A survey of the production and use of animal manures in England and Wales

Abstract. A survey of manure management practice was undertaken in 1996, by postal questionnaire submitted to a stratified sample of egg and broiler producers in England and Wales. Out of a target of 500 laying hen and 500 broiler (chickens produced for meat) production units in the survey sample, 356 (36%) returned questionnaires. The survey provided information on amount and type of manure production, manure storage and land application strategies (timing, techniques and awareness of nutrient content). Within the survey, no attempt was made to differentiate between organic and conventional production systems. About 45% of manure production was estimated to come from layer holdings, 55% from broiler litter. It was estimated that 70% of the national manure production is litter‐based and about 30% are droppings collected without litter. Sawdust/shavings are the most popular bedding material, with an average final depth of 100 mm for broilers and 140 mm on litter‐based layer units. Commonly, storage is available within housing for at least the length of the cropping cycle (6 weeks in broiler production, or 12 months in deep pit laying houses), around 60% of poultry manure is stored for a period following removal from the house, most commonly for 3‐6 months. Overall, autumn was the peak period for manure spreading, with over 40% of laying hen manure and 50% of broiler manure applied at that time. On grassland, spreading was reasonably evenly distributed throughout the year but autumn application was favoured for arable crops, especially before the establishment of cereals and root crops, overall, almost 50% of layer and broiler manure was applied in the autumn. In the survey, up to 10% of manures were claimed to be incorporated within a day of application and about 60% within a week of application, presumably because of concern about odour nuisance. Around 25% of poultry manure was applied by contractors. A high proportion of farmers (c. 40% with layers, c. 60% with broilers) exported manures from their holdings, the proportion removed amounting to almost 90% on these farms. Although evidence elsewhere indicates that farmers make little allowance for manures in planning crop fertilizer inputs, the survey responses suggested that farmers do make an effort to allow for manures but that their confidence in the advice available to them is lacking, or they may have other technical reasons for not taking advantage of the manurial value. Information provided by the survey is of significant importance to policy makers (e.g. for the construction of environmental emissions inventories), researchers, consultants and farmers.     

Response of Tifway 2 bermudagrass to fresh or composted broiler litter containing boric acid‐treated paper bedding

Abstract

Recycled paper treated with boric acid (BA) is gaining acceptance as bedding in broiler production houses. Applying this litter, or compost made from this litter, to turf raises an issue of boron (B) toxicity. There is also the question of nitrogen (N) availability from composts made from borated paper and broiler manure. The objective of this study was to determine if broiler house litter containing recycled BA‐treated paper poses a toxicity hazard to bermudagrass turf (Cynodon dactylon L. pers x C. Transvaalensis, Burtt‐Davis) when applied at agronomic N rates. The effects of five N sources at rates equivalent to 224, 448, and 896 kg N/ha in a factorial arrangement plus an unfertilized control and a high nitrogen‐phosphorus‐potassium (NPK) treatment with B at 22 kg B/ha on bermudagrass were determined in pot culture during the summer of 1992. The five NPKB sources were (M1) compost made from broiler manure, BA‐treated paper and yard refuse; (M2) fresh broiler manure with BA paper bedding; (M3) fresh broiler manure with pine shavings bedding; (M4) inorganic NPK; and (M5) inorganic NPK and BA. The soil was Cecil sandy clay loam subsoil. Top growth was harvested four times at 4 cm height with tops, roots, and stubble harvested at the fifth and final harvest. Composted litter was higher in water content and lower in NPK and B than fresh litter. As a result, over four times the mass had to be applied to achieve the desired N inputs. Boron concentrations in M1 on a dry matter basis were 290, M2=390, M3=52 mg B/kg, respectively. The NPK gave highest yields and compost (M1) gave the lowest yields. Yield response of fresh manure + BA paper was not different from fresh manure + pine shavings. Nitrogen recovery in plant growth from composts was very low. Nitrogen recovery in compost residue at the soil surface was very high. Nitrogen recoveries for BA paper litter and pine shavings litter were similar. No visual symptoms of B toxicity were observed, although a 16% yield reduction occurred at 22.4 kg B/ha at the 896 kg N/ha rate from NPK. Boron recovery in plant growth was negligible, but considerable B remained in the residue at the soil surface. Yield response efficiency was M1=2.5, M2=4.8, M3=5.3, NPK=15.5, NPKB=14.3 mg DM/mg N, respectively. Plant top N recovery response efficiency in mg N recovered/mg N per pot was 0.07, 0.15, 0.165, 0.63, and 0.58 for M1, M2, M3, NPK, and NPKB, respectively. Adding stubble, roots, and residue to total N recovery resulted in the following recoveries: M1=0.97, M2=0.25, M3=0.35, NPK=0.73, NPKB=0.68 mg N/ mg N applied. The risk of B toxicity to Tifway 2 bermudagrass from compost or manure containing BA‐treated paper is minimal if N rates are in the agronomic utilization range.     

