This region is especially vulnerable to water contamination from land application of broiler litter because the area has karst topography and large openings in the aquifer. Contamination of water in this region could have adverse economic and health effects because water-based recreation is a significant activity and groundwater is a major source of drinking water. Growth in broiler production is especially high in the vicinity of Georges broiler processing facility in Shoal Creek watershed near Butterfield, Missouri. Spatial variability in land use, soil types and hydrogeologic features make large portions of the area surrounding the facility vulnerable to surface and ground water contamination from land application of broiler litter. Accounting for this spatial variability when determining the locations and rates of litter application can reduce the risk of water contamination.
Objectives Evaluate the capacity of Shoal Creek watershed for land application of broiler litter.
Determine the quantity and composition of litter generated by broilers. Develop an economic optimization model to determine the locations and rates of broiler litter application on areas of the watershed that maximize the economic value of applied litter while protecting water quality. Litter amount and composition was determined from a sample of nine broiler houses in Shoal Creek watershed. Samples were tested for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, carbon, chemical oxygen demand, energy content and other elements. A mathematical programming model was used to determine the effects on net returns to broiler production of efficient utilization of broiler litter as a forage.