Dr. Paul Patterson and his colleagues with the Penn State Poultry Extension Nutrient Management are revolutionizing win-win scenarios in collaboration with poultry producers and agribusiness by cultivating systems that utilize locally grown feedstock (willows and miscanthus) that provide multiple environmental and economic benefits as vegetative shelters, odor and emission barriers, feedstock for energy systems, and litter materials for growing poultry.
From the Poultry Extension Nutrient Management website:
Nutrient management issues associated with the poultry industry are important for many reasons. Foremost is the collective desire of the public and poultry industry to maintain environmental quality. Secondarily, these impinge on the perception of the industry by the public and the sustainability of poultry farms in America. Enclosed in this site are some references and educational resources to assist the public, industry and government better understand and manage these nutrients. Contact Paul H. Patterson for more information about these programs.
Alternative Energy Solutions
Alternative energy solutions for poultry farms can include burning litter as a substitute for propane, thereby reducing litter application to fields saturated with phosphate and potash. This strategy can reduce grower expenses, improve brooding conditions, and allow for recycling litter ash nutrients instead of land application in sensitive watersheds. Litter ash minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and potash can be recycled as both plant and animal mineral supplements. See the following links for more information:Turkey Litter as an Alternative Brooding Fuel (PowerPoint)
Penn State Helps Turkey Farmer Blaze Path
View video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqDosLkgnig&feature=player_embedded
