Chicken Litter as Fertiliser for Broadacre Grain Crops

a user’s guide Page 2

Increasing costs of fertilisers What is chicken litter’s has many broadacre cropping potential as fertiliser? farmers considering alternative nutrient sources to apply to Nutrient Content crops. Phosphorus-based fertiliser Chicken litter contains useful amounts of prices have been particularly phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium as volatile and expensive in recent well as trace elements zinc, manganese years. and copper. Nutrient contents can vary considerably between sources and Spent litter associated with batches.. broiler chicken production has gained attention from grain Moisture Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Sulphur (S) Litter Type/Base (%) (%dwt) (kg/t fwt) (%dwt) (kg/t fwt) (%dwt) (kg/t fwt) (%dwt) (kg/t fwt) farmers in districts with chicken Average 20 4.0 32.1 1.1 8.6 2.2 17.2 0.63 5.0 farms close at hand. It contains Straw Range 14.5 - 25.1 2.0 - 5.3 0.7 - 1.8 1.6 - 2.8 0.5 - 1.1 a variety of plant nutrients and Average 25 3.8 28.2 1.2 8.9 1.8 13.7 0.54 4.1 Sawdust is commonly used overseas as a Range 20.1 - 28.8 2.8 - 5.9 0.75 - 1.53 1.3 - 2.5 0.4 - 0.7 source of crop nutrients. Until Wood Average 26 3.9 29.0 1.3 9.9 1.9 14.0 0.51 3.8 recently, little information existed Shavings Range 20.5 - 31.2 2.8 - 5.5 0.68 - 1.7 1.1 - 2.8 0.3 - 0.7 on its use in Australian farming Multibatch Average 21 4.0 31.7 1.7 13.4 2.4 18.9 0.58 4.6 systems. Table 1: Macro nutrient content of spent chicken litter (RIRDC Litter Survey From 2007 to 2012, Rural 2010) Zinc (Zn) Copper (Cu) Manganese (Mn) Directions Pty Ltd has conducted Litter Type/Base (g/tonne fwt) (g/tonne fwt) (g/tonne fwt) two RIRDC funded research Average 296 120 416 Straw projects examining the use of Range 128-400 88-168 312-664 chicken litter as a broadacre Average 270 113 300 Sawdust crop fertiliser in South Australia. Range 218-383 60-158 210-413

The project aimed to address Wood Average 318 96 355 frequently asked questions posed Shavings Range 200-437 59-222 259-570 by broadacre users of chicken Average 427 98 521 Multibatch litter, and provide practical Range 346-529 80-119 450-585 information on its use. Findings Table 2: Micro nutrient content of spent from the projects have been chicken litter (RIRDC Litter Survey 2010) used to develop this guide for NB - %dwt = percentage dry weight; kg/t fwt = kilogram of nutrient per tonne of litter fresh weight; g/tonne fwt = grams of micronutrient per grain producers considering tonne of litter fresh weight. chicken litter as an alternative fertiliser. Variability in Nutrient Levels

Nutrient levels can vary by 100% or more Tip: Request an analysis between litter sources and batches. Given of the litter you intend this variability, it is important to obtain a to purchase to check nutrient content analysis of the product nutrient content, purchased to make sure it represents good particularly phosphorus. value. Don’t assume that what you are This analysis can be told will be in there is actually present in carried out at several the litter. laboratories for around $30-$50 per sample. Fresh litter contains 20% to 30% moisture. Nutrient contents are generally Alternatively, be quoted as percentage of dry weight conservative in your (%dwt). When calculating the amount estimation of nutrient of nutrient to be applied, the nutrient content to prevent content used in calculations needs to under application. be reduced proportionately to provide a realistic estimate. Page 3

Nutrient availability, Figure 1 displays the results of trials where chicken litter was applied with and without conventional fertiliser on a phosphorus responsive (low phosphorus) and a accessibility and losses non-phosphorus responsive (high phosphorus) soil. Starter fertiliser in the seed row was important to maintain yield at the phosphorus responsive soil, but there was no Phosphorus advantage on the non-responsive soil.

