Read this article to learn how researchers are studying the effects of poultry litter on growing cotton. In the study, litter’s value as a soil conditioner was determined as an extra $17 per ton of litter – as calculated by balancing the cost of the nutrients in litter with the resulting higher yields from the litter. The study showed that cotton yields peaked 12 percent higher with organic soil amendment, compared to peak yields with synthetic soil amendment. All in, chicken litter was shown to have a value of about $78 a ton, compared to $61 a ton when figured by the traditional method.