coordinate and directs the forage studies. Dr. Joey Shaw provides assistance for several of the studies. Alabama Cooperative Extension System helps coordinate and provides support for all workshops, trainings, and field days. Seven graduate students are completing research related to several of these studies and are supervised by the investigators. Several undergraduate students help support data collection and summary. Alabama poultry growers and certified animal waste vendors (CAWVs) participated in field days and other extension activities. USDA NRCS water quality specialists training and participation. TARGET AUDIENCES: Alabama poultry producers, Alabama commodity groups, agricultural equipment manufacturers, Alabama Cooperative Extension System personnel, and agribusinesses. Field days, workshops, classroom instruction at Auburn University, and training programs were conducted. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The web-based Poultry Litter Decision Support System (DSS) was completed in 2009 and through outreach efforts being publicly released for use by extension agents, USDA NRCS water quality specialist, poultry and row crop producers, and certified animal waste vendors. The Litter DSS will allow users to develop nutrient management plans for their farms plus permits them to more easily maintain records of their litter application activities, conduct transportation analyses, and post litter availability and litter need messages. The completed DSS will help with optimal land application and distribution of excess poultry litter across Alabama. Improved environmental stewardship has transpires for users of litter through better understanding of site-specific nutrient movement. Results suggested that the primary mechanism of runoff generation in the Sand Mountain pastures is surface runoff. However, it was found that runoff is generated during high intensity parts of a rainfall event. During high intensity storms, only up to 10% of the rainfall was converted to runoff. This suggested that a large portion of a rainfall event might be contributing to the subsurface flows. This is especially true for winter months. Further, reduced nutrient and pesticide usage was documented through the use of Precision Agriculture technologies and site-specific management; specifically the increased adoption of variable-rate application and automatic section control across Alabama. Results suggested reduction up around 20% to 25% is attainable when applying nutrients, litter and pesticides. The study evaluating spinner-disc speed control for litter spreaders indicated an improvement in application uniformity by up to 16.7% over traditional non-feedback control valves. The benefit of spinner-disc speed control for the application of poultry litter is that it maintains spinner-disc speed regardless of material mass flow rate onto the discs which is important during variable-rate application plus maintains the desired swath width. The value of litter as a fertilizer source for crop production has increased with more crop producers interested in using litter over the traditional inorganic fertilizers. We also provided training to the Agronomy Regional Extension Agents in the use of guidance systems. Each agent was provided a guidance system within their region of responsibility to use for producer demonstrations with each agent collecting research data to quantify benefits of guidance technology for both crop and pasture production in the South. Results indicated a reduction of overlap when applying litter to pastureland. In conclusion, densification of poultry litter and the Poultry Litter Decision Support System has improved the transportation efficiency and costs of litter within Alabama and across state lines.
Publications
- Campbell, C.M., J.P. Fulton, C.W. Wood, T.P. McDonald, W.C. Zech, and L.G. Crowley. 2009. Mass and nutrient pattern comparison using spinner disc control for variable rate application. ASABE Paper No. 096337. ASABE Annual International Conference, Reno, NV, June 21 through June 24.
- Fulton, J.P., C. Brodbeck, T. Tyson, A. Winstead, and S. Norwood. 2009. Calibrating Equipment with Variable-Rate Technology. BSEN PA 09 01. Timely Information Web publication.
- Fulton, J.P., C. Brodbeck, A. Winstead, and S. Norwood. 2009. Overview of Variable Rate Technology. BSEN PA 09 02. Timely Information Web publication.
- Norwood S, A. Winstead, and J.P. Fulton. 2009. ANR 1362: Introduction to Prescription Maps for Variable rate Application. Circular. Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University. 3pp.
- Sen, S., P. Srivastava, J. Dane, K. Yoo, and J. Shaw. 2009. Spatial temporal variability and hydrologic connectivity of runoff generation areas in a north Alabama pasture. Hydrological Processes.
