Nutrient production from Korean poultry and loading estimations for cropland

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Animal Science

Background:

• Poultry farming expansion in Korea has increased manure production, posing environmental pollution risks.
• Manure nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) are vital for agriculture but excess can cause eutrophication.
• Calculating nutrient load from manure is crucial for sustainable land management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To calculate nutrient production from Korean poultry farms.
• To assess nutrient loss during manure composting and storage.
• To determine nutrient loading coefficients (NLCs) for accurate environmental impact assessment.

Main Methods:

• Investigated 11 broiler and 16 laying hen farms in Korea.
• Applied deep litter composting for broilers and layers; drying and static pile for layers.
• Calculated NLCs using farm data, theoretical phosphorus changes, and dry basis analysis.

Main Results:

• Observed significant nutrient loss: 68% N and 77% P for broilers; 10-56% N and 52% P for layers during deep litter composting.
• Drying manure increased P concentration, leading to higher NLCs (67% N, 53% P reduction on dry basis).
• Nutrient loss in this study exceeded official reports from the Korean Ministry of Environment.

Conclusions:

• Composting and storing poultry manure reduces nutrient load due to microbial activity, drying, and leaching.
• Processed manure has a lower nutrient impact on soil compared to fresh manure.
• Effective livestock manure management through composting facilitates environmental conservation.