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Utilizing Conservation Tillage to Minimize Nutrient Losses from Poultry Litter Applied in Grain Production Systems
Dr. Josh McGrath is the PI. The duration is from 2006 – 2008. The purpose is to demonstrate that commercially available conservation tillage technology can be successfully used to partially incorporate poultry litter in reduced tillage grain production systems preserving surface residue and soil conservation conditions, while reducing nitrogen and phosphorous losses in surface runoff and atmospheric ammonia emissions.
Field studies have been initiated at the Wye Research and Education Center and six cooperating farms in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia comparing various tillage practices to no-till. Natural runoff is collected and analyzed for nutrients and sediments. Extension presentations have been made at farmer field days and county meetings to discuss tillage options for farmers surface applying broiler litter.
Preliminary results indicate that certain conservation tillage practices may reduce soluble nutrient transfer in runoff from fields receiving broiler litter applications compared to no-till.
Impacts-Maryland NRCS has included one of the conservation tillage practices in their EQIP no-till program.
For more information, contact Dr. Josh McGrath
Last updated: 04/23/2009
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