In trials on some soils, crops treated with Figure 1: Wheat yield in response to combinations of chicken litter and chicken litter showed less early vigour conventional fertiliser applications at phosphorus responsive and phosphorus compared to crops sown with conventional non-responsive sites at Freeling, SAGrainYield in 2010 fertiliser in close proximity to the seed, 6.00 particularly in low disturbance sowing systems. In most cases eventual grain yield A 5.00 A A was not affected, however, there were A A instances where yields were slightly lower than where conventional fertiliser was 4.00 applied. A A 3.00 The likely cause of vigour reductions is B B A B from the nutrients in chicken litter being 2.00 Responsive either less available, or less accessible Yield (t/ha) for uptake by the roots of the establishing Non Responsive crop. 1.00

Much of the nutrient in chicken litter 0.00 occurs in an organic form. As a result, microbial breakdown of the litter in the soil may temporarily ‘tie-up’ nutrients during the decomposition process.

In addition, litter is mostly applied by broadcasting several weeks prior to seeding with no-till equipment (knife Tip: Use starter applications of Other Macronutrients points and presswheels). Minimal conventional fertiliser in the seed incorporation of the litter occurs during row, rather than using chicken Chicken litter also contains useful the seeding process and as a result litter alone if unsure of your quantities of potassium and sulphur which minimal litter ends up in the seed row in paddock’s soil phosphorus status. can provide added value in soil types close proximity to the roots of germinating requiring additions of these nutrients. crop seedlings. Trace Elements In most cases, the reduction in vigour is Nitrogen Chicken litter contains some trace phosphorus related. Vigour reductions are elements. Zinc, copper and manganese less likely in crops grown in soils with high Although chicken litter contains potentially are commonly deficient in many background levels of available phosphorus. useful amounts of nitrogen, a proportion cropping soils. Chicken litter provides an Grain analysis in field trials indicate of the nitrogen is lost as ammonia gas opportunity to contribute to soil reserves lower levels of grain phosphorus in plots between spreading and incorporation via of these nutrients. receiving chicken litter alone, compared the seeding operation. Loss rates are quite with those treated with conventional high, with up to 25% lost as ammonia As with phosphorus, accessibility of trace phosphorus fertiliser, helping to support from raw litter products in the week elements by the roots of establishing crops this explanation. following application, particularly during is limited due to the nature of application warm weather. More than 50% can be and subsequent incorporation. Foliar In most cases, the reduction in vigour lost if the litter remains on the soil surface nutrient applications may be required for is phosphorus related. Vigour and yield for extended periods without rainfall or these nutrients in potential deficiency reductions are less likely in crops grown physical incorporation. situations, particularly in the short term in soils with high background levels of after litter is applied. available phosphorus. Immediate incorporation by cultivation or rainfall following application can increase This problem is overcome when a “starter” the amount of nitrogen “preserved” for Tip: Although chicken litter provides application of some conventional fertiliser use by the crop. This, however, is often useful amounts of trace elements to build is applied in the seed row of the crop, impractical, or the negative effect of the soil levels in the longer term, be in conjunction with the application additional cultivation on soil structure prepared to address potential deficiencies of chicken litter. Depending on the outweighs the potential benefit from the with foliar nutrient sprays in crops phosphorus levels in the soil, often the additional nitrogen. As a result, when raw grown on deficient soils. rates of conventional fertiliser required to chicken litter is applied without immediate overcome this problem are significantly less incorporation, estimations of the nitrogen than standard rates. supplied may need to be discounted by up to 50% to account for losses. Page 4

