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S1032: Improving the Sustainability of Livestock and Poultry Production in the United States

Annual/Termination Reports (SAES-422): [09/04/2008] [08/14/2009] [07/30/2010] [06/21/2012] [07/20/2022]

Date of Annual Report: 09/04/2008

Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 05/28/08 to 05/30/08
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2007 to 09/2008

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    S-1032 and S-1025 Joint Annual Meeting Meeting Minutes Millennium Hotel Boulder, Colorado May 28-30, 2008

    Secretary: Saqib Mukhtar (S-1032) Texas AgriLIFE Extension Specialist and Associate Professor, Agricultural Engineering, Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station email mukhtar@tamu.edu

    May 28

    " 8:00 a.m. Meeting called to order by Chair John Classen and welcome by S1025 (Larry Jacobson for Ken Casey) and S1032 committee chairs.

    Participant introductions

    Ron Lacewell, Administrative Advisor, Texas A&M University  Commended S1025 & S 1032 on meeting jointly and for enhanced cooperation. He reminded the group to conduct meaningful activities during the combined meeting for effective future outcomes. Liked the new research reporting format-Research Briefs. Emphasized on collaborative research among universities and regions. Reminded the group that subsidized corn into ethanol and other such actions impact economics of the energy outputs.

    Mary Ann Rozum, USDA-CSREES Representative and Advisor- The annual reports (Research Briefs) are very important and should clearly show impact for accountability. CSREES will be known as National Food and Agriculture Institute (NFAI) effective October 8, 2008. The premier research program of NFAI will be known as Agriculture and Food Research Institute (AFRI). The AFRI funding program will include 40% funding for Integrated research and 60% for Basic research. Major funding jump in research organic agriculture research. Grazing in 24 million acres of CRP land is being allowed. Major growth seen in CIG and EQIP grants.

    " 8:30 am- Presentation Energy and Agriculture, The Ohio State University " 10:30 am - Animal production Systems of the Future: Vision, Challenges, and Solution. A brain storming session and discussion. " 1:30 pm- Committees met separately. Discuss Objectives and Plans o Classen/Mukhtar discussed the current status of the S-1000 website. Keep it at its current site at Auburn University but modify to reflect new Objectives and Committee Number o Collaborate with others on eXtension or find alternative ways to have; § Secure web contacts for S-1032 officers for internal communications § Separate public information website-URL o Brent discussed modular modeling of energy and other components for systems development under new Objective 1 of S-1032. Explore possibilities with Jill Baron of USGS and with NCEAS (?). o Several programming ideas discussed- Tie in sinks such as water use and energy use and economics into AFO systems model. " 3:00 pm- Can eXtension and LPE Learning center facilitate our collaboration and provide an outlet for our work product? o Rick Koelsch, University of Nebraska-Asked the group as to what role it wants to play in the web environment and offered to support the group by making S-1032 Research Briefs available on the LPE community of practice website on eXtension. Mukhtar will submit those briefs to Rick. o Joe Harrison, Washington State University provided a brief introduction to the Livestock and Poultry Environment (LPE) Learning Center Outreach project. Gave a description of several sub-categories (Manure management issues) and how the leadership for each sub-category is gathering and up-loading state of the science information on eXtension website. He also spoke about the national webcasts on burning issues and asked for input on new topics. o Ron Sheffield, Louisiana State University introduced a similar activity by the Center on air quality. This effort includes college curriculum on air quality, specialized Technical Service Providers (TSP) and PE training, and extension outreach activities.

    " 5:30 pm- Reception and poster session.

    May 29 " 8:00 am- Luis Rodriguez- University of IllinoisEnabling effective metric based analyses for improving sustainability of livestock and poultry production in the United States. " 10:00 am- Jill Baron, US Geological Survey  Application of ecosystem models to assess ecological, nutrient cycling, and hydrological processes. " 11:30 am- Travel to National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)  Facility tour and discussion scientists and presentation of NCAR activities.

    May 30

    " 8:00 am- Gary Marek, Sharon Preece, Kevin Heflin, Emily Buttery (Graduate students, West Texas A&M), Bob DeOtte and Brent Auvermann (West Texas A&M and Texas AgriLIFE Research, respectively- Systems model of manure-fired ethanol plant. " 9:30 am- Joint Business meeting o Next year, do we want to meet again jointly? Yes! Wednesday common day for S1025/1032, Tuesday and Thursday meet separately. o 2009 Meeting logistics Committee is comprised of Ken Casey and Larry Jacobson (S-1025) and Ted Funk and John Classen (S-1032) o Potential locations-California: San Diego, Lodi, Petaluma. NAEMS site visits near Lodi? o Dates: Late spring to early summer before the ASABE meeting (June 21-24) o 2010 meeting at the Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina? o Joint meeting adjourned at 10 am. " 10:00 am S-1032 Business meeting. o Brent Auvermann led the discussion on Getting off High Center a Conceptual model proposal for year 2. The idea is to develop a conceptual model of reasonably simple AFO-centered system. Researchable question should be broad enough to incorporate objective 2 of the S-1032 plan of work. o Three working groups were formed to: à Begin the systems modeling process along the lines of Dr. Rodriguezs recommendations. à Compare, contrast, and harmonize the groups different approaches via web seminars. à Develop reasonable questions answered through systems synthesis à Identify system boundaries, processes, blocks, and elements included within system boundaries à Top-shelf input and output categories and variables that are important to the system à Performance measures § Group A- Auvermann-Chair- Zering, Classen, Meyers, Powers, Funk and Mukhtar § Group B- Keener-Chair § Group C- Zering-Chair à By July 31, Group A will provide draft of a multi-component, non-species specific model. à Sept 30- Web seminar1, November 30, web seminar 2, February, 2009, web seminar 3. " Kelly Zering nominated for the S-1032 Secretary position by Saqib, nominations closed by Herold, seconded by Phill and approved by all (16) in attendance. " New officers

    John Classen- Past chair Ted Funk- Chair Saqib Mukhtar-Vice Chair Kelly Zering-Secretary elect

    Thanks extended to John Classen for executing chairs duties for the year.

    Adjourned at 11:20 a.m. May 30, 2008.

    *********************************************************************** Submitted by Saqib Mukhtar, 2008 Secretary.

    Accomplishments:
    Objective 1. Develop preliminary models of each animal industry that describe its cumulative ecological risk, emergy flows or ecological footprint as a dynamic, nonlinear function of the stocks, flows and transformations of matter and energy comprising CAFO systems. This project involved building a conceptual model of the time-variant stocks, flows, and transformations of mass and energy in a three-component system involving the following, integrated processes: " Beef cattle feeding using high-energy rations based on steam-flaked corn with or without distillers grains; " Ethanol production fueled by parallel streams of natural gas and thermochemically gasified feedyard manure; and " Land management units (LMUs), both local and distant, which produce corn (as a feedstock for both cattle feeding and ethanol production) and other crops according to fluctuating market conditions for fuel, feed, and fertilizer. Objective 2. Continue the development and performance evaluation of process-level strategies and tactics to reduce environmental pollution at the process level from confined animal feeding operations. (OH) Water Use on Ohio Dairy Farms Monitoring of well water use on an Ohio dairy farm indicated that average water usage is 29.9 gal/day/cow, lower than the 40 to 50 gal/cow/day cited in literature. Average milk production was 80 pounds per cow per day and the farm averaged 4.5 gallons of water used for each gallon of milk produced. Understanding how much water should be consumed allows for comparison of actual use and helps to identify practices, such as reusing milk cooling water as a drinking water supply for the cows that have the potential to reduce water use. Flow-Through Rates and Evaluation of Solids Separation of Compost Filter Media vs. Silt Fence in Sediment Control Applications Testing was conducted on compost silt socks (SS) and slit fence (SF) to determine sediment filtering efficiency, flow-through rate, ponding depth, overtopping point, design height, and design capacity. Results indicate flow-through rate changes with time, as does ponding depth, due to the accumulation of solids on/in the sediment filters. Removal of solids by the SF and the SS were not shown to be statistically different. (OH) Odor Control for land application of manure Fact sheet describes what odor is, how it is emitted and effective manure applications for odor control. (FL) Grazing cattle have a dominant effect on the movement and utilization of nutrients through the soil and plant system, and thus on the fertility of pasture soils. Grazing can accelerate and alter the timing of nutrient transfers, and increase the amount of nutrients cycled from plant to soil. Early results of a soil sampling study to investigate levels of soil total inorganic nitrogen and total P from cattle feeders, water troughs and shades etc., are suggesting that cattle congregation sites may not be as nutrient-rich as previously thought, therefore may not contribute more nutrients to surface and groundwater supply under Florida conditions. (NE) Effects of Cattle Manure on Fate and Transport of Hormones in the Feedlot and the Field To date one cattle feeding study has been completed with stockpiled and composted manure prepared for field application this spring. Hormone assays are on-going but not yet summarized. Results of the cattle feeding study, found that the use of hormonal supplements improved cattle gain 21.7% and efficiency of feed utilization by 11.0%, while decreasing cost of gain by 11%. (OH) Persistence of Listeria and Salmonella during Swine Manure Treatment The objective of this study was to compare the persistence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhimuriutn during the treatment of swine manure by the most commonly used manure management methods: liquid storage, aerated liquid storage, thermophilic composting (55°C) and manure packing (low temperature composting). Swine manure obtained from Ohio State University's Agricultural Technical Institute swine farm was inoculated with L. monocytogenes and S. typhimurium to obtain a final concentration of 106 CFU/g of each organism. To simulate liquid storage, manure was diluted with water and stored aerated and unaerated at 20-25°C. To simulate pack storage and thermophilic composting, the same manure was amended with sawdust to provide 60% moisture and incubated in triplicate aerated 4-liter compost reactors at 25 and 55°C, respectively. The MPN/g of L. monocytogenes in the 55°C compost and the aerated liquid declined by 3 to 4 logs after 3 days, but not in the compost stored at 25°C or the unaerated liquid. Likewise after 3 days, Salmonella MPNs dropped to 44 MPN g-1 in the 55°C compost and 1.2 x 104 MPN g-1 in the aerated liquid but were unchanged in the sawdust manure mix at 25°C and the unaerated liquid. Salmonella persisted for up to 28 days in compost at 55°C, 42 days in aerated liquid and up to 56 days. Effects of Different Animal Waste Treatment Technologies on Detection and Viability of Porcine Enteric Viruses Untreated manure and samples collected at different stages during and after treatment were obtained from swine farms that used conventional waste management (CWM) and five different candidate ESTs. The RNA from porcine enteric viruses was detected by reverse transcription-PCR and/or seminested PCR; PoSaV and RV-A were also detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell culture immunofluorescence (CCIF) and experimental inoculation of gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs were used to determine RV-A/C infectivity in post treatment samples. These results indicate that only RV-A/C RNA, but no viral infectivity, was detected after treatment. Our findings address a public health concern regarding environmental quality surrounding swine production units. (MI) Anaerobic Biogas Potential to Determine Treatment and Energy Potential A unique anaerobic respirometry protocol, similar in concept to serum bottle assays, has been developed. The advantages of anaerobic respirometry include real-time cumulative gas volume and gas production rates. From the samples that have already been analyzed, amendments that end up in waste streams have a substantial impact on biogas potential. Feedstock Blending to Optimize Anaerobic Treatment The purpose of this project is to obtain anaerobic digester blended feedstocks that contain all necessary constituents for optimized microbial activity, and consequently biogas production. Included is a procedure to determine the optimal combination of waste material and the resulting energy potential. A new research project to be initiated in July 2008, examines the treatment of manure and food processors wastewater in a centralized digester. Specifically, two tools are being developed. One that uses GIS to indicate high concentrations of biomass wastes in Michigan that may be digestible. The second is an easy to use modeling approach to determine costs and benefits for the specific sites that a food processor may identify. Feedstock blending offers great advantages in optimizing biogas potential. The result is more profit potential from anaerobic digestion. In one case, the addition of 1.5% by volume of a waste syrup from an ethanol facility to dairy manure resulted in an increase in biogas volume by 40%. Aerobic Treatment Unit Performance on Dairy Wash Water A system was designed, assembled, operated, and analyzed at the MSU Dairy Teaching and Research Facility. This dairy typically milks 150 cows. Included were primary settling tanks, a dose tank, an advanced aeration treatment unit, a recirculation tank, and a UV disinfection unit. High solids levels however, resulted in major operational and maintenance problems. Improving Pasture and Hay-Ground with Low-Disturbance, Manure Slurry-Enriched Seeding The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate a process whereby forage Brassica, grass and legume seed was carried in nutrient rich manure slurry to seeding micro-sites in small grain stubble or established pasture and hay ground. Based on preliminary observations it was noticed that no-till and slurry seeding of red clover in a brome grass sod was more effective than frost seeding in increasing biomass yield and botanical diversity. No-till and slurry seeding of orchard grass in brome grass sod increased botanical diversity but had little effect on biomass yield after the initial N boost. Frost seeding orchard grass had little effect on botanical diversity. The use of a pre-plant burn-down tended to increase weed biomass. The use of a pre-plant burn-down enhanced the inter-seeding of orchard grass, but it did not enhance the stand of red clover (OH) Gypsum Additions Reduce Ammonia Nitrogen Losses During Composting of Dairy Manure and Biosolids Objective was to determine the impact of this gypsum on N release when mixed together with dairy manure and biosolids during composting. A preliminary experiment was conducted involving 4-liter vessels containing 1.1 kg of dairy manure mixed with by-product gypsum at dry weight rates (w/w) of 0, 6%, 13% and 23% and composted for 18 days. We conclude that combining organic waste streams, especially N-rich streams, with by-product gypsum produces a quality product while also decreasing the loss of N and reducing odors associated with the volatilization of ammonia during the composting process. (TX) Efficacy of Microbial Treatment to Reduce Phosphorus and other Substances from Dairy Lagoon Effluent An anaerobic dairy lagoon was treated with L4DB® microbial treatment to reduce phosphorus (P) and other substances from dairy lagoon effluent for a one year period. This microbial treatment was not very effective in reducing nutrients that are in soluble form. (AL) Long-Term Constructed Wetlands Treatment Data from 10-years of treating effluent from an anaerobic poultry lagoon with a constructed wetland showed average removal efficiencies were 41.9%, 48.9%, 38.5% 36.2%, 27.2%, and 17.3% for BOD5, COD, TKN, NH4, PO4, and K respectively for the 10 year period. In the context of waste treatment processes, these removal efficiencies are not high. (GA) Two recent research activities focused on: Determining the biomass yield and nutrient uptake by vegetation grown on floating mats on a single anaerobic swine wastewater lagoon. A replicated study measured yield and nutrient uptake by Tifton 85 coastal Bermuda grass (Cynondon dactylon, L. Pers.) common Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), Giant Reed (Arundo donox), and a wild millet (Panicum milliaceum) grown on floating mats. Evaluating use of floating vegetated mats as a treatment system for wastewater from fisheries. A study using floating vegetated mats as a treatment system for wastewater from fisheries is in the beginning stages. Nutrient uptake and removal from the wastewater was primarily a function of biomass produced. The study showed that plant species exist which can grow and thrive on anaerobic swine wastewater lagoons on floating mats while removing N, P, and K from the wastewater. (IA) Controlling Runoff from Beef Feedlots using Vegetative Treatment Systems (VTS) A three-year evaluation of VTS indicated that to achieve the desired runoff control and reduction in nutrient movement from beef open lots using vegetative systems, certain siting and operator requirements must be satisfied. (MI) Animal Agriculture Facility Runoff Control using Intensive Management and Treatment Channels Three vegetative treatment strips have been constructed elements at the MSUs South Campus Dairy Research Center SCDRC) using the Michigan NRCS Wastewater Treatment Strip (Acre) 635 Standard. (NE) An Integrated Approach to Reduced Risk of Phosphorus Pollution of Surface Waters in Crop-Livestock Based Managed Ecosystems of the Midwest Results of a study on the effectiveness of setbacks to field application of manure and on effectiveness of grass filter strips for reducing P runoff showed that setbacks were ineffective in reducing runoff P while sediment loss may be increased with a 40 meter setback compared to no setback. Narrow and wide grass filter strips reduced runoff P by 52 and 78%, respectively, from sites with excessive surface soil P. One-time deep plowing reduced P runoff by 51% in cases of excessive surface soil P. (NC) The goal of this research is to evaluate the utilization of a struvite crystallizer for removing phosphorus (P) from liquid from an ambient-temperature, covered earthen digester for swine manure. In lab tests of digester liquid using pH increases up to 1.0 pH unit and Mg increases up to 60 mg/L, the reductions of P varied from 74 % to 95 %. Field tests with a cone-shaped crystallizer using 5.4 L/min. flow rate of influent and various conditions of pH and Mg resulted in P removal up to 80 %. About 65 % of P was removed with the combination of 0.5 pH unit increase and addition of 40 mg/L of Mg. To test performance over longer periods, this combination of pH and Mg was utilized in 23 2-h tests and P reductions were consistently about 60 %. (TX) Evaluation of a Synthetic Tube Dewatering System for Animal Waste Pollution Control A Geotubeâ dewatering system was set-up to treat the lagoon slurry mix pumped into two large synthetic tubes from the primary lagoon of a 2000-head lactating cow open-lot dairy. The pumped slurry was treated with alum and a polymer before it entered the tubes. This system effectively removed high percentage of TP (97%) and SRP (88%), well above 50% reduction goal set by the P TMDLs for the North Bosque River in east central Texas. Geotube® also successfully filtered solids (95%) from the lagoon slurry. This system was less effective in removing K (<50%) (Fig. 3), since K is highly soluble. Geotube® dewatering system successfully reduced Ca, Mn, Fe, and Cu concentration by 91, 60, 99, and 99%, respectively. However, this system was not highly effective in removing Na (<26%) from dairy lagoon slurry. (AL) Work on a single comprehensive design equation for digestion of agricultural waste residue (both mesophilic and thermophilic) was begun. This design equation (called the Universal Methane Productivity Equation, or UMPE) accounts for all parameters in the design of methane production systems using all four major animal waste types (swine, beef, poultry and dairy) for both 35oC and 55oC digestion. Given design parameters for a system, the equation will give the projected volumetric methane productivity. The numerical values of parameters are currently being refined and will be reported when the work is completed. This is the first comprehensive equation ever reported for the design of animal waste methane production systems and comes at a significant time of national need. Accuracy, based on preliminary work, is expected to be in the 96 percentile range. (IA) Energy content of crude glycerol for layers Crude glycerol (87% glycerol, 9% water) was obtained from a commercial biodiesel production facility. Four dietary treatments were created by substituting 0, 5, 10, or 15% crude glycerol for glucose"H2O (3,640 kcal/kg AMEn). Linear regression analysis (P < 0.001, r2 = 0.92, n = 24) revealed that the AMEn value of the crude glycerol used in this study was 3,805 kcal/kg (as-is basis) for laying hens, slightly higher than that reported for corn grain (3,350 kcal/kg) and less than half of that reported for vegetable oil (8,800 kcal/kg). No significant treatment effects (P > 0.1) were apparent for egg-production rate (93.0%), egg weight (56.1 g), egg mass (52.2 g/d), or feed consumption (104 g/d). (HI) Bioprocessing Pacific Island By-products for the Production of Valueadded Feed Ingredients The overall goal of this project is to develop the bioprocess procedure/method for the conversion of agricultural processing wastes into value added products (e.g., high protein content and probiotics) for aquatic or animal feed ingredient. Evaluation of these products in regards to growth and survival of shrimp will be investigated. Tentative results have been found and are listed as follows: " Pre-treatment procedure including shredding bio-liquefaction and nutrient (N and P) are required. " In order to detect the required aeration time to achieve maximum or desirable products formation, a continuous monitoring/recording of the pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) were made (MN) Laboratory-Scale Study on Hydrogen Production in a Fermentative Bioreactor Semi-Continuously Fed by Swine Manure The purpose of research is to study the potential and feasibility of using liquid swine manure as substrate for a semi-continuously-fed fermenter to produce biohydrogen. The results showed that at 37 ± 1æC, both pH and hydraulic retention time (HRT) had a strong influence on the reactor performance including gas volume, gas composition, reactor stabilization, microbial growth, and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and alcohol distribution. The optimal condition for hydrogen production was found at HRT 16h and pH 5.0, under which the biogas comprised 35.80 ± 1.63% of hydrogen with a production rate of 9.78 ± 2.18L-H2/day, a specific yield of 0.83 L-H2/ (g biomass), and a yield of 1.63 ± 0.06 L-H2/L liquid swine manure, which demonstrated a significant and encouraging product to substrate ratio of 1.63. The highest butyrate to acetate ratio, the lowest propionate concentration, as well as a satisfying stabilization and biomass concentration were all observed at the optimal condition in the ASBR system. An innovative use of liquid swine manure to control soybean cyst nematodes The objectives of this research project are to 1) determine the optimum condition for maximal enrichment of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and ammonia (NH3) in liquid swine manure through anaerobic digestion in laboratory scale experiments; and 2) investigate the toxic effect of conditioned manure on soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) eggs and juveniles through laboratory assays; and the efficacy in reducing infection of soybean roots by SCN and in lowering SCN population density through greenhouse experiments. The VFA-enriched manure was most, raw manure moderate, and NH4+-enriched manure least, effective in inhibiting SCN hatch and killing eggs. (NC) Turnip Response to Vermicompost Turnips were grown in small plots with either 0, 10 or 20% vermicompost (composting of separated swine manure solids by volume) mixed into the top 0.3 m of soil; nitrogen fertilizer was added to half of the plots. Mass of nitrogen in run off was not affected by vermicompost addition, suggesting that the greater biomass growth did not come at the expense of additional nitrogen in runoff. In phosphorus sensitive fields, any addition of manure based products must be used with caution. (AL) Chemical and Biological Enhancement of Broiler Poultry Litter Acidification of broiler poultry litter with sulfuric acid to pH 1.5 followed by being ammoniated to pH 5.0 with anhydrous ammonia increased the crude protein (CP) content of the litter 34% from 27.4 to 36.6%, and decreased moisture 21% from 21.9 to 17.4%. The litter reached a temperature of 75C during the acid/ammonia treatment process. Studies with litter inoculated with E. coli and Salmonella demonstrated the process is efficacious in eliminating these bacteria. (IA) High amounts of corn DDGS fed to layers Diets containing 0, 23, 46, or 69% corn DDGS were formulated to be similar in metabolizable energy and digestible amino acids. Each diet was fed to 6 cages of 2 laying hens for 8 weeks after an initial 4-week-long transition period during which the dietary contents of corn DDGS were gradually increased. Nitrogen consumption and excretion increased with increasing dietary corn DDGS contents. Egg production decreased linearly, whereas egg weight increased linearly, resulting in similar overall egg output. Feed consumption increased linearly with increasing dietary corn DDGS content, causing an increase in manure dry matter excretion. (IN, MI, MD) Turkey Dietary Amino Acid Formulation & Nitrogen Excretion A 2 by 2 factorial experiment was conducted to determine whether diets formulated with either two (Lys and Met) or three (Lys, Met, and Thr) supplemental AA to 100% or 110% of NRC (1994) AA recommendations would affect performance of turkey toms. Notably, no differences were noted in tom body weight, feed-to-gain, or breast yields in this study. N intake was affected by diet with birds fed 100% NRC AA consuming 144 g (7.3%) less N per 20 wk tom, than those fed 110% NRC AA. Similarly, birds fed 3 vs 2 supplemental AA consumed 154 g less feed N (8.4%) per 20 wk tom. These differences in N intake resulted in 0.8 kg more N in litter/pen (7%; P = 0.067) in birds fed 100 % NRC AA versus those fed 110% NRC. (KY) Effects of feeding diets containing low-phytate corn and low-phytate soybean meal without and with added phytase on utilization and excretion of phosphorus by pigs and chicks. Determination of maintenance and accretion rates of P in whole empty body of pigs from 20 to 120 kg body weight was made to develop mathematical models to estimate P requirements and excretion. This antibiotic significantly improved the P digestibility and reduced P excretion, apparently due to a shift in the microbial population in the gut. The organic source of iron was only 80 to 90% as bioavailable as the inorganic source. (IA, MN) Determining Ammonia and Particulate Matter Emissions from Midwest Turkey Grow-out buildings Monitoring of the air emissions has been ongoing since May 2007 for the Iowa site and October 2007 for the MN site. At the IA site, a part of an existing barn with mostly natural ventilation were modified into a mechanically ventilated facility while at the MN site, the mechanical ventilation system of the grower section was increased to handle turkeys through market weight. Both site modifications accommodate more precise airflow measurements and the remaining naturally ventilated portion of the barns is used to set the ventilation rate for the monitored sections. To date, three flocks of air emissions and related data have been collected and analyzed. (IA) Simultaneous treatment of odor, VOCs, H2S, NH3, and pathogens with UV light A standard gas/odor system for generating and measuring gases is being used for lab-scale experiments. The system generates 13 odorous gases including H2S, mercaptans, VFAs, and phenolic compounds responsible for swine odor. NH3 gas and its removal is included. Almost 100% removal was achieved for all the compounds tested except H2S and dimethylsulfide using only 1 sec irradiation. Treatment cost of $0.25 per pig and continuous operation during growing cycle was estimated when the lab-scale results were extrapolated to typical ventilation rates and electricity cost at a swine finish operation in rural Iowa. Partial Biofiltration of Hybrid Ventilated Swine Facilities A strategy for providing partial biofiltration of a critical minimum amount of ventilation air for hybrid ventilated swine finishing facilities was developed and tested. Two side-by-side 300-head hybrid ventilated deep-pit swine finishing rooms were used for this research, one room as the control (CTL) with the other treatment (TRT). The TRT room was fitted with a wood-chip based biofilter for scrubbing the CMVR. In terms of total room emissions, the TRT room had an average odor emission 37% less and an average ammonia emission 58% less than the CTL room. Siting Swine Facilities Using ISUs CAM A model, called the Community Assessment Model for Odor Dispersion (CAM), was developed to predict receptor odor exposure from multiple swine production sources. The intended use of CAM was to provide a tool for evaluating the odor exposure to receptors in a community when siting new swine production systems and how a change in odor control technology alters the odor exposure to receptors. CAM has been used in the state of Iowa for over 150 specific cases since June 2005. At the conclusion of a CAM modeling run, a staff member from IPIC conducts a follow-up site visit with the farmer to explain results of CAM predictions. The estimated total expense (currently free to the farmer) to implement CAM is $1,000 per siting case. Odor Mitigation Using Vegetative Environmental Buffers The efficacy of Vegetative Environmental Buffers (VEBs) in mitigating livestock and poultry odor is being examined from a three- pronged perspective measuring efficacy in: 1) field measured bio-physical terms (e.g. physical reductions in downwind movement of particulates, odor and ammonia and long-term tree health), 2) financial feasibility terms at the farm-level (e.g. total costs of VEB establishment and maintenance vs. producer willingness to pay), and 3) in terms of social approval of the use of VEBs (e.g. evaluation of the impact of VEBs on production site aesthetics and consumer willingness to pay for environmentally friendly meat products). The technology broadly applied at the farm level seems to be financially feasible to most swine producers  with total costs ranging from $0.01 to $0.33 per pig produced; these costs by and large being well below maximum producer willingness to pay for the use of VEBs. And social surveys in IA and NC show strong social support and appreciation of the use of trees for air quality purposes with strong social agreement that VEBs improve the aesthetics of confinement production. (IN) Diet Modification to Reduce Odors, Gas Emissions and Nutrient Excretions from Swine Operations A total of 1, 920 pigs (initial BW = 5.29 kg) were used in a 2 x 2 factorial, wean-finish experiment to determine the effects of diet (control, CTL vs. low nutrient excretion, LNE) and manure management (6 mo. deep-pit, DP vs. monthly pull plug-recharge, PP) on growth performance, nutrient output, and air quality. Pigs fed LNE diets had a 13.6% (P<0.001) reduction in aerial NH3 emissions over the wean-finish period compared to pigs fed CTL diets. Aerial H2S and SO2 emissions and odor were not different (P>0.10) between dietary treatments. (MD, IN, MI) Impact of diet modification on performance and air emissions from hens and broilers Hy-Line W-36 hens were fed either a reduced emission diet (R) containing 6.9% of a gypsum-zeolite mixture and reduced Pr or an I diet for three weeks and at three ages (21-, 38-, and 59-wk of age (ages 1, 2, and 3)) Age effects were observed for all performance variables and NH3 emissions (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that diet and layer age influence air emissions from layer operations. The broiler work consisted of five sequential flocks where the impact of feeding R and I diets on performance, breast yield, litter N content and emissions were determined. Ross 308 male broilers were grown to 42 d. When broilers were fed the R diets NH3 emissions decreased by 40%, relative to broilers fed the I diets. (MI) Dietary Rumen Degradable Protein and Fat Source: Effects on Gas Emissions and Lactational Performance A study was conducted using a completely randomized design with 2 x 2 factorial arrangements of dietary treatments (three cows/treatment). Based on preliminary statistical analyses, mass of NH3 emitted was reduced by about 40% when cows were fed diets with 7.9% RDP compared with 9.9% RDP, although the low RDP diets. The lower RDP diets resulted in about half as much H2S emission compared with the diets containing 9.9% RDP. Methane and NMTHC emissions were greater as a result of feeding the 7.9% RDP diets. Replacement of part of the dietary animal fat blend with coconut oil reduced emissions of NMTHC and CH4 , but change in NH3 or H2S emissions due to fat supplementation were not detected. Feed intake and milk yield were not affected by source of dietary fat nor concentration of RDP. (MN, TX) Development of a field-scale surface aeration system to treat swine manure for odor control Extensive lab experiments were carried out to develop a new aerator module consisting of 6 venturi air injectors. The work has been completed and the module has been tested in both water and liquid manure. Other than the aerator module, the aeration frame composed of a PVC piping structure was also developed and built with holes on the pipes determined based on fluid dynamics to ensure even distribution of oxygenated water in the surface area. This aerator module has significantly increased the aeration efficiency without increasing the power consumption, leading to the establishment of an aerated layer in top lagoon liquid with a constant level of dissolved oxygen of greater than 0.3 mg/L at a depth 6 from the liquid surface. Based on the air samples collected from both the treated and control areas from the experimental lagoon and analyzed at the Olfactometry Lab in the Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department at the University of Minnesota, the reduction in detection odor threshold has reached about 67% shortly after the start of the aeration operation. (MN) Odor Emissions and Chemical Analysis of Odorous Compounds from Animal Buildings Data is being collected from the four NAEMS sites (dairy sites in Wisconsin and Indiana and pig sites in Iowa and Indiana). Data collection is about ¼ completed (first 13 week cycle completed in April, 2008) and second cycle started in May, 2008). Air Quality/Emission and Energy Usage Impacts of No Pit fans in a Wean to Finish Deep Pit Pig Facility. Air emissions from tunnel ventilated pig finishing barns have been monitored and partitioned between pit and wall fans during the past two years in Minnesota. The results showed that a disproportionate amount of H2S and NH3 emissions were emitted from the deep pit finishing barn through pit fans even though it was concluded that pit ventilation has little effect on the barns indoor air quality. (OH) A Modified Mass Balance Method for Predicting NH3 Emissions from Manure N for Livestock and Storage Facilities A modified N-balance method, which although it does not distinguish for losses of N as N2, NH3 or NOx's, does determine accurately the upper limit on NH3-N emissions for both forced and naturally ventilated livestock facilities. The method is based on nitrogen and ash contents and ratio of the inputs (feed, bedding, water, and animals) and outputs (products and waste) of the animal production systems and does not require measuring total masses of manure from the system. Generalized equations for all classes of livestock operations are presented. Temporal Variations in Gas and Odor Emissions from a Dairy Manure Storage Pond The results showed there were large temporal variations in NH 3 , H 2 S, and odor emissions among months of the year. The daily mean NH 3 , H 2 S, and odor emission rates ranged from 5.7 to 174.8 ±g s -1 m - 2 , 0.1 to 4.6 ±g s -1 m - 2 , and 0 to 10.34 OU s -1 m -2 , respectively. However, NH 3 emission from the 650-700 dairy operation exceeded 100 lb d -1 in warmer months. Daytime NH 3 emission variations were small and within about 10-20% of the mean. However, the daytime H 2 S emission variations were significant. Odor and NH 3 emission was strongly correlated with the ambient air temperatures. Higher ambient temperature resulted in higher odor and NH 3 emissions. However, H 2 S emissions were not clearly associated with the ambient temperatures and fluctuated month by month without a clear statistical trend. Comparison and Sensitivity Analysis of Setback Distance Models The major models for determination of setback distances from livestock operations were reviewed and key points summarized. The models were then used to determine the setback distances for three typical livestock operations and to look at the sensitivity of the models to the input variables. The models gave a wide range of distances for the same conditions, e.g. 60 to 4785 meters for 100,000 laying hens. The sensitivity analysis showed a wide variation in the parameter affects on distances. It also showed that the same variable had different affects in different models. A Prototype Acid Spray Scrubber for Absorbing Ammonia Emissions from Exhaust Fans of Animal Buildings A multi-stage wet scrubber prototype that can be operated with a maximum of three stages was developed and optimized for reducing NH 3 emissions using simulated conditions typically encountered at an animal building exhaust. The parameters optimized for a single-stage wet scrubber include nozzle type, nozzle operating pressure, sulfuric acid concentration, spray coverage, and air retention time. The optimized single-stage wet scrubber settings can remove emissions from 60% ± 1% at 5 ppmv inlet NH 3 concentration (IAC) to 27% ± 2% at 100 ppmv IAC at a normal exhaust superficial air velocity (SAV) of 6.6 m s -1 . The two-stage and three-stage wet scrubbers were therefore optimized by determining the least number of nozzles in each stage that provided the most effective NH 3 removal. The optimized two-stage scrubber could remove NH 3 emissions from 60% ± 0% at 5 ppmv IAC and 35% ± 1% at 100 ppmv IAC. The optimized three-stage scrubber could remove emissions from 63% ± 3% at 5 ppmv IAC and 36% ± 3% at 100 ppmv IAC. Further studies are needed so that the application of these scrubber designs becomes feasible for treating air emissions from animal buildings. The wet scrubber caused an additional backpressure of 27.5 Pa, resulting in about 8% airflow reduction for a fan operating at 12.5 Pa. (GA) Black Soldier Fly Prepupae - A Compelling Alternative to Fish Meal and Fish Oil Most experimental Hermetia (black soldier fly) prepupae production has been done with manure as a feedstock, but they have also been produced on grain based diets and other organic products such as waste food including meats and dairy products unacceptable for vermiculture. If Hermetia larvae digested all of the manure from the 40,000 feeder pigs (avg. wt = 155 lb) on a large swine farm and converted it into prepupae at a dry matter feed conversion rates (FCR ) of 16%, they would produce about 6,000 lb of dried prepupae each day.

