Poultry Litter Fertilizer on Pasture, Silvopasture and Forest Soils

Much of the considerable amounts of poultry litter produced in northern Louisiana is applied to pasture and timber lands to provide nutrients and organic matter, which tend to be low. The importance of minimizing nutrient losses to surface waters from poultry litter application is stressed. Studies of poultry litter effects show significantly increased yields of crops and pine. Soil quality, in particular phosphorus (P) buildup and movement, and runoff water quality concerns are discussed. Amounts of P lost in runoff have been similar in pasture and pine plots, but total runoff volume from pasture plots was higher.