Evaluation of Poultry Litter Storage Option for Protecting Kansas Water Quality.

In the last few years concern has grown in Kansas that the increased influx of poultry litter has contributed to water quality problems. Storage of poultry litter on the edge of fields in close proximity to waterways is a main concern. Currently, Kansas has no recommended practices, guidelines, or regulations for the storage of poultry litter. Poultry litter is a mixture of bedding material and animal manure which can provide nutrients and organic matter improving soil quality and crop production. The objective of the study was to evaluate edge of storage area and of buffer nutrient losses from improved poultry litter storage site. The improved temporary poultry litter storage sites were designed to include buffer areas (grass or cropland) to minimize the transport of nutrients to waters of Kansas. Cost share was provided through two local Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) groups for the development of six demonstration sites. One site was instrumented in the fall of 2014 and a second site was instrumented in the summer of 2015 with automated water sampling equipment. Water samples were analyzed for Total N and P, nitrate, ammonia, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids and electrical conductivity. Preliminary results indicate that the designed buffer areas are effectively capturing the nutrients leaving the storage sites.