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Agronomic Value of Nutrients in Biosolids

Agronomic Value of Nutrients in Biosolids. Randall Warden A & L Great Lakes Laboratories Fort Wayne, IN Quality Analyses for Informed Decisions. Presentation Outline. Assessment of nutrient levels Soil testing Biosolids analysis Crop nutrient requirements and responsiveness

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Agronomic Value of Nutrients in Biosolids

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  1. Agronomic Value ofNutrients in Biosolids Randall Warden A & L Great Lakes Laboratories Fort Wayne, IN Quality Analyses for Informed Decisions

  2. Presentation Outline • Assessment of nutrient levels • Soil testing • Biosolids analysis • Crop nutrient requirements and responsiveness • Process to determine nutrient value ($)

  3. Assessing Nutrient Levels - What is a Soil Test? • Analysis of a soil sample to determine nutrient availability to plants • Extract all or proportional part of plant-available nutrients from soil • Goal – prescription fertilizer application

  4. Soil Test Ratings

  5. Soil Test Ratings & Economics

  6. Soil Test Ratings & Economics High Medium Low Probability of Crop Response ROI $ VL M VH Soil Test Nutrient Level

  7. Nutrient Utilization (lbs/acre)

  8. Nutrient Utilization (lbs/acre)

  9. Crop Nutrient Removal

  10. Micronutrient Response

  11. Fertilizer Prices Change

  12. Current Crop Production Costs • Corn – 180 bu/A – medium soil tests • Nitrogen (210 lb x $0.65/lb = $136.50) • Phosphate (50 lb x $0.58/lb = $29.00) • Potash (200 lb x $0.33/lb = $66.00) Per acre fertilizer cost = $231.50 Cost per 80 acres = $18,520.00

  13. Biosolids Analysis - Anaerobic

  14. Biosolids Analysis – N-Viro

  15. 2007 Michigan Soil Test Summary * > 50,000 samples

  16. Biosolids Marketing Approach Disposal: no value for nutrients, large $ incentive for nutrient use, no cost recovery Partial cost recovery: price < fertilizer, less user $ incentive, labor, fuel Market Value: $ price  fertilizer, organic matter, micronutrients, nutrient availability, labor, fuel, demand, communication

  17. Opportunities and Challenges • Increasing fertilizer costs ($/A) • Fertilizer availability - timing • Cost recovery • Fair valuation of biosolids nutrients (test) • Nutrient need (test) • Availability of nutrients (treatment process) • Stewardship • Consistency of Communication

  18. Time to Stop – Questions?

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