- Srivastava, P. and L. Kalin. 2009. Geographic Information System-Based Watershed Modeling Systems. Biosystems Engineering (Edited by A. Nag). McGraw Hill Publishers.
|
Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Current on-farm compaction equipment for densifying broiler litter is unsuitable without major retrofitting or modifications since this equipment does not produce the necessary pressure. Optimal moisture content and pressure combinations, and energy needed to successfully construct poultry litter bricks were identified. The impacts of densification on nutrient content of broiler litter have been determined. Samples collected up to 14 days after densification decreased in N and C concentrations over time. P and K concentrations also increased in the litter bricks along with the pH; from 7.5 to 8.7. The almost doubling of density from unprocessed to densified litter appears to create a viable method to promote transportation of litter. Densified broiler litter plots had higher yields than raw broiler litter plots thus densified broiler litter could be a good alternative to commercial fertilizer and raw broiler litter. Research on bulk litter indicated that no fecal coliform exists. Enterococci were detected with the number of enterococci increasing initially and then decreasing during storage. The general trend was correlated with temperature changes in the densified litter. Salmonella was not detected. Thus, densification of poultry litter did not adversely affect the microbial properties of litter. On-farm usage of densified poultry after a storage period of four weeks should not pose health threat to humans. Dry matter yield for Dallisgrass was not statistically different between commercial fertilizer and poultry litter for August harvest but the commercial fertilizer yield was greater for the September harvest. Forage concentration of crude protein was greater for commercial fertilizer than poultry litter for both harvests. Results indicated that poultry litter offers potential as a cost-effective alternative to commercial fertilizer for supporting productivity and nutritive quality of dallisgrass. A presentation was made to a group of USEPA Region IV and Alabama Department of Environmental Management staff regarding the benefits of understanding the hydrologic processes for nutrient transport from litter application. The web-based decision support system is nearly complete with testing planned prior to public release for use by extension agents, USDA NRCS water quality specialist, poultry and row crop producers, and certified animal waste vendors. Investigators participated in an Alabama field day for poultry growers too highlight outcomes of this research. County and area educational meetings were conducted for broiler growers covering records and environmental stewardship at several locations around Alabama. CAFO trainings were held to disseminate the current research results and news related to broiler production. Copies of the Environmental Stewardship in Broiler Production Handbook were distributed to broiler producers across Alabama with growers using them to improve record keeping of litter production and management. A website is being maintained to provide current poultry litter news and information for Alabama growers. Research from this study was reported at several professional conferences. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Puneet Srivastava helps coordinate the overall project along with the poultry litter decision support system development and hydrological process studies. Dr. Frank Owsley provides overall project coordination along with all extension activities related to this project. Dr. John Fulton assists with project coordination and the densification study. Dr. Oladiran Fasina helps coordinate the densification and identifying physical properties study. Drs. C. Wesly Wood and Edzard van Santen help coordinate the forage and fertilizer value studies. Dr. Yucheng Fang coordinates the microbial evaluation aspect of this project with Dr. Henry Fadamiro directs the impact of raw and densified litter on insect populations investigation. Dr. Russell Munifering helps coordinate and directs the forage studies. Dr. Joey Shaw provides assistance for several of the studies. Mike Davis assists with extension activities. Alabama Cooperative Extension System helps coordinate and provides support for all workshops, trainings, and field days. Seven graduate students are completing research related to several of these studies and are supervised by the investigators. Several undergraduate students help support data collection and summary. Alabama poultry growers and certified animal waste vendors (CAWVs) participated in field days and other extension activities. USDA NRCS water quality specialists training and participation. TARGET AUDIENCES: Alabama poultry producers, agricultural equipment manufacturers, Alabama Cooperative Extension System personnel, and agribusinesses. Field days, workshops, classroom instruction at Auburn University, and training programs were conducted. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Densification of broiler litter lowers transportation costs and negative environmental impacts from litter. These results provide litter to be transported further to be use by crop producers located outside poultry production regions. The value of litter as a fertilizer source for crop production has increased with more crop producers interested in utsing litter over the traditional inorganic fertilizers. Some changes in nutrient content occur subsequent to densification of broiler litter, which will necessitate alterations in application rates in comparison to raw broiler litter. Improved environmental stewardship has transpires for users of litter through better understanding of nutrient movement and development of nutrient management plans. Results suggest that the primary mechanism of runoff generation in the Sand Mountain pastures is surface runoff. However, it was found that runoff is generated during high intensity parts of a rainfall event. During high intensity storms, only up to 10% of the rainfall was converted to runoff. This suggested that a large portion of a rainfall event might be contributing to the subsurface flows. This is especially true for winter months. The connected areas of low hydraulic conductivities were found to contribute runoff at the outlet of a pasture hillslope. During high intensity periods, the entire hillslope pasture can contribute to runoff. Because only a small portion of rainfall becomes runoff, it was determined that subsurface transport of phosphorus needs to be quantified for the control of P from land-applied poultry litter pastures. The DSS will allow users to develop nutrient management plans for their farms. The DSS will also users to keep the record of their litter application activities, conduct transportation analyses, and post litter availability and litter need messages. The completed DSS will help with optimal land application and statewide distribution of excess poultry litter.
