Virginia Subsurface Application of Manure Initiative

The purpose of the project is to lay the foundation for expanded adoption of minimum disturbance poultry litter injection technologies that will achieve the goal of improved soil health and manure nutrient retention, while also addressing local and regional water quality and habitat resource concerns.

The project team's work includes:

1) Modifying Virginia Tech’s existing poultry litter Subsurfer unit, building on lessons learned to address previously identified performance issues, so that it is capable of supporting field trials in the region.

2) Demonstrating poultry litter injection and compare agronomic performance side-by-side with surface application on a commercial farm using a conservation tillage/cover crop production system. Collect data on yields and supplemental nitrogen fertilizer requirements.

3) Share results with poultry and crop growers in the region, and SAM Initiative partners.