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Recent advances in Australian broiler litter utilisation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2007

J.R. TURNELL ,
R.D. FAULKNER  and
G.N. HINCH
J.R. TURNELL*
Affiliation:
The Australian Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Environmental Engineering, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, University of New England, ArmidaleNSW, Australia
R.D. FAULKNER
Affiliation:
The Australian Poultry Cooperative Research Centre, Environmental Engineering, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management, University of New England, ArmidaleNSW, Australia
G.N. HINCH
Affiliation:
Animal Science, School of Rural Science and Agriculture, University of New England, Armidale NSW, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: jturnell@une.edu.au
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Abstract

The global poultry industry is undergoing many changes, one being the need for efficient disposal of its broiler litter (BL) due to a reduction in the land available for cost effective disposal. To date, Australian BL disposal has been achieved by selling the litter as a fertiliser to agricultural sectors. Research indicates BL and other poultry industry waste streams could be used as a food source for vermiculture systems, allowing the sale of vermi-cast as a biologically enhanced fertiliser and worms for protein. If this approach is economically viable then the poultry industry could reduce its environmental impact and operate more like a closed loop system. Integrated bio-systems using vermiculture, composting and waste-to-energy technologies have developed significantly overseas and have shown potential to solve many of the issues associated with poultry waste disposal.

Keywords

vermiculturecompostingdirect combustionanaerobic digestionclosed loop systemnutrient loop closureintegrated bio-systems
Type
Review Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 63 , Issue 2 , June 2007 , pp. 223 - 231
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2007

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