Publications
- Campbell, 2008. Evaluating Spinner Disc Control Technology for the Distribution of Poultry Litter. M.S. Thesis, Auburn Univ. Dept. of Civil Engineering, Auburn Univ., AL. 150 pp.
- Campbell, C.M., J.P. Fulton, C.W. Wood, W.C. Zech, and T.P. McDonald. 2008. Improving distribution of poultry litter with spinner spreaders. ASABE No. 083615. ASABE Annual International Conference, Providence, RI, June 29 through July 2.
- Campbell, C.M., J.P. Fulton, C.W. Wood, W.C. Zech, T.P. McDonald, and C.J. Brodbeck. 2008. Evaluating new spinner control technology for variable rate application of poultry litter. In Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Precision Agriculture, Denver, CO, 20 through 23, July.
- Kang, M.S., P. Srivastava, T. Tyson, K. Yoo, J. Fulton, and W.F. Owsley. 2008. A comprehensive GIS-based poultry litter management system for nutrient management planning and litter transportation. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 64(2): 212-224.
- Sen, S., P. Srivastava, K.H. Yoo, J.H. Dane, and J.N. Shaw. 2008. Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Runoff Generation Areas and their Hydrologic Connectivity on a Pasture Hillslope. USDA-CSREES National Water Conference. February 3-7, 2008. Sparks, NV.
- Srivastava, P., M.S. Kang, J. J. Fulton, T. Tyson, F. Owsley, and K.H. Yoo. 2008. A Web-based Spatial Poultry Litter Management System for Reducing Nutrient Loading to Surface Waterbodies. USDA-CSREES National Water Conference. February 3-7. Sparks, NV.
- Sturgeon, L.E. 2008. Fertilizer Value of Densified Broiler Litter. M.S. Thesis, Auburn Univ. Dept. of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn Univ., AL. 87 pp.
- Sturgeon, L.E., C.W. Wood, J.P. Fulton, B.H. Wood. 2008. Nutrient Changes in Densified Broiler Litter. In Abstracts of technical papers, 2008 annu. meet., S. Branch, ASA, 105th, Dallas, TX. 2-5 Feb. 2008. ASA Madison, WI.
- Sturgeon, L.E., C.W. Wood, J.P. Fulton, B.H. Wood. 2008. Nutrient Changes in Densified Broiler Litter. p. 82. In Abstracts. 18th Annual GSC Research Forum. 10-12 March. 2008. Auburn University. Auburn, AL.
