Special Report . N Lancaster Farming I V I L CAN LITTER ADDITIVES BE BENEFICIAL? Dr. Michael Hulet Associate Professor Poultry Science Penn State Increased demand and a dwindling supply of new litter bedding have made deep stack ing manure in poultry houses more common. This practice brings with it two inherent problems: 1) it increases the nutrients in the litter for the next flock, and 2) it increases the microbe (germ) load in the house for the next birds. There fore, unless ventilation and management are improved, problems can and do occur. One theoretical solution to the problem is to treat litter with chemicals (formaldehyde, ferr NIPPLEMANIA? r”i IfA I WATERING LJ VAk SYSTEMS YES, NIPPLEMANIA IS RUNNING WILD! DID THE EXCITEMENT OF NIPPLEMANIA HIT YOUR FARM YET OR ARE YOU STILL SCRUBBING AWAY ON YOUR OLD WATERERS? BUY THE VAL NIPPLE WATERING SYSTEM FROM HERSHEY EQUIPMENT CO. INSTALL NIPPLES IN YOUR POULTRY HOUSE TO REDUCE YOUR LABOR COSTS AND IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE AT THE SAME TIME Tj€RSH€V ■■■ ■■■ EQUIPMENT CO. ous sulfate, etc.) that would change the litter pH or other environmental conditions that would reduce the microbe load and in turn, decrease the release of ammonia into the environment. Recent research conducted by Dr. Patterson at Penn State has shown that a significant portion of the nitrogen in the lit ter is aerosolized in this stack ing process, and, therefore, is lost for use as a soil fertilizer or cattle feed. Anyone who has entered a poorly ventilated poultry house in the winter can attest to the excess nitrogen loss as ammonia. Research has shown that pro longed exposure to concentra tions of ammonia above 25 parts per million (ppm) is detri mental to the performance of broilers. Research has further shown that ammonia can be a WE HAVE THE CURE! CALL TODAY! We *Tafa Customer Satisfaction TersonaUy Poultry Note* Supplement to Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Sept 24,1994—Page lei Hulet stress that aids in the occur rence of respiratory diseases in poultry (air sac, colibacillosis, etc.). High concentrations of ammonia are not good for the poultry caretaker, either. Several attempts have been made to reduce microbial growth and bind nitrogen in the litter to preserve it as a fertilizer by reducing the production of ammonia. The litter used as SSB SYCAMORE IND. PARK 255 PLANE TREE DRIVE LANCASTER, PA 17603 (717) 393-5807 ruminant feed would also be more valuable based on its nit rogen content as long as the additive wasn’t harmful to cattle. Dr. B. G. Ruffin from Alaba ma has reported that “poultry litter is worth four times mote as a cattle feed ingredient” than as a fertilizer. He further stated that only “35 percent of the lit ter produced in Alabama was suitable for cattle feed.” Good management practices suggest the removal of any caked or wet litter material from under water lines and feed lines and drying the litter by tilling or mixing to promote excess moisture removal. Many have proposed additives that change the pH of the litter; however, most of these pro ducts aren’t effective for the entire growing cycle. At a recent scientific meeting in Mississippi, Phillip Moore, USDA-ARS at Arkansas reported the use of “alum" as a litter additive. Alum is a strin gent used to stop bleeding. This product, when added to litter, SEE US AT Lancaster, PA September 28-29,1994 reduces the volatilization of nit rogen as ammonia and can bind all the soluble phosphorus to eliminate its pollution potential into ground or surface water. When used at 200 gms/kg of lit ter, alum was found to reduce ammonia evaporation by 99 percent. The average cost to treat a 20,000 square foot facility is about $440 (s22oAon). In sub sequent field trials using the lit ter as fertilizer, the nitrogen binding capacity of the alum was shown to increase crop yields over the control litter (without alum). With higher nitrogen concentrations, prop ortionally less phosphorus will be added to the soil. Scientific developments in nutrient management help pre serve the environment while efficiently utilizing the valu able nutrients (nitrogen) pro duced as a by-product of the poultry industry. Additives such as alum could also prom ote improved bird health and performance during winter pro duction periods. Referendum To Increase Egg Checkoff EVERETT NEWSWANGER Managing Editor WARSAW, Ind. The American Egg Board is in the middle of a referendum to increase the mandatory checkoff of eggs from five cents a case to 10 cents a case. The original checkoff started in 1976 and Doug Hmfer, referendum task force chairman says the increase is needed to stay effective and competitive. Without the checkoff moneys there would be no national egg advertising and promotion. According the Hoffer, the referendum dates are September 26 to October 14.1994. Results will be available on November 1,1994. The final rule will be published on January 1,1995, and the effective date will be February 1, 1995. The national board not only advertises eggs, they are the industry’s first line of defense against attacks on eggs. The board gets a lot of credit for its work to make eggs a staple in dic tairy recommendations. In 1989, government research shows eggs contain 22 percent less cholesterol than previously reported. Right now the industry’s new “I Love Eggs” television and radio advertising campaign is sweeping the nation with a good message for eggs. This commercial appeals to the mind, mouth and middle (heart) of the consumer. For the mind, a permission statement tells consumers that it is OK to eat more eggs. To appeal to the mouth, the commercial “triggers the crave” with mouth-watering photos that remind consumers how much they love the great taste of eggs. To reach the heart, the commercial connects emo tional appeal of families and the positive feeling they have about eggs. “Studies by the dairy industry, beef, pork, and other commodities prove that generic advertising works/' Hoffer said. “Right now, money spent on egg advertising is far lower than other major commodities. An increase in checkoff money is important to stay competitive.” Egg handling and safety education is a high priority area for the American Egg Board. As eggs and egg products can be mishandled, AEB’s objective is to educate foodservice operators on proper egg care and handling. To date more than 84,000 copies of the board’s egg safety and quality chart have been distri buted. Later this year, a tear-out copy of the chart with additional safety and handling tips is sche duled to appear in a major food service publica tion that reaches more than 200,000 food service 201
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