Delaware Nutrient Management Notes

Stockpiling Poultry Litter

The most efficient method of utilizing litter from a cleanout or crusting of poultry houses is direct transport and application to the field or other end-uses. However, temporary storage of litter is often necessary due to cleanout schedules, weather, crop rotations, and other factors. Since most permanent storage structures are not designed to accommodate total cleanouts, outdoor stockpiling of poultry litter is often required. This month's Nutrient Management Note outlines the stockpiling requirements and recommended practices to handle litter in Delaware. The specific requirements for poultry farms classified as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations may be different and will be addressed in a future Nutrient Management Note.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUTDOOR STORAGE OF POULTRY LITTER?

The Delaware Nutrient Management Law contains several requirements for outdoor storage of poultry litter. These requirements become effective as soon as nutrient or animal waste management plans are implemented.

Outdoor storage of poultry litter must be:
· Reflected in the persons nutrient or animal waste management plan;
· At least 100 feet from any body of water or drainage ditch;
· At least 100 feet from any public road;
· At least 200 feet from any residence that is not located on the person's property, and;
· At least 6 feet high and in a conical shape.

RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR ON-FARM STORAGE OF POULTRY LITTER

Storing litter in a permanent roofed storage structure is the most desirable storage option. Contact your local conservation district office for the availability of funding for this practice. However, such structures usually are not designed to accommodate total cleanout. When litter must be stored outdoors on the farm the following practices are recommended:
· When poultry litter is temporarily stockpiled at the same location on a poultry farm (i.e. at the end of the houses), it should be placed on an impermeable base pad. The pad can be of concrete, soil, cement, or a well-compacted clay base.
· Stockpiles not conforming to the 6-foot high and conical shape requirements should be covered. This is particularly important for crust or caked litter stockpiles.
· All surface drainage from the pad should be directed into a grass buffer/filter strip.

RECOMMENEDED PRACTICES FOR FIELD-STORAGE OF POULTRY LITTER

When poultry litter is temporarily stockpiled at the same field location for two or more consecutive years, an impermeable pad similar to the on-farm system should be considered.

When poultry litter is temporarily stockpiled on an infrequent basis in fields or in the same field at different locations each year, it should be:
· Applied or transported within 180 days;
· Placed on high ground with well drained soils;
· Placed on locations that permit removal which minimizes soil disturbance (An in-field roadway with grass buffer is ideal);
· Loaded in a manner that effectively removes ALL residual litter from the site; and
· Immediately restore the site to its original condition and re-seed with grass or plant an agronomic crop to facilitate nutrient uptake.

WHAT OTHER PRACTICES ARE RECOMMENTED?

Managing drinker and ventilation systems to decrease the amount of crust generated will reduce the need to stockpile litter during the year.

Covering properly stockpiled litter should be considered if the pile remains at the site for a prolonged period. Advantages to covering piles include reduced odor, reduced weight from wet litter, and improved handling characteristics. The most common materials used for covers are polyethylene sheets or tarpaulins.

Research suggests that, for lower-Delaware soils and topography (limited slope), it may be more important to remove all residual litter from the stockpile site than to cover the pile.

Litter spillage during cleanout is another area of concern. Use of conveyors or loading equipment (i.e. spreaders) inside the house is recommended. Avoid spillage caused by overloading transport vehicles. If spillage does occur at the end doors, which cannot be avoided in many cases, removing all the litter from this area is very important

Covering trucks with tarpaulins is required by Department of Transportation regulations, reduces biosecurity concerns, and presents a more positive image of agriculture by motorist and the public.

Prepared by Bud Malone and Dave Hansen, UD Cooperative Extension and the DNMC

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Cooperative Extension Education in Agriculture and Home Economics, University of Delaware, Delaware State University and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. John C. Nye, Dean and Director. Distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. It is the policy of the Delaware Cooperative Extension System that no persons shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, disability, age, or national origin.

Last Updated: Monday, 19-Mar-2007 09:37:32 EDT