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Maryland Department of Agriculture

Poultry Manure Transport Grants

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Stockpile of poultry manure in field with green tractor
Credit: Edwin Remsberg

The Manure Transport Program helps cover the cost of transporting manure to farms with low phosphorus fields or to alternative use facilities. Payments of up to $28 per ton are available to eligible farmers or registered manure brokers. Find a registered manure broker. - PDF - 249.9 KB

Haul Now, Apply Later FastTrack option to transport poultry manure

Farmers who want to switch to poultry manure should check out our Haul Now, Apply Later FastTrack Grants. With our FastTrack grants, farmers or manure brokers can haul poultry manure now, and apply for cost-share reimbursement later. ***Please download the application and claim form to your device before completing. ​Mail completed forms to:

Maryland Department of ​Agriculture 
Conservation Grants
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Room 207​
Annapolis, MD 21401

Poultry Manure FastTrack forms

A current Nutrient Management Certification Form is required with all Standard and Fast Track applications when the farm receiving the manure is located in Maryland. Download a Current Nutrient Management Plan Certification Form - PDF - 566.79 KB

Standard option to transport poultry manure

Our standard transport grants to move poultry manure are still available to eligible farmers or manure brokers. 

  • ​Farmers apply through their local soil conservation district. 
  • Registered manure brokers apply directly to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. 
  • The applicant submits a current nutrient management plan that contains:
    • Nitrogen-based nutrient recommendations for fields with a Maryland Soil Phosphorus Fertility Index Value that is 100 or less.
    • Phosphorus-based nutrient ​recommendations for fields with a Maryland Soil Phosphorus Fertility Index Value between 101 and 150. 
  • Receiving farm fields with a Maryland Soil Phosphorus Fertility Index Value that is greater than 150 are not eligible to participate in this program.​

Requirements for poultry manure transport

Farmers or manure brokers may apply for grants to move poultry manure using either a standard application or the Haul Now, Apply Later FastTrack option. In both instances, the following rules apply: 

  • Qualifying farmers or manure brokers receive up to $28 per ton to transport poultry litter. 
  • The sending farm must be located in Maryland and raise broiler chickens for one of the participating Delmarva poultry companies.
  • Poultry litter must be transported more than 7 miles from the sending farm. 
  • Transported poultry litter must be land applied as a nutrient source for an agricultural crop, OR sent to an approved alternative use facility.
  • Either the farmer or the manure broker (not both)​ may apply for cost-share reimbursement to transport a load of poultry manure. This must be worked out ahead of time between the parties. MDA is not involved in the financial transactions between buyers and sellers.
  • For detailed information about the rules and requirements for the Manure Transport Program, please read the regulations. 

Eligibility

These grants are open to:

  • Farmers/businesses receiving the manure 
  • Registered manure brokers 
  • For more details, contact the Manure Transport Program at 410-841-5864.

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