|
Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
The physical and chemical properties of densified poultry litter have been quantified. The optimal moisture content and pressure to compact poultry litter have been researched. The impacts of densification on nutrient content of broiler litter have been determined. Samples collected up to 14 days after densification decreased in nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) concentrations over time. Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations increased in the litter bricks for the same period. The pH of litter bricks also increased from 7.5 to 8.7. Density of samples decreased over time from 1109 to 952 kg per m3. The microbial properties of densified poultry litter have been quantified. Enterococci were detected by the membrane filtration procedure. The numbers of enterococci increased initially and then decreased during the first 4 weeks of storage. The general trend was correlated with temperature changes in the densified litter. The numbers of enterococci seem to be stabilized
around 105 CFU/g dry litter between week 4 and week 14. Fecal coliforms were not detected. Total coliform bacteria were detected but no fecal coliform bacteria were found. The numbers of fecal coliforms vary depending on storage time and conditions. Heating up of the poultry litter pile during storage may eliminate fecal coliforms. Salmonella was not detected in the bricks. Therefore, densification of poultry litter did not adversely affect the microbial properties of poultry litter. On-farm usage of densified poultry after a storage period of four weeks should not pose health threat to humans. The effect of densified litter as a fertilizer on Dallisgrass has been studied and analyzed. Dry matter yield was not statistically different between commercial fertilizer (CF) and poultry litter (PL) for August harvest but the commercial fertilizer yield was greater (P < 0.001) for the September harvest (436 vs. 346 kg DM/ha). Forage concentration of crude protein was greater (P < 0.001) for
CF than PL for both harvest periods. Results indicated that poultry litter offers potential as a cost-effective alternative to commercial fertilizer for supporting productivity and nutritive quality of dallisgrass. A draft of the transportation analysis system, termed the Poultry Litter Decision Support System has been developed and tested with success. Current on-farm compaction equipment (forage equipment and compactors) for densifying litter are unable to generate the pressures required to densify litter. Retrofitting would be required to produce the necessary pressure to compact broiler litter. Research from this study was reported at several professional conferences. Investigators participated in an Alabama field day for poultry growers too highlight outcomes of this research. Several grower meetings were conducted emphasizing environmental stewardship in poultry production (AFO and CAFO) across Alabama. Finally, copies were distributed of the newly developed Environmental
Stewardship in Broiler Production Handbook to broiler producers across Alabama. A website has been developed and being maintained to provide current poultry litter news and information for Alabama growers.
Impacts
Densification could lower transportation costs and negative environmental impacts of broiler litter. The decision support system provides an analysis system to reduce the costs of litter transportation. Some changes in nutrient content occur subsequent to densification of broiler litter, which will necessitate alterations in application rates in comparison to raw broiler litter. Improved environmental stewardship of poultry litter through the understanding of nutrient movement and development of nutrient management plans.
Publications
- Bernhart, M., Fasina, O.O. and Fulton, J. 2007. Characterization of poultry litter for storage and process design. Paper No. 076050. ASABE Annual International Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, June 17th to 20th.
- Bungenstab, E.J., J. C. Lin, J. L. Holliman, A. C. Pereira and R. B. Muntifering. 2007. Productivity and nutritive quality of dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) as influenced by rate of fertilization with poultry litter or commercial fertilizer. Journal of Animal Science 85 (Suppl. 1):38.
- Kang, M.S., P. Srivastava, J. Fulton, T. Tyson, F. Owsley, and K. Yoo. 2007. GIS Based Decision Support System for Poultry Broiler Litter Management. ASABE Paper No. 74065. ASABE Annual International Conference, Minneapolis, MN, 17 to 20 June 2007.
- Sen, S., P, Srivastava, K. Yoo, J. Dane, J.N. Shaw, and M. S. Kang. 2007. Runoff Generation Mechanisms in Pastures of the Appalachian Plateau Region of Alabama: A Field Investigation. ASABE Paper No. 072090. ASABE Annual International Conference, Minneapolis, MN, 17 to 20 June 2007.
- Srivastava, P., M.S. Kang, J. Fulton, Ted Tyson, Frank Owsley, and K. H. Yoo. 2007. Optimal Transportation Analysis for Animal Waste Management through GIS-based PLDSS. USDA-CSREES National Water Conference. January 28 to February 1, 2007. Savannah, GA.
- Sturgeon, Laura, C.W. Wood, J.P. Fulton, B.H. Wood. 2007. Fertilizer Value of Densified Broiler Litter. In Abstracts of technical papers, 2007 annual meeting, S. Branch, ASA, 104th, Mobile, AL. 3 to 6 Feb. 2007. ASA Madison, WI.
- Sturgeon, Laura, C.W. Wood, J.P. Fulton, B.H. Wood. 2007. Fertilizer Value of Densified Broiler Litter. p. 77. In Abstracts. 17th Annual GSC Research Forum. 6 to 8 March. 2007. Auburn University. Auburn, AL.
|
|