    Impact Statements:
    1. (OH) Reduced water usage on Ohios dairy farms by identifying ways to conserve water. Reduced cost to design and implement runoff control structures by developing design tool for sizing biofilter structures for treating runoff from storage areas (compost, manure) or construction sites.
    2. Flow-through rates and evaluation of solids separation of compost filter media vs. silt fence in sediment control reduced cost to design and implement runoff control structures by developing design tool for sizing biofilter structures for treating runoff from storage areas (compost, manure) or construction sites.
    3. (FL) If the forge-based pasture sites can be assumed to mimic those of commercial producers, then they probably are not a source of nutrients to pollute surface and ground water supply.
    4. (NE) The data from hormone fate and transport project will provide valuable information to both regulators and farm operators to promote and balance agricultural production and environmental protection.
    5. (OH) By documenting pathogens reductions in livestock manures achieved with different manure handling/treatment systems, results enabled farmers to better protect environment.
    6. (MI) An automated aerobic system designed for onsite generated wastewater to treat high strength dairy milking facility wash water will allow it to be disposed of in a leach field or reused for non-contact purposes.
    7. (MI) Improving Pasture and Hay-Ground with Low-Disturbance, Manure Slurry-Enriched Seeding offers a more complete integration of pasture and manure nutrient management in grass-based systems. This provides an opportunity to expand the land base for manure application, minimize manure transport costs, improve on-farm nutrient recycling, and improve forage quality and farm profitability.
    8. (OH) Risk of nitrogen loss during composting of animal manures or biosolids reduced by showing that addition of gypsum could be effective as an ammonia control agent.
    9. (TX) This study showed that supplemental treatment of microbes to accelerate biodegradation of organic waste in an-aerobic lagoons is not very effective. Livestock and poultry producers will save excessive costs of managing lagoons and other manure and wastewater treatment structures by refraining from using bacterial treatments to manage liquid manure.
    10. (GA) The research program at Tifton is designed to develop technologies for utilization of animal wastes and municipal sludge such that nutrients are constructively used while environmental quality (soil and water) is protected
    11. (IA) Results from the vegetative treatment systems (VTSs) study to control runoff from beef feedlots will be used by regulatory authorities to determine whether VTSs can be used on NPDES permitted CAFO beef feedlots.
    12. (MI) Runoff of storm water from animal agricultural facilities can be contaminated with silage, manure, bedding, and other materials that can impact water quality. The impacted water can cause surface and groundwater impairments due to high carbon, nutrients, and pathogen levels. Lessons learned from engineering design construction of a vegetative treatment strip will be incorporated into future design details.
    13. (NE) This work on improving P cycling in livestock and crop-based managed ecosystems while reducing P delivery to surface waters offers the potential for reducing P accumulation on feedlots and provides better alternatives for managing excess P from current and past feeding of distillers grains
    14. (NC) Swine manure digester effluent and lagoon effluent have a higher P to N ratio than typically used for crop fertilization. The struvite crystallizer offers an option to remove P from the effluent into a product that can be easily dried and handled, and has nitrogen (N) and P content of approximately 6 % and 12 % respectively.
    15. (TX) Water quality degradation due to phosphorus (P) contribution as a non-point source (NPS) pollutant from effluent and manure applied to waste application fields (WAFs) is a major concern in the Bosque River watershed in east central Texas. Geotube® dewatering system can be used as one of the best management pactices to minimize pollution from dairy effluent to be applied to field, but it must effectively address the disposal of solids and treatment costs.
    Last Modified: 01-Jun-2009

    Date of Annual Report: 08/14/2009

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 06/02/09 to 06/03/09
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2008 to 10/2009

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Minutes of the S-1032 Annual Meeting Held June 2 and 3, 2009 At the Embassy Suites Hotel in Kansas City In Conjunction with the Annual Meetings of S-1025, the NRI Air Quality Project Directors Meeting, and the eXtension Livestock, Poultry and the Environment Learning Center meeting

    Secretary S-1032: Kelly Zering Associate Professor, Dept. of Agricultural and Resource Economics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8109 email: kelly_zering@ncsu.edu

    June 2 " 1:00 p.m. meeting called to order and welcome extended by S-1032 Chairman Ted Funk - Participants introduced themselves - Ted Funk thanked past Chairman John Classen for organizing the meeting " Announcements - An ad hoc group met to discuss Massey et al comments on EPA proposed Mandatory GHG Reporting Rules - Poster sessions were held jointly with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality " Discussion of S-1032 Objective 1 Develop preliminary models of each animal industry that describe its cumulative ecological risk, or ecological footprint, as a dynamic non-linear function of the stocks, flows and transformations of matter energy comprising CAFO systems facilitated by guest Jeffrey D. Rice, Applied Sustainability Center, Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Life Cycle Analysis methods, standards, and existing LCA databases are the primary topics. " 3:00 p.m. Discussion of S-1032 Objective 2: - Wendy Powers addressed research being conducted across the S-1032 institutions on Feeding Strategies to reduce nutrient excretion and air emissions - Saqib Mukhtar addressed research being conducted across the S-1032 institutions on biological, chemical, and thermal treatment of manure, mortalities, and wastewater - Larry Newton addressed research being conducted across the S-1032 institutions on vegetated or aquaculture based wastewater treatment June 3 " 8:00  9:45 a.m. Joint poster session 1. with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality Project Directors: more than 27 posters were displayed and supported by researchers " 10:00  noon Oral presentation session 1. joint with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality Directors - Reports were presented on 6 research projects involving S-1032 members from several institutions and addressing topics of modeling various emissions from animal feeding operations and reducing net emissions through diet and mitigation methods " Noon  1:00 Jeffrey D. Rice, University of Arkansas presented Life Cycle Analysis: An Overview with Examples from Food and Agriculture " 1:00  3:00 Oral presentation session 2. joint with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality Directors - Reports were presented on 5 research projects involving S-1032 members from several institutions and addressing topics of characterizing various emissions from animal feeding operations and reducing odor, ammonia, and other emissions through various treatment methods " 3:15  4:00 Joint poster session 2. with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality Project Directors: more than 27 posters were displayed and supported by researchers " 4:30  5:30 S-1032 Business Meeting - Chairman Ted Funk calls meeting to order and introduces officers - Following discussion, Vice Chairman Saqib Mukhtars motion to accept the 2008 meeting minutes was seconded by John Classen and passed by voice vote - Plans to make progress on S-1032 Objective 1 were discussed. A number of potential funding sources to support directly related research were raised. A small team of S-1032 members volunteered to develop at least 2 joint proposals over the next year for funds to support research related to Objective 1. - Administrative Advisor Ron Lacewell from Texas A & M University addressed the group. He noted that the multi-university approach being applied by S-1032 members is appreciated. He observed that S-1032 had chosen ambitious and challenging objectives and reminded the group to identify specific, feasible steps to accomplish each year. - Richard Hegg, USDA CSREES Advisor to S-1032 addressed the group. He noted several grant programs that could potentially fund S-1032 projects. He reported that Matt Smith is a new National Program Leader for Manure Utilization and that a 5 year plan of work on this topic for ARS is posted on their website. He noted that eXtension LPE has been identified by ARS as a way to extend their research findings. He also mentioned that a new USDA Office for Ecosystem Services had been formed and that Susan Collins had been appointed as the first Director. - Ray Knighton, USDA CSREES was present and mentioned that there was potential for $38 million to become available for youth development and job creation. - Rick Koelsch, University of Nebraska presented an overview of the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center and provided two handouts describing the program and summarizing accomplishments. He noted that LPE provides a link between researchers and their audiences through eXtension. He noted that S-1032 research briefs provided by Saqib Mukhtar after the 2008 meeting were posted on the LPE web-site and had more than 2000 page views after the first 6 months. LPE has a national presence with about 1400 names on their mailing list. Associations are expanding with USDA agencies and with social networking web-sites. - Saqib Mukhtar noted that the International Symposium for Animal, Agricultural and Food Processing Wastes and Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations will meet Sept 13  19, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Dallas TX. The Symposium is sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. - Plans for the 2010 meeting of S-1032 were discussed. Meeting jointly with S-1025 and the NRI Air Quality group was recommended for the 2010 meeting based on the success of the 2009 meetings. California was discussed as a potential location although limited travel budget due to the current recession was a concern. The date of the meeting was expected to fall within March through May. A motion by John Classen , seconded by Rick Koelsch, and adopted by voice vote directed the meeting planning team to attempt to meet in California jointly with S-1025 and the NRI Air Quality group pending their agreement. John Classen will work with Ted Funk to organize the 2010 meeting of S-1032. - Wendy Powers reported that the Nominating Committee recommended Steve Safferman from Michigan State University as Secretary of S-1032 for 2010. Hearing no other nominations, Steve Safferman was elected S-1032 Secretary by enthusiastic acclamation. - Incoming Chairman Saqib Mukhtar expressed the appreciation of the S-1032 members to Ted Funk for his service and leadership as Chairman of S-1032 in 2009. - New officers are: Ted Funk, Past Chairman. Saqib Mukhtar, Chairman. Kelly Zering, Vice Chairman. Steve Safferman, Secretary. - The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. on June 3, 2009. Submitted by Kelly Zering, 2009 Secretary.

