Agronomic Value ofAgronomic Value ofNutrients in BiosolidsNutrients in Biosolids

Randall WardenRandall Warden

A & L Great Lakes LaboratoriesA & L Great Lakes Laboratories

Fort Wayne, INFort Wayne, IN

Quality Analyses for Informed Decisions

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Assessment of nutrient levelsAssessment of nutrient levels Soil testingSoil testing Biosolids analysisBiosolids analysis

Crop nutrient requirements and Crop nutrient requirements and responsivenessresponsiveness

Process to determine nutrient value ($)Process to determine nutrient value ($)

Assessing Nutrient Levels - Assessing Nutrient Levels - What is a Soil Test?What is a Soil Test?

Analysis of a soil sample to determine Analysis of a soil sample to determine nutrient availability to plantsnutrient availability to plants

Extract all or Extract all or proportionalproportional part of plant- part of plant-available nutrients from soilavailable nutrients from soil

Goal – prescription fertilizer applicationGoal – prescription fertilizer application

SampleSampleIDID

pHpH PP(ppm)(ppm)

KK(ppm)(ppm)

ZnZn(ppm)(ppm)

Mn Mn (ppm)(ppm)

1 5.6 9 VL 61 L 1.7 L 60 VH

2 4.6 6 VL 17 VL 1.7 L 3 VL

3 6.2 47 H 155 H 3.1 M 62 VH

4 7.6 12 L 149 M 6.1 H 18 M

Soil TestSoil Test UnitUnit Very LowVery Low LowLow MediumMedium HighHigh Very HighVery High

pH 0.0 - 5.0 5.1 - 5.8 5.9 - 6.9 7.0 - 7.5 7.6+

Organic Matter % 0.0 - 0.9 1.0 - 2.5 2.6 - 4.9 5.0 - 6.9 7.0+

Phosphorus (P1) ppm 0 - 9 10 - 19 20 - 29 30 - 49 50+

Potassium % 0.0 - 0.7 0.8 - 1.4 1.5 - 2.6 2.7 - 4.0 4.1+

Magnesium % 0.0 - 5.0 5.1 - 10.0 10.1 - 15.0 15.1 - 25.0 25.1+

Calcium % 0.0 - 45.0 45.1 - 55.0 55.1 - 75.0 75.1 - 85.0 85.1+

Sulfur (S) ppm 0 - 3 4 - 7 8 - 12 13 - 17 18+

Zinc (Zn) ppm 0.0 - 0.9 1.0 - 2.9 3.0 - 4.9 5.0 - 10.0 10.1+

Manganese (Mn) ppm 0 - 5 6 - 14 15 - 29 30 - 49 50+

Iron (Fe) ppm 0 - 4 5 - 9 10 - 50 51+

Copper (Cu) ppm 0.0 - 0.4 0.5 - 1.1 1.2 - 3.0 3.1+

Boron (B) ppm 0.0 - 0.3 0.4 - 0.5 0.6 - 1.2 1.3 - 2.5 2.6+

Soil Test RatingsSoil Test Ratings

Soil Test RatingSoil Test Rating Probability of Economic Response Probability of Economic Response to Fertilizer Applicationto Fertilizer Application

Very Low (VL) Very High

Low (L) High

Medium (M) Medium

High (H) Low

Very High (VH) None

Soil Test Ratings & EconomicsSoil Test Ratings & Economics

Soil Test Ratings & EconomicsSoil Test Ratings & Economics

Soil Test Nutrient LevelVL VHM

Probability of Crop ResponseHigh LowMedium

ROI $

CROPCROP YIELDYIELD NitrogenNitrogenNN

PhosphatePhosphatePP22OO55

PotashPotashKK22OO

Alfalfa 10 T 600 120 600

Corn

200 bu. grain 150 87 57stover 116 27 209

Soybeans

60 bu. Grain 250 50 86Stover 80 20 60

Wheat

100 bu. grain 160 60 40straw 50 12 140

Nutrient Utilization (lbs/acre)Nutrient Utilization (lbs/acre)

CROP YIELD MagnesiumMg

CalciumCa

SulfurS

Alfalfa 10 T 53 280 51

Corn200 bu. grain 18 4 15

stover 47 38 18

Soybeans60 bu. Grain 17 12 12

Stover 10 90 14

Wheat100 bu. grain 15 5 8

straw 13 21 16

Nutrient Utilization (lbs/acre)Nutrient Utilization (lbs/acre)

CropCropPounds per AcrePounds per Acre

BB ZnZn MnMn FeFe CuCu

Alfalfa10 tons

0.70 0.65 1.10 1.50 0.18

Corn200 Bushels

0.19 0.57 1.35 1.40 0.15

Soybeans60 bushels

0.22 0.30 0.75 1.05 0.14

Wheat80 bushels

0.08 0.34 0.55 0.70 0.09

Crop Nutrient RemovalCrop Nutrient Removal

Crop Mn B Cu Zn Fe

Alfalfa Med High High Low Med

Corn Med Low Med High Med

Soybeans High Low Low Med High

Wheat High Low High Low Low

Micronutrient ResponseMicronutrient Response

Fertilizer Prices ChangeFertilizer Prices ChangeNutrientNutrient UnitUnit 20042004 20082008

Nitrogen lb $0.35 $0.65

Phosphate (P2O5) lb $0.19 $0.58

Potash (K2O) lb $0.18 $0.33

Sulfur (S) lb $0.39

Zinc (Zn) lb $1.34

Manganese (Mn) lb $0.80

Copper (Cu) lb $1.68

Boron (B) lb $0.75

Lime ton $25.00 $30.00

Current Crop Production CostsCurrent 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

