Comparing Strip Trials of Chicken Litter, Compost, Hog Manure, and Wet Cattle Manure on Soil Fertility

Utilizing agriculture animal and biodegradable waste can reduce the input costs of fertilizers while enhancing the soil. This comparative study focuses on the nutrient values soil receives from agricultural waste. The central objective was, “Due to the historical over-application of manure leading to environmental concerns, a comparative study of soil fertility and economic viability of manures and compost are analyzed in a one-year study”. On an 18.7 acre corn plot, 11 strips were applied with four different manure types, which were randomized, during the 2017 growing season. Chicken litter, compost, hog manure, wet cattle manure, and control strips were replicated twice. Six 6 inch soil cores were sampled during pre-, mid-, and post-season in two locations of each strip to determine soil fertility. Mid-season plant tissue tests were taken to determine nutrient uptake in plants. Because this was a one-year study, there was no significance for any nutrients between the difference manure strips. Statistical significance was partially low because 32% variable rate liquid nitrogen was unintentionally applied to the field. Yield was measured at harvest for seven of the eleven strips due to the four eastern strips being accidentally chopped instead of combine harvested. An economic analysis occurred to discover how the values of manure differed from each other according to the nutrients in each type