    Accomplishments:
    Objective 1. Develop preliminary models of each animal industry that describe its cumulative ecological risk, emergy flows or ecological footprint as a dynamic, nonlinear function of the stocks, flows and transformations of matter and energy comprising CAFO systems. (TX) This project involved further development of a conceptual model of the time-variant stocks, flows, and transformations of mass and energy in a three-component system involving the following, integrated processes: " Beef cattle feeding using high-energy rations based on steam-flaked corn with or without distillers grains; " Ethanol production fueled by parallel streams of natural gas and thermochemically gasified feedyard manure; and " Land management units (LMUs), both local and distant, which produce corn (as a feedstock for both cattle feeding and ethanol production) and other crops according to fluctuating market conditions for fuel, feed, and fertilizer. Objective 2. Continue the development and performance evaluation of process-level strategies and tactics to reduce environmental pollution at the process level from confined animal feeding operations. (IN) High Protein Corn Distillers Grain: a Co-product of Corn Endosperm Fermentation -its Use in Broiler Chicken Diets and Environmental Consequences New corn processing and fractionation technologies are being studied and implemented prior to the traditional dry-grind ethanol fermentation and the resulting co-products of fermentation, therefore, have led to a variety of new distillers products entering the market-place with relative uncertainty as to their nutritional value and subsequent impacts on nutrient excretion for poultry. Two experiments were conducted with a co-product of corn endosperm fermentation (HP-DDG; 54% CP). The first experiment determined nutrient digestibility of the HP-DDG and a subsequent broiler grow-out experiment was conducted from 0 to 42 d of age. An industry control diet (I) regimen was compared to that of either a 25 or 50% replacement for the level of 48% CP SBM. From 0-14, 14-28, and 28-42 d of age, the HP-DDG in the 50% SBM replacement diet was added at 25, 20 and 21% of the diet, respectively. In order to meet digestible amino acid needs, the diet containing 50% SBM replacement with HP-DDG contained 4.1, 3.3, and 3.8%-units more CP than the I diet regimen from 1-14, 14-28, and 28-42 d of age, respectively. Dietary replacement of up to 50% replacement of SBM inclusion with HP-DDG had no effect on bird performance at 14, 28, or 42 d of age or breast meat yield at 42 d of age. Birds consuming a diet with 50% replacement of SBM with HP-DDG ate 17.1% more nitrogen (N) compared to those consuming I diets. This additional N and fiber eaten resulted in birds being fed the 50% replacement for SBM diet increased the volume of manure excreted by 21.9% and the mass of N excreted into litter by 31.8%. Due in large part to the amino acid profile and digestibility of HP DDG, it may contribute to more manure and N from broiler operations. HP-DDG can be substituted for SBM at high inclusion levels (50% of SBM replacement), provided the the energy and amino acid digestibility is accounted for. Inclusion in broiler diets, however, can result in a 20,000 broiler flock producing 5600 Kg more litter (dry basis) and 463 Kg more Nitrogen excreted. (NE) Implementing Mass Nutrient Balance Procedures on Swine Facilities Thirteen swine producers from Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska with finishing facilities have participated in a two-year effort to define the primary nitrogen and phosphorus flows entering and exiting their farm and to produce a Whole Farm Nutrient Balance (WFNB) for two 1-year periods based upon measurement of inputs and outputs. Based upon the results observed to date, the following conclusions can be drawn. On average, the participating swine producers import 1.6 and 1.5 units of N and P through all farm sources for every unit of N and P that is exported as managed products. Several farms produced P balances very near an ideal 1 to 1 ratio. Feed is the dominant source of N and P arriving on farm representing 73 and 89% of all imports, respectively. The WFNB for facilities with storage only (deep pits and exterior storage) are substantially better than those observed for farms with anaerobic lagoons. No relationship was observed for N or P WFNB versus size of farm as measured by animal numbers. However, it was observed that as the concentration of pigs per unit of land area increased, so did the WFNB. Increasing dietary phosphorus was found to be correlated to increasing whole farm phosphorus imbalances. Final analysis of the results should provide insights as to opportunities for improving management of nutrients on farms. (GA) A Solids Removal and Nutrient Reuse System for Flushed Dairy Manure A pilot scale system for treating manure flushed from dairy cattle barns was designed, built, and put into operation. Total solids removal from flushed manure passing through the surface draining settling basin has been 60-65%. The biogas system under investigation may operate at short hydraulic retention times, allowing smaller digesters to serve larger cattle populations. Tifton 85 hybrid bermudagrass in thin-film hydroponics has been maintained with methane digester effluent applied at rates equivalent to 40,000 to 60,000 gallons per acre per day. Although as much as 50% of the applied water was lost to evapotranspiration during a few hours on exceptionally hot afternoons, almost no water is lost at other times (overall average, about 10% evaporation). Grass yields have been exceptional, averaging over 9 (6 to 13) tons (at 26% dry matter) per acre at 4 week cutting intervals and 27 (23 to 31) tons (at 24% dry matter) per acre at 8 week cutting intervals. Equivalent yearly production would equal 31 and 43 tons of dry matter per acre per year. While nitrogen removal through the entire system was 90-95% and phosphorus removal was 70-75%, the final effluent contains about 20 mg per liter of nitrogen. Application rates in the 20,000 gallons per acre per day range were initiated to attempt to produce an effluent containing lower levels of nutrients. However, forage plants at the lower end of the hydroponic system suffered apparent nutrient deficiencies. In addition, during summer, after the grass had about 10 days of growth, the last 25% of the system became dry for 3 to 5 hours per day, except on cloudy days. This situation extended to almost half the length of the system after 4 weeks of growth. Higher liquid application rates are necessary to sustain high forage yields. A system of solids removal, anaerobic digestion (for energy recovery and to mineralize nutrients), and hydroponic forage production is capable of producting very high yields of forage and removing significant quantities of nutrients from dairy barn effluent. However, in order to achieve both high plant production and low nutrient effluent, it will be necessary to add a polishing step following the hydroponic forage system. (AL) Universal Methane Productivity Equation The Universal Methane Productivity Equation describes potential methane productivity of all organic wastes given the two constants A and B. These two parameters were reported last year for the four major animal waste types of beef, swine, dairy and poultry. Work this year (2008) consisted of a literature search to determine if enough data existed to characterize other non-agricultural wastes such as various food processing wastes, yard trash waste, mixtures of yard trash and animal waste and other conventional organic wastes, such as activated sludge in conventional municipal waste treatment systems. The data base for the food processing wastes appear to be adequate to give reasonable estimates of the A constant for each type of waste, but almost no data exists to estimate the inhibitory loading rate, B. Similar results were found for the animal rendering wastes. The winery waste data base produced no data for estimating either of the A or B coefficients. Yard trash and mixtures produced no data. The values of these two parameters for municipal waste digestion are 0.672 and 8.23 for the A and B coefficients. (ND) Odor and Air Emissions from Swine Facilities in North Dakota The purpose of this study is to assess odor and air emissions (e.g., ammonia and hydrogen sulfide) from swine facilities in North Dakota climatic conditions and management practices. Two potential swine production facilities (gestation-farrowing) have been selected in this study. One of these swine facilities has a deep pit manure collection system and the other one has an open lagoon/storage system. In open lagoon system, manure from shallow pits are removed every three weeks and stored in an outdoor open anaerobic lagoon. For deep pit manure collection system, manure from farrowing barns drain into the gestation-barn pits every three weeks. The total capacity of each facility is 5000 head. Odorous air samples were collected from exhaust fans in a 10L Tedlar bags using a vac-u-chamber monthly and ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were measured bi-weekly. Odorous air samples were analyzed within 24h of collection using Acscent International Olfactometer at Iowa State University. Ammonia and H2S concentration were measured simultaneously from exhaust fans using the CMS Drager chips (SKC Inc., Eighty Four, PA) and Jerome meter (Jerome meter 631-X, Arizona Instrument Corporation, Phoenix, AZ), respectively. At the same time, ventilation rates were measured using a hotwire anemometer to calculate air emission rate. Initial results indicated that on an average gestation barn resulted in greater NH3 (16 ppm) and H2S (2.18 ppm) concentrations as compare to farrowing barn (11 and 0.5 ppm, respectively). Fig. 2. (a) Ammonia (NH3) and (b) hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentration trends in a gestation-farrowing swine facility with deep pit manure collection system. This study is in progress. Detailed results and discussion on odor, NH3 and H2S emissions from these operations will be presented upon completion. This study will provide valuable information to livestock producers and state regulatory agencies. (IA) Simultaneous treatment of odor, VOCs, H2S, NH3, and pathogens with UV light This project focuses on technologies to reduce odors, gases, and airborne microflora from animal production systems using UV treatment. The short term objective is to determine the dose of UV 254 nm, UV 185 nm required for inactivation of odor, odor-causing gases, and airborne pathogens (swine influenza virus (SIV) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)) in simultaneous exposure-treatment with UV 254 and UV185 nm light. Several key parameters were tested in laboratory scale conditions including: the effects of light energy dose (treatment time and light intensity), relative humidity and air temperature, UV wavelength, presence of photocatalyst (TiO2) and the presence of ozone. Up to 100% removal (below method detection level) of sulfur-containing VOCs, VFAs, and phenolics, the overall odor, and up to 64.5% of ammonia was achieved with optimized treatment. Treatments involving deep UV band (185 nm) and photocatalyst (TiO2) were more efficient in removal/conversion of odorous gases and odor. The estimate of the operational cost of treatment was based on measured emissions of several odorous VOCs from full scale, commercial swine farm ranges from $0.15 to $0.59 per finisher pig. This figure represents significantly lower cost compared with the cost of biofiltration or air scrubbing. The proposed study addresses several critically important issues confronting pork and poultry producers, but also has a broader applicability to homeland security, human/animal health, indoor air quality and hazardous waste treatment. (IL) Hydrothermal processing of swine manure for production of bio-oils and reduction of pollution potential The purpose of this research is to understand how the hydrothermal process can convert swine manure into bio-oil and also the factors affecting its application on a larger scale. Fresh nursery, grower-finisher and sow manures were used as feedstock to investigate the effect of manure type when using a hydrothermal process in batch mode. Pit swine manures with different storage times between 0 to 39 days were used to study the effects of storage time. Fresh grower-finisher swine manures were used under different reaction conditions to investigate the major components which affect the bio-oil formation, and hypothesis of reaction mechanisms was raised and examined. Both fresh and pit manures had been converted to bio-crude with refined oil yields of 32-42% (dry mass) of the total feedstock (~ 60-70% raw oil yield). Length of manure storage time in the pit did not significantly affect the bio-oil formation compared to that of fresh manure, if the volatile solids contents were relatively similar. Manures from nursery, grower-finisher and sows were tested, and statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences of bio-oil yield for these different types of manures. Origin of the toluene soluble oil product may be closely related to the non-fiber components in swine manure such as lipid and protein. The separate leaching tests further indicated that the toluene soluble oil yield increased almost proportionally with the lipid and protein content in swine manure. (MN and TX) Development of a field-scale surface aeration system to treat swine manure for odor control The purpose of research is to develop a cost effective surface aeration system to control liquid manure odor from open storage facilities. Field experiments with the developed aerator module using six venture injectors were carried out for four months during the summer of 2008. Air and liquid samples were collected once a week from both the aerated and control zones in the lagoon and analyzed to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the surface aeration system in controlling odor emission from the treated swine manure lagoon. The aeration treatment at lab scale increased the solids removal efficiencies from 9.26% to 23.20% for TS and 15.53% to 45.78% for TVS. The BOD removal efficiency remained stable around 90% to 95% after 3 to 4 weeks of aeration during which it increased linearly from about 7.5% to 90%. The VFAs in the aerated manure became nearly undetectable after 13 weeks of aeration. The VFA removal efficiency increased from 68.90% after one week to 89.1% (one month later) and around 95% (three month later). According to the results, a treatment time of 3 to 4 weeks will be needed to stabilize the liquid manure in order to maintain the VFA level below 230 mg/L. The surface aeration system at field-scale could achieve removal efficiencies of 39.64% and 16.55% for TVS and TS, respectively, after 4 months of continuous operation. In the first 7 weeks, the BOD removal efficiency was lower than 20% (9% on average) and, afterwards, increased linearly from 21.5% to 86.5%. In contrast, the VFAs removal efficiency steadily increased from 5% to 85% and the levels of VFAs in the aerated liquid manure reached < 230 mg/L after 4 months of treatment. The outcome from this project presents an affordable, advanced surface aeration system that can reduce odor generation potential from open manure storages, thus improving the air quality surrounding swine production sites and softening the relationship between animal farmers and their neighboring residents. (GA USDA ARS) Development of Floating Vegetated Mat Treatment Systems for Improving Wastewater Quality The goal of this research is to develop floating vegetated mat systems for treating wastewater from confined animal feeding or aquaculture operations. Calendar year 2008 activities included completion of a study measuring the biomass yield and nutrient uptake by vegetation grown on floating mats on a single anaerobic swine wastewater lagoon. The study measured biomass yield and nutrient uptake by Tifton 85 coastal bermuda grass, common bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, giant reed, and wild millet grown on floating mats. Preliminary testing was conducted for a study which will evaluate use of floating vegetated mats as a treatment system for aquaculture wastewater. During 2008 ten different plant species, including wetland, grass, and horticultural types were tested for compatibility (ability to grow well and produce significant biomass while removing nutrients) with the aquaculture wastewater. It was determined that variegated iris, soft rush, and cattail were compatible with aquaculture wastewater. The research growing vegetation on floating mats in a single anaerobic swine wastewater lagoon showed that the giant reed and St. Augustine grass were unsuitable for long-term growth in this highly contaminated water. The other three species grew well, with the greatest biomass production being by the Tifton 85 bermuda grass. The Tifton 85 bermuda grass, common bermuda grass, and wild millet produced totals of 0.36, 0.32, and 0.31 g/cm2, respectively, during the two year study. Nutrient uptake and removal was primarily a function of biomass produced. The study showed that adapted plant species can thrive on anaerobic swine wastewater lagoons on floating mats while removing N, P, and K from the wastewater. (NE) An Integrated Approach to Reduced Risk of P Pollution of Surface Waters in Crop-Livestock Managed Ecosystems of the Midwest The purpose of this project is to improve P cycling in livestock and crop-based managed ecosystems while reducing P delivery to surface waters. Experiments are underway for the removal of the degraded phytate phosphorous from beer bottom (BB) from the dry-milling and light steep water (LSW) from the wet-milling. Methodologies have been developed to degrade phytates and are being developed to remove the P, probably in inositol or struvite. Field work has been completed on: the effectiveness of setbacks to field application of manure; a comparison of composted vs. stockpiled manure; and on grass filter strips for reducing P runoff. Manuscripts have been submitted and a thesis has been completed. Watershed research using SWAT to target best management practices for reduced P in runoff continues. A decision tool, that considers N balance as well as costs and benefits, is being integrated into a multi-state nutrient management tool to aid beef cattle feeders in deciding if composting has value as a feedlot manure handling component. About 77 and 90% of the phytate phosphorous in the BB and LSW, respectively, were effectively degraded to phosphoric acid, suggesting an opportunity for significant P removal. Setbacks were found to be ineffective in reducing runoff P while sediment loss may be increased with a 30 meter setback compared to no setback. Grass filters that occupied 1 and 4% of the drainage area reduced runoff P by 52 and 78%, respectively, from sites with excessive surface soil P. One-time deep plowing reduced P runoff by 51% in cases of excessive surface soil P. Total nitrogen recovery was 86 and 56 percent for stockpiled and composted feedlot manure, respectively. Based upon land application of composted and stockpiled manures under summer conditions, stockpiled manure will have greater nutrient value as compared to compost. This work offers the potential for reducing P accumulation on feedlots and provides better alternatives for managing excess P from current and past feeding of distillers grains. (TX and ND)) Demonstration and Transfer of Selected New Technologies for Animal Waste Pollution Control The purpose of this project is to evaluate the ability of selected management technologies to remove phosphorus (P) from dairy waste. Activities this past year included the conclusion of sampling on the fourth technology demonstration and the execution of the turfgrass growth evaluation. Upon completion of each demonstration, results from all demonstrations were combined into a final report that summarizes results from each evaluation. This report was finalized and published in 2009. Thus far, findings have shown that technologies, both physiochemical and microbial, do exist that are capable of removing at least 50% of P present in dairy waste. Physiochemical approaches (Geotube® and Electrocoagulation Systems) that combine chemical polymers with mechanical separation operate at a higher efficiency than do microbial methods; however, costs are such that treating all of the effluent stream is not feasible. The microbial treatment methods were not as effective. The L4DB® System was able to achieve 50% P reduction but the WTS® System did not. The microbial treatment methods are much more affordable and can feasibly be applied on a contiuous basis; however, implementing one of these practices will be up to each dairy producer. Findings from the demonstration using residual material from the Geotube® System as a soil amendment illustrate the positive effects that this soil amendment had on turfgrass growth. Soil characteristics improved, turf growth increased and water quality (runoff and leachate) did not decline when compared to soils without the amendment. (TX) Weeping wall solid-liquid separation system for flushed dairy manure The objective of the study was to evaluate a two-stage weeping wall solid-liquid separation system at a cooperating dairy in east central Texas for its solids separation and nutrient retention efficiency. Flow measurements and water samples were taken simultaneously at four measurement locations; the channel where flushed manure of 3500 cows from six free-stalls flowed into a chamber of the first-stage (primary chamber), the out let where effluent from the primary chamber flowed into a concrete storage tank, a pipe inlet where effluent from the tank was pumped into the second-stage (secondary chamber) weeping wall, and the outlet where effluent drained from the secondary chamber. Flow measurements and liquid sample collection at the four measurement locations were carried out at 5 and 10 minutes intervals for high and low flow rates, respectively. All samples were analyzed for solids and nutrients following standard analytical methods. Solids and nutrients concentrations were significantly higher in flushed manure flowing into the primary chamber than those in the effluent leaving the secondary chamber. Estimated overall (combined first and second stage separation) percent reduction in TS, TVS, TKN, P, and K concentrations were 35, 40, 10, 18, and 7 percent, respectively. In the primary chamber, estimated capture efficiency for TS, TVS, TKN, P, and K were 67, 67, 55, and 54 percent, respectively. Overall flow weighted capture efficiencies for TS, TVS, TKN, P, and K were 88, 89, 85, 86, and 84 percent, respectively. Previous studies also showed similar capture efficiencies. The two-stage weeping wall technology with very high solids and nutrient capturing efficiency will allow producers to effectively recycle treated effluent for flushing manure alleys. (NE) Demonstrating Solutions for Small AFO runoff using Vegetative Treatment Systems This project develops and demonstrates technologies for the small and medium sized open lot housing Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) using Vegetative Treatment Systems (VTS), an entirely voluntary program (unregulated). This project has furthered the application of Vegetative Treatment Systems for open lot runoff. The VTS approach is not new and dates back to the 1970s, however, we have added new concepts to the technology. Some of our innovations include sloped and level VTSs, the sprinkler VTS, recycled plastic picket dam outlet structure, Faircloth skimmer, deadhead riser, prefabricated outlet structures, ump station and filter configurations for the sprinkler VTS, and pasture-based VTS applications. Our development and demonstration activities allow us access to cost data. Cost to contruct VTSs for open lot runoff from AFOs range from $22-$68 per head for sloped and level VTS, $43-$96/head for pump VTS applications, and $63-$106/ head for sprinkler VTS (includes engineering, construction, and adjusted for inflation to 2009 dollars). With some technical and financial assistance and collaboration with the state regulatory agency, we have successfully installed over 35 demonstration projects minimizing environmental risk in Nebraska. (IA) Controlling Runoff from Beef Feedlots Using Vegetative Treatment Systems The objective of this project is to evaluate, through field monitoring, the performance of vegetative treatment systems (VTSs) on permitted feedlots, including evaluation of the models used for system design. Vegetative treatment systems include a solid settling basin and a vegetative treatment component, this may include a vegetative treatment area (VTA) or a combination of a vegetative infiltration basin and a VTA. Evaluation of the VTSs includes a feasibility assessment of vegetative treatment systems as an alternative to traditional containment to control feedlot runoff, and an assessment of the Iowa State University developed models as a method to design and model these systems. Six Iowa systems are being monitored and data collected from these systems will be used to calibrate the design models. Via collaboration with the University of Nebraska and South Dakota State University, four VTSs in NE, SD, and MN will be used to test the calibrated model. During 2008, all of the Iowa sites were monitored for a full year. The NE, SD, and MN sites complete construction and were partially monitored. Data was exchanged between Iowa State and the other participation universities. The feasibility assessment is being made by quantifying contaminant concentrations and annual mass flow from treatment areas receiving settled feedlot runoff. Each of the sites is equipped with automated sampling and monitoring equipment. Sampling occurs on an event basis and includes flow measurement to calculate mass of ammonium, nitrate, total kjeldahl nitrogen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total solids, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, chloride, pH, and fecal coliforms. Through analysis of real and modeled data, it was determined that the models were not representative of our experience with the full-scale VTSs. Analysis of the ELG model, used to determine if the operating VTS is achieving equal or better performance from a traditional system, indicated that the ELG model over-predicted performance of modeled traditional systems at 5 of the 6 Iowa sites. Analysis of the VTA model, used in the design of VTSs, revealed multiple program calculation errors related to soil moisture that are in the process of being corrected. Results from this study will be used by regulatory authorities to determine whether VTSs can be used on NPDES permitted CAFO beef feedlots. (NE) Effects of Cattle Manure on Fate and Transport of Hormones in the Feedlot and the Field Research tasks included in the study are: (1) to sample and survey existing feedlots in Nebraska to determine the occurrence of hormones in the manure handling pathway over a climatic gradient; (2) to quantify fate of hormones as influenced by manure handling practices such as stockpiling, composting, and runoff retention basins; (3) to determine the effect of manure application strategies on hormone losses in runoff and erosion through the use of rainfall simulators; (4) to quantify hormones in select grass species in buffer strips fertilized by manure; and (5) to determine hormone fate and transport within irrigated soil systems. Two cattle feeding studies were completed in 2007 and 2008 with samples of feeding pen surfaces and run-off samples collected and analyzed for steroid hormones. Laboratory tests are underway to determine degradation rates, sorption and transformation products. Preliminary results suggest that supplement concentrations are much lower than the levels of natural (endogenous) steroid hormones in run-off water. The results of the project will serve as a research base to enable the scientific and regulatory communities to better understand the role of supplements in the cattle industry and show how waste management practices influence the fate of hormones introduced into the environment from animal manure. (MI) Improving Pasture and Hay Ground with Manure Slurry Seeding The objective of this work was to evaluate pasture and grassland renovation with manure slurry-enriched seeding of orchardgrass and red clover in a brome grass sod. The specific objective was to quantify and evaluate bromegrass yield and quality following the interseeding of medium red clover and orchardgrass, by no-till drilling, frost seeding and manure slurry enriched seeding methods. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.; var. Arlington, 10 lb PLS/ac ) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.; var. Pizza; 12 lbs PLS/ac) were sown in an established smooth bromegrass sod (Bromus inermis L.; var. Scout; 10 lb/ac PLS) in a Capac fine sandy loam soil. Ten treatments were compared: 1) slurry seeded orchardgrass, 2) no-till orchardgrass, 3) frost seeded orchardgrass, 4) slurry seeded red clover, 5) no-till red clover, 6) frost seeded red clover, 7) undisturbed check, 8) aeration tillage alone, 9) aeration tillage with manure banded over the aeration slots, and 10) surface banded manure. The manure slurry seeding was done with a commercially available slurry tanker equipped with a rear-mounted rolling-tine aerator (12 ft. Aer-Way) and a SSD (sub-surface deposition) slurry distribution system. Manure slurry seeding involves mixing red clover or orchardgrass seed in the slurry tank and passing seed-laden swine slurry through drop tubes to the fractured and loosened soil behind each set of rolling tines. Total forage dry matter over two growing seasons was significantly greater for no-till (11.23 ton/acre) and slurry seeded (10.27 ton/acre) red clover than the frost seeded red clover (7.87 ton/acre). All red clover treatments yielded significantly greater forage dry matter than the non-red clover treatments. No-till drilling and slurry seeding resulted in more uniform stands of red clover and orchardgrass than frost seeding. Compared to the no aeration, no manure control, the no-till, slurry and frost seeded red clover plots increased yields by 105%, 87% and 43%, respectively. Inter-seeding orchard grass in an existing brome grass stand increased the botanical diversity but did not increase dry matter yield.