Influence of Soil Properties and Manure Sources on Phosphorus in Runoff during Simulated Rainfall

Runoff from agricultural fields amended with animal manure or fertilizer is a source of phosphorus (P) pollution to surface waters, which can have harmful effects such as eutrophication. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of soil P status and the P composition of manure sources on P in runoff and characterize the effects of manure sources on mass loss of dissolved reactive P, total dissolved P, and total P in runoff. Soil boxes set at 5% slopes received 7.5 cm h^?1 of simulated rainfall for 30 min. Study soils included a Kenansville loamy sand (loamy siliceous subactive thermic Arenic Hapludults, a Coastal Plain soil) and a Davidson silt loam (kaolinitic thermic Rhodic Kandiudults, a Piedmont soil). Soil test P concentrations ranged from 16 to 283 mg P kg^?1. Sources of P included broiler litter, breeder manure, and breeder manure treated with three rates of aluminum sulfate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) 0, 3.9, and 7.8 kg m^?2, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), and an un-amended control. All manure sources were surface applied at 66 kg P ha^?1 without incorporation. Water extractable P represented an average of 10 ± 6% total P in manure. Runoff samples were taken over a 30-min period. Piedmont soil contained greater amounts of clay, aluminum (Al), and iron (Fe) concentrations, and higher P sorption capacities that produced significantly lower dissolved reactive P, total dissolved P, and total P losses than the Coastal Plain soil. Runoff P loss did not differ significantly for low and high STP Coastal Plain soils. Water extractable P in manures accounted for all dissolved reactive P lost in runoff with dissolved reactive P correlating strongly with water extractable P concentration (r² = 0.9961). Overall, manures containing the highest water extractable P concentrations contributed to the largest amounts of dissolved reactive P in runoff. Manure treated with 3.9 and 7.8 kg m^?2 of Al₂(SO₄)₃ (alum) decreased dissolved reactive P in runoff by 29%. While this soil box runoff study represents a worst-case scenario for P loss, highly significant effects of soil properties and manure sources were obtained. Management based on these results should help ameliorate harmful effects of P in runoff.     

The Distribution of Phosphorus in Popes Creek, VA, and in the Pocomoke River, MD: Two Watersheds with Different Land Management Practices in the Chesapeake Bay Basin

This paper compares phosphorus (P) concentrations in sediments from two watersheds, one with, and one without, intensive animal agriculture. The watersheds are in the coastal plain of the Chesapeake Bay and have similar physiographic characteristics. Agriculture in the Pocomoke River, MD, watershed supplied 2.7 percent of all broiler chickens produced in the USA in 1997. Poultry litter is an abundant, local source of manure for crops. Broiler chickens are not produced in the Popes Creek, VA, watershed and poultry manure is, therefore, not a major source of fertilizer. The largest concentrations of P in sediment samples are found in floodplain and main-stem bottom sediment in both watersheds. Concentrations of total P and P extracted with 1N HCl are significantly larger in main-stem bottom sediments from the Pocomoke River than in main-stem bottom sediments from Popes Creek. Larger concentrations of P are associated with what are potentially redox sensitive iron oxyhydroxides in sediment samples from the Pocomoke River watershed than are associated with what are potentially redox sensitive iron oxyhydroxides in sediment samples from the Popes Creek watershed. Data for P and iron (Fe) concentrations in sediments from the Popes Creek watershed provide a numerical framework (baseline) with which to compare P and Fe concentrations in sediment from the Pocomoke River watershed.     

