Dr. Shawn Hawkins

Professor & Extension Specialist-Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science|University of Tennessee

2024 Abstract - PERFORMANCE OF LITTER AS AN ALTERNATIVE FERTILIZER FOR HIGH YIELD POTENTIAL CORN PRODUCTION: Since 2019, the University of Tennessee has conducted two multiyear studies assessing the performance of broiler litter as an alternative fertilizer for corn production. For corn in rotation with soybean, litter was tested as a complete fertilizer applied in the year corn was produced. This study revealed that while litter provides a range of minerals for corn and soybean, corn N deficiency can be expected even at high litter application rates. In a second study with continuous corn, litter was shown to perform most efficiently when applied at planting with subsequent split application of mineral N fertilizer.