Let's talk about Animal Waste Management Plans. First let's shorten that to AWMP. These are mandated in the Oklahoma Registered Poultry Feeding Operations Act and were explained in the education seminars conducted by the OSU Extension Service for poultry producers. Barrett Farms has voluntarily operated in accordance with an AWMP for more than 5 years now and we have tried to use the thing as a management tool which is exactly what it is. I highly recommend it for anyone that has a substantial amount of animal waste to-as they say-"dispose" of.

Now let's stop right here and talk about those words. Poultry litter is NOT waste and poultry producers are not in the habit of DISPOSING of their litter. I know that and you know that but you would be surprised at how many educated people just can not believe that poultry litter is a valuable organic fertilizer and soil amendment and that poultry producers actually make good use of it.

Anyway, back to the show. Your AWMP will be specific for each field included in your application site. It should consider what is growing in that field, nutrient needs of that crop, and nutrient levels in the soil. This information along with the nutrient analysis of your poultry litter will determine what rate of application of litter will be optimal for that field.

If litter is the only fertilizer used, the field will receive too much phosphate before it receives enough nitrogen. Therefore, the rate of application is based on phosphate. Look at the nutrient analysis of your poultry litter and find "P2O5/ton". That is how many pounds of phosphate is in one ton of your litter. The maximum allowable rate of application of poultry litter is the number of tons that provides 200 pounds of phosphate per acre (400 if the litter is incorporated within 7 days). This will be a full year's application whether it is applied all at once or in multiple doses. Some fields may be limited to a rate less than the maximum by physical characteristics such as steep slopes, stoniness, tendency to flood, high soil phosphorus levels, etc.

Your AWMP should also include some really neat maps and aerial photos. These will show you the locations of different soil types and areas suitable or unsuitable for litter application. Some areas not suitable will be close to your pond on the uphill side, along the creek, and under your wife's clothes line.

One other item that should be part of your AWMP is record-keeping. If you haven't kept a written record of litter applications you will be surprised at how useful these records can be. Have you ever noticed how the most fertile areas are close to the poultry houses and along the high ground? Your records will allow you to determine when you have applied a full year's allowance of litter to a field and even how much supplemental (commercial) Nitrogen is needed on the field.

The bottom line is, your AWMP will make you smarter, richer, and environmentally friendly. The Plan will be based on information you provide and will be custom built to fit your operation. For more information, contact your local NRCS Conservationist.