How do I use chicken Soils with good phosphorus levels are Chicken Litter as a Soil also suited to chicken litter applications, Improver litter on broadacre crops? but with a slightly different objective. The aim of applying chicken litter may be to Growers in some cropping districts are Raw chicken litter is a light, bulky product, further build soil phosphorus reserves, applying high rates of chicken litter to which requires high volume specialised with a view to “mining” those reserves poor producing or problem soils in an spreaders to spread the litter effectively. in future years (particularly in years when attempt to improve them. Low fertility Compared to conventional fertilisers which conventional fertilisers are very expensive) sand hills and low organic matter, hard- are applied during the sowing operation, by applying less than maintenance rates of setting areas are particularly targeted with the time required and costs of applying conventional fertiliser. rates of chicken litter 2 to 5 times higher chicken litter per hectare can be high. than district practice rates with the aim of Given the time and logistics involved, for Beware of Applying too Much supplying high quantities of nutrients and most growers it is an impossible task to Nitrogen organic matter to boost fertility levels. treat their entire cropping area in one year. Chicken litter can supply useful amounts Trials on a low fertility sandhill in SA’s For this reason, many chicken litter users of nitrogen for crops, however the amount mid North cropping district measured will select a portion (say a third) of their of nitrogen actually available for use by substantial cereal yield and vigour cropping paddocks to be treated in any crops depends on three key factors:- increases with the application of high rates one year. The following year a different • the nitrogen content of the litter of chicken litter. In addition, high rates group of paddocks are treated, and a • the losses of nitrogen which occur of litter application increased soil macro different group again in year three, with between spreading and incorporation nutrient and organic carbon levels. the aim of spreading litter over the whole farm every three to four years. • rainfall soon after spreading. Care needs to be exercised with high rates of application as crops are more prone to Trials indicate that the nitrogen applied lodging and high grain screenings levels Nutritional Strategy in chicken litter can significantly increase due to excessive nitrogen supply. Build vs Maintain grain protein levels compared to where a conventional DAP based fertiliser was Most crop nutrition strategies involving Figure 2: Grain Yield responses over applied (but not reliably due to the conventional fertilisers aim to apply two seasons to high rates of chicken unpredictability of nitrogen losses after sufficient nutrient to replace those litter application on a poor fertility application). removed in that year’s crop. To adopt sandhill in the Mid North of SA a strategy of applying chicken litter at Increased grain protein is an advantage nutrient replacement or “maintenance” in crops such as bread and durum wheat rates, is probably not the most cost or time where higher protein levels attract price effective strategy. premiums, however, it may impact negatively on crops requiring low grain Chicken litter provides an opportunity to protein such as malt barley and soft build soil reserves of nutrients (phosphorus wheat. in particular) when applied at higher than maintenance rates. Excess nitrogen applied to cereal crops can result in lodging in good crop growth As a result, chicken litter application rates environments, or high grain screenings of 2.5 to 3 tonnes per hectare (depending Colwell Colwell Organic levels in a dry seasonal finish. The risk of Phosphorus Potassium Sulphur Carbon on nutrient content) are commonly applied negative impacts of high rates of nitrogen Treatment (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) (%) to “build” soil reserves, rather than application are reduced if litter is applied Untreated 32.7 205 4.6 0.52 “maintenance” rates of 1 to 2 tonnes per to soils low in soil nitrogen (i.e. paddocks 5t/ha 39.7 217 4.8 0.5 hectare. following a cereal crop, sandy soil types) 10t/ha 52 216 5.9 0.65 Soils with low background levels of or in crops where high grain protein is an 20t/ha 70.7 243 6.3 0.76 phosphorus and trace elements are well advantage rather than a penalty (i.e. bread suited to this nutrient building strategy. wheat, durum wheat). Table 3: Soil Test results two years after Depending on the cost of the product, the application of high rates of chicken chicken litter may provide a cheaper litter to a poor fertility sandhill alternative to build soil reserves than Tip: Target crops where high applying high rates of conventional grain protein is an advantage, fertilisers. or soils low in stored soil nitrogen for chicken litter Tip: Consider applying higher rates of applications to avoid problems chicken litter to improve the background with excess nitrogen supply. fertility of poor soils Tip: Apply above maintenance rates Soil nitrogen testing prior to of litter to build soil phosphorus application of litter will indicate reserves for future utilisation. paddocks at higher risk. Page 5

Applying Litter

Due to the light, bulky nature of chicken litter, application using conventional fertiliser spreaders is often time consuming due to the high volumes of product required. Specialised high volume manure spreaders do a far better job, but require considerable capital investment. Spreading contractors are usually present in areas where chicken litter is readily available.

