PRINCETON, KY (March 19, 2014) - “When used wisely, poultry litter is a valuable resource,” said Edwin Ritchey, UK extension soil scientist. “It provides nutrients to the soil, eases environmental concerns and, in many cases, is cost effective.”Current surface broadcast application methods, however, leave an unpleasant smell and pose environmental concerns.

A new method injects dry litter directly into the soil by using a subsurface litter application implement developed by USDA-ARS researchers. Karamat Sistani, a soil scientist and research leader with the USDA-ARS in Bowling Green, has worked on developing this poultry litter subsurface application technology for the past 10 to 12 years with fellow USDA-ARS scientists.

A two-year study conducted by Sistani, Jason Simmons, PSS Graduate student and USDA-ARS biological science technician; Dan Pote, USDA-ARS soil scientist in Booneville, Ark. and Ritchey found the subsurface application of poultry litter had a huge advantage over the traditional application methods in terms of improved air quality and runoff nutrient reduction.

Read the full story at - http://news.ca.uky.edu/article/new-poultry-litter-application-method-holds-promise-corn