Nitrate leaching loss following application of organic manures to sandy soils in arable cropping.

Abstract. Experiments were set up at two sites to measure nitrogen (N) leaching loss from applications of separated pig/cattle slurry and cattle farmyard manure(FYM), during winters 1990/91–1993/94 (site A) and from broiler litter and FYM, during winters 1990/91–1992/93 (site B). The manures were applied at a target rate of 200 kg ha^-1 total N during the autumn and winter to overwinter fallow or top dressed onto winter rye. The total N in leachate was calculated from leachate N concentrations, in samples collected using ceramic cups buried at 90 cm, and an estimate of drainage volume. Nitrogen losses were greatest following manure applications in September, October and November but losses following applications in December or January were not significantly elevated above those from untreated controls. Losses were consistently lower from FYM than from broiler litter or separated slurry. The presence of a cover crop (winter rye) significantly reduced overall N leaching compared with the fallow, but only reduced the manure N leaching losses at one site during one winter when a high proportion of drainage occurred late. The incorporation of a nitrification inhibitor (DCD) with manures applied in October did not significantly reduce the manure N leaching.     

The status of atmospheric concentrations of ammonia in an intensive dairy farming area in central Japan

(pp. 53–57)

Atmospheric concentrations of ammonia were monitored for one year in an intensive dairy farming area and its environs in the Kanto region in central Japan. Passive samplers were used to collect gaseous ammonia in the atmosphere. A clear difference in concentrations was observed: they were high in the central farming area (3.2–36.2 µg N m^?3) and low in its surrounding area (0.2–0.4 µg N m^?3). Seasonal changes in concentrations were also witnessed · concentration reached a peak in April and May. A negative correlation was found between the annual mean of ammonia concentrations and the distance from the manure facilities of dairy farmers. Ammonia volatilization from manure was considered to be the primary factor that controlled the atmospheric concentrations of ammonia within 1 km of the manure facilities. The annual mean concentrations of ammonia positively correlated with the nitrogen concentrations in open-bulk precipitation. It was, therefore, suggested that ammonia emissions from dairy farming affected the wet deposition of nitrogen. On the other hand, both seasonal changes in precipitation and manure management performed by dairy farmers were considered to be the primary factors that induced seasonal changes in atmospheric ammonia concentrations.     

Poultry litter and tillage influences on corn production and soil nutrients in a Kentucky silt loam soil

Broiler chicken (Gallus gallus) manure, a rich source of plant nutrients, is generated in large quantities in southeastern USA where many row crops, such as corn (Zea mays L.), are also extensively grown. However, the use of broiler manure as an economical alternative source of nutrients for corn production has not been extensively explored in this region. This study was conducted to examine the use of broiler litter as a source of nutrients for corn production, as influenced by tillage and litter rate, and any residual effects following application. In addition, the consequence of litter application to soil test nutrient levels, particularly P, Zn and Cu, was explored. The treatments consisted of two rates of broiler litter application, 11 and 22 Mg ha⁻¹ on a wet weight basis, and one rate of chemical fertilizer applied under no-till and conventional tillage systems. Treatments were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Corn was grown with broiler litter and inorganic fertilizer applied to the same plots each year from 1998 to 2001. In 2002 and 2003, corn was planted no-till, but only N fertilizer was applied in order to make use of other residual litter nutrients. Soil samples were taken yearly in the spring prior to litter application and 4 years after the cessation of litter application to evaluate the status of the residual nutrients in soil. Two years out of the 4-year experiment, broiler litter application produced significantly greater corn grain yield than equivalent chemical fertilizer application and produced similar grain yield in the other 2 years. Corn grain yield was significantly greater under no-till in 1999, but significantly greater under conventional-till in 2000, and no difference between the two tillage systems were observed in 1998 and 2001. With 4 years of litter application, Mehlich-3 P increased from an initial 18 mg kg⁻¹ to 156 mg kg⁻¹ with 11 Mg ha⁻¹ litter and to 257 mg kg⁻¹ with 22 Mg ha⁻¹ litter. For every 6 kg ha⁻¹ of P applied in poultry litter Mehlich-3 P was increased by 1 mg kg⁻¹. Modest increases in Mehlich-3 Cu and Zn did not result in phytotoxic levels. This study indicated that an optimum rate of broiler litter as a primary fertilizer at 11 Mg ha⁻¹ applied in 4 consecutive years on a silt loam soil produced corn grain yields similar to chemical fertilizer under both no-till and conventional tillage systems and kept soil test P, Cu and Zn levels below values considered to be harmful to surface water quality or the crop.     

