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NCR189: Air Qualtiy Issues Associated with Animal Facilities

Duration:

October 01, 2001 to September 30, 2004

Administrative Advisor(s):

F. William Ravlin (OHO) - Research

NIFA Reps:

Henry Tyrrell
Mary Ann Rozum
Richard O. Hegg

Statement of Issue(s) and Justification:

Animal facilities and production processes generate numerous airborne contaminants, which can impair indoor occupational and ambient (i.e., outdoor) air quality. Key indoor air quality issues associated with animal production include both animal and occupational health concerns. Ambient air quality issues include concerns about dust, odor, ammonia deposition and long- range nutrient enrichment, human health, global climate change, and other environmental impacts due in part to emissions from animal production and facilities including manure storage units and handling facilities. These issues have important economic and social dimensions.

Animal agriculture is an important industry with significant economic impacts in many states participating in NCR-189. Concerns about odors, health impacts, and reduced quality of life from airborne emissions have generated increased regulatory scrutiny and policy initiatives at local, state, and Federal levels. Research and educational programs are needed to develop economical policies and practical practices to address the air quality concerns.

The Air Quality Research and Technology Transfer White Paper and Recommendations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations by the USDA Agricultural Air Quality Task Force recommended that an additional $65 million be appropriated for agricultural air quality issues. This report summarizes air quality research and funding needs.

The National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management held a National Initiative Workshop in 2000 to set priorities. Highly ranked issues included odor mitigation from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), particulate and ammonia emissions, and feedlot siting tools and guidance. NCR-189 members were involved in the workshop and are leading the development of white papers on some of these topics.

Stakeholders interested in the work of this committee include animal agriculture producers and employees, regulators (local, state, and Federal), non-farm neighbors, and communities where animal agriculture has an important environmental and economic impact.

Objectives

1. To facilitate interaction and exchange of information on research related to air quality issues associated with animal facilities.
2. To identify common interests among researchers and educators to initiate joint research and education programs on air quality issues associated with animal facilities.
3. To develop technologies and management practices to manage the impacts of air quality problems associated with animal facilities.

Procedures and Activities

Expected Outcomes and Impacts:

• Objective 1. The NCR-189 Committee will meet annually to hear technical presentations and reports on research and education activities at the respective institutions. Attachment A lists past meetings and special presentations. State reports are presented orally and in written form, typically one page per project. For the past three years these written reports were collected, compiled, and distributed electronically to NCR-189 members and interested parties by R. Koelsch at the University of Nebraska. The 1998 report included 78 research reports from 10 states and 28 educational reports from 10 states. The 1999 report included 121 research project reports from 14 states and 34 educational reports from 10 states. The 2000 report includes reports on around 100 projects from 11 states. (See Attachment B - reports for previous years are available upon request). The 2001 meeting will be held prior to the Second International Symposium on Animal Production and Environmental Issues at Research Triangle Park, NC from October 3-5, 2001. NCR-189 will use this meeting strengthen contact with the Multi-State Consortium for Animal Waste Management and the National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management.
• Objective 2. The shared reports, discussions, and exchanged educational materials create opportunities for joint research projects and educational programs. Attachment A includes a list of multi-state projects and proposals involving NCR-189 members. NCR-189 members will investigate opportunities for collaboration with USDA-ARS researchers initiating projects related to air quality and animal production. While funding for research and extension activities related to animal production air quality is limited, as evidenced by the call for funding by the USDA Agricultural Air Quality Task Force white paper, NCR-189 members will continue developing multi-state proposals for educational and research activities.
• Objective 3. Researchers from NCR-189 Committee member states will develop technologies and management practices to minimize the impacts of airborne emissions from animal facilities. Researchers have reported on the developments, designs, and effectiveness of different technologies. The technologies include biofilters, ozone treatment, windbreak walls, lagoon and manure storage unit covers, oil sprinkling, dust collectors, washing walls, and biomass filters. Some of the technologies are being used on animal facilities. See Attachment B for specific project descriptions and publication lists.
• In addition, NCR-189 members are providing leadership to international air quality conferences. NCR-189 members were leaders in the Second International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations.

Project Participation:

Include a completed Appendix E form

Educational Plan:

Member states have developed and reported on educational activities associated with air quality issues within their respective states (28 in 1998; 34 in 1999, 11 in 2000). For example, extension faculty at the University of Minnesota developed and offers two odor workshops. Faculty at the University of Nebraska in cooperation with the Nebraska Pork Producers Association initiated a home study course on air quality issues for pork production, which is being pilot tested with about 20 pork producers. NCR-189 members will participate in the development of five lessons on livestock air quality issues for the national "Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship" curriculum funded by the USDA CREES and US EPA. The "Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship" project team and seven members of the NCR-189 committee collaborated on a proposal entitled "Communicating the Science of Odor Management to the Livestock/Poultry Industry" to the American Distance Education Consortium. The proposal was not successful. Future proposals will be developed.

Governance:

NCR-189 will have a chair and a secretary. The committee chair is responsible for preparing the annual meeting agenda, conducting the meeting, and assuring that task assignments are completed. Normally, the chair is elected to a one-year term. Chairs are eligible for reelection. Secretary: The secretary is responsible for preparing and distributing minutes prior to the annual meeting. The secretary is also responsible for keeping minutes at the meeting and maintaining an updated roster of participants. The secretary normally succeeds the chair. Secretaries are eligible for reelection. Members: In addition to carrying out the agreed research collaboration, research coordination, information exchange, or advisory activities, project members are responsible for reporting progress, contributing to the ongoing progress of the activity, and communicating their accomplishments to the committee's members and their respective institutions.

Literature Cited:

Attachments:

none

Internal Linkages:

External Linkages:

Signatures:

s:/F. William Ravlin

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