In southern Australia, chicken litter is usually spread during autumn, several weeks prior to seeding, with incorporation Trial results indicate little difference in crop being achieved by the seeding operation. Which litter? responses between litter types. The key to In no-till sowing systems (one pass sowing Chicken litters are produced from a variety chicken litter providing value for money is with knife points and presswheels), ideally of base materials. Source materials include the cost per unit of target nutrients (usually the litter should be applied as close to cereal straw, wood shavings, sawdust phosphorus) after taking the cost of the seeding time as possible. By doing this and rice hulls. Some litters are reused for litter, transport and application into account. the litter is incorporated into the soil subsequent batches of chickens (multi- shortly after application to maximise batched litters). utilisation of the nitrogen contained in the litter. Alternatively, timing litter Composted litters tend to be denser, applications just prior to rainfall maximises cheaper to transport and easy-to-handle. Tip: Calculate the cost per unit nitrogen utilisation. In practice, this is Loss of nitrogen from volatilisation between of nutrient supplied after taking rarely achieved due to the availability of spreading and incorporation tends to be transport and spreading into spreading contractors. lower for composted litter compared to raw account when deciding on which product. litter to use (see methodology As a consequence, a significant portion of later in this publication). the nitrogen contained in the litter is lost The downside is that composted litters are and can not be relied upon to supply crop considerably more expensive than raw litter requirements. Additional nitrogen fertiliser products. may be required by crops even though litter has been applied. Figure 3: Wheat yields associated with different types of chicken litter at three SA sites in 2007 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 Yield (t/ha)Yield 1.0 0.5 0.0 Composted Multi batch Straw Wood shavings Litter type

Freeling Mallala Bowmans Page 6

Are there any Contamination of water What about weeds? supplies environmental concerns Germination testing of a number of litter in using chicken litter? Care needs to be taken not to samples during the RIRDC Research project contaminate water supplies when failed to identify viable weed seeds in any Nutrient accumulation and spreading chicken litter. Nutrients of the litters tested. contained in the litter can cause algal heavy metals blooms. Buffer distances have been set Anecdotally however, some broadacre chicken litter users report volunteer There is a risk of nutrient accumulation by several State authorities in relation to cereals germinating from applied litter, in soils with regular applications of high litter applications near permanent and which indicates that there is a possibility rates of chicken litter in the longer term. intermittent creeks, bores and dams. of introducing weed seeds in raw Phosphorus, zinc, and copper, although Litter should not be applied to land with cereal-based litters. There can also be essential plant nutrients, can accumulate slope greater than 8% due to the risk of a possibility of picking up weed seeds in soils over time, causing nutrient runoff and subsequent contamination of around litter heaps during the loading and imbalances. water courses. transport processes, so good farm hygiene For this reason, it is recommended that soil Odours and dust should always be used. tests are conducted to establish a baseline for soil nutrients before undertaking a long Chicken litter odours linger for several term chicken litter application program. days after spreading. Unfortunately, Are there any Food Safety Chicken litters often contain elevated neighbours often don’t appreciate the risks associated with levels of micronutrients (zinc and copper rich “organic” smell, which can cause in particular). These nutrients should considerable annoyance! In addition, most grain crops treated with be tested as well as macronutrients litters are dusty in nature which arouses chicken litter? (phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur and concerns over contamination of rainwater supplies. potassium). This will allow levels to be Grain sourced from trial plots treated with checked in subsequent years to identify chicken litter were analysed for human any potential nutrient accumulation issues. pathogens during the RIRDC research project. Chicken litter can also contain traces Tip: To help avoid potential conflicts levels of heavy metals. An extensive with neighbours, when applying Results indicated that the risk of grain survey of chicken litter supplies in 2010 chicken litter: contamination with human pathogens indicated that in general, levels of Arsenic, • Maintain buffer distances from (salmonella, E.coli) from chicken litter Chromium, Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and occupied dwellings applications prior to sowing was no Nickel in chicken litter were comparatively • Communicate to neighbours greater than crops receiving no litter. low in relation to standards set for recycled intended spreading times and Treatment of emerged crops is likely organic waste products. dates to pose a higher risk and is not • Consider the prevailing wind Despite levels generally being low it is recommended. Care should also be taken direction when planning important that soils are monitored to when spreading chicken litter adjacent to spreading operations ensure maximum levels are not exceeded. horticultural food crops to minimise the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) • Locate litter stockpiles away risk of pathogen contamination. for different states set maximum limits from neighbours. for heavy metal contaminants in soils that can be used as a gauge for monitoring potential contamination. Prevent livestock access to Salinity Litter Stockpiles

Chicken litter contains varying levels Chicken litter can contain traces of of salt. Soil testing is recommended to meatmeal. Due to the risk of transmission establish a baseline Electrical Conductivity of some livestock diseases from the litter level (EC) and Exchangeable Sodium to ruminants, sheep and cattle must not Percentage (ESP) so that increases can be be allowed access to litter heaps. monitored over time. Applying chicken litter to saline soils should be avoided. Page 7

Valuing Chicken Litter

The value of chicken litter can be assessed by assigning a dollar Chicken litter is mostly sold on a $ per cubic metre basis, whilst value per kilogram of nutrient applied, based on the cost per nutrients contents are expressed on a % dry weight basis. As a unit of nutrient as supplied in mineral fertilisers. result, there is some mathematics involved in valuing the litter.