肉鸡粪便理化指标与其肥料成分含量的相关关系研究

为了探明肉鸡粪便理化指标与其肥料成分含量之间的相关关系,采集了具有代表性的20个肉鸡粪便样本,使用密度计和电导仪测定肉鸡粪便密度和电导率,用实验室常规分析方法测定其干物质、氮、磷、钾和铵态氮的含量,对肉鸡粪便理化指标与其主要肥料成分含量的相关关系进行了研究。研究结果表明:肉鸡粪便密度与磷含量之间具有显著的相关关系,R²=0.8447(P<0.001);电导率与钾和铵态氮含量之间具有显著的相关关系,其相关系数分别为R²=0.734(P<0.001)和R²=0.852(P<0.001)。通过测定粪便密度和电导率可快速、较准确的预测家禽粪便中氮、磷、钾的含量     

Solution 31Phosphorus Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Acid-Extractable Phosphates in Animal Feces

Characterizing phosphates in animal fecal and manure samples is of interest to environmental-monitoring research efforts. Acid extraction removes relatively mobile phosphates from samples, offering a better indicator of the mobility of phosphates in environment, but acidic extracts impose challenges to the solution phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P NMR) spectroscopy, which is commonly used for analyzing phosphates in environmental samples. Acid-extractable metals precipitate phosphates in the alkaline condition under which solution ³¹P NMR experiment runs, blurring the spectrum for adequate analysis. We found that neutralizing acid extracts with 0.5 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) plus 50 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) before freeze drying eliminated the chemical interferences otherwise observed. The resulting ³¹P NMR spectra can be used to quantify acid-soluble phytate and other phosphates in animal fecal and manure samples. The improvement in detection will support efforts to investigate the mobility of phosphates in feces and manures used as land amendments.     

Assessment of co‐blending water treatment residual with dairy manure to reduce phosphorus concentrations in run‐off in Northern Ireland

Losses of phosphorus (P) to water that follow manure applications can be high while water treatment residuals (WTR) have an appreciable capacity to sorb soluble P which is an important risk factor in determining the susceptibility of manure P to run‐off losses. The objective of this study was to assess whether co‐blending WTR with dairy cow manure prior to surface application would reduce P concentrations in run‐off from grassland. An alum‐derived WTR was collected from a water treatment works (WTW), dried and characterized for its phosphorus sorption capacity (PSC) based on oxalate‐extractable Al and Fe. Multipoint P sorption isotherms were used to calculate the Langmuir P sorption maximum (P_max) and equilibrium P concentration (EPC₀). The WTR contained 170 g Al_ox/kg and 2.2 g Fe_ox/kg with a nominal long‐term PSC of 118 g/kg. Following a 6 day incubation of WTR, the Langmuir P_max was 82.6 g/kg and the EPC₀ of 0.13 mg P/L. Laboratory incubations of manure co‐blended with WTR indicated that 144 g WTR/kg dry matter (DM) manure significantly lowered (P < 0.001) manure WSP by 71.5 ± 16.6% after 108 h, but lower WTR mixing rates of 72 and 36 g WTR/kg had no statistical effect on manure WSP. Results from a field experiment using simulated rain on 0.5‐m² grassland plots showed no significant effect on run‐off P 2 days after applying 50 m³/ha of 6% DM manure co‐blended WTR at rates of 150 and 250 g WTR/kg.     

