Poultry litter is a complete fertilizer. It contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that can also be found in commercial fertilizer, but in litter they are bound in a more complex form that takes longer to break down, providing a longer lasting fertilization effect. In addition, poultry litter contains organic matter that improves soil quality. Over and over again, it has been said that there would be no cattle in northwest Arkansas if it weren’t for poultry litter.
The Arkansas Natural Resource Commission (ANRC) has passed regulations to manage the application of nutrients on lands in the state’s Nutrient Surplus Area (NSA), an area with high nutrient content that includes parts of 14 counties in northwest Arkansas. ANRC Titles 19 – 22 pertain to poultry operations and spreading litter on lands in the NSA. Below are some highlights of these rules.
No one may apply poultry litter to lands in the NSA unless the property has a current Nutrient Management Plan (NMP). There is no longer a “Conservation Rate” of litter that may be spread. As of January 1, 2007, litter can only be legally applied to lands with a NMP. A NMP is also required for all poultry operations, even if all the litter is transferred off the farm. NMPs contain poultry litter recommendations that are based on the Arkansas Phosphorus Index, soil types, topography and other factors. A new Phosphorus Index is currently under development that will more accurately calculate the risk of transport of soil phosphorus from a field. NMPs are valid for five years. Records of litter application and transport must be kept for at least five years. These records will also help poultry operators fill out their annual poultry registration. Commercial fertilizer may be applied without a plan. However, to legally apply phosphorus containing fertilizer, you must first get a soil test and follow the recommended rates.
To sign up for a NMP, contact your local conservation district. A time will be scheduled to meet to discuss the operation, draw field boundaries of lands owned or operated on aerial photos, and take soil samples.
All who spread nutrients within the Nutrient Surplus Area must be certified applicators. A private applicator is certified to spread nutrients on lands he or she owns or leases or who does not receive a substantial portion of his or her income from applying nutrients. A commercial applicator derives a substantial portion of his or her income from applying nutrients. ANRC provides the training for both of these certifications and they are valid for five years. Commercial applicators are required to complete four hours of continuing education during this time to renew certification. They are also required to keep records for at least five years.
All poultry operations must register their operation by March 31 each year. Operations that have more than 2,500 birds for even one day of the calendar year are required to register their operation each year with their local conservation district. The registration fee must also be paid annually. Records are needed for clean out and cake out dates, how much litter was produced and how much was land applied or sold.
These regulations have been put in place to protect our water quality. For questions regarding these regulations, contact your local conservation district.
Carla Spencer is a Water Quality Technician with the Washington County Conservation District in Fayetteville, Ark.
