Nutrient and Heavy Metal Contents of Spent Bedding From Straw-Based Pig Housing

摘要

As part of a project investigating the utilisation of spent bedding from straw-based pig housing in broadacre cropping systems, a product survey was conducted. The aim of this was to determine nutrient (macro and trace elements) and heavy metal contents of spent beddings in order to assess its potential value as an alternative source of nutrients for crops, and potential risks in relation to heavy metal accumulation in treated soils. The samples were collected by taking thirty random grab samples from spent bedding piles, then combined in a bucket and a subsample selected for analysis. Thirty three samples, which were predominately cereal straw based, were sourced from commercial pork farms in South Australia and New South Wales.