Summary of Calcium Carbonate Equivalence Potential in Various Poultry Litter Types

The lab experiment was to evaluate lime potential of poultry litter being applied to agriculture fields for crop nitrogen and phosphors needs. Poultry litter lime potential was not being consider by farmer, even though soil pH increases were being noted in some fields were litter was applied. The experiment was conducted on poultry litter samples submitted to North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA&CS) Plant/Waste/Solution/Media lab. Samples were divided and waste analysis with CCE% test was conducted from 1/23/2014 to 2/14/2015. Samples were divide into four types (PLB – Boiler, Turkey – PLT, Boiler Breeder – PBB, Layer – PLL). High level of Ca was found in correlation with high CCE% in both PBB and PLL litter. Where both PLB an PLT sample had low levels of Ca and CCE%. Inceasing Ca levels were found to be correlated with increasing CCE %, This correlation was not see with increasing Ca levels and litter pH.