Evaluating the profitability of pearl millet as a nutrient management practice based on two case study farms in the southeastern Piedmont region of Georgia

Abstract

Georgia leads the U.S. in broiler production, and the Southeastern Piedmont region of Georgia is dominated by its highly integrated and increasingly clustered broiler industry. As a result, Georgia also leads in broiler litter generation. Broiler litter is most commonly disposed of through field applications as a fertilizer, and excessive use impacts environmental quality due to high levels of phosphorus contained in broiler litter. Management practices that better utilize excessive nutrients while earning the producer profit are needed in this region. This study analyzes the economic viability of pearl millet as a nutrient management practice based on two case study farms. The analysis is addressed through the use of enterprise budgeting, sensitivity analysis, and break-even analysis. Collected data on nutrient runoff was analyzed and compared to the results of the economic analyses, pre and post-pearl millet implementation. From this, the profitability of pearl millet as a nutrient management technique is determined.