Rapid expansion of the Virginia poultry industry has resulted in poultry litter production that in certain areas exceeds the potential for use in crop agriculture. If land application exceeds crop requirements, litter production may result in environmental damage. In this study, potential litter surpluses in intensive poultry-producing Virginia counties were quantified. The costs of transferring such surpluses to litter-deficient areas were compared with the economic value of litter as fertilizer. Estimates of potential cropland and pasture for spreading litter took dairy manure production into account. Use of litter surpluses by transfer was found to be economically viable. Public policy actions are needed, however, to promote such transfer.