It is important to value the litter based on nutrients that are It is important to take into account the additional costs of required in the soil types targeted for application. For instance transport and spreading the litter as part of the analysis. there is not much point in putting a value on potassium in Poo Calc, an excel-based tool that estimates the value of chicken litter if potassium is already at high levels in the soil nutrients in chicken litter products can be downloaded from type intended for application. the Rural Directions Pty Ltd website (http://www.ruraldirections. Nitrogen contained in the litter is difficult to account for, due com/pages/resources/free-resources-downloads.php). to losses associated with the litter being spread several weeks prior to incorporation by sowing. It may be appropriate to value only a portion of the nitrogen component of the litter for this reason.

Litter valuation example Note: that no application costs are factored into the nutrient values ($/kg) for DAP and zinc sulphate. It is assumed that these fertilisers would be applied Chicken litter is intended for a paddock in South as part of other cropping operations (i.e. the seeding operation or herbicide Australia’s Mid North district on a clay loam soil applications). If a dedicated operation was required to apply these products, with surplus potassium. Periodic zinc additions are nutrient values ($/kg) would need to be adjusted upwards. required on this soil type to avoid deficiencies. Table 3: Nutrient Value per kilogram in chicken litter example based on Other Information: prices per kg of nutrient in mineral fertilisers

• Intended Application Rate: 2.5 tonnes per ha Nutrient 3 Nutrient per hectare (or 6.25m ) Nutrient Nutrient value Nutrient Moisture Nutrient applied 3 applied Value accounting • Contract Spreading Cost: $6 per m Nutrient Concentration content Concentration in 2.5 3 per tonne per 2.5 for losses • Freight (chicken farm to paddock): $4 per m (dry wt basis) of Litter (% fresh wt) tonnes (fresh wt) tonnes and ‘free’ N 3 per ha • Litter Cost: $6 per m (ex chicken farm) in DAP • Litter Weight: 1 tonne of litter equals 2.5 Nitrogen 3.5% 20% 2.8% 28kg 70kg $84 $211 cubic metres Phosphorus 1.2% 20% 1.0% 10kg 25kg $100 $100 Not Table 1: Example litter analysis Potassium 2.0% 20%` 1.6% 16kg 40kg Not valued valued2

Density Zinc 400mg/kg 20% 320mg/kg 300g 750g $3.33 $3.33 Phosphorus Nitrogen Potassium Zinc Moisture (wet) (P) (N) (K) (mg/kg Content m3 per TOTAL $124.33 (%dry wt) (%dry wt) (%dry wt) dry wt) (%) tonne 1.2 3.5 2 400 20% 2.5 1 25% ot total nutrient value used 2 Not valued because soil already has surplus potassium Table 2: Nutrient value per kilogram for common mineral fertilisers Table 3 indicates if the equivalent amounts of phosphorus and zinc applied in 2.5 tonnes of chicken litter were applied as DAP and zinc sulphate, it would cost Retail Nutrient Nutrient $124.33. The next step is to examine what it actually costs to purchase, transport Nutrient Product Price Concentration Value ($/t) (%) ($/kg) and apply 2.5 tonnes of chicken litter and compare this back to the conventional Nitrogen Granular Urea $550 46% $1.20 fertiliser applications. Phosphorus DAP (18:20) $800 20% $4.00 Table 4: Net Value of Nutrients in chicken litter (after costs of freight and Muriate of Potassium $800 50% $1.60 Potash spreading are accounted for) Zinc Zinc sulphate $1000 22.5% $4.44 Cost per 2.5 tonnes Cost per m3 (6.25m3) Litter $6 44 Of the nutrients listed in Table 2, phosphorus, Freight (ex chicken farm) $4 25 zinc and a proportion of the nitrogen will be the Contract Spreading $6 38 basis for valuing the chicken litter given that in the Total Cost $16 $100 example, the soil already has surplus potassium. Based on conventional Nutrient Value $124.33 fertiliser Of the total nitrogen applied, only 25% in the Total cost of chicken litter Economic Advantage of using Chicken Litter $24.33 litter will be valued. This assumes that 50% of the minus nutrient value nitrogen is lost as ammonia between spreading Conclusion and incorporation, and discounts the N a further 25% to account for “free” nitrogen contained In this example there is an economic advantage ($24.33 per hectare) in using in DAP (remembering that DAP contains 18% chicken litter instead of mineral fertiliser. nitrogen as well as 20% phosphorus). On this basis, the litter will be appropriately valued using the nutrient values ($/kg) of DAP, zinc sulphate and urea. Page 8

