Effect of Long-Term Nutrient Management Strategies for Pastures on Phosphorus in Surface Runoff and Soil Quality

Manure, whether mechanically applied or deposited by grazing animals, has been associated with increased risk of non-point source pollution, especially phosphorus. This is especially true in areas where the industry, especially poultry, has been concentrated in geographical areas that are grain deficient, resulting in a reliance on imported grain for poultry feed. Intensification has resulted in the production of large quantities of poultry manure, within relatively small geographical areas. Surplus litter is typically land applied as a nutrient source or used as an animal feed. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effects of long-term nutrient management strategies using poultry litter as a feed and fertiliser for grazed pasture systems in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia on soil quality, selected soil chemical characteristics and P losses in surface runoff