Phosphorus distribution and availability in response to dairy manure applications

Abstract

As livestock operations become larger and concerns about water quality become greater, attention must be paid to the composition of animal manure and its potential impact on the environment. One current concern involves the amount and forms of phosphorus (P) being added to land with manure. The objective of this experiment was to determine the forms and availability of P in soils receiving 4 years of continuous dairy manure applications. Soil samples were collected from lysimeter plots established in 1991 to study the impact of dairy manure applications on surface water and groundwater. Soil P was fractionated into available (NaHCO₃), iron (Fe)‐ and aluminum (Al)‐bound (NaOH), and calcium (Ca)‐bound (HC1) forms. These data were related to manure application rates, soluble P concentrations, and anion exchange membrane (AEM) bound P. Results indicate that the potential to move P by leaching through these loessial soils is very low even at high manure application rates. Large manure additions resulted in increases in all P forms; however, the inorganic pools increased more than the organic pools. The AEM values were a good tool for predicting potential P movement by soil erosion or runoff with membrane bound P being strongly correlated with manure application rate (r²=0.82) and available P (NaHCO₃). Best management practices for manure disposal need to consider the potential for P movement through erosion and runoff, and the AEM technique provides a means for evaluating this potential.     

Developing an Environmental Manure Test for the Phosphorus Index

Abstract

Widespread implementation of the phosphorus (P) index has focused attention on environmental manure tests that can be used to estimate the relative availability of P in manure to runoff water. This article describes the development and use of a water extractable P (WEP) test to assess the capacity of land‐applied manure to enrich P in runoff water. WEP of surface‐applied manure has been shown to be strongly correlated to dissolved P concentrations in runoff from agricultural soils. WEP tests that have a defined water‐to‐manure‐solids ratio and involve extraction times of 30 to 120 min provide the best prediction of dissolved P in runoff across a wide range of manures. Consistent measurement of manure WEP can be achieved with manure sample storage times of up to 22 days (4°C), acidified extract holding times of 18 days, and solid separation by either centrifugation or paper filtration. Reproducibility of WEP tests is comparable to that of other common manure tests (e.g., total P), as verified by within‐laboratory and inter laboratory evaluations. A survey of 140 livestock manures revealed significant differences in mean WEP among different livestock manures, with swine greater than poultry (turkey, broiler and layer chickens) and dairy cattle greater than beef cattle. Such results support the use of WEP‐based coefficients to modify the source component of the P index.     

Response of kentucky‐31 tall fescue to broiler litter and composts made from broiler litter

Abstract

Recycled paper treated with boric acid (BA) is gaining acceptance as bedding in broiler houses. Applying this litter to Kentucky 31 (K‐31) tall fescue, Festuca Arundinacea Shreb, pastures raises the issue of potential boron (B) toxicity. There is also the question of nitrogen (N) availability from composts made with borated paper and broiler manure. The effect of five N sources at 224, 448, and 896 kg N/ha in a factorial arrangement plus an unfertilized control and high nitrogen‐phosphorus‐potassium (NPK) + additional boron at 45 kg B/ha on growth and NPKB uptake of K‐31 tall fescue was determined in a greenhouse during the spring of 1992. The five N sources were (1) inorganic salts, (2) compost made from hen manure, broiler manure, fescue hay and bark (M1), (3) fresh broiler litter (M2), (4) compost made from broiler manure and borated paper bedding (M3), (5) compost from hen manure, oak leaves, broiler litter (M4). The soil was Cecil sandy clay loam subsoil. Six harvests were made at 4‐cm cutting heights for determination of dry matter, N, P, K, and B uptake in tops, stubble, roots, and residue. Relative yield response of M2 was 65% of that from inorganic NPK, whereas the yield of the three composts was 22–30% of that from inorganic NPK. Over 50% of the N applied in compost residue remained at the soil surface. Boron toxicity to K‐31 as estimated from yield reduction or from visual symptoms did not occur from 20 kg B/ha in compost made with borated paper (M3). However, a 12% yield reduction did occur at the 45 kg B/ha rate from inorganic B. Industry efforts to reduce the amount of boric acid used in the treatment of recycled paper, the high mobility of B in humid areas, the apparent ability of K‐31 tall fescue to tolerate massive quantities of compost and high rates of B application suggest that the application of the broiler litter from houses where BA‐treated recycled paper is used as bedding would be environmentally safe at application rates based on N requirements of K‐31 tall fescue.     