Case Study: Gavin Schuster, Freeling, SA

Annual Rainfall: 450mm

Soil Types: Heavy clays, clay loams and some sandy loams

Cropping: 1600ha of wheat, barley, peas, lentils and canola, hay and straw

Chicken Litter Usage: 1500 to 2000t are applied on 600-800ha per year

Leighton Schuster and Gary Green

Straw and hay production are a large part based chicken litter direct from a local Extra efficiency is also achieved by the of the Schuster’s enterprise. To balance commercial chicken farm. litter being delivered in piles along the nutrient and organic matter removal, the centre of the paddock. This minimises Some composted chicken litter is also Schusters apply chicken litter to 40-50% the time spent driving over to piles when purchased for spreading paddocks of their area each year. loading. within 500m of the town of Freeling to “We are also looking at ways to build up manage the odour associated with litter With the Schuster’s current setup, they are our soil fertility at low cost”, Gavin said. applications. able to spread around 80 hectares per day.

The Schusters apply a standard rate of “We make sure we spread when the wind “GPS guidance is essential when spreading 2.5t/ha on cropping paddocks in March- is not likely to blow towards the town for litter”,according to Gavin. “You can’t see April every 2 to 3 years but increase the two days after spreading”, Gavin said. where you’ve been so guidance is needed rate to 3 tonnes per hectare on poorer “We need to do the right thing and not to minimise ‘double ups’ and ‘misses’”. sandy soils. get people in the town offside”. Gavin’s Tips Generally the chicken litter is spread prior Five years ago the Schusters purchased • Consider the costs associated with to wheat and canola in the rotation to a high capacity, French-manufactured spreading and cartage as these costs capitalise on the nitrogen contained in the Rolland spreader. It holds 15 cubic can often be as much per tonne as litter. metres (6 tonnes) of chicken litter, with a the product itself. Also consider the spreading width of up to 9 metres. “We adjust down the rate of nitrogen cost of the time needed to cart and applied when we use chicken litter, as Gavin stresses the importance of an spread the product. It can be time we have burnt crops off in the past from efficient spreading operation when consuming. applying too much N”, Gavin said. utilising chicken litter. • When storing the litter ensure it is kept in long, low rows no higher than After years of applying chicken litter the “Straw-based litter needs a spreader with 2m high. This reduces the compaction Schusters have now begun to decrease a spinner deck and a chain base to spread of the product in the heap which will their application rates of conventional effectively” Gavin said. “The horizontal reduce the chance of spontaneous fertiliser. In the past the Schusters applied beaters on our machine also help to combustion. 100-120kg of DAP/ha at seeding along achieve a more even spread”. • If the product is to be stored for with the application of chicken litter. More Maximising efficiencies associated with the longer than 4 weeks ensure it is kept recently, they have reduced the base rate spreading operation is important to the in the corner of a paddock. Leachates of DAP to 80kg/ha. Schusters. Two people are assigned to the associated with longer term heaps “Originally we were targeting 40ppm of spreading operation, one on the spreader “sterilise” the soil, adversely affecting Colwell P in the soil and have used chicken and the other in the loader. A telehandler crops. Placing longer term heaps in litter to achieve this”, Gavin said. “Our equipped with a large, 3.5 cubic metre the corner of the paddock minimises soil tests now show up to 50-60ppm of P, bucket is used to load the spreader. the effect on viable cropping land which gives us confidence to crank things • Avoid over-application of nitrogen back”. when using chicken litter, particularly Gavin believes they could now cut their in poor seasons. Be mindful that DAP rate back to 40kg/ha in conjunction nitrogen fertiliser applications may with their chicken litter and still maintain need to be adjusted down when production. using chicken litter.