    Impact Statements:
    1. " Found that High Protein Corn Distillers Grain can be substituted for SBM at high inclusion levels (50% of SBM replacement) in broiler diets, however, can result in a 20,000 broiler flock producing 5600 Kg more litter (dry basis) and 463 Kg more Nitrogen excreted.
    2. " Found that on average, 13 participating swine producers import 1.6 and 1.5 units of N and P through all farm sources for every unit of N and P that is exported as managed products. Several farms produced P balances very near an ideal 1 to 1 ratio.
    3. " A pilot scale system for treating manure flushed from dairy cattle barns achieved total solids removal of 60-65%, allows smaller digesters to serve larger cattle populations and the thin-film hydroponics forage annual yield equivalent was 31 and 43 tons of dry matter per acre per year. While nitrogen removal through the entire system was 90-95% and phosphorus removal was 70-75%.
    4. " New municipal waste digestion data were used to estimate two critical parameters for the Universal Methane Productivity Equation so it can now be applied to municipal waste digestion.
    5. " Initial analysis of new air emissions data from a North Dakota deep pit swine farm found that a gestation barn had greater NH3 (16 ppm) and H2S (2.18 ppm) concentrations than a farrowing barn (11 and 0.5 ppm, respectively).
    6. " Laboratory scale tests indicated that up to 100% removal (below method detection level) of sulfur-containing VOCs, VFAs, and phenolics, the overall odor, and up to 64.5% of ammonia was achieved with treatments involving deep UV band (185 nm) and a photocatalyst (TiO2) at an estimated operational cost of $0.15 to $0.59 per finisher pig.
    7. " A hydrothermal batch process converted fresh and pit manures to bio-crude with refined oil yields of 32-42% (dry mass) of the total feedstock (~ 60-70% raw oil yield). Manure type and length of manure storage time did not significantly affect the bio-oil formation per unit of volatile solids. Toluene soluble oil yield increased with the lipid and protein content in swine manure.
    8. " Field experiments with a surface aeration system on an anaerobic swine lagoon found that after 4 months of treatment it could remove 39.64% and 16.55% of TVS and TS, respectively, 86.5% of BOD, 85% of VFAs and the levels of VFAs in the aerated liquid manure reached < 230 mg/L.
    9. " Research growing vegetation on floating mats in a single anaerobic swine wastewater lagoon showed that Tifton 85 bermuda grass, common bermuda grass, and wild millet produced totals of 0.36, 0.32, and 0.31 g/cm2, respectively, during the two year study. Nutrient uptake and removal was primarily a function of biomass produced.
    10. " About 77 and 90% of the phytate phosphorous in beer bottom and light steep water (milling by-products), respectively, were effectively degraded to phosphoric acid.
    11. " Setbacks were found to be ineffective in reducing runoff P while sediment loss may be increased with a 30 meter setback compared to no setback.
    12. " Grass filters that occupied 1 and 4% of the drainage area reduced runoff P by 52 and 78%, respectively, from sites with excessive surface soil P.
    13. " One-time deep plowing reduced P runoff by 51% in cases of excessive surface soil P in Nebraska.
    Last Modified: 19-Aug-2009

    Date of Annual Report: 07/30/2010

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 05/18/10 to 05/20/10
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2010 to 09/2010

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Minutes of the S-1032 Annual Meeting May 18 - 20, 2010 Holiday Inn Sacramento Capital Plaza, Sacramento, CA

    Secretary S-1032: Steven Safferman Associate Professor Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan 48824 safferma@msu.edu 517-432-0812

    May 18, 2010

    " Introduction and opening remarks joint with S-1025 convened at 1 PM. o Opening remarks and introductions facilitated by Saqib Mukhtar (Texas A&M University) o Opening comments from Richard Hegg (USDA, NIFA) described multi-state committees, in general, and ending dates of S-1032 and S-1025, September 2012 and 2011, respectively. A 1 year extension can be requested.

    " Carbon Footprint Session joint with S-1025 convened at 1:25 PM. o William Salas (Applied Geosolutions, LLC) presented An Overview of Manure-DNDC: A biogeochemical process model for quantifying GHG emission from dairies. § Model Background " Models denitrification and decomposition (DNDC) " Inputs climate, animal type and population, housing, manure treatment (compost, lagoon, slurry tank digester), and field application. " Outputs methane, nitric oxides, and hydrogen sulfide emissions and allows for what if scenarios. " Uses biochemical and geochemical Model developed over 20 years ago. " Delivery using a PC menu based platform. " Uses reactions that change with farm management practices. " Examines the life cycle of carbon and nutrients by examining transformation and transport and the impact of temperature, pH, moisture, and REDOX. " Validation presented in over 100 peer review papers worldwide. § Future Enhancements " Link with life cycle analysis tools for greenhouse gas accounting including carbon trading. " Validation enhancement with additional field observations. " Delivery using web based platform. § Questions and answers topics included accounting for uncertainty, concern of variability, and the sensitivity of model parameters. o Greg Marek (Texas AgriLife Research) presented Simulating Dynamic Beef Manure Markets in the Texas High Plains. § Research question was under what conditions are the production of ethanol using a manure-based fuel economically viable and how does it impact natural resources? Developed a conceptual model that looks at all input and outputs. § Features " Includes mass, energy, environmental, economical, and policy components. " Considers manure as both a fuel and nutrient. " Simulates market structures although difficult to validate because market currently does not exist. § Questions and answers topics related to direct combustion and included fate of ash, scraping technique and the resulting impact of dirt on BTU, and fate of nitrogen. o Kelly Zering (North Carolina State University) presented an analysis of the impact on food by population growth and wealth. § Established basis for the goal of minimizing food/GDP and environmental impact/GDP. § Discussed the use of LCA to determine environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with production with the goal of providing farmers a decision framework. § Provided the steps which included establishing boundaries, taking inventories, analyzing impacts, and interpreting results. § Questions and answers topics related to the use of the analyses to shape policy and regulation, comparing productivity to the desire to consume organic and locally grown food, and the need to be resilient, at the cost of efficiency.

    May 19, 2010

    " Morning field trip joint with S-1025 to Fiscalini Farms in Modesto, CA, to tour a CSTR manure digester serving 2500 cows and operating at a SRT between 20 and 30 days. Biogas is used to power a 715 KW engine/generator operating at 500 KW. All energy is sold to the utility as the sale price is greater than the cost. Unique features include feedstock blending of manure, cheese, and grass and the use of solid/liquid separation to overcome substrate feeding difficulties relating to high energy solids settling out during storage. Waste heat is used to heat the digester and for a cheese manufacturing facility. " Afternoon field trip joint with S-1025 to Castelanelli Brothers Dairy, Lodi, CA, to tour covered lagoon digester serving 1500 cows and operating at a SRT of 40 days. Biogas is used to power a 300 KW engine/generator. A unique feature is the efficient and effective microbial hydrogen sulfur gas cleaning system.

    May 20, 2010

    " Joint Discussion with S-0125 convened at 8:05 AM. " Officers were introduced. " Relationship between S-1032 and S-1025 was discussed. o S-1025 ends in September 2010. o S-1032 ends in September 2012. o One year extension can be requested. o Options § Terminate S-1025 § Maintain separate projects, extend S-1025, and prepare new project. § Merge S-1025 into S-1032 by extending S-1025 by 1 year and preparing a new S-1032 project by September 2012 with merged objectives. " Relation of objectives to the new USDA AFRI structure was reviewed. A NIFA Factsheet and AFRI Quick Reference Sheet were provided. As new guidance on multistate project is not available, the structure is assumed to remain the same. " Discussion with Richard Hegg on the recent reorganization of USDA and multistate projects. o Asked if questions and comments concerning upcoming AFRI RFAs should be raised individually or collectively by the S-1032. Recommendation is that there is potentially more clout to raise them as a multistate. o Concern raised that Environmental issues not explicitly stated in most recent AFRI RFA. Response was that air and water issues are part of RFAs that entail climate change. o Question asked concerning if a new RFA for AFRI will be released next year. One is expected but will be smaller because of the amount likely to be committed this year. o In discussion of regional project, there are approximately 200 and in future, expected to become more integrated and diverse, to match reorganization of NIFA. o In response to question on funding, the distinction between formula (extension and agricultural stations), competitive grants (AFRI), and earmarks were discussed. o Incorporation of animal welfare in multistate committees was discussed. " S-1032 relationship with S-1025 reviewed. o S-1025 could take extension option so both projects end at the same time. o S-1025 objectives were reviewed to understand the match to S-1032. o Relation of S-1025 objectives to AFRI funding priorities was reviewed. o Objectives for S-1032 were reviewed. o Objective 1 of S-1032 relates to S-1025 and is becoming more important within USDA and EPA. Although little to report proposal, and collaboration is ongoing. " Advantages and disadvantages of merging two projects were discussed. o Logistical issues were discussed such as lead time required preparing report and new proposal. o Changes in the number of participants if combined were considered, especially since most universities can only send 1 person per project to meetings. o No apparent advantage of combining from the USDA perspective as long as objectives are different and valid. " Current arrangement of meeting together and discussing common interests is desirable if both projects continue from coat perspective.

    " S-1032 Business Meeting convened at approximately 10:00 AM. " Members in attendance: 13. " Officers were reviewed. o Chair: Saqib Mukhtar. o Vice Chair: Kelly Zering. o Secretary: Steven Safferman.

    " Recognition of contributions to meeting. o Deanne Meyer (University of California Davis): arranged tour and other logistical details. o John Classen (North Carolina State University): arranged online registration and tracked participation. " Meeting plans for next year were discussed. o Consider meeting at a university to reduce costs. o Invite local scientist to present research. o Include in-service training. o Tentatively schedule meeting on May 17  19, 2011. o Several possible locations were discussed. Subcommittee was established to decide on location. Members are Saqib Mukhtar (subcommittee chair), Brent Auvermann (Texas AgriLife Research), John Classen, Fred Michel (The Ohio State University), and Deanne Meyer. " Reviewed items needed for upcoming annual report including list of publications and research briefs, for those who have not already sent theirs. " Send research briefs with LPELC for publishing to eXtension. " S-1032 received the Southern Region nomination for the National Excellence in Multistate Research. Results should be available in June. " Objective 1 discussed, including the need to show progress. Deanne Meyer will poll members to determine if proposals to AFRI were prepared. " Nominations for secretary were sought for term starting in October 2010. Jun Zhu (University of Minnesota) was nominated and accepted the position. " Subcommittee formed to study the research briefs and propose new format. Members are Steve Safferman (subcommittee chair), Kelly Zering, and Jun Zhu. Considerations include adopting a format that is easily merged, stage of research is reported, references included, and partnerships are recorded. " Problem noted concerning lack of participation in preparing research briefs. Ronald Lacewell (Texas A&M AgriLife) will send a reminder to committee.

    " Business Meeting Update from S-1025, presented by Richard Hegg (10:55 AM) " Members want to keep project separate form S-1032 but continue to collaborate. " An extension will be requested.

    " S-1032 State Reports (11:55 AM) " Steve Safferman reviewed research under Objective 2, Task B, Subtask i - iii. Projects concerning milking center wastewater management, vegetative treatment systems, fate and transport of hormones, anaerobic bioreactors, and irrigation. " Jun Zhu reported research on Objective 2, Task B, Subtask iv. Projects concerning lactic acid production and milk co-digestion were discussed. " Ted Funk (University of Illinois) reported on Objective 2, Task C, Subtasks ii and iii. Project topics included source control, capture and treatment, transport modeling, and emission inventories from free stalls. Additionally, swine barn pit explosions were discussed.

    " Meeting adjourned at 12:40 PM.

    Submitted by Steven Safferman

    Accomplishments:

    Objective 1. Develop preliminary models of each animal industry that describe its cumulative ecological risk, emergy flows or ecological footprint as a dynamic, nonlinear function of the stocks, flows and transformations of matter and energy comprising CAFO systems. (TX) Stock-and-Flow Modeling of Solid Manure of Variable Quality in a Competitive Biofuel and Land-Application Market A quantitative, dynamic transaction model of material stocks and flows in a regional spot market for solid feedlot manure is being developed and validated to simulate human negotiating postures in a competitive, regional spot market with demand from irrigated, dry-land farms, and biorefineries. (MN) Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Swine Buildings An advisory group consists of professionals from academia and industry is working on reduce energy usage and gaseous emissions from swine facilities by generating a list of design options and management practices for swine buildings in Minnesota and the upper Midwest. (NE) Implementing Mass Nutrient Balance Procedures on Swine Facilities Thirteen swine producers from Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska with finishing facilities have participated in a two-year effort to define the primary nitrogen and phosphorus flows entering and exiting their farm and to produce a Whole Farm Nutrient Balance (WFNB) for two 1-year periods based upon measurement of inputs and outputs. Based upon the results observed to date, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1) on average, the participating swine producers import 1.5 and 1.5 units of N and P through all farm sources for every unit of N and P that is exported as managed products. Several farms produced P balances very near an ideal 1 to 1 ratio; 2) feed is the dominant source of N and P arriving on farm representing 79 and 84% of all imports, respectively; 3) both feed efficiency and dietary phosphorus concentration was found to be important factors explaining increase in whole farm phosphorus imbalances; 4) The WFNB for facilities with storage only (deep pits and exterior storage) are substantially better than those observed for farms with anaerobic lagoons; 5) No relationship was observed for N or P WFNB versus size of farm as measured by animal numbers or crop acres. (TX)Greenhouse gas emissions measurements from ground level area sources (GLAS) of a dairy A new greenhouse gas (GHG) field sampling protocol modified from the EPA Method TO-14A was used to estimate and compare seasonal methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission factors (EFs) from different ground level area sources (GLAS) of a naturally ventilated free-stall dairy barn housing 500 lactating cows. The measured GHG concentrations within and among the GLAS were found to be widely variable Observed greater CH4 and N2O EFs in the summer were due to fluctuations in ambient temperature, dairy waste loading rates, and manure microbial activity. (TX)Phenol and p-cresol emissions from ground level area sources (GLAS) from a dairy facility A new greenhouse gas (GHG) field sampling protocol modified from the EPA Method TO-14A was used to estimate and compare seasonal variations in phenol and p-cresol emission factors (EFs) from different ground level area sources (GLAS) of a naturally ventilated free-stall dairy barn housing 500 lactating cows. The estimated phenol and p-cresol EFs within and among GLAS were found to be highly variable. The greater average phenol EFs were observed from the loafing pen comparing with other GLAS with an estimation of 0.542 kg hd-1 yr-1(winter) and 0.357 kg hd-1 yr-1(summer). Loafing pen also showed significantly higher p-cresol EFs during winter (0.155 kg hd-1 yr-1) and summer (0.173 kg hd-1 yr-1) when compared with other GLAS. The overall calculated EFs for phenol and p-cresol were 0.97±0.27 and 0.28±0.08 kg hd-1 yr-1, respectively, in winter. Overall calculated phenol and p-cresol EFs were 0.43±0.13 and 0.2±0.08 kg hd-1 yr-1, respectively, during summer.

