Chris Bruynis, Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent
Objective: To compare a farmer's normal fertility program using commercial fertilizer to a fertility program using poultry litter plus commercial fertilizer.
Background |
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| Cooperator:
County of Site: Nearest Town: Major Soil Type: Drainage: Tillage: Previous Crop: Variety: Soil Test: |
Tim Wood
Wyandot Marseilles Blount Surface, No Tile Minimum Till Soybeans pH 7.2 P 61 lbs/a K 157 lbs/a |
| Organic Matter:
Fertilizer: Herbicide: Planting Population: Planting Date: Harvest Date: |
2.6
See Methods Gaurdsman, Hornet 28,900/ac May 2, 1999 November 1, 1999 |
The plot was designed to compare the long-term returns for two different fertility systems. Listed in the chart below are the different nutrient applications and the month of application. Poultry litter, based on several analyses, contains ~100 lbs P2O5, ~70 lbs K2O, and ~40 lbs nitrogen per ton. A four-ton application should supply sufficient nutrients for three or more crops. Commercial fertilizer application decisions were based on Extension Bulletin E-2567, Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Alfalfa. Sufficient commercial fertilizer was applied for two crops, corn this year and soybeans next year.
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| Treatment | Yield |
| Commercial Fertilizer Only | 141.64 bu/ac a |
| Poultry Litter & Commercial Fertilizer | 143.62 bu/ac a |
| lsd (0.05) = 8.46 bu/ac
cv = 3.99% |
NS |
With the construction of large poultry facilities in the area, local farmers now have available approximately 500,000 tons of poultry litter annually.
Although there were no significant yield differences, the economic differences between the two systems should be examined. The poultry litter cost $15 per ton including application charges for a total of $60 per acre. The commercial fertilizer, not including what was applied to both treatments, cost $57 per acre plus $4.50 application fee, for a total cost of $61.50. No additional cost was assessed for the extra nitrogen application, because under normal circumstances this would have been applied with the herbicide.
Poultry litter and commercial fertilizer costs were basically the same for the same income per acre this year. This plot will be maintained for three years to analyze the long-term differences. Soil samples from each plot will be analyzed to determine other differences beside crop yield. It has been the experience of other producers in the area that increased pH levels, organic-matter levels, and nutrient levels may be occurring with the use of poultry litter. Improvements in these soil-quality measures may not be apparent in the year of litter application but can have long-term benefits. Some concerns include the potential for soil compaction in spring application of poultry litter and the loss of available nitrogen for the following crop when doing a summer application.
The poultry litter used in this research was partially donated by Organigro, Inc., Jack Lill, Sales Representative, 740-386-1807. Preliminary soil testing, commercial fertilizer application, and technical support was provided by Farmers Commission Company, Bill Thornton, Agronomist, 419-294-1974. The weigh wagon was provided by Riele Farms, Pioneer Dealer, Upper Sandusky.
For more information, contact:
Ohio State University Extension, Wyandot County
109 South Sandusky Ave. Room 16, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
419-294-4931 bruynis.1@osu.edu