“We also use chicken litter to supply our soil trace element needs, especially zinc and copper, and well as some sulphur”.

The Schusters source raw straw- Page 9

Case Study: Craig Paech, Palmer, SA

Annual rainfall: 325mm

1600ha of land in the Palmer district plus 1600ha in the upper South East

Main Soil Type: red sandy loam

Cropping: Wheat and Barley

Livestock: 2100 ewe sheep flock

Chicken Litter Usage: 1600t applied to 520ha of land in 2012

Craig Paech first used chicken litter in “We put a layer of sawdust based “We work on an 8m spreading width and 2008 when conventional fertiliser prices product in the bottom of the spreader, travel as fast as possible – around 25kph”, doubled. As part of a strategy to save on then a layer of straw-based product, then Craig said. “We spread across the seeding fertiliser costs, Craig cleaned out several another layer of sawdust-based then fill furrows so the bouncing of the spreader local chicken sheds, transported the litter the remainder of the spreader with straw- helps the litter feed through the machine to his farm and spread it onto cropping based product”, Craig said. better” paddocks. The litter is sourced from several chicken “Our loader is fitted with a 2.2m3 bucket “We didn’t spread chicken litter on our meat farms 15-20km away. The chicken and with two people on the job, we can lower rainfall block because we were farms transport the litter to the Craig’s spread around 200acres per day”, he worried about burning off our crops due farm and charge on a per cubic metre added. to their extra bulk” Craig said. basis. Craig’s Tips: “We were able to purchase our spreader The chicken litter is applied pre seeding • Don’t use all straw-based product with what we saved on fertiliser in that during March at 2.5t/ha. If a good rain is when spreading with a belt spreader. year”, Craig said. forecast earlier, Craig will aim to spread A mix between sawdust and straw- as much as he can before the rain to Craig has also trialed chicken litter on based products will aid spreadability. maximise nitrogen utilisation, but Craig his south east property, on veldt grass • Mix the products when loading the acknowledges this is hard to predict in his pastures with good visual responses. spreader rather than amalgamating area because of the unreliable nature of piles in the paddock. Craig views chicken litter as a replacement rainfall. • Set up the piles centrally as a “mixing for conventional fertiliser. In the first years Craig owns a Marshall 810 spreader fitted station” in the paddock to be spread, of application, Craig applied 60kg/ha with bulk sides to achieve a capacity of but try to minimise the size of the of single superphosphate in addition to 13.2m3. areas associated with the piles as chicken litter. nothing grows in the area in the year “Some of our paddocks have now had following. up to four applications of chicken litter • Keep the doors and windows of the and others between two and three tractor shut! applications”, Craig said. “We are now confident that our fertility has built up to a point where we won’t use conventional fertiliser on 90% of our cropping area”.

A mixture of 50% straw-based and 50% sawdust-based product is applied, by layering the different litter types in the spreader during loading. The addition of sawdust-based product minimises blockages in the spreader.

Craig Paech and chicken litter heaps Page 10

Case Study: Ben Marshman, Owen, SA

Annual rainfall: 425mm

2700ha of land, mostly located around Owen

Main soil type: clay loam

Cropping: bread wheat, durum, beans, lentils, canola and occasionally barley

Chicken Litter usage: 4000t applied to 2000ha in 2012

Ben Marshman and his father Ray The Marshmans and the other two Ben’s Tips first used chicken litter in 2010, after growers in the spreader syndicate use raw • Be aware of the odour associated purchasing a high volume spreader in a product, sourced from meat chicken sheds with raw chicken litter. It can cause syndicate with two other local growers, at Owen, Hamley Bridge and Dublin. issues with neighbours particularly if with the aim of supplying phosphorus “Our deal is we take all the litter from used close to towns. their soils at lower cost. the shed but we need to take it when the • The logistics storing a bulky product Ben sees chicken litter as a convenient chicken farm needs to get rid of it - This like chicken litter can cause hassles method of providing a blanket application means we need to have somewhere to especially when paddocks are wet of nutrients over their land. dump the litter at all times of the year”, • From a practical perspective, 5 cubic Ben said. metres per hectare is a minimum “Chicken litter seems to have everything application rate. in it including all the trace elements our “Managing the logistics is a challenge • Having a spreader with choppers crops need”, Ben mentioned. “It’s a good at times as suppliers can dump the and not just spinners is ideal. The way of replacing the phosphorus and trace chicken manure at anytime during the choppers deliver a finer and more elements we remove in grain”. season”, according to Ben. “This can consistent product onto the spinners result in some crop area being run over “Sulphur replacement is another reason with less lumps, providing a more when transporting the litter out into the we apply chicken litter to our paddocks”, consistent coverage. paddocks where it going to be spread”. Ben said. “Even though the chicken litter is lower in sulphur than gypsum, we are Chicken litter is applied in March prior to finding that with the rates frequency that seeding using a 28 cubic meter capacity, we apply it, it’s good enough to do the high volume Rolland spreader, spreading job”, on a 10m spreading width.