Fertilizer value of nitrogen in hen and broiler manure after application to spring barley using different application timing

The nitrogen (N) fertilizer effect of layer hen and broiler manure applied at different times on spring barley yield was studied in seven Swedish field experiments during 2005–2008. Two experiments had parallel field incubations to study N release after fertilizer application. The effect of total N in manure on N offtake was 30–40% that of mineral N, except in a dry year, when the effect was very low. Although the relative proportions of ammonium N, uric acid N and other N differed between the hen and broiler manure, the effect of total N was similar for both. In field incubations, mineral N decreased from 75 to 60% of total N applied in hen manure, whereas it increased from 20 to 50% in broiler manure, because of net immobilization and release, respectively. The limited fertilizer nitrogen replacement value, corresponding to only 30–40% of total N, could be as a result of ammonia volatilization after rather shallow incorporation with harrow. Net N release from broiler manure lasted for 6–8 weeks after application, after which it generally ceased. In some cases, manure application in early spring gave better yield effects than application at sowing, probably because of better synchronization of the N release with crop N requirements. The residual N effect on the N offtake in crop in the year after manure application was on average 3% of the total N applied, equivalent to a fertilizer replacement value of about 6%.     

Bacterial Transport from Agricultural Lands Fertilized with Animal Manure

A plot scale study was conducted to determine bacterial transport in runoff from cropland treated with poultry litter and dairy manure applied at phosphorus (P) agronomic rates. Treatments included surface application of dairy manure, surface application of poultry litter, incorporation of dairy manure and control. A rainfall simulator was used to induce runoff 1 and 2 days after manure application. Runoff was analyzed to determine the concentration of indicator bacteria-fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus. Observed edge-of-field bacterial concentrations were 10² to 10⁵ times higher than Virginia’s in-stream bacteria criteria for primary contact recreation waters. No significant treatment effects were observed on edge-of-field bacteria concentration or yield. Results suggest that the manure application based on agronomic P rates may yield significant bacterial loading to downstream waterbodies if rainfall occurs soon after manure application. This research underscores the need for BMPs that reduce runoff volumes and filter pollutants associated with animal manures.     

日粮中添加植酸酶对鸡粪中不同形态磷含量的影响

由于植物性饲料中大部分磷不能被动物吸收利用,生产上往往添加一定无机磷,容易造成禽畜粪中的磷累积,提高环境磷污染风险。为保证种鸡日粮磷需求前提下降低鸡粪磷排放量,设计0、300、500IU植酸酶用量与0．4％、0．3％、0．2％有效磷含量的不同组合日粮进行种鸡饲养试验,研究了不同日粮对鸡粪磷形态的影响。结果显示,添加植酸酶对鸡粪中总磷、有机磷和无机磷含量影响未达显著水平,但显著降低鸡粪植酸磷含量。鸡粪总磷、植酸磷、有机磷和无机磷含量则随日粮有效磷含量增加而显著提高。其中,以0．2％有效磷日粮处理鸡粪总磷、有机磷和无机磷含量最低,0．2％有效磷＋500IU植酸酶日粮处理鸡粪植酸磷含量最低。因此,在生产上降低有效磷含量的同时添加适量植酸酶可以降低鸡粪磷盈余。     

Reduction in phosphorus availability in poultry and diary manure by mineral amendments

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) loading of soils from the repeated application of manure and the associated loss of P to water systems is a serious and increasing problem in today's agricultural landscape. The hypothesis of this study was that the application of mineral amendments to manure might reduce P availability in manure and soil without affecting crop productivity. An incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride or calcium hydroxide at 100 and 200 g kg^?1 of manure to reduce phytoavailable (Mehlich-3 extractable) P in liquid dairy, laying hen and broiler chicken manure. Mehlich-3 extractable P was reduced from 59 to 97% in all manure treated with aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride. The calcium hydroxide treatment resulted in a Mehlich-3 extractable P reduction ranging from ?17 to 51%. A container experiment was then carried out to examine the effect of soil with pre-treated manure on timothy (Phelum pretense L.) growth and soil P levels. Timothy yields in all dairy manure treatments were 45–57% lower compared to an N–P–K control, but were not lower compared to the untreated manure control. Dairy manure + aluminum sulfate (200 g kg^?1) reduced water-extractable P by 82% relative to the N–P–K control. All other manure and amendment treatment combinations were not statistically different from the N–P–K or the untreated soil controls in terms of water-extractable P, Mehlich-3 extractable P or grass yield. Significant reductions in Mehlich-3 extractable P were observed with the aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride amendments, while varied results were observed with the calcium hydroxide amendment. Results suggest that the use of manure amended with aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride has little effect on growth or P accumulation by timothy. Overall, this study demonstrated that mineral pre-treatment of manure can reduce the extractable P content of the manure and soil without negative effects on plant growth.     

