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FSA9529
Nutrient Analysis of
Poultry Litter
University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating
litter varies between houses and within the
same house depending on location and
management. Litter testing is important for
farmers utilizing their own litter as a fertil
izer source as well as for farmers buying
litter for its fertilizer value. Testing litter is
the most reliable means of accurately deter
mining its nutrient content. In fact, litter
sampling and analysis is required by law for
those poultry operations located in the
states Nutrient Surplus Area (Figure 2).
In this area, all poultry operations must
submit one litter sample per farm every five
years for nitrogen (N) and P analyses for the
purpose of developing or updating a nutrient
management plan. As a result of escalating
environmental concerns, litter must also be
analyzed to determine its water-extractable
P (WEP) content. In fact, the WEP content of
litter is one of the major input parameters in
the Arkansas Phosphorus Index, which
determines the relative risk for P loss from
individual fields and the actual litter rates
that can be applied to the field. A copy of the
litter analysis results should be given to the
county conservation district office where the
farm is located and be retained by the
producer for five years. If the operation
requires a nutrient plan, the samples
nutrient analysis report should be kept with
the nutrient management plan records.
Figure 2. Nutrient surplus areas in Arkansas.
Collecting a representative sample of litter can results are normally returned to the client by mail
be difficult, but it is critical to ensure the nutrient within two to three weeks of sample submission.
analysis results are representative of the primary
litter source. Information in Table 1 summarizes Litter Nutrient Analyses
guidelines for collecting litter samples. For more
precise information on acquiring a litter sample, see Litter varies widely in nutrient content
the University of Arkansas Division of Agricultures (Table 2), and we have probably all wondered how
recommendations for sampling poultry litter in nutrient concentration changes with successive
house as well as in intermediate storage (e.g., flocks. Figure 3 demonstrates nutrient content of
stacked) (Wilson et al., 2006). nine flocks of six-week birds grown on the same
litter starting with a 50/50 mix of rice hulls and pine
shavings/sawdust. Caked litter was removed after
Where to Submit Samples for Testing each flock, but samples were taken prior to cake
Samples should be taken to the local county removal. Values depicted in Figure 3 represent aver
extension office where any additional information ages of four 40' x 400' houses under similar manage
needed to complete the submission form will be ment. Generally, the moisture (% H20) remains
collected. A check for the amount of total analysis around 30%, while the N, P and potassium (K) show
and shipping costs should be sent with the sample. a slight but steady increase.
As of May 4, 2009, the cost of routine litter analysis Separate litter analyses over a three-year period
is $20. A test for WEP can be obtained for an addi are presented in Table 2 on an as is basis, meaning
tional $8. Contact your local extension office for the the values are not corrected for moisture content by
most up-to-date costs of analysis. Sample analysis converting to a dry weight basis. The average litter
This assumes the crop receiving the litter needs
all the N, P and K supplied by the litter. If litter
oversupplies a nutrient (typically P), the fertilizer
value is reduced somewhat.
The approximate 1.4 million tons of litter Tabler, T., and L. Berry. 2003. Nutrient analysis of poultry litter
produced in Arkansas are a valuable resource and and possible disposal alternatives. Avian Advice 5(3):1-3.
must be used wisely to ensure sustainability both USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2008. Agricultural
from an agronomic and environmental standpoint. Prices [online]. Available at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/
MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1002.
The nutrient content of poultry litter is inherently Washington, DC.
variable, and the only way to know the exact
U.S. Department of Agriculture - National Agricultural Statistics
nutrient value is to have it analyzed. In fact, poultry Service. 2008. Quick Stats Agricultural Statistics database.
producers in the Nutrient Surplus Areas must have http://www.nass.usda.gov/Data_and_Statistics/Quick_Stats
their litter analyzed every five years. Also, farmers /index.asp. USDA, Washington, D.C.
buying litter need to know its nutrient value in VanDevender, K., J. Langston and M. Daniels. 2000. Utilizing
order to determine appropriate application rates dry poultry litter An overview. Arkansas Coop. Ext. Ser.
FSA8000. University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas.
for crop yield goals. While all costs continue to rise,
the increased value of litter as a fertilizer fosters Wilson, M., M. Daniels, N. Slaton, T. Daniel and K. VanDevender.
2006. Sampling poultry litter for nutrient content. Arkansas
transport and use of the litter further distances Coop. Ext. Ser. FSA9519. University of Arkansas, Little
from its origin. Rock, Arkansas.
Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.
DR. ANDREW SHARPLEY and DR. NATHAN SLATON are professors Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and
with the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences department at the June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. DR. TOM TABLER is Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. The
project/program manager with the Poultry Science department at the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible
University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. DR. KARL VANDEVENDER is persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age,
a professor/engineer and DR. MIKE DANIELS is a professor - water disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status,
quality and nutrient management with the University of Arkansas and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Division of Agriculture in Little Rock. DR. FRANK JONES is a professor
with the Poultry Science Department and DR. TOMMY DANIEL is a
professor with the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences department at
the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. FSA9529-PD-6-09N