The Marshmans normally apply chicken “On a good day, we are able to spread litter at 5 cubic metres (or 2 tonnes) per 120ha per day with our machine”, Ben hectare, although heavier rates are applied mentioned. on poorer soils to more rapidly improve Ben also owns a JCB telehandler, fitted soil fertility. with a bucket for handling the chicken “In 2011, we applied chicken litter at litter, and loading the spreader. higher rates on some poorer quality land with great results and less yield variation across paddocks”, Ben said.

“We target paddocks planned for canola as a first priority, as we think that canola gets uses the litter more effectively in the first year with its fine roots near the soil surface”.

“We use some starter MAP at seeding in paddocks spread with chicken litter, usually at rates around the 40kg/ha mark”, Ben Ben in front of telehandler in a canola said. stubble. Page 11

Case Study: Rowan and Colin Peel, Inverleigh, Vic

2000ha of owned and sharefarmed land

Cropping: 1300ha

Livestock: 2500 ewe prime lamb flock

Poultry: 300,000 bird broiler farm

Chicken litter usage: 2500t applied on 1000ha per year

The Peels have been utilising chicken “At the rates we apply we generally The chaser bin/spreader has a capacity of litter from their broiler sheds for at least only need to put out a bit of traditional 18 tonnes which reduces the time spent 30 years. The Peel’s 300,000 bird chicken fertiliser with the seed, roughly 50kg/ha.”, loading, however, towing the larger chaser farm supplies enough chicken litter to Rowan said. bin requires slower ground speeds than a spread onto approximately 1,000 hectares conventional spreader. In the past the Peel’s found that putting each year. the chicken litter out at very high rates “Only occasionally do we use a contract “We use all the litter our sheds produce caused crops to grow excessively at the spreader to help us out if we get behind”, on our own farm, and sometimes on the expense of eventual yield and grain quality. Rowan says. “However this isn’t preferable share farming land.” says Rowan. “The As a result they have adopted a strategy of as it messes up our controlled traffic only time we have had to sell chicken litter applying lower rates. system.” is has been too wet to get onto our own “We get a better outcome using the Rowan’s Tips: paddocks”. chicken litter more regularly, but at lower • Chicken litter is easiest to spread The chicken litter is spread onto cropping rates.” Rowan concluded. once it has been stockpiled for a and pasture ground at approximately 2.5t/ The Peels have designed a custom built period of time. ha. spreader to suit their controlled traffic • Litter spread straight out of the shed “We usually spread chicken litter onto farming system. it is too light and fluffy to spread pastures instead of using traditional effectively After harvest their chaser bin is converted fertilisers, whereas on the cropping • Don’t apply litter at high a rates into a spreader by removing the bottom country we use it as a way to reduce the in cropping country otherwise section of the bin and adding belts that rates of fertiliser used” uncontrolled crop growth will result. drive two spinners. References

Craddock, TD and Hollitt, JF (2010), Piloting Chicken Litter in Broadacre Farming – Setting Research Directions; RIRDC Report.

Craddock, TD and Wallis, BA (2012), Refining and Promoting Chicken Litter use in broadacre cropping systems; RIRDC Report

GRDC Factsheet (May 2010) Using Recycled Organic Waste Products as Fertiliser in Grain-Cropping Systems; Grains Research and Development Corporation

Moore M (2006) Using Fresh Chicken Litter as Fertiliser for Cereal Grain Crops; Australian Poultry CRC Factsheet

Rural Directions Pty Ltd PO Box 646 Clare SA 5453 T 08 8842 1103 F 08 8842 1766 E [email protected] www.ruraldirections.com