Summary

Interest in the use of chicken litter in broad acre cropping systems as an alternative fertiliser has increased over the past three years. The cost of conventional fertilisers and the increased availability of chicken litter in some cropping districts has driven this.

The project focuses on raising the profile of chicken litter amongst farmers, whilst ensuring that negative results do not occur, and demand for the product remains firm.

The project aims to deliver on this outcome by;
• Refining the use of Diffusive Gradients in Thin-Films technology (DGT test) as a predictive tool for the use pattern of chicken litter alone and in conjunction with conventional fertiliser. And,
• Establishing trial sites in SA in close proximity to chicken litter sources

Field days will be conducted at all trial sites to introduce the predictive DGT test and display the practical implications of using chicken litter.

Extension of project results will improve broadacre farmer confidence in using chicken litter as a fertiliser alternative. The chicken meat industry will be able to further value add chicken meat production systems by developing the market for chicken litter as fertiliser.

Program

Chicken Meat

Research Organisation

Rural Directions Pty Ltd

Objective Summary

The objective of the project is to raise the profile of chicken litter as an alternative fertiliser amongst farmers to ensure a strong and developing market for the product in broadacre cropping systems. Extension of research results and refining the use of the DGT test as a predictive tool for chicken litter use will achieve this objective.

Further objectives of the project are to;
• Refine the ‘users guide to chicken litter in broad acre cropping systems’ that will be developed as part of the current three year project
• Extend research results to farmers across Australia to raise profile and improve user confidence in using chicken litter
• Economic analysis to convey benefits of chicken litter
• Remove barriers for farmers associated with chicken litter use
• Refine the use of DGT test as a predictive tool for chicken litter use in cropping paddocks