Agronomy Fact Sheet Series Fact Sheet 97
Guidelines for Land-application of Acid Whey
Acid whey, a co-product of Greek yogurt, increase significantly with time in storage and
cottage cheese, and cream cheese when co-stored with manure. If there are
manufacturing, contains nutrients that can be concerns about odor, incorporate or inject the
useful for crops (Factsheet #96). Like any acid whey or acid whey-manure mixtures.
material containing nutrients, land application
can result in losses to the environment. Infiltration rates
Additionally, the low pH of acid whey can impact Similar to the solids in manure, solids in acid
soil pH. In this factsheet, guidance is given for whey can plug soil pores and influence
land application of acid whey. infiltration rate. When acid whey and manure
are mixed, the mixture behaves like manure.
Chloride limit and nutrient addition Field testing of infiltration rates of acid whey
New York State law limits annual chloride (Cl) itself compared to liquid manure or water to the
applications to no more than 170 lbs/acre of Cl. surface of four different tilled soils has shown:
Based on a limited set of samples (Factsheet Whey infiltrates slower than water but faster
#96), the average Cl content of 9.3 lbs Cl/1000 than manure with a comparable solids content
gallons triggers the annual limit at just over (Figures 1 and 2).
18,000 gallons/acre. This rate also supplies Solid content of the whey impacts infiltration;
approximately 130 lbs of total N, 250 lbs of the lower the solids content, the faster the
P2O5, 300 lbs of K2O, 180 lbs of calcium, 15 lbs infiltration rate.
of magnesium, 11 lbs of sulfur, and small The first 10,000 gallon/acre acid whey
amounts of boron, iron, manganese and copper. application infiltrates more quickly than the
Thus, acid whey contains significant quantities second 10,000 gallons/acre application,
of important nutrients. Whey sources should be reflecting differences in initial soil moisture
tested to determine nutrient content to match content (Figure 3).
applications with crop needs (Factsheet #33).
600
1.4% 0%
Impact on soil pH 500
Infiltration rate
Given the acidity, various rates of acid whey 400 2.9%
(cm/hr)
were applied to soil to test the impact on soil 300
pH. At a rate of 10,000 or more gallons/acre, 1.4%
land-application of acid whey first results in a 200 5.7%
2.9%
rapid decrease of soil pH, quickly followed by a 100 4.6%
sharp increase to levels higher than the initial 0
soil pH and then a gradual decline over time. Whey Manure Water
This pH swing, which can be as large as 2 pH Figure 1: Infiltration rate of acid whey and manure (10,000
units, may last up to 4 weeks and can impact gallons/acre) on silt loam soils as influenced by % solids.
Soil with excellent tilth would be expected to infiltrate more
establishment and growth of pH sensitive crops. rapidly for a given solids content.
For well-buffered, high pH soil types such as
Honeoye, applications up to 18,000
gallons/acre will not impact the final soil pH. In
acid soils, the pH eventually settles below the
initial soil pH, increasing lime requirements for
crop production over time. If acid whey is added
to manure storage (up to a 1:1 ratio), the
manure buffers the whey and the resulting
mixture will have little or no effect on soil pH.
Figure 2: Comparison of the infiltration of 20,000
gallons/acre acid whey and manure. Whey (left) infiltrated
Odor completely in 10 minutes leaving a small amount of residue
Land application of fresh acid whey does not on the surface. Manure (right) at the same solids content
present an odor issue, but acid whey odor may (5.7%) infiltrated slower.
Field Crops Extension 1 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
600 1st 10K
First 10,000 gallons/acre Potable water well: 200 feet.
2nd 10 K 10,000 gallons/acre
Second Surface water and State-regulated
500 wetland: 200 feet (waste not directly
Infiltration rate
400 injected into the soil) or 100 feet
(cm/hr)
(waste directly injected).
300 Drainage swale: 25 feet.
o Land application to frozen ground is
200 permitted if the slope of the field is less
than 4% or the distance to a surface
100
water or State-regulated wetland is at
0 least 500 feet and berms are used.
Whey 5.7% Whey 2.9% Whey 1.4%
Summary
Figure 3: The 2nd 10,000 gallons/acre application infiltrated Acid whey is a good source of nutrients for
much slower than the 1st application of 10,000 gallons/acre.
crops. Infiltration is more rapid than for
manure, but acid whey may still pose a runoff
Guidelines for Land Application risk when solids content is elevated and soil
If acid whey is mixed with manure and then moisture content is high. Avoid seeding pH
land-applied, treat the mixture like straight sensitive crops directly after application.
manure. Additional lime will be needed to maintain pH
If acid whey is direct-applied to crop land: when acid whey is applied to naturally acidic
o Consider initial pH and the soils’ ability and poorly buffered soils. Application rate can
to maintain pH in the optimal range for be limited by either nitrogen or phosphorus
crop production. Additional lime will be content of whey (based on crop needs and the
needed to maintain soil pH over time for New York phosphorus index), chloride content
naturally acidic and poorly buffered soil. (not to exceed the 170 lbs chloride/acre annual
o Due to the pH swing within the first four limit set by ECL), or soil characteristics and
weeks after application, avoid seeding conditions that regulate acid whey infiltration
pH sensitive crops directly after rates. Test whey and soils to set appropriate
application. rates.
o Infiltration rates are impacted by soil
type and initial moisture content; Additional Resources
managing rates for quick infiltration and New York Solid Waste Management Facilities (Part 360;
prevention of ponding of the acid whey NYDEC); http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/2491.html.
in the field will reduce runoff risk. Factsheet #33: Nutrient Management Planning;
Factsheet #96: Acid Whey pH and Nutrient Content;
The Environmental Conservation Law of the
http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/guidelines/factsheets.html.
State of New York (ECL) 360 regulation (non-
recognizable food processing waste; 360 CRR- Disclaimer
NY 360-4.2(b) and 4.6 (b)) states: This fact sheet reflects the current (and past) authors’ best
o Limit rates based on chloride content effort to interpret a complex body of scientific research, and
and/or nutrient content. to translate this into practical management options.
Following the guidance provided in this fact sheet does not
o For land-application of acid whey, the
assure compliance with any applicable law, rule, regulation
field slope of the receiving field must be or standard, or the achievement of particular discharge
less than 8% unless whey is injected levels from agricultural land.
parallel to the contour.
o Ground water or bedrock must be For more information
greater than 24 inches below surface.
o Apply only to sandy loam, sandy clay
loam, loam, silt loam, silt, sandy clay
and clay loam.
Nutrient Management Spear Program
o Apply no more than 16,000 gallons/acre http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu
in any 24 hour period.
o Maintain the following setbacks: Greg Godwin, Sanjay Gami, Karl Czymmek,
Kevin Ganoe, and Quirine Ketterings
Property line: 50 feet.
Residence, place of business or 2017
public contact area: 500 feet.
Field Crops Extension 2 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