    Objective 2. Continue the development and performance evaluation of process-level strategies and tactics to reduce environmental pollution at the process level from confined animal feeding operations. (CA) Analysis of Solid Liquid Separator Evaluation of mechanical solid liquid separator systems installed on commercial dairies improves our understanding of fate of total solids. Reduction of total solids entering the liquid treatment system may reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds. Solids removed from the liquid waste stream were 4.1% and 14.1% measured from two separate sampling events. This is consistent with previous evaluations of similar equipment. (AL) Evaluation of Litter Treatments for Ammonia, Salmonella and E. coli Control in Broiler Poultry Houses The benefit of four chemical litter treatments for ammonia, Salmonella and E.coli control in broiler houses was evaluated including: Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT), ALL-CLEAR (AC), Poultry Guard (PG) and Sulfuric Acid (SA). Each of the litter treatments was applied at two rates: 100- and 150 lbs/1000 ft2, except the SA treatment which was applied at 40 lb and 60 lb/1000 ft2. Overall, the litter treatments did not effectively control ammonia emissions nor prevent Salmonella outgrowth in the litter during the entire 7-week broiler poultry growout cycle (MI)Evaluation of leaching and Ponding of Viral Contaminants Following Land Application of Biosolids on Sandy-Loam Soil This study was designed to evaluate of leaching and ponding of viral contaminants following land application of mesophilic anaerobic digested (MAD) biosolids on sandy-loam soil. The peak breakthrough (BTC) of the anionic tracer occurred at about 0.3 pore volume; however, the peak BTC of the microbial tracer varied from <0.1 to 0.7 pore volumes. Such early and variable time to peak BTC indicated preferential flow paths, presumably from soil cracks, root channels, worm holes or other natural phenomena. (NE) An Integrated Approach to Reduced Risk of P Pollution of Surface Waters in Crop-Livestock Managed Ecosystems of the Midwest The purpose of this project is to improve P cycling in livestock and crop-based managed ecosystems while reducing P delivery to surface waters. Methods will be developed to: 1) remove P from distillers grains and corn gluten feed; 2) reduce the cost of transport for improved distribution of manure nutrients through alternative manure handling practices, such as composting; 3) improve and target manure application practices to reduce risk of P runoff; and 4) provide education to stakeholders on P related issues. Knowledge gained through this project include: 1) about 77 and 90% of the phytate phosphorous in the BB and LSW, respectively, were effectively degraded to phosphoric acid, suggesting an opportunity for significant P removal; 2) setbacks were found to be ineffective in reducing runoff P while sediment loss may be increased with a 30 meter setback compared to no setback. Grass filters that occupied 1 and 4% of the drainage area reduced runoff P by 52 and 78%, respectively, from sites with excessive surface soil P. One-time deep plowing reduced P runoff by 51% in cases of excessive surface soil P. For Duck Creek, 55% of the nutrients and 59% of the sediment lost in runoff originated from 25% of the land area; increased terracing was more effective than increased no-till in further reducing pollutant loading; 3) total nitrogen recovery was 86 and 56 percent for stockpiled and composted feedlot manure, respectively, with greater nutrient value with stockpiling as compared to composting. (USDA and MI) Milking Center Wastewater Management The objective of this ongoing project is to develop an efficient milking center wastewater treatment technology that potentially qualifies for NRCS cost share. Three technologies were developed including on-site advance treatment unit (ATU), bark filter mound (mound), and wetland. Aeration and solid/liquid separation methods were used in the ATU technology. Results from monitoring one mound (2 year operation) and one vertical constructed wetland (1 year operation) demonstrated that both technologies have great removal efficiency in terms of carbon and nitrogen, even during winter. (NE) Demonstrating solutions for small AFO runoff using Vegetative Treatment Systems This project develops and demonstrates new technology solutions for the small and medium (<1,000 head) sized open lot housing Animal Feeding Operation (AFO) using Vegetative Treatment Systems (VTS), an entirely voluntary program that partners with the state regulatory authority, NRCS and industry stakeholders. Some new concepts added to the trational VTS approach. AFOs matching its cost to that of a medium AFO. Over life of program the cost of a small AFO sprinkler VTS has been reduced by 40% through technology development. In addition, cost analysis has has shown that VTS is lowest cost option for every size of open lot compared to conventional containment, hoop barn, and monoslope barn production facilities. (GA) Processing Livestock and Poultry Manure for Nutrient Recovery in Feeds The project is investigating the use of an insect, Hermetia illucens, to process and treat solid waste while producing insect protein and oil. An experimental system is also investigating the processing of flushed waste through settling, biogas fermentation, and hydroponic plant filtration. Conversion of animal waste to solider fly larvae that could be further used as a feed stuff and/or rendered for biodiesel production should be commercially viable in the US. In addition, a system of solids removal, anaerobic digestion (for energy recovery and to mineralize nutrients), and hydroponic forage production is capable of producting very high yields of forage and removing significant quantities of nutrients from dairy barn effluent. (LA) Value Added Products from Dairy Wastes and Poultry Litter- Improving the Sustainability of Livestock and Poultry Systems in the United States Specific objectives of the project were to: 1) develop and build dairy manure/ sand gravity separator and to promote the use of this separator at commercial dairies; 2) construct solar stills to dry wet dairy and poultry wastes; 3) assess the overall viability of pelletizing dried dairy manure and poultry litter. The nutritive value of pelletized manure will be evaluated using both analytical methods and plant growth experiments; and 4) design and fabricate a large-scale biomass gasifier that utilizes dried animal wastes as a feedstock. LSU AgCenter developed dairy manure/sand separator that was licensed for commercialization to separates larger organic particles and bedding sand from waste slurries. Experiments on solar stills for drying wet manure was demonstrated to be effective during summer. Analysis revealed that the high ash and mineral content prevented successful gasification (MI) Farm Runoff Treatment Using Vegetated Filter Strips This project is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the existing USDA Michigan NRCS Wastewater Treatment Strip Practice Standard, 635, to treat impacted runoff from small farms. Since 2009, two large filter strips have been constructed to monitor the performance of receiving runoff from feed storage/preparation and the heat check lot at the MSU dairy facility that houses 150 cows. Preliminary results indicate that a soil depth substantially greater than 1 foot is required for treatment (NE) Effects of Cattle Manure on Fate and Transport of Hormones in the Feedlot and the Field This EPA STAR-funded project at the University of Nebraska focuses on the occurrence, fate and transport of steroid hormones in cattle manure. A controlled feeding and supplement study was designed to compare manure from both implanted and untreated cattle. Preliminary results from the feeding pen studies suggest that concentrations of animal supplement compounds in run-off water are much lower than the levels of natural steroid hormones and related compounds such as mycotoxin metabolites from feed. Preliminary data suggests that composting may help reduce the levels of both natural and supplement steroid hormones in livestock manure. (MI)Solid Liquid Separation and Operational Performance of an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor A solid/liquid separation system using tubular ultra filtration membrane directly connected to a completely mixed anaerobic digester was evaluated in this study. The specific objective is to investigate separating particulate phosphorus from the bulk liquid stream enabling its agronomical application to fields that are controlled by phosphorus levels. A 100 L anaerobic membrane bioreactor operated for over 2 years with a feed of liquid manure. Excellent phosphorus separation is achieved resulting in bulk liquid concentrations below 20 mg/L P. Membrane durability is good and fouling can be minimized by a simple, routine cleaning protocol using hot water. Biogas production, however, is negatively impacted by the turbulence caused by the membrane under certain operational conditions. (USDA-ARS) Development of Floating Vegetated Mat Treatment Systems for Improving Wastewater Quality The goal of this research is to develop floating vegetated mat systems for treating wastewater from confined animal feeding or aquaculture operations. Based on prior study conducted in 2008, three plant species (variegated iris, soft rush, and cattail) were selected and planted on floating mats to treat aquaculture wastewater as a replicated study began in May 26-27, 2009. Research completed in 2008 indicate that floating mat systems can successfully grow plants and remove nutrients from highly contaminated wastewater. (MI) Biomass Energy Inventory to Support Renewable Energy Development The Michigan Waste Biomass Inventory (http://mibiomass.rsgis.msu.edu) is a GIS based system to identify sites of residual biomass and land that can produce high energy value biomass and estimate the net energy theoretically available from the biomass. One of the most important parameter of various feedstocks is the moisture content. (MI) Biogas Potential Assay in Support of Renewable Energy Batch scaled biogas potential assays were developed to screen various biomass and predicate potential biogas yields from those biomass. Anaerobic respirometer and serum bottle procedure are used to conduct biogas potential assays. Standard procedures have been established and validated through over 30 tests of biomass blends. To date, approximately 9 organizations have contracted to have wastes tested (MN) Co-digesting the wasted milk from dairy operations with cattle slurry to reduce water pollution This ongoing study is conducted to determine the maximum concentration of wasted milk that can be co-digested with cattle slurry under mesophilic conditions without adversely impacts on biogas yields and methane content through a batch scale (1 liter flask system) experiment. The up to date batch scale experiment indicate that it is feasible and beneficial to co-digest dairy manure with milk at a level of up to 19% under the current experimental conditions. (MN)Lactic acid fermentation using dairy manure as the sole carbon and nitrogen source The objectives of this project are to 1) develop effective processes for dairy manure hydrolysis by fungi by determining the most effective microbial culture or flora and the optimal operating parameter values for hydrolysis and 2) investigate the feasibility and techniques of converting the hydrolysates from dairy manure into lactic acid through fermentation without external nutrients and optimize fermentation conditions to enhance lactic acid production. This project is built on the previous project that demonstrated dairy manure could be a nitrogen source for lactic acid production by Rhizopus oryzae. For this new study, more fungal species (up to 10) will be selected and investigated from the collection of wood-rotting fungi based mainly on their cellulolytic activity (MN) Biohydrogen-Based Biofuel Cells: Highly Efficient and Clean Electricity Generation Using Mixed Wastewater Feedstocks - A Rural Development Project This project investigates the feasibility of developing a biological fuel cell system consisting of a H2 fermenter and an enzyme-based fuel cell that can produce electricity directly from waste biomass. Compared to glucose supplement, sugar processing wastewater supplement showed improvement in volumetric hydrogen production with no adversely impact on hydrogen content. The main obstacle rests with the difficulties in expressing the key enzyme, hydrogenase, by bacterial cells. (TX)Estimating Manure Higher Heating Value as a Biofuel Feedstock The objectives of this project were to 1) validate the use of non-destructive VNIR spectrometry to measure ash and moisture in solid manure samples from cattle feedyards; 2) translate ash and moisture measurements into accurate estimates of manure higher heating value (HHV); 3) refine estimates of the mean and variance of dry, ash-free HHV (HHVDAF) in solid manure from cattle feedyards and open-lot dairies. A properly calibrated VNIR-DRS model can accurately predict manure ash content. (NC) Development and Testing a Sludge Sampler A sampler roughly based on the Kroes et al. (1987) design was develop to provide the ability of retrieving sludge and liquid samples from specific depths in a waste treatment lagoon without dilution of sample from surrounding material and without disturbing the liquid column. The accuracy of samples was determined by comparing conductivity values of samples using the device with those from samples pumped directly from predetermined fixed points in the column. The values in samples from the device were always less than those pumped from the column; except for the topmost samples, the differences were between 4 and 12%. Disturbance of the column was determined by comparing conductivity values pumped from the column before and after the device was used and results indicated the sampler did not disturb the water column. (IL) Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterizations of Particulate Matter from Confinement Livestock Buildings The objectives of this project are: (1) to investigate the physical properties of the particulate matter emitted from typical swine and poultry buildings, including particle size, shape, concentration and density; (2) to study the chemical properties of PM, including elemental composition of individual particles, and elemental composition, organic compounds, and soluble ions of total particles; (3) to examine the biological properties of PM, including the diversity and concentration of bacterial and fungal populations, selected antibiotic resistance genes, and airborne endotoxins. Parts of key findings are list as follows: " PM concentrations change with animal building types and weather conditions. " Using TSP and PSD data to calculate PM10 and PM2.5 levels may cause a significant underestimation. " The true density of PM ranged from 1.4 to 1.6 g/cm3. 1.5 g/cm3 would be a reasonable estimate. " Chemical compositions (elements, soluble ions and odourants) of PM change with animal building types and weather conditions " Two odorants, even more odorous than m-cresol, have been idenfied for the first time. " Airborne endotoxin levels (in TSP) were unexceptionally greater than the threshold value proposed by Dr. Kelley Donham, and were linearly correlated with PM concentrations. " Viable bacteria levels were greater in winter; while a reverse trend was found for fungi. " The existence of tetrycycline resistence genes (six types in total) in PM was ubiquitous and their abundances differed with animal building types. (AR) A Mitigation System for Reducing Ammonia and Particulate Matter Emission from Commercial Broiler Houses An emission mitigation system for reducing emissions of ammonia and particulate matter (PM) from commercial broiler houses combines a water scrubber with a biofilter. The biofilter is being modeled to understand the mass balance of ammonia in the exhaust air from commercial poultry houses. The water curtain was not very effective in removing ammonia from the exhaust air primarily due to the relatively short contact time with the exhaust air. Therefore, this idea of open water curtain has been revised into an enclosed water curtain that will be integrated with a biofilter. However, the water curtain was highly effective in removing PM and removed over 90% of PM from the exhaust air. (AR) Comparison of Two Instruments for Monitoring Particulate Matter in Broiler Houses This project compared two PM monitoring devices, the Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) and DustTrak for 10 days in Fall of 2009. TEOM is considered as the standard equipment for PM monitoring by many researchers. The results indicated that on average, TEOM measurements were 600 mg/m3 higher than DustTrak for PM 10 and 25 mg/m3 higher than DustTrak for PM2.5. The study indicated that there is significant difference between the PM measured by the two instruments, TEOM and DustTrak. (AR) Point Estimates of Ammonia Volatilization from the Litter Floor of Commercial Poultry Houses during Growout Ammonia emissions from mechanically-ventilated livestock houses can be quantified by measuring whole house ventilation rates and ammonia concentrations at the air inlet and fan outlets. A side-by-side comparison between the flux chamber method and simultaneous whole-house measurements was conducted during two winter flocks and one summer flock of commercial broilers raised on reused litter. Generally, there was a linear trend between two flux measurement methods, with ammonia flux tested by chamber method lower than whole house measurement. (MN)Determining Commonality among Swine Barn Pit Explosions The cause of the recent increasing in swine manure pits explosions and fires/foaming are being investiaged with an expection to find solutions that will prevent or reduce their occurrence. The best prevention of fire or explosions is continuous ventilation to prevent a gas build-up and increased ventilation during agitation to quickly dissipate released gases. (IL)Integrated Project to Improve Moisture Control and Practical Design Procedure of Biofilters for Treating Exhaust Air from Livestock Buildings The overall goal of this multi-year project is to combine the best biofilter technology into an efficient, attractive, and affordable package that will serve the swine industry in reducing aerial emissions. Results showed large differences in airflow characteristics of biofilter media under different conditions, e.g. compacted v. non-compacted, wet v. dry, and wide particle size distribution v. well-graded. An innovative biofilter container for a single-fan biofilter was designed and built and has performed as expected. (ND) Efficacy of Bacterial Treatment (Digest 3+3®) to Reduce Air Emissions from Swine Facilities in North Dakota This project was aimed at evaluation of the effectiveness of a bacterial treatment to reduce odor and air emissions (e.g., ammonia and hydrogen sulfide) from swine facilities in North Dakota climatic conditions and management practices. Selected two commercial swine operations (Gestation-farrowing). For both operations, one of gestation barns will be treated with Digest 3+3®, while the other gestation barn will be untreated (control) to compare odor, ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions. (MI) Feeding DDGS to swine and resulting impact on air emissions The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the dietary effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and the sources of mineral supplement on air emissions of ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and non-methane total hydrocarbons (NMTHC) from swine. Three diets were evaluated. Overall, body weight gain and G:F were not affected by diets, although a lower FI was observed in pigs offered organic source of trace minerals. Diet inclusion of DDGS increases H2S emission, but organic sources of trace minerals are a promising mitigation strategy to alleviate the adverse effect of DDGS. Feeding DDGS with either inorganic or organic trace mineral sources increased CH¬4 and NMTCH daily emission mass, but not N2O emissions. (MI) Effect of DDGS and mineral sources on air emissions from laying hens The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the dietary effects of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and the sources of mineral supplement on air emissions from Hy-line W-36 hens from 50 to 53 wk of age (3 rooms/diet; 56 hens/room). Overall, diet inclusion of DDGS or organic trace minerals did not change short-term performance of laying hens. Substitution of inorganic trace mineral sources with organic sources did not alter air emissions. (MI) Effect of a Low Sulfur Diet on Air Emissions, Nutrient Excretion, and Performance of Laying Hens The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effect of feeding commercial diet (C), reduced S (RedS) diet, and a low S (LowS) diet on air emissions, nutrient excretion, and performance of Hy-line W36 laying hens from 47 to 50 wk of age (4 environmental rooms/diet; 56 hens/room). Three diets were evaluated and results of this study demonstrate that feeding less DL-Met has great potential to reduce H2S emissions and S excretion from laying hens and reducing DL-Met up to 40% had no negative impact on hen performance; however, completely eliminating DL-Met supplementation resulted in less cumulative egg mass. (MI) Effect of Amino Acid Formulation and Supplementation on Nutrient Mass Balance and Air Emissions from Turkeys Nutrient mass balance and air emissions were determined for turkeys fed 4 diets. The results demonstrated the potential of reducing nutrient excretion and air emissions from turkeys through diet modification of AA

    Impact Statements:
    1. " A study of whole farm nutrient balance found that the farms import 1.5 units each of N and P through all farm sources for every unit of N and P that is exported in products; several farms produced P balances very near an ideal 1 to 1 ratio. Feed is the dominant source of N and P arriving on farm representing 79 and 84% of all imports, respectively.
    2. " A new greenhouse gas (GHG) field sampling protocol modified from the EPA Method TO-14A was used to estimate and compare seasonal methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission factors (EFs) from different ground level area sources (GLAS) of a naturally ventilated free-stall dairy barn housing 500 lactating cows. The measured GHG concentrations were found to be widely variable.
    3. " Four chemical litter treatments for ammonia, Salmonella and E.coli control in broiler houses were evaluated including: Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT), ALL-CLEAR (AC), Poultry Guard (PG) and Sulfuric Acid (SA) where the highest treatment application maintained the ammonia level at about 25 ppm for 42 days, 35 days, 21 days, and 35 days, respectively. Thereafter ammonia levels for all treatments and treatment rates increased to a range of 40 to 80 ppm, and were not significantly different from their respective controls.
    4. " Leaching and ponding of viral contaminants following land application of mesophilic anaerobic digested (MAD) biosolids on sandy-loam soil indicates preferential flow paths, presumably from soil cracks, root channels, worm holes or other natural phenomena.
    5. " One-time deep plowing reduces P runoff by 51% in cases of excessive surface soil P
    6. " Three novel milking center wastewater management technologies were developed including on-site advance treatment unit (ATU), bark filter mound (mound), and vertical constructed wetland with the ATU design showing excellent carbon and nitrogen removal with some operational problems likely as a result of high solids content of wastewater from current test site. The wetland (1 year operation) demonstrated very high removal efficiency of carbon and nitrogen, even during winter.
    7. " The cost of a small AFO sprinkler VTS has been reduced by 40% through technology development.
    8. " A solid/liquid separation system using a tubular ultra-filtration membrane directly connected to a completely mixed anaerobic digester separated particulate phosphorus from the bulk liquid stream enabling its agronomical application to fields that are controlled by phosphorus levels.
    9. " The Michigan Waste Biomass Inventory (http://mibiomass.rsgis.msu.edu) GIS based system identifies sites of residual biomass and land that can produce high energy value biomass and estimates the net energy theoretically available from the biomass.
    10. " Non-destructive VNIR spectrometry measurements are translated ash and moisture measurements into accurate estimates of manure higher heating value (HHV).
    11. " A sampler was develop to provide the ability of retrieving sludge and liquid samples from specific depths in a waste treatment lagoon without dilution of sample from surrounding material and without disturbing the liquid column
    12. " Particulate matter (PM) concentrations change with animal building types and weather conditions with the highest PM levels observed in turkey buildings in winter.
    13. " PM monitoring using the Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) and DustTrak show the TEOM measurements were 600 mg/m3 higher than DustTrak for PM 10 and 25 mg/m3 higher than DustTrak for PM2.5 (IL).
    14. " A novel emission mitigation system for reducing emissions of ammonia and particulate matter (PM) from commercial broiler houses combines a water scrubber with a biofilter where the water curtain was highly effective in removing PM and removed over 90% of PM from the exhaust air
    15. " The cause of the recent increase in swine manure pit explosions and fires/foaming can best be prevented by continuous ventilation to prevent gas build-up and increased ventilation during agitation to quickly dissipate released gases
    Last Modified: 02-Aug-2010

    Date of Annual Report: 06/21/2012

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 05/15/12 to 05/16/12
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2011 to 09/2012

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Annual Meeting May 15-16, 2012 Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM.