Application of Near‐Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy to Estimate Chemical Constituents in Broiler Litter

Abstract

Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has potential to provide rapid estimates of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in broiler litter to assist managers in establishing application rates of litter to grazing lands that fall within productive and environmentally safe levels. An experiment was conducted to determine accuracy of NIRS estimates of moisture, P, N, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations in broiler litter. Broiler litter samples were collected from various farms to develop sample sets that were either with or without bedding material, and each sample set was subdivided into processed (i.e., dried and ground) and unprocessed samples to develop local equations for each constituent. Equations were developed by using all samples from each set and using samples following random removal of 20% of total for equation validation. Moisture was determined to be accurately measured by using NIRS based on a high R² (≥0.96), low SEC (<10 g kg^?1), and high s_x/SECV (>5.0). ADF also had a high R² (0.96), but the S_x/SEC (3.00) value was too low for the equation to be considered truly accurate. Estimations of P and N by calibrations that included all samples had a moderate to high R² values, but estimations for the validation set were relatively low in R² (≤0.78) and S_x/SEC (≤2.00). Concentrations of P and N were not estimated by NIRS with a high degree of accuracy, but other methodologies could enhance the usefulness of this technology to rapidly provide these nutrient measures.     

Manure Nutrient Content on Vermont Dairy Farms: Long‐Term Trends and Relationships

Manure nutrient analysis is an important component of nutrient‐management planning on dairy farms. The University of Vermont Agricultural and Environmental Testing Laboratory analyzed more than 2,300 dairy manure samples from 1992 to 2006. Means of nutrient content were consistent with published values, but variability among the sample results supports the need for laboratory analysis to determine manure application rates. Phosphorus (P) content of manure decreased by about 30% from 1992 to 2004, presumably reflecting a shift in dairy diets to avoid feeding excess P, but P content increased in the following 2 years. The copper (Cu) content of liquid manure increased four‐fold, mostly after 1998, a change attributed to increased use of copper sulfate (CuSO₄) in foot baths. While not reliable for making nutrient‐management decisions on individual farms, long‐term summaries can be useful to detect trends and to put individual analytical results in context.     

The dynamic state of the ionome in roots,nodules, and shoots of soybean under different nitrogen status and at different growth stages

The relative distribution of 22 mineral elements in the roots, nodules and shoots of the soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv. Tsurumusume) at R1 (beginning of the flowering stage) and R7 (beginning of the mature stage) was investigated in response to ammonium and manure N treatment. Plants receiving only atmospheric nitrogen served as the negative control. The addition of ammonium sulfate to the soil caused soil acidification, induced Al and Mn toxicities, and significantly reduced the biomass production in roots and nodules. Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in shoots, and those of Mo and Co higher in nodules. The addition of manure to the soil significantly enhanced the levels of Sr, Ba, Cr, and Cd in shoots, whereas the concentration of Cs was decreased at R7. Moreover, when the soybean developed from R1 to R7, the levels of essential elements in nodules decreased, whereas those of nonessential elements increased, irrespective of the nitrogen source. Furthermore, the variation in the concentrations of many elements was not consistent for nodules and roots when soybean developed from R1 to R7. The variation of Mn, Zn, B, and Al concentrations was independent of N treatments. However, Ca, Fe, Cu, Mo, and Se levels were affected strongly by N treatments. This study is the first to document the dynamic variation of the soybean ionome in nodules, roots, and shoots from vegetative to reproductive stage of soybean.