Biosolids Analysis - AnaerobicBiosolids Analysis - AnaerobicParameter

Lbs perDry Ton

% Available

Lbs per DryTon Available

UnitCost (lb)

NutrientValue

Lime 175 100% 175 $0.015 $2.63

Plant Available Nitrogen (PAN) 28.1 100% 28.1 $0.65 $18.27

Phosphorus (P2O5) (PSC*) 87.1 40% 34.8 $0.58 $20.21

Potassium (K2O) 3.1 100% 3.1 $0.33 $1.02

Calcium (Ca) 87.5 55% 48.1 $0.00

Magnesium (Mg) 9.3 55% 5.1 $0.00

Sulfur (S) 49 55% 27.0 $0.39 $10.51

Zinc (Zn) 3.6 65% 2.3 $1.34 $3.14

Iron (Fe) 58.3 65% 37.9 $0.00

Manganese (Mn) 1.6 65% 1.0 $0.80 $0.83

Copper (Cu) 1.5 65% 1.0 $1.68 $1.64

Boron (B) BDL 65% 0.0 $0.75 $0.00

““Maximum” Nutrient ValueMaximum” Nutrient Value $58.25

ParameterLbs per Dry Ton Available

UnitCost (lb)

NutrientValue

Lime 175 $0.015 $2.63

Plant Available Nitrogen (PAN) 28.1 $0.65 $18.27

Phosphorus (P2O5) (PSC*) 34.8 $0.58 $20.21

Potassium (K2O) 3.1 $0.33 $1.02

Sulfur (S) 27.0 $0.39 $10.51

Zinc (Zn) 2.3 $1.34 $3.14

Manganese (Mn) 1.0 $0.80 $0.83

Copper (Cu) 1.0 $1.68 $1.64

Boron (B) 0.0 $0.75 $0.00

Biosolids Analysis – N-ViroBiosolids Analysis – N-ViroParameter

Lbs perDry Ton % Available

Lbs per DryTon Available

UnitCost (lb)

NutrientValue

Lime 726 100% 726 $0.015 $10.89

Plant Available Nitrogen (PAN) 3.744 100% 3.7 $0.65 $2.43

Phosphorus (P2O5) (PSC*) 27.6 20% 5.5 $0.58 $3.20

Potassium (K2O) 6.9 100% 6.9 $0.33 $2.28

Calcium (Ca) 449 55% 247 $0.00

Magnesium (Mg) 35.2 55% 19.4 $0.00

Sulfur (S) 106.6 20% 21.3 $0.39 $8.31

Zinc (Zn) 1.9 65% 1.2 $1.34 $1.65

Iron (Fe) 61.6 65% 40.0 $0.00

Manganese (Mn) 1.2 65% 0.8 $0.80 $0.62

Copper (Cu) 0.28 65% 0.2 $1.68 $0.31

Boron (B) 1.1 65% 1.0 $0.75 $0.00

““Maximum” Nutrient ValueMaximum” Nutrient Value $29.70

ParameterLbs per Dry Ton Available

UnitCost (lb)

NutrientValue

Lime 726 $0.015 $10.89

Plant Available Nitrogen (PAN) 3.74 $0.65 $2.43

Phosphorus (P2O5) (PSC*) 27.6 $0.58 $3.20

Potassium (K2O) 6.9 $0.33 $2.28

Sulfur (S) 21.3 $0.39 $8.31

Zinc (Zn) 1.2 $1.34 $1.65

Manganese (Mn) 0.8 $0.80 $0.62

Copper (Cu) 0.2 $1.68 $0.31

Boron (B) 1.0 $0.75 $0.75

Soil TestSoil Test

Percent of Soil Samples by Test Rating*Percent of Soil Samples by Test Rating*

V LowV Low LowLow MediumMedium HighHigh V HighV High

pHpH 1.71.7 10.310.3 49.449.4 23.223.2 15.515.5

PhosphorusPhosphorus 2.22.2 10.610.6 15.115.1 26.826.8 45.345.3

PotassiumPotassium 1.21.2 9.49.4 49.549.5 29.829.8 10.010.0

SulfurSulfur 1.21.2 40.140.1 41.241.2 17.517.5

ZincZinc 31.631.6 40.040.0 23.223.2 5.35.3

ManganeseManganese 4.04.0 9.89.8 14.614.6 62.462.4 9.39.3

CopperCopper 0.20.2 44.944.9 42.442.4 12.512.5

BoronBoron 31.331.3 27.027.0 35.135.1 5.85.8 0.80.8

2007 Michigan Soil Test Summary2007 Michigan Soil Test Summary

* > 50,000 samples

Biosolids Marketing Biosolids Marketing ApproachApproach

Disposal:Disposal: no value for nutrients, large $ incentiveno value for nutrients, large $ incentivefor nutrient use, no cost recoveryfor nutrient use, no cost recovery

Partial cost recovery:Partial cost recovery:price < fertilizer, less user $ incentive,price < fertilizer, less user $ incentive,labor, fuellabor, fuel

Market Value:Market Value:

$ price $ price fertilizer, organic matter, fertilizer, organic matter, micronutrients, micronutrients, nutrient availabilitynutrient availability, , labor, labor,

fuel, demand, communicationfuel, demand, communication

Opportunities and ChallengesOpportunities 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

Time to Stop – Questions?Time to Stop – Questions?