    Update from USDA NIFA, Dr. Richard Hegg Dr. Hegg provided an update from Washington D.C. by phone The 2012 and 2013 Foundational Research program from NIFAs AFRI will be combined. The RFA is expected to be released in August 2012. The RFA for the 2012 Standard Research from AFRI will also be released in August 2012. The best opportunity for our members is in the global food security and hunger priority science area.

    NIFA has a new director, Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, former dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University.

    Discussion of potential uses of the Outstanding Multi-State Project Award Several possible uses of the $12, 688.13 from the national award the project received last year, including publication costs for a capstone document that summarizes the committees current thoughts on causalities in food animal production, based on current literature; and a final meeting with special guests that would help launch the next project. Officers will propose several options.

    Coordinating subcommittee formed to reconstitute the causal loop diagram of the food animal production system. Tasks are to: 1. Devise a timeline with milestones and activities 2. Coordinate events of interest to S-1032 members 3. Propose additional suggestions for appropriate use of award money

    The subcommittee members include Applegate (chair), DeOtte, Marek, Classen, Meyer and Zering.

    Technical Presentation A technical presentation describing the integration of systems modeling with process research was made by Dr. Gary Marek.

    Project Rewrite Planning A logic model was proposed and edited that will serve as the basis for the next project. The rewrite committee consists of Powers (chair), Classen, DeOtte, Meyer, Zhu, Auvermann, and Safferman. The committee will start with the logic model (in possession of Safferman) and consider the reconstituted causal loop diagram. Target date for submission to administrative advisor is January 2013.

    Joint Session with S-1025 A representative from S-1025 presented the objectives and tasks to be included in their new project proposal. Several areas of potential collaboration were noted.

    Tour of MSU Research Facilities A tour of MSU facilities included the Air Quality Facility, Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center and the Campus Plug Flow Digester.

    Accomplishments:
    Objective 1. Develop preliminary models of each animal industry that describe its cumulative ecological risk, energy flows or ecological footprint as a dynamic, nonlinear function of the stocks, flows and transformations of matter and energy comprising CAFO systems. Task A. Recruit participation in this group from a broader scope of scientists and disciplines. Station: Michigan Project: Meta-Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Swine Operations Progress: This project, funded by the National Pork Board, required the system-level thinking that is needed and supports the objectives of S-1032. Assembly of data and analyses of the data align with the approach needed for model development and assessment. We are adding to our skill set within the project team such that we can be successful in the future with development of the framework. The successful grant submission, publication and recruitment of new talent to S-1032 illustrates our progress. Station: Texas Project: Recruiting non-traditional collaborators through development of proposals for federal research and research-management funding Progress: Drs. DeOtte and Auvermann led a national, multi-disciplinary team in the development of two large grant proposals to the National Science Foundation's SEES programs, the Research Coordination Networks program ($750,000) and the Sustainability Research Networks program ($10,000,000). In the course of proposal development, team members identified and recruited new collaborators from the social and ecological sciences. The proposals were not funded but received enough positive reviews to justify revision and resubmittal. S-1032 now has a concrete track record of intellectual creativity under Objective 1, a set of new, distinguished collaborators beyond our traditional membership, and a reservoir of interdisciplinary concepts (as well as thoughful review comments from established practitioners) from which to draw for future funding proposals. Task B. Develop a conceptual framework for a model that describes each animal industry at the national scale and its ecological footprint, emergy ledger or life-cycle profile. Sub-Task i. Identify information needs to contribute to the conceptual model, including data, stocks, flows, and indices. Station: Michigan Project: Quantifying a carbon footprint for pasture-based animal production Progress: Specific objectives of this project are to: 1) measure emissions from land under two different management systems, 2) quantify soil characteristics (C stocks) in the different systems, 3) measure enteric methane production from animals within the two systems, 4) capture performance data of the systems (forage and animal productivity) as well as inputs (fertilizer, seed), and 5) construct an accounting process for each system that allows for calculation of a farm footprint (i.e. CO2 equivalents stocks and flows within the farm boundary). Year 1 of data collection is complete. 2012 represents the second year of data collection, following which data will be analyzed and interpreted. Station: Texas Project: Modeling manure flows in a three-component, regional animal-feeding and biofuels system Progress: Dr. Gary Marek, under the guidance of Dr. Brent Auvermann and dissertation committee members, developed a conceptual model of manure flows associated with beef and dairy cattle feeding in the Texas Panhandle in association with manure-fueled ethanol manufacture and intensive crop production. His model built on the preliminary conceptual model presented by a WTAMU student team at the 2008 meeting of S-1032 in Boulder, CO, and formalized mathematical relationships among key state variables in the mass, energy, and currency layers of the conceptual model. Sub-Task ii. Develop a framework for reporting the identified information. Station: Texas Project: A proposed, quantitative framework for modeling stocks and flows of mass and energy in livestock-intensive agro-ecosystems Progress: Dr. Brent Auvermann developed a preliminary framework for quantitative modeling of mass and energy stocks and flows in agro-ecosystems within a dynamic, modular modeling paradigm. The proposed framework sets forth a typology of variables and a standardized lexicon of terms for stocks and flows germane to agricultural field operations and crop production, animal feeding (including the built environment), and unit processes designed to produce or refine biofuels, treat and dispose of animal wastes, or reduce the release of air or water pollutants to the environment (see Objective 2). Sub-Task iii. Identify critical control points (those points and processes in animal production that, when subjected to change will significantly impact the ecological footprint of animal agriculture) in mass, energy and contaminant flows in animal agriculture. Station: Texas Project: Modeling manure flows in a three-component, regional animal-feeding and biofuels system Progress: As a component of his dissertation research, Dr. Gary Marek deployed his quantitative model in a rudimentary sensitivity analysis of the impact of a biomass-fueled ethanol plant on the economics and logistics of manure distribution in the Texas Panhandle. Dr. Marek presented his dissertation research at the 2012 annual meeting of S-1032 in East Lansing, MI. Task C. Define the measurable quantity(ies) that properly describe(s) the ecological footprint of animal agriculture, which is its true impact. Station: Minnesota Project: Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Swine Buildings or the Green Pig Barn (GPB) project Progress: All four versions of the GPB project are expected to save energy in the winter due to better insulation and environmental control. Reduced emissions are also expected due to the lack of long term manure storage inside/under the barn and to the incorporation of barn cooling. Building construction costs per pig space, which includes an outside, covered, in-ground concrete manure storage tank, are expected to be 1.3 to 2 times higher than typical construction of the baseline TV barn. These costs are offset by a projected 3-7% increase in average daily gain and 5-10% decrease in feed consumption per pound of pork produced. Using these assumptions in a standard economic projection, annualized net present value per pig space is between $2.43 and $9.03 with 6.0 to 12.8 years to payback over the baseline tunnel ventilated facility. Task D. Assessment of the model structure through application to feed-to-field situations. Station: Texas Project: Self-study: information-, network-, and game-theoretic principles applicable to modeling the sustainability of livestock-intensive agro-ecosystems Progress: Dr. Brent Auvermann explored the information- and network-theoretic approach of Dr. Robert Ulanowicz to describe and quantify the contribution of system structure (as opposed to mere input/output metrics) to the overall sustainability of ecosystems. Dr. Auvermann also explored the applications of game theory to modeling binary transactions between a manure supplier and a manure user. Game-theoretic considerations provided the context for a 3-hour guest lecture to PhD students in Systems Agriculture at West Texas A&M University. Objective 2. Continue the development and performance evaluation of process-level strategies and tactics to reduce environmental pollution at the process level from confined animal feeding operations. Task A. Develop management tools, strategies and systems for land application of animal manures and effluents that optimize efficient, environmentally friendly utilization of nutrients and are compatible with sustained land, air and water quality. Sub-Task i. Methods to reduce nutrient movement from land application sites into surface and groundwater. Station: North Dakota Project: Demonstration and Evaluation of Vegetative Buffer Strips to Minimize Runoff Pollution from Feedlot Progress: Significant runoff data were collected in 2010. Results indicated that the vegetative filter strips (VFS) reduced the concentration of total solids (TS) by 33.73%, total suspended solids (TSS) by 67.97%, total phosphorous (TP) by 29.87%, ortho-phosphorous (OP) by 19.27%, ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) by 31.76%, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) by 35.56%, and potassium (K) by 19.80%. Performance of the VFS indicated that it can be used to reduce runoff pollution that comes directly from a feedlot into the VFS without passing through a settling basin. A longer buffer length may be required to reduce soluble pollutants. Station: Texas Project: Instruction for manure treatment and design Progress: Dr. Saqib Mukhtar delivered three USEPA Region 6 invited presentations on: Manure storage and treatment structure design for EPA's no discharge requirements; lagoon management; and lagoon closure and post-closure requirements. Eighty participants included poultry and beef producer commodity group representatives, EPA inspectors, consulting engineers, technical service providers, NRCS engineers and technicians, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board employees, and TCEQ and State environmental quality agency inspectors from Oklahoma and Arkansas attended this CAFO Enforcement Workshop. January 10, Addison, Texas.

    Sub-Task ii. Quantify gaseous emissions into the air from land application sites. Sub-Task iii. Reduce movement of zoonotic pathogens and antibiotics from land application sites. Sub-Task iv. Improve accuracy of manure land application in accordance with best management practices for nutrient planning. Station: Illinois Project: Extension Certified Livestock Manager Training Progress: Continued training program for Illinois livestock producers, and collaborated with other states in helping them use and develop similar efforts. Held training sessions for custom manure haulers. Task B. Development, evaluation, and implementation of methodology, technology, and management practices to reduce water pollution potential from animal production systems. Sub-Task i. Develop and evaluate innovative applications of engineered biological treatment processes to stabilize waste, reduce odor, and manage nutrients. Station: Auburn Project: Maximizing the composting efficiency of swine mortality disposal Progress: During two-stage, static pile composting, the compost mass decreased 22%. If the finished compost is recycled as bulking agent, 80% of the compost weight generated in one compost bin can be used as an ingredient to compost another bin of mortalities. The finished compost contains about 35% moisture; it has no noxious odors, and contains on a wet ton basis about 50 lbs of nitrogen, 100 lbs super-phosphate and 61 lbs of potash. Station: Michigan Project: Milking Center Wastewater Management Progress: A Michigan bark filter mounds is currently being monitored for the removal of carbon and nutrients and for metal leaching. Good nutrient removal has been observed but metal leaching is occurring from the soil column under the mound. A vertical flow wetland was also evaluated and proved to be very effective and after 2 years of operation, minimum maintenance has been required. A project has been initiated to develop design criteria for both technologies that will lead to the development of a standard. The Michigan filter mound has been shown to be effective for traditional pollutant removal although the importance of metal mobilization and techniques to minimize must be further understood. Development of design criteria for the constructed vertical flow wetland is ongoing. A project is ongoing to provide the needed data so standards for each can be developed. Station: Texas Project: Evaluation of solids-separation methods for flushed dairy manure Progress: Evaluated the "weeping wall" passive solids-separation technique for flushed dairy manure. Sub-Task ii. Develop and evaluate vegetated or aquaculture-based treatment systems for treating wastewater or runoff from concentrated feeding operations or land application sites. Station: Michigan Project: Farm Runoff Treatment Using Vegetated Filter Strips Progress: Three agricultural filter strips were assessed for the treatment of dairy farmstead waste. Soil type was a significant factor in predicting removal rates. Sandy soils resulted in lower average concentrations of COD, ammonia, and TKN in the subsurface, compared to sandy loam soils. Sandy loam soils increased manganese leaching, as compared to sandy soils. Nitrate concentrations were above standard drinking water limits in leachate. The difference in performance is attributed to the increase in oxygen diffusion through the sandy soil resulting in more complete carbon removal and the prevention of anaerobic conditions that result in metals serving as electron acceptors and becoming mobile. Sub-Task iii. Develop and evaluate physical and chemical treatments for recovering or stabilizing manure solids or manure treatment by-products for improved utilization alternatives. Station: North Carolina Project: Ammonia Adsorption on Activated Carbon Progress: We investigated ozonated granular activated carbon (OGAC) as an ammonia adsorbent in aqueous systems to determine the (1) effectiveness of ozone loading on adsorption capacity of activated carbon in aqueous ammonia solutions, (2) kinetics and adsorption isotherms of ammonia adsorption, and (3) effect of volatile organic compounds on adsorption of ammonia from the aqueous phase. Batch experiments indicated that ozonation for 30 min doubled the adsorption capacity of granular activated carbon due to increased surface oxygen species on activated carbon, though the maximum capacity was lower than reported elsewhere. Station: Texas Project: Non-invasive determination of ash, moisture, and higher heating value in solid cattle manure using visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Progress: Made progress toward development and field validation of a quick, in situ method for classifying the higher heating value (HHV) of solid cattle manure before it leaves the feedyard. This method represents an important tool in monetizing the intensive management of feedyard corral surfaces that is required to generate as-collected manure with high biofuel value and low ash potential. Sub-Task iv. Develop and evaluate biological or thermochemical treatment of animal manures and mortalities for conversion into renewable energy and/or value-added products. Station: Minnesota Project: Lactic acid fermentation using dairy manure as the sole carbon and nitrogen source Progress: The project has been completed with optimal physical pretreatment conditions for the release of organic matter from dairy manure determined by the orthogonal experiment design. The feasibility and techniques of converting the hydrolysates from dairy manure into lactic acid through fermentation without external nutrients and optimize fermentation conditions to enhance lactic acid production was investigated. Results showed that the optimum conditions for release of protein, carbohydrate, and total phosphorus were pH 2.0 under reaction temperature of 90 oC with particle size < 0.15mm, under which the carbohydrate and protein release rates could reach 373.36 and 233.36%, and total phosphorus concentration could be increased from 0.21 mg/l to 6.29 mg/l. This project has the potential to produce lactic acid from nearly 640 million tons of dairy manure produced annually in the United States, thus minimizing pollution problems in land application of manure and protect water quality. Project: Co-digesting the wasted milk from dairy operations with cattle slurry to reduce water pollution Progress: The project has been completed. A total of seven milk addition levels in terms of percent liquid volume in the digester were tested, i.e., 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 9%, 14%, and 19%, together with a control (no milk addition). The results clearly indicates that the added milk can be digested thoroughly and the biogas productivity can be increased with the increasing milk amount in the digester content (from 5.6% at 1% milk to 103.8% at 19% milk). However, the CH4 concentration in the biogas produced could decrease slightly with the increasing milk content in the digester. Whether milk can be digested in an anaerobic digester has been an unanswered question for many dairy producers employing anaerobic digesters. A large COD loading to the digester was suspected to be able to disrupt the digestion process so the impact of this project lies in that it alleviates such a fear and dairy farmers can adopt anaerobic digesters on their farms without concern about the milk leaking to the manure that goes to the digester. Sub-Task v. Develop and evaluate feeding strategies as a means of reducing water quality impacts and transfer findings to industry for implementation. Station: Michigan Project: Biomass Energy Inventory to Support Renewable Energy Development Progress: Databases for large farms, landfills, wastewater treatment plant biosolids, schools, universities, and prisons were incorporated into the interactive, GIS based Michigan Biomass Inventory. Net energy modeling for 5 conversion technologies (anaerobic digestion, gasification, ethanol, biodiesel, and direct combustion) is incorporated into the tool. Currently, the databases are being updated, food processing waste is being added, and the databases are being mined to locate the best locations to initiate waste to resource technologies. Further, spreadsheets for all energy conversion technologies will be available to be used independently of the mapping tool. The Michigan Biomass Inventory returns the amount of waste biomass available for the selected site and specified radius and estimates the net energy available for waste to resource conversion technologies. The resource also allows for the estimation of the best locations to site a waste to energy technology. Project: Biogas Potential Assay in Support of Renewable Energy Progress: Over 250 biomass blends, including various animal manures and food processing wastes, have been tested to determine their biogas potential. The percentage of methane and carbon dioxide produced and the amount of COD and volatile solids reduction are monitored. These biogas assays help determine if further consideration for establishing a renewable energy system is warranted for a specific waste blend. A database is available that shows the results from testing. Further, the impact of amendments such as trace nutrients, enzymes, and microorganisms on the digestion process has been tested on several blends. A database of the anaerobic digester biogas potential from blended wastes, including manure and food processing residuals, has been established. Project: Effect of amino acid formulation and supplementation on nutrient mass balance in turkeys. Progress: Nutrient mass balances were determined for turkeys fed 4 diets in a 2 × 2 factorial design to investigate the effects of diets with 100 or 110% of NRC (1994)-recommended amino acid (AA) formulation and diets containing 2 (Lys and Met) or 3 (Lys, Met, and Thr) supplemental AA. All feed and litter entering and leaving the rooms were quantified and analyzed for nutrient content. Air emissions were measured throughout the 20-wk study. The results illustrated the fate of N, P, and S in a turkey production system and demonstrated the potential for reducing nutrient excretion and air emissions from turkeys through diet modification of AA. The N loss estimated from the mass balance approach (9.6%) was comparable with the measured N loss as air emission (11.9%). Partitioning of P averaged 31.9 and 68.1% for retention and excretion, respectively. Partitioning of S averaged 27.5, 72.1, and 0.5% for retention, excretion, and air emission, respectively. Station: Indiana Project: Evaluation of feed ingredient digestibility and differences between broilers and laying hens Progress: We evaluated feed ingredient digestibility between chicken strains. Results show that the same feed ingredient (MBM or DDGS) from different locations (or processing techniques) varied widely in digestibility. Apparent ileal digestibility of MBM in broiler chickens range from Met, 76-88.4%; Lys, 76.6-88.3%, and Thr, 72.4-82.7%. Generally, hens had 7.2%-units less CP digestibility of all DDGS samples after standardization. For MBM samples, 4 of the 7 had lower digestibilities of CP by hens when compared to broilers (7.4%-units on average). In conclusion, the need to have separate amino acid digestibility data for laying hens and broiler chicks, as results from one strain were not predictive of the other. Digestibility from some co-product feed ingredients have lower amino acid digestibility for laying hens when compared to that of broiler chickens. Therefore, strain specific feed ingredient databases for amino acid digestibility may be warrented in order to prevent lower than predicted utilization of amino acids for optimal productivity and increased nitrogen excretion. Task C. Develop and evaluate methodology, technology, and management practices to reduce odors, gases, airborne microflora, particulate matter, and other airborne emissions from animal production systems. Sub-Task i. Develop standard methods of collection, measurement, and mitigation of airborne emissions (odors, gases, particulates, endotoxins, pathogens, and other materials) from animal production operations. Sub-Task ii. Emission control technology development, evaluation and selection for site-specific cases. Station: Illinois Project: USDA Integrated Gas-phase Biofilter Grant Proposal Progress: Long-term bench-scale experiments showed the effects of cycling media moisture content on ammonia mitigation and nitrous oxide production, indicating time-varying changes in the microbial populations that exist in media biofilms. The moisture sensing and control device was modeled, a new prototype rebuilt, and extensive testing was performed in various biofilter media under a variety of moisture conditions. Field Demonstration Unit: Two novel biofilter containers were constructed at the University of Illinois Ag Engineering Farm. Construction time-and-materials studies were conducted to estimate economic viability of each type of biofilter container and subsystem. South Dakota State University and University of Missouri Tests: Further experience with the large-scale vertical biofilter container was obtained at the commercial farm installation, with the cooperation of the farm staff. Prediction models for nitrous oxide formation related to media moisture content were proposed and tested. These models will help biofilter designers and operators avoid creation of excess greenhouse gases otherwise caused by improper control of biofilters. Improved design of the novel moisture sensing system is nearly complete, which will greatly enhance odor and ammonia mitigation performance of biofilters, reduce the need for biofilter media moisture monitoring by the operators, and reduce release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Station: North Dakota Project: Efficacy of a microbial additive in reducing odor, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide emissions from farrowing-gestation swine operation Progress: No significant differences in terms of odor, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide concentrations and emissions were found between treated and untreated units. Overall, the microbial treatment had very little effect in reducing odor, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide emission. Station: Texas Project: Broad-spectrum research on emission mechanisms, emission rates, emission fluxes, and abatement measures for particulate matter and gas-phase pollutants from cattle feedyards and open-lot dairies. Progress: Auvermann and collaborators established baseline emission rates for ammonia and PM from cattle feedyards and dairies; evaluated several candidate abatement measures; and assigned preliminary cost/benefit indices to abatement measures. Maghirang, Amosson, Auvermann et al. estimated the cost/benefit ratio of solid-set sprinklers for control of feedyard PM10 at approximately $0.30 per lb of PM10 reduced. Sub-Task iii. Develop and evaluate feeding strategies as a means of reducing water quality impacts and transfer findings to industry for implementation. Station: Michigan Project: Effect of amino acid formulation and supplementation on air emissions from turkeys Progress: Turkeys were fed diets with 100% or 110% of NRCrecommended amino acid (AA) formulation when the diets contained either two or three supplemental AA. The 100% NRC diets contained less N compared to the 110% NRC diets. Diets containing three AA had less N content. Feed intake and bird weight were not affected by diet. Feeding the 100% NRC diets resulted in 9% less cumulative N intakes and 12% less cumulative NH3 emissions compared to the 110% NRC diets. Formulation with three supplemental AA resulted in 25% less cumulative NH3 emissions, compared to the two supplemental AA diet. The toms fed the 100% NRC diets generated lower emission rate of NH3 and H2S. The study demonstrated the potential of reducing NH3 and H2S emissions from turkeys through diet modification of AA while maintaining acceptable production performance. No diet effect was observed on greenhouse gas emissions (N2O and CH4). Project: Feeding DDGS to swine and resulting impact on air emissions Progress: A corn- and soybean meal-based control diet (Con), a diet containing 20% DDGS with inorganic trace mineral sources (20In), and a diet containing 20% DDGS with organic trace mineral sources (20Org) were compared. No animal performance differences were observed. Total daily H2S emission mass was greater in rooms where the 20In diet was offered compared with other rooms. No dietary effect was observed when H2S emissions were adjusted for S consumption. Compared with NH3 emitted from the Con diet, the daily mass of NH3 emitted decreased by 7.6% when pigs were fed 20In and increased by 11.0% in rooms where the 20Org was fed. On a N consumption basis, feeding swine 20In significantly reduced NH3 emissions compared with 20Org and Con, whereas NH3 emissions from pigs fed 20Org were significantly greater than emissions from pigs fed the Con diet. Feeding DDGS with either inorganic or organic trace mineral sources increased the daily emission mass of CH4. Station: Indiana Project: Effect of dietary adipic acid and corn dried distillers grains with solubles on laying hen performance and nitrogen loss from stored excreta with or without sodium bisulfate Progress: We evaluated the effects of dietary adipic acid (0 or 1 percent) or DDGS (0 or 20 percent) for laying hens (2 x 2 factorial arrangement of diets) and subsequent influence of diet and manure amendment on nitrogen loss during storage for 14-days with or without 8.8 kg/100 m2 of sodium bisulfate. Diet supplementation with adipic acid had no influence on manure N loss during storage, whereas manure from hens fed 20 percent DDGS lost 32 percent more N during the first 7 d of storage vs. manure from hens eating no DDGS. Surface amendment of manure with sodium bisulfite resulted in a 41 percent reduction in manure N loss during the first 7 days of storage and a 14.7 percent reduction from 7 to 14 d of storage. Therefore, manure amendment with sodium bisulfite resulted in a 26 percent reduction in N loss during manure storage for 14 d. No synergy was noted between dietary strategies (DDGS or adipic acid) and post-excretion amendment (Na bisulfite) were noted in reducing nitrogen volatilization. Sodium bisulfite amendment to excreta was the most efficatious in reducing nitrogen volatilization during short-term (14 day) manure storage.

