POULTRY LITTER
The poultry industry in the United States produces massive amounts of poultry litter that needs to be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.  In Arkansas, broiler houses alone produce 1.3 million metric tons of litter annually.  This litter is commonly used to fertilize pastures.  Research on pastures has shown that excessive applications of poultry litter can negatively affect the quality of surface and soil water and raise nutrient levels above water quality standards.  Poultry litter applications may also lead to unacceptable high levels of arsenic and heavy metals in the environment.  Poultry litter applications to forests could be used to increase timber production and C sequestration while, at the same time, expanding the options for litter disposal.  In the southern United States more than 530,000 ha of pine forests are fertilized, and fertilization is estimated to increase productivity by 35% in intensively managed plantations.  Potentially, poultry litter could be routinely used in forests in Arkansas because many landowners that produce poultry litter also own forestland and/or are located within short distances of pine forests.  As seen for other types of waste, forests can absorb and retain relatively large amounts of the elements found in poultry litter without causing environmental problems.  Scientist in the Arkansas Forest Resource Center have established a study at the University of Arkansas Southwest Agriculture Experiment and Extension Center.

The objectives of this study is to evaluate 1) the effect of poultry litter disposal in forests on surface and subsurface water chemistry as well as soil chemistry 2) compare the environmental  impacts of poultry litter application in forests to those in pastures 3) evaluate impacts of poultry litter applications on forest productivity, timber production, and C sequestration, and 4) evaluate economic viability of litter application in forests.

STUDY LOCATION AND DESIGN 

 

 

 

04/13/2004