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Agronomic Value of Nutrients in Biosolids

Learn about assessing nutrient levels, soil testing, and biosolids analysis for optimal crop nutrient utilization. Understand the process to determine the value of nutrients and make informed decisions based on ROI and cost-effective strategies.

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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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