    Impact Statements:
    1. S-1032 has developed a credible, scholarly product, which serves as a platform for further development and as a conceptual template for parallel modeling efforts involving other livestock and poultry species related to waste management.
    2. The biofuel demand of a 100 MGPY ethanol plant using thermochemical gasification of solid cattle manure would modestly increase hauling distances and total costs associated with fertilizing irrigated cropland with cattle manure.
    3. Results from the Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Swine Buildings or the Green Pig Barn (GPB) project indicate that current facilities in the upper Midwest can be modified or managed to reduce energy inputs. Results also indicate that there are alternatives to the current finishing facilities in the Midwest that could result in reduced energy and emissions per pound of meat produced while still being economically viable.
    4. North Dakota, NRCS is establishing vegetative filter strips (VFS), but there were no scientific data to support the effectiveness of VFS. Current study is providing field based scientific information to producers, stakeholders, and state regulatory agencies to revisit their VFS design
    5. Developed a proven statewide training program that teaches many-faceted program of environmental protection, safety training, and manure management practices to Illinois livestock producers where in the three-year certification cycle, approximately 1,000 producers who manage over a million animal unit equivalents of livestock capacity were trained.
    6. Maximizing the composting efficiency of swine mortality disposal demonstrated that animal mortalities can be efficiently disposed by a natural process (composting) that requires only a dedicated space to contain and store the animal mortalities for approximately 60-days. About 80% of the finished compost can be recycled back as bulking agent thus further reducing the impact of the animal mortalities on the environment.
    7. Agricultural filter strips treating runoff from a dairy farm lowered the concentrations of carbon and nutrients but, under some conditions, can cause metals to mobilize.
    8. Activated carbon can be chemically modified to enhance the adsorption of ammonia from aqueous systems. The adsorbed ammonia would enhance the value of the activated carbon as a soil amendment.
    Last Modified: 25-Jun-2012

    Date of Annual Report: 07/20/2022

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 05/18/11 to 05/20/11
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2010 to 09/2011

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Secretary S-1032: Jun Zhu Professor Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55108 Zhuxx034@umn.edu 507-837-5625

    Attendees List: Attached

    May 18, 2011

    " Introduction and opening remarks joint with S-1025 convened from 2 PM to 5 PM. o Opening remarks and introductions facilitated by Kelly Zering (North Carolina State University) o Opening presentations featured three speakers. Mary Ann Rozum (USDA, NIFA) started her presentation with brief introductions of the current USDA organizational structure and the goals and objectives of the Obama administration. Climate change is the top priority and bioenergy gains focus across the board. Emphasis is put on renewable energy for the time being. The future of agricultural subsidies is unknown at this point in time. The USDA budget is heavy on food stamps (75%). The food standards are normally being set up by industries, while government only sets up minimum standards. Due to the uncertainty of future federal budget, all USDA grant programs will only guarantee funding for the first two years for the funded projects. If the project period is longer than two years, requests for continuing funding have to be made every year after the first two years and whether there is money available will depend upon the then budget. Mr. Ben Weinheimer, who is the vice president of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, was the second speaker and he talked about the current cattle feeder issues including nutrient management, carbon sequestration, and NAAQS (PM and NOx/ammonia). The herd size is large in Texas  27,000 head per feed yard is typical. The third speaker, Mr. Chad Gregory, was from the United Egg Producers. Egg producers are becoming very large these years. 56 family farms produce 89% eggs in the US. A farm with 3000 hens or less is considered small farm.

    May 19, 2011

    " S-1032 meeting from 8 AM to 12 PM. o S-1032 project will end on 9/30/2012. A final report is required and the rewrite of the project should start. Discussions centered on how to write the final report. Stakeholders concerns on life cycle assessment are important. How to improve tweeter as a vehicle to disseminate information was discussed. Currently, video is increasingly becoming recognized as a formal extension publication. As to the report, Brent Auvermann made specific comments as follows: § Scope related decisions " Refereed journal articles should be included for S-1032 and beyond. " Major grant projects should be included from S-1032, and others, too? " Relevant models will also be included (BESS, NRC, others?). " How far back from 2011 should we include? o One year extension of S-1032 project was agreed upon by the committee. Zering asked if we need to form a team to write the final report and work on metadata. McCaskey mentioned that some project results such as extension impact may not come up until six months later. Auvermann asked if all the results were of values and how to interpret the results. He suggested that each of us went through 5 articles, one of our own, to look at the importance of these papers, not regurgitating them but extrapolating them, starting with articles in 2010-2011. Conversation has been going on to flesh out the conceptual model. Classon added that framework needed to be done before going too far.

    " S-1032 meeting from 1:30 PM to 5 PM. o Continuing discussions on writing the final report went on. Safferman suggested that we needed to develop a logical model for the final report as well as the next project. Without a logical model, it is hard to connect the dots and tie all individual projects into a well-organized overarching project. Auvermann followed with a few ideas about the logical model. A logical model is best suited for 5-year strategic planning so we can use this model as a tool to solidify our 5-year vision for the new project. Others at the meeting all seconded the idea of using a logic model to direct our efforts in writing the final report and the new project. o A writing team was formed including Kelly Zering, Brent Auvermann, John Classon, Steve Safferman, Wendy Powers, and others?? The first draft of the final report needs to be hashed out by Nov. 15, 2011.

    May 20, 2011

    " S-1032 business meeting from 8 AM to 10 AM.

    o The S-1032 business started with the following attendants: Ted Funk (UIUC), Tom McCaskey (Auburn), Steven Safferman (MSU), Larry Newton (UGA), Allan Skokes (NPB), Saqib Mukhtar (Texas A&M), John Classon (NCSU), Brent Auvermann (Texas A&M), Wendy Powers (MSU), Bob DeOtte (West Texas A&M), Shafi Rahman (NDSU), Ron Lacewell (Texas A&M), Kelly Zering (NCSU), and Angela Green (UIUC). o Before the meeting, Larry Newton from UGA made announcement that this would be his last S-1032 meeting due to his retirement. He attended almost all the S-1032 meetings since its inception in 1974. The members at the meeting all commended Larrys contributions to the group over the years and wished him well in his retirement. Larry will be missed. o Dr. Green from Illinois was invited to the group to give a briefing on her indoor air quality research related to animal welfare. She talked about her projects, the current research direction, and the future development in this particular area. She left the meeting after she completed her talks. o The group then elected a new secretary, John Classon. Motion carried and his starting time would be Oct. 1, 2011. o The group then discussed the S-1032 meeting next year § The meeting location was selected, which will be in East Lansing, MI. § The meeting time was tentatively determined to take place between May 14 and 25, 2012. § The format of station report will remain the same as used in this year, i.e., posters and/or computer presentation. § Probably a half-day field trip will be included in conjunction with S-1025 group to tour MSU research facilities and projects. § John Classon, Wendy Powers, Steven Safferman, and past chairs will form the planning committee to work out the logistics for the next years meeting. o The group continued to share thoughts on final report planning and new project writing § The writing team for the final report needs to be aware of its due date, which is September 2013. § Subcommittee volunteers to develop bibliography for model development. § Safferman will develop a logic model for new project planning and circulate it among the new project writing team members, including John Classon, Bob DeOtte, Steven Safferman, Todd Applegate, and Shafi Rahman. The first draft of the new project should be ready for the next meeting in 2012 and the final version needs to be submitted to Ron Lacewell by December 2012. Classon will contact Deanne Meyer on writing the new project. o The group spent some time on discussion of Objective 1 It was realized by the group that the reported projects conducted by the member institutions mostly fell under Objective 2 with only a few projects addressing the needs of Objective 1. An argument made by Mukhtar was that the focus of Objective 1 was to develop models for each animal industry, which was not our strength. Therefore, an appropriate question became whether we should include the research addressed by Objective 1 in our future project proposals. With the current expertise in the group, it would be difficult to achieve the goals and objectives listed in Objective 1. No conclusions as to how to handle this were reached at this point in time. o New business: The poor attendance of S-1032 in recent years has brought up serious concerns among the present meeting attendees. To address the issue, Brent Auvermann proposed to develop a survey for people who did not attend the meeting with questions about the states they represent and the reasons for not attending. Brent will take the charge in developing the survey and sending it out to all the official representatives of S-1032 in different states. The survey outcome will be shared in the next meeting.

    " Meeting adjourned at 10 AM.

    Submitted by Jun Zhu

    Accomplishments:
    Objective 1. Develop preliminary models of each animal industry that describe its cumulative ecological risk, emergy flows or ecological footprint as a dynamic, nonlinear function of the stocks, flows and transformations of matter and energy comprising CAFO systems.

    (CA) Describe manure flow paths for corral and freestall based dairy operations Dairy operators in Tulare and Glenn Counties were surveyed in 2007 to identify predominant methods of manure management. Data collected through survey were combined with data submitted to water regulatory agency on manure management to develop complete diagrams of manure flow through dairy operations. Baseline information was established on dairy manure management in the Central Valley of California. Educational document was developed on anaerobic digesters based on information obtained during survey process.

    (MN) Reducing the Environmental Footprint of Swine Buildings A final report was prepared and sent to the funding organization (National Pork Board) that includes four green pig barn (GPB) design variations. Version A features pens with partially slatted floors and in-floor heating and cooling in the solid floor section, shallow gutters under the slats with mechanical scrapers for manure removal to an outside covered manure storage tank, and an evaporative cooling system. Version B is similar to Version A but integrates a mechanical (geothermal) cooling system (rather than evaporation pads). Version C is similar to Version A, but has fully slatted floors and is cooled only with evaporative cooling pads. Version D is similar to Version B (mechanical cooling) but has fully slatted floors. All GPB design versions use shallow gutters with mechanical scrapers and an in-ground, covered, concrete manure storage tank located adjacent to the barn. All versions of the GPB are expected to save energy in the winter due to better insulation and environmental control. Reduced emissions are also expected due to the lack of long term manure storage inside/under the barn and to the incorporation of barn cooling. Building construction costs per pig space, which includes an outside, covered, in-ground concrete manure storage tank, are expected to be 1.3 to 2 times higher than typical construction of the baseline tunnel ventilation (TV) barn. These costs are offset by a 3-7% increase in average daily gain and 5-10% decrease in feed consumption per pound of pork produced. Other benefits include better pig health and worker environment. Using these assumptions in a standard economic projection, annualized net present value per pig space is between $2.43 and $9.03 with 6.0 to 12.8 years to payback over the baseline tunnel ventilated facility. These economic projections would improve significantly with additional gains in animal performance. Results from the project indicate that current facilities in the upper Midwest can be modified or managed to reduce energy inputs. Results also indicate that there are alternatives to the current finishing facilities in the Midwest that could result in reduced energy and emissions per pound of meat produced while still being economically viable.

    Objective 2. Continue the development and performance evaluation of process-level strategies and tactics to reduce environmental pollution at the process level from confined animal feeding operations.

    (AL) Criteria for efficient composting of poultry mortalities Poultry mortalities can be effectively composted at C:N ratios as low as 7.3:1 provided the compost mixture is turned one time during the composting process. Turning was necessary to achieve a compost temperature of 55 C for 3 consecutive days required to kill enteric pathogens. Recipes with only mortalities and litter did not achieve this criterion during first stage composting but after turning recipes with 5 parts litter plus 1 part added water to 1 part mortalities achieved the time/temp. criterion.

    (CA) Evaluate exposed surface area of silage piles to determine facility exposed surface area and potential compliance with Rule 4570 Surface area on 47 silage piles was measured to determine if facilities (n=20) would be able to comply with proposed silage surface area mitigation measures. Most facilities would be able to comply with proposed mitigation measures based on measured exposed surface area. However, additional facilities would be able to comply if a refined definition to include 'recently' exposed surface area was included in the mitigation measure.

    (GA) Development of Floating Vegetated Mat Treatment Systems for Improving Wastewater Quality A study evaluating use of floating vegetated mats as a treatment system for aquaculture wastewater was continued during 2010. The replicated study started on May 26-27, 2009 with planting of variegated iris, soft rush, and cattail in aquaculture tanks. The treatment systems consists of three tanks in series with the wastewater being rotated from the aquaculture pond to tank 1, tank 1 to tank 2, and tank 2 to tank 3 every 3 weeks. Findings from both 2009 and 2010 showed that the iris was the only species well suited to the aquaculture wastewater. The iris flourished while the soft rush barely survived and the cattail died. Water quality analyses showed reduction in PO4-P concentrations from tank 1 to tank 3 in the treatment systems using iris, indicating that the iris were effectively removing P from the wastewater. Two cuttings of the plants were made in 2010. This project will be completed at the end of the 2011 growing season.

    (GA) Evaluation of the effects of farm ponds on the survival and transport of pathogens in runoff from beef cattle pastures where cattle use some of the ponds as a water source and for cooling. The work is currently in the final stages of summary and analysis.

    (GA) Utilization of settling, anaerobic digestion, and hydroponic treatment of digester effluent to recover nutrients and renovate flushed wastewater. The most productive bermudagrass varieties, under the thin film hydroponic system, tend to survive as thick mats for only 1 - 1.5 years, while less productive cultivars maintain thick stands. As a result, while faster growing plants initially result in superior nutrient removal, somewhat slower growing plants remove more nutrients and produce more forage after 1-2 years. We have had very limited success in establishing annual forages from seed under this system, as seedling survival has been poor.

    (GA) Culture of black soldier fly on waste products to reduce waste nutrients and volume and recover valuable products for use as feed or other uses. The value of the larvae or prepupae should be enhanced if they can be fractionated into protein, lipid, and possibly other fractions. We have most recently been focusing on procedures for accomplishing these separations.

    (IL) Extension Certified Livestock Manager Training Continued training program for Illinois livestock producers, and collaborated with other states in helping them use and develop similar efforts. Proven statewide training program that teaches many-faceted program of environmental protection, safety training, and manure management practices to Illinois livestock producers. In the three-year certification cycle, we train approximately 1,000 producers who manage over a million animal unit equivalents of livestock capacity.

    (IL) Hydrothermal processing of swine manure and other agro-waste materials into crude oil Continued experiments are carried out with a variety of feedstocks to gain further understanding of the hydrothermal process for converting wet biowaste materials. Ability to convert many types of wet biowaste into crude oil via the hydrothermal liquefaction process has been demonstrated. Integrated with an algae water treatment system, the E2-Energy process provides a system platform for producing energy from low-cost or negative cost feedstocks while performing environmentally friendly water treatment and nutrient capture functions.

    (IL) USDA integrated gas-phase biofilter grant proposal We have defined physical characteristics of eleven different media types and mixtures to determine airflow vs. pressure, and proposed a refined predictive equation for biofilter design. We explored the ammonia mitigation efficiency of media as a time and load response. We came up with innovations in understanding gas-phase biofiltration of ammonia-laden ventilation exhaust air and improvements in design processes for low-cost agricultural biofilters.

    (IN) Diet and post-excretion amendments on air emissions from laying hens and turkeys Four studies evaluated dietary and post-excretion amendments ability to reduce air emissions. Strategies entailed reducing sulfur inputs (via methionine content of diet), use of distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), addition of an organic acid in combination with application of sodium bisulfate to the manure, as well as amino acid density and additional supplemental amino acids. The results show that feeding hens less DL-methionine can reduce H2S emissions by 46% but resulted in less cumulative egg mass. Feeding diets with 20% DDGS decreased NH3 emitted by 16%, however, with increased mass of excreta and mass of nitrogen. Substitution of inorganic trace mineral sources with organic sources did not alter air emissions. Surface amendment of manure with sodium bisulfite resulted in a 41 % reduction in manure N loss during the first 7 d of storage and a 14.7 % reduction from 7 to 14 d of storage. Feeding turkeys a 110 % NRC diet increased NH3 emission by 17 % compared to a 100 % NRC diet. A 2 supplemental AA diet increased NH3 emission by 31 % compared diets with 3 supplemental AA.

    (KY) Impact of media moisture on biofilter performance treating ammonia Drying curves were developed to provide a basis for determining a (media specific) critical moisture content which occurred just prior to the transition from a constant drying rate of the material to a falling drying rate phase. This critical point was characterized by minimum N2O production (at or below background levels) and relatively high NH3 removal. Media moisture conditions above the critical point showed slightly higher removal rates for NH3, however, N2O production was also significantly higher. This suggests incomplete denitrification of NH3 may act as a trigger for N2O production.

