Page 155 - Nutrient Management Planning Guide

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Chapter 4.2

tip

Be careful not to collect soil from beneath the litter in barns with earthen floors when sampling. The soil will skew the nutrient content reported in the manure analysis.

Point Method for In-Barn Sampling Poultry Litter

Assess the appearance of the litter pack 1.

in the barn. If there are visible differences in composition in certain areas, collect a proportionate number of samples to represent these areas. For example, if the area under feeders represents 10 percent of the barn area, ensure 10 percent of the samples are from these areas. Use the zigzag sampling pattern (Figure 4.2.5).

Randomly collect 15 to 20 samples of equal 2.

amount with a spade or solid manure-sampling device from the litter pack down to the depth the litter is to be removed. To collect the samples, clear a small trench the width of the spade and the depth of the litter. Take a 3 to 8 cm (1 to 3 in) slice of litter the entire depth of the trench as a sample (Figure 4.2.6). Place each sample in a plastic pail or wheelbarrow.

When you have collected 15 to 20 samples, 3.

thoroughly mix samples in the pail or wheelbarrow or on a tarp or piece of plywood. Collect a sub-sample from this mixture, and fill the plastic bag two thirds full to allow for gas expansion. Force the excess air from the bag, seal and double bag.

Label the bag with important information 4.

including date, time, farm name, manure type, and any other information requested by the testing lab.

Adapted from Coffey et al. 2000, Shaffer and Sheffield (not dated)

Figure 4.2.4 Solid Manure-Sampling Probe

Adapted from Zhang et al. (not dated)

Figure 4.2.5 Zigzag Sampling Pattern (parallel feed and water supply lines run lengthwise)

Adapted from Coffey et al. 2000

Figure 4.2.6 Point Sampling Procedure

Earth floor

Litter

3 cm (1 in.) thick slice of litter

Square-ended spade

The point and trench methods strive to collect samples that represent the litter pack throughout the entire barn.

s i d e b a r

Thin-walled metal tubing 2.5 cm (1 in.) Diameter

Clean-out dowel (broomstick)