2021
Evaluation of Soy-Biochar Poultry Litter Amendment
Contributor/Checkoff:
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Field management Industry outreach
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Mike Cressman, The Ohio State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
21-R-26
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
The role of a good bedding material for broiler chickens is to absorb moisture, dilute manure and provide a clean and safe environment. One way to manage litter quality even better is through the addition of sophisticated amendments. Established adsorbents are clay-based compounds that reduce NH3 emissions. Recently, the use of biochar, a carbon-rich substance produced through pyrolysis of biomass, as an alternative poultry litter amendment has been gaining popularity. The objective of this project is to evaluate a novel soy-biochar granular litter amendment for broiler production. This innovative litter amendment uses a concentrated soy protein powder as an organic, botanically based binder for the otherwise very dusty biochar.
Key Beneficiaries:
#agronomists, #extension agents, #farmers, #livestock farmers, #poultry industry
Unique Keywords:
#innovation, #new uses , #research coordination
Information And Results
Project Summary

The majority of commercial broiler chickens worldwide are raised indoors in intensive production systems. The birds spend the vast majority of their lives on hard ground, which is covered with bedding material like wood shavings. The role of a good bedding material is to absorb moisture, dilute manure, and provide a clean and safe environment. One way to manage litter quality even better is through the addition of sophisticated amendments to the litter. Established adsorbents (e.g. bentonite, zeolite) are clay based compounds that reduce NH3 emissions. But recently, the use of biochar (a carbon-rich substance produced through pyrolysis of biomass) as an alternative poultry litter amendment has been gaining popularity in Europe. The objective of this study is to evaluate a novel soy-biochar granular litter amendment for broiler production. This innovative litter amendment uses a concentrated soy protein powder as an organic, botanically based binder for the otherwise very dusty biochar.

Project Objectives

Drive Innovation

Project Deliverables

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.