Feedlot Waste Effects on Soil Conditions and Water Evaporation

Feedlot wastes were applied to field plots at 0, 22, 67, 134, or 268 metric tons/ha for 4 successive years. Core and bulk soil samples from the plots were used to evaluate treatment effects on soil water retention, bulk density, strength, porosity, organic matter content, and water‐stable aggregates. Evaporation was determined from laboratory columns containing feedlot‐wastetreated soil at the surface and untreated soil below the treated soil. For soils treated with feedlot wastes at high rates, water contents at saturation and at −0.2 and −1.5 bars matric potential were significantly higher, and bulk densities were significantly lower, than for untreated soils or those treated at low rates. Soil strength, porosity index values, and water contents at −15 bars matric potential were not significantly affected by waste applications. Soil organic matter and aggregation increased and evaporation decreased as waste application rates increased.