Poultry Litter Fertilizer Raises Phosphorus and Copper Levels

Testing in North Carolina shows that fields and pastures where poultry litter has been spread as fertilizer show high levels of phosphorus and copper, reports the Winston-Salem Journal. In one county, 84 percent of fields tested had high or very high levels of phosphorus, and 98 percent had high levels of copper. These levels are a concern for crop production, as well as potential groundwater contamination.