PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - D. W. Israel
AU  - D. L. Osmond
AU  - J. C. Roberts
TI  - Potential impacts of implementation of the phosphorus loss assessment tool (PLAT) on the poultry industry in North Carolina: Case studies
DP  - 2007 Jan 01
TA  - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
PG  - 48--54
VI  - 62
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/62/1/48.short
4100  - http://www.jswconline.org/content/62/1/48.full
AB  - Potential impacts of the North Carolina phosphorus (P) index tool (phosphorus loss assessment tool or PLAT) on management of land-application of poultry manure were evaluated using case studies of poultry operations in three major production areas (Union, Wayne and Wilkes Counties) of the state. The tool predicts relative risk of P loss from fields receiving animal waste or fertilizer. While some litter-receiving fields in Union County occur on slopes as steep as 15 to 20 percent and have very high soil test P (STP) levels (200 to 300 soil P indices), PLAT ratings were mostly in the “medium” range at which producers can apply litter on an N basis. This low P-loss rating was associated primarily with use of conservation tillage and a large area of crop land available for litter application. The litter-receiving fields in Wayne County received “low” to “medium” PLAT ratings as a result of low particulate P loss associated with low soil erosion, but deep sandy soils with high P leaching potential that are common in this area were not evaluated. High soil test P, occurrence of waste-receiving fields on steep slopes, high rates of litter application on limited land areas and production of silage corn using conventional tillage contribute to “high” predicted risk of P loss from litter-receiving fields in Wilkes County. These results indicate that implementation of the PLAT index as a part of the NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Standard will have serious impacts on how poultry producers in Wilkes County manage litter and other forms of manure generated by their operations. The impact is likely to be less severe in Union and Wayne Counties. The following concerns were expressed by personnel responsible for implementation of PLAT and by producers; 1) exemption of poultry operations below a certain size could make PLAT predictions less effective in decreasing P pollution of surface water; 2) PLAT implementation could exacerbate existing economic problems.