    (KY) Field study of management strategies and barn design factors that result in good performance of a compost bedded pack (CBP) dairy barn. Producers with Successful CBPs Reported: 1) lameness, mastitis and cull rates were lower after moving into CBP barn, some said they were the same, 2) bulk tank SCC rates were lower after moving into CBP barn, some said they were the same, 3) kiln dried sawdust was preferred but green sawdust can be acceptably managed, 4) consistently said simplicity of CBP barn was best reason to use, 5) CBP consistently stirred 2x per day, 6) windward side wall curtains a must in winter to prevent cooling CBP, 7) flies and odors were reduced around CBP barns.

    (KY) Over the past several years, we have assessed the effects of feeding diets with added phytase on utilization and excretion of phosphorus by pigs. The results have demonstrated that supplementing the diet with phytase increases the bioavailability of feed phosphorus, thus allowing one to reduce the inorganic phosphorus in the diet which reduces the phosphorus in the manure. We have assessed the impact of several antibiotics on phosphorus utilization and excretion by growing-finishing pigs. One antibiotic (virginiamycin) significantly improves the phosphorus digestibility and reduces phosphorus excretion, apparently due to a shift in the microbial population in the gut. Another antibiotic that we evaluated did not have this effect. We have evaluated the bioavailability of zinc from an inorganic and organic source on accumulation of zinc in liver and bone. We have conducted several experiments to more accurately identify the ideal ratio of certain essential amino acids in the diet for growing pigs.

    (LA) Value added products from dairy wastes and poultry litter Most of the 2010 research was focused on separation of dairy manure from liquid stream, drying, pelletization, and gasification of manure pellets. For the gasification research, an in-house built, down-draft biomass gasifier was used. A masters student successfully defended his thesis on feedstock suitability for biomass gasification in December 2010. Tars from biomass gasifiers pose major operational problems for downstream components. For this reason, it is important to remove tars from syngas. To address this problem a master's student was hired to assess the performance of various catalysts. The student conducted the majority of his experiments in 2010. The most significant impact of this research was the commercialization of an in-house developed, inclined gravity, dairy manure and sand separator. This unit separates the larger organic particles in the manure (or approximately 50-60% of excreted wastes) and more than 80-90% of the sand in the waste slurry as two separate piles. A provisional patent application for the dairy manure/sand separator was filed by the LSU AgCenter. The ongoing gasifier and catalyst research is anticipated to open new doors for utilization and valorization of animal wastes.

    (MD) Utilize epigeneti approaches to obtain broilers (poultry) that can more efficiently utilize phosphorus, resulting in lower requirements and lower excretion rates into manure Early diet conditioning was evaluated for improving phosphorus (P) utilization. Broilers were fed either a control (C) or low (L) diet from hatch to 90h then fed a C diet (NRC, 1994 Ca and P) until d 22. From d 22 to 38 birds were either maintained on a C or L diet. Broilers fed the L diet to 90hr had better P utilization when fed a P deficient diet in the grow/finish phases. Broilers fed the L diet for 90h and then after 21 d were heavier (P<0.05) at 38 d of age had better feed efficiency and P retention than those fed the C diet for 90 hr and the L diet after 21 d. Thus, permanent modifications are occurring post-hatch that are long-term and allow for feeding P deficient diets in the grow/finish phases. A short term (90h) deficiency of phosphorus modifies gene expression and allows for the feeding of lower phosphorus diets. Work must be done to quantitate the impact on reducing phosphorus excretion.

    (MI) Diet modification to reduce air emissions Daily emissions of NH3 and H2S from 21 to 26-wk old laying hens decreased when DDGS were included in the diet at 20%. Overall the results suggest that feeding a diet containing 20% DDGS could decrease NH3 emissions (mg/g N intake) by 24% and H2S emissions (mg/g S intake) by 58%. The effect of feeding higher DDGS to laying hens on long-term emissions from stored manure, however, remains to be determined. Daily emissions of NH3 and H2S from 21 to 26-wk old laying hens decreased when DDGS were included in the diet at 20%.

    (MI) The effects of uncovered, intact carcass, large-animal mortality composting on water quality Phosphorus leaving an active mortality compost pile in runoff as produced by a 25-year, 24-hour storm simulation ranged from 4.6 grams to 0.1 grams. Total COD in runoff ranged from 94 to 888 grams. Data indicated that the majority of nutrients in effluent leaving a pile from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event infiltrates the soil surface. Total nitrogen load infiltrating the soil was estimated to range between 362 to 1778 grams under various management stages.

    (MI) Livestock grazing and vegetative filter strip buffer effects on sediment, nitrate, and phosphorus losses with runoff. In this three-year central Iowa study, we measured the amounts of sediment, nitrate, soluble P, and total P in runoff water from pastures managed three different ways. Data were collected from 12 natural rainfall events during 2001 to 2003. We found that forage management did not affect the amounts of sediment and P lost in runoff water. The amount of nitrate lost was greatest from the ungrazed paddocks in 2003. These results and other research findings suggest that the relatively higher amount of rain and subsequent runoff in 2003, as well as forage nutrient cycling processes, may have contributed to the elevated nitrate losses in the ungrazed areas. Results also suggest warm-season grasses, such as switchgrass, could be incorporated into certain paddock areas in a rotational grazing management program to improve grazing efficiency and reduce nutrient losses.

    (MI) The effects of uncovered, intact carcass, large-animal mortality composting on water quality Phosphorus leaving an active mortality compost pile in runoff as produced by a 25-year, 24-hour storm simulation ranged from 4.6 grams to 0.1 grams. Total COD in runoff ranged from 94 to 888 grams. Data indicated that the majority of nutrients in effluent leaving a pile from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event infiltrates the soil surface. Total nitrogen load infiltrating the soil was estimated to range between 362 to 1778 grams under various management stages.

    (MI) Milking center wastewater management Three Michigan Bark Mounds have been constructed and two are currently being monitored for the removal of carbon and nutrients and for metal leaching. Good nutrient removal has been demonstrated but metal leaching is possible. Testing on one vertical constructed wet land is complete. Removals of COD, ammonia, total solids, and nitrate all are above 98%. Capital and operational costs annually normalized are less than those required for hauling and land application. Vertical constructed wetlands have been found to effectively remove carbon and nitrogen from milking parlor wash water during both cold and warm weather.

    (MI) Farm runoff treatment using vegetated filter strips Three agricultural filter strips were assessed for the treatment of dairy farmstead waste. Soil type was a significant factor in predicting removal rates. Sandy soils resulted in lower average concentrations of COD, ammonia, and TKN in the subsurface, compared to sandy loam soils. Sandy loam soils increased manganese leaching, as compared to sandy soils. Nitrate concentrations were above standard drinking water limits in leachate. The difference in performance is attributed to the increase in oxygen diffusion through the sandy soil resulting in more complete carbon removal and the prevention of anaerobic conditions that result in metals serving as electron acceptors and becoming mobile. Agricultural filter strips treating runoff from a dairy farm lowered the concentrations of carbon and nutrients but, under some conditions, can cause metals to mobilize.

    (MI) Biomass energy inventory to support renewable energy development Databases for large farms, landfills, wastewater treatment plant biosolids, schools, universities, and prisons were incorporated into the interactive, GIS based Michigan Biomass Inventory. Net energy modeling for 5 conversion technologies (anaerobic digestion, gasification, ethanol, biodiesel, and direct combustion) is incorporated into the tool. Currently, the databases are being updated, food processing waste is being added, and the databases are being mined to locate the best locations to initiate waste to resource technologies. Further, spreadsheets for all energy conversion technologies will be available to be used independently of the mapping tool. The Michigan Biomass Inventory returns the amount of waste biomass available for the selected site and specified radius and estimates the net energy available for waste to resource conversion technologies. The resource also allows for the estimation of the best locations to site a waste to energy technology.

    (MI) Biogas potential assay in support of renewable energy Over 40 biomass blends, including various animal manures and food processing wastes, have been tested to determine their biogas potential. The percentage of methane and carbon dioxide produced and the amount of COD and volatile solids reduction are monitored. These biogas assays help determine if further consideration for establishing a renewable energy system is warranted for a specific waste blend. Further, the impact of amendments such as trace nutrients, enzymes, and microorganisms on the digestion process has been tested on several blends. A database is currently being developed to conveniently represent synergistic, additive, and antagonistic blends. A database of the anaerobic digester biogas potential from blended wastes, including manure and food processing residuals, has been established.

    (MN) Biohydrogen-based biofuel cells: highly efficient and clean electricity generation using mixed wastewater feedstocks - a rural development project We successfully engineered and expressed the hydrogenase in E Coli. Synechocystis PCC6803 was collected from ATCC and cultured with BG-11 medium. The cell paste was harvested by culturing at 26oC (room temperature) and a lit area of 2,000 to 3,000 Lux. Then the DNA encoding the bi-directional hydrogenase Hox EFUYH was extracted from Synechocystis PCC6803 after harvesting the cell culture. We developed a novel carbon fiber electrode with branched carbon nanotubes (CNT) for enhanced electrochemical performance. Extensive experiments using mixed substrates of swine manure and molasses were conducted under different HRTs and pHs with much higher biogas production rates and H2 contents obtained. The best results were observed for pH 5.0 and 5.5 using the mixing ratio of 1:1. Under this combination, both the biogas and H2 production rates reached the highest (29.1 L/day and 2.25 L/day/L reactor volume). The significance of this project lies in that two waste streams (swine manure and sugar processing wastewater) are brought together in one treatment and used as complementary substrates to produce bioenergy, which has never been reported before. The breakthrough of this project demonstrates that it is feasible and possible to generate clean energy solely from major waste streams from agricultural production without needing expensive chemicals.

    (MN) Co-digesting the wasted milk from dairy operations with cattle slurry to reduce water pollution The project is still ongoing (second year). Bench-scale experiments using 1 L flasks as digesters were completed and a total of seven milk addition levels in terms of percent liquid volume in the digester were tested, i.e., 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, 9%, 14%, and 19%, together with a control (no milk addition). The second part of the project, in which a pilot-scale digester of 1500 gallons was constructed, is still ongoing to investigate biogas production for dairy manure mixed with the wasted milk in terms of digester performance and methane productivity. Given the size of the digester, only one milk level (3%) was chosen for the pilot-scale experiment based on the results from the bench scale tests. It is expected that all the work, including data analysis, will be completed by June 30, 2011, which is the ending date of the project. Some have thought that milk was difficult to digest in stable fashion. Since removal of COD is one of the major objectives for anaerobic treatment, a large loading of COD to an anaerobic digester may potentially overload the system, causing performance deterioration or system upset. The impact of this project lies in that it alleviates such a fear so dairy farmers can adopt anaerobic digesters on their farms without concerning about the milk inclusions.

    (MN) Lactic acid fermentation using dairy manure as the sole carbon and nitrogen source First, manure particle size distribution was determined. The particles ranging from 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm in size accounted for 42%, while particles with size above 1.4 mm and below 0.15 mm only accounted for 19%, with the rest between 1.0-1.4 mm. Second, the change of carbohydrates versus reaction time was determined. In general, the carbohydrate content in the treated rose with the reaction time but showed huge differences in the early state. The optimal conditions for carbohydrate release were either particle size of 1.0-1.4 mm, pH 13, and reaction temperature of 90oC or particle size 0.15mm, pH2.0 and temperature 90 oC. The result also indicated that small particle sizes didnt guarantee the easy release of carbohydrates due possibly to lignin that ties up the carbohydrates. Decreasing the particle size from 1.41.0 to 0.250.15mm enhanced carbohydrate concentration. However, further decreases in particle size resulted in almost no change in carbohydrate concentration, suggesting that the size of particles was not a limiting factor when below 0.15mm. In view of nearly 640 million tons of dairy manure produced annually in the United States, this project has the potential to greatly diversify the use of dairy manure by producing an important industrial biopolymer (poly-lactic acid) that is biodegradable. This will ameliorate the pollution problem in land application and protect water quality.

    (NC) Underfloor belt manure system A project was initiated to install and evaluate an underfloor belt manure collection system on three commercial gilt replacement barns. The goal of the system is to recover manure for use in energy conversion technologies, to recover nitrogen with less ammonia losses and to reduce odor at the property boundary. The housing and belt system is under design with construction and installation expected in the second half of 2011.

    (ND) Demonstration and Evaluation of Vegetative Buffer Strips to Minimize Runoff Pollution from Feedlot Significant runoff data were collected in 2010. Results indicated that the vegetative filter strips (VFS) reduced the concentration of total solids (TS) by 33.73%, total suspended solids (TSS) by 67.97%, total phosphorous (TP) by 29.87%, ortho-phosphorous (OP) by 19.27%, ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) by 31.76%, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) by 35.56%, and potassium (K) by 19.80%. Performance of the VFS indicated that it can be used to reduce runoff pollution that comes directly from a feedlot into the VFS without passing through a settling basin. A longer buffer length may be required to reduce soluble pollutants. In North Dakota, NRCS is establishing vegetative filter strips (VFS), but there were no scientific data to support the effectiveness of VFS. Current study is providing field based scientific information to producers, stakeholders, and state regulatory agencies to revisit their VFS design.

    (OH) Educational program for nutrient management: 1) Manure Science Review, 2) Ohio Compost Operator Course, 3) Composting in Ohio Tour 1) Full-day program provided information on best practices for management of manure. Topics included impacts of nutrient loading in Lake Erie, manure plot study results, nitrification inhibitors, and control structures. Field demonstrations illustrated potential for liquid manure to flow into subsurface drainage via cracks and worm tubes and the use of cover crops to manage nutrients. 2) Two-day course includes science of composting, siting, operations, management, and utilization. 3) Full-day tour to three sites illustrated effective composting to create a value-added product from a variety of feedstocks. 1) Attendance of 134 included farmers, public agency personnel, and state and private consultants who work with farmers. 2) Attendance of 28 (class limit) included commercial composter, educational personnel, regulatory agencies and farmers. 3) Attendance of 50 included commercial composter, educational personnel, regulatory agencies and farmers.

    (OH) (1) Fate of Antibiotic Resistance Genes during Swine Manure Treatment (2) Bioluminesence Imaging to Monitor Campylobacter Survival in Chicken Litter (1) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in swine manure was measured during manure treatment. Lab simulations were run using conditions present during composting (55C with modest aeration) and lagoon storage (25C with surface aeration). Results confirmed that composting was more efficacious than lagoon storage in reducing AMR. (2) Novel approach to characterize growth and persistence of Campylobacter in different poultry-rearing environments and monitored survival in bedding material. Found reused litter can potentially predispose chickens to Campylobacter contamination and clean litter could reduce colonization. The impact includes (1) Confirmed composting is an effective method for reducing AMR in livestock manure and (2) Demonstrated a simple, sensitive and rapid approach for analyzing growth dynamics. Highlighted the role of litter material in maintaining these pathogens in the chicken environment.

    (OH) Performance of Small Wastewater Treatment Systems in Ohio A pilot plant was built at a turkey processing facility to optimize bioreactor systems to treat wastewater. Various media options were evaluated to evaluate cost, ease of construction, transport of media to site. Removal up to 70% BOD was observed but decreased at low temperature during winter. An NPDES permit and Permit to Install was issued by Ohio EPA to construct a full size treatment plant at a Turkey processing facility. The OSU design was used to prepare the application. The system will be constructed in Spring 2011. The system cost is 1/4 the cost of connecting to a nearby community sewer system and 1/2 the cost of the commonly used onsite treatment system. The OSU research on system maintenance resulted in a smaller facility than first required, saving about $250,000 of construction costs. This research effort kept the plant from closing saving 130 jobs in rural Ohio.

    (OH) (1) Membrane Filtration System (MFS) for Nitrogen Recovery (2) Wet Scrubbers for Recovery of NH3 Emissions (1) MFS developed to concentrate wet scrubber effluent from the animal production unit for use as N fertilizer. Studied effects of applied pressure, flow rate, and NH3 concentration in the feed stream on the performance of the MFS. Under optimal conditions, process can retain more than 99% of the N-NH3 with reverse osmosis membranes. (2)Scale up and field testing of wet scrubbers for emissions from 3 sites: swine manure storage, poultry manure composting, deep-pit swine barn. Data collection and analysis is ongoing. (1) The MFS can convert the wet scrubber effluent from animal production facilities to N fertilizer, which will also reduce the NH3 emissions and generate a value-added product. (2) Enhanced understanding of design and testing methods for developing acid NH3 spray scrubbers for high speed, low pressure drop axial fans. The fertilizer generated by the process will enhance farm income or reduce needs for purchasing commercial N fertilizer.

    (OH) (1) Integrated Anaerobic Digestion Systems (iADs); (2) Small-scale anaerobic digestion (AD); (3) Temperature-phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD); (4) Loading rate impacts on AD (1) Use of effluent from a liquid AD as inoculum and N source for biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass. Evaluated system performance for differences in effluent, inoculum to feedstock ratios, and moisture. (2) Studied CH4 and electricity production and wastewater transformations for an AD system that combines biogas from swine and dairy digesters in Costa Rica. Built small-scale reactor for dairy at OSU. (3) Overview of TPAD, which separates the process into temperature phases, enhancing digestion efficiency and process robustness. (4) Assessment of impacts of loading rate on high solids AD. The impacts are (1) Reduced footprint of solid AD system and demonstrated a new alternative use for liquid AD effluent. (2) Showed small scale, affordable digesters effective in warmer climates. (3) Identified additional research needed for commercial use of TPAD. (4) Lab-scale study suggests that performance and stability as well as the archaeal community structure in a HSAD system is unaffected by increasing the OLR by nearly 50% and that this increase results in a similar increase in the amount of methane generated. May enable smaller reactor sizes to be used to treat manure than those currently in use, thereby reducing capital costs.

    (OH) Effects of Methanogenic Inhibiros on Methane Production and Abundance of Methanogens and Celluloytic Bacteria in In Vitro Ruminal Culture Evaluate and compare effects of select antimethanogen compounds on CH4 production, feed digestion and fermentation, and populations of ruminal bacteria and methanogens using in vitro cultures. Seven compounds were tested, with three greatly reducing methane production, volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate. Guide future in vivo studies on mitigating CH4 emissions from ruminants.

    (TX) Demonstration and Evaluation of Vegetative Buffer Strips to Minimize Runoff Pollution from Feedlot Significant runoff data were collected in 2010. Results indicated that the vegetative filter strips (VFS) reduced the concentration of total solids (TS) by 33.73%, total suspended solids (TSS) by 67.97%, total phosphorous (TP) by 29.87%, ortho-phosphorous (OP) by 19.27%, ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) by 31.76%, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) by 35.56%, and potassium (K) by 19.80%. Performance of the VFS indicated that it can be used to reduce runoff pollution that comes directly from a feedlot into the VFS without passing through a settling basin. A longer buffer length may be required to reduce soluble pollutants. In North Dakota, NRCS is establishing vegetative filter strips (VFS), but there were no scientific data to support the effectiveness of VFS. Current study is providing field based scientific information to producers, stakeholders, and state regulatory agencies to revisit their VFS design.

    (TX) Continuous ammonia emission measurements from a commercial beef feedyard in Texas Large AFOs were required to be reporting emissions of NH3 and H2S under EPCRA in 2010. This study is one of the few to publish long-term continuous NH3 concentrations and emissions from beef cattle feedyards in the Texas High Plains. This provides field based data for producers, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies for reporting requirements of emissions under EPCRA. Mean annual NH3 concentrations were 0.57 ppm, with a monthly average low of 0.37 ppm in December 2007 and a monthly average high of 0.77 ppm in August 2007. Flux densities were calculated using a backward Lagrangian stochastic model (WindTrax 2.0.7.8). Mean annual flux density was 70.7 g/m2/sec (2.2 kg/m2/year). Mean monthly flux density ranged from 42.7 to 123.1 g/m2/sec (0.11 to 0.32 kg/m2/month) in November and April 2007, respectively. Both concentration and flux density had a diurnal distribution with minima during the nighttime hours and maxima during the early afternoon. On an annual basis, 48.8% of fed N was volatilized as NH3. The inverse modeled daily ammonia production per head was 85.3 g NH3-N/ (head fed)/day.

    (TX) Ogallala Aquifer Initiative: Overcoming impediments to use of water from feedyard runoff retention structure for dust mitigation activities The project has been hindered by the most serious drought in Texas history, but we plan to begin collecting waste water for a feedlot runoff retention structure the week of July 4 - 8. If successful, we will design a small scale treatment system to make water reclaimed from the runoff retention structure effective for dust control rather than using water from the Ogallala Aquifer which is a non-renewing aquifer.

    Impact Statements:
    1. Four green pig barn (GPB) design variations save energy in the winter due to better insulation and environmental control. Reduced emissions are also expected due to the lack of long term manure storage inside/under the barn and to the incorporation of barn cooling. Building construction costs per pig space, which includes an outside, covered, in-ground concrete manure storage tank, are expected to be 1.3 to 2 times higher than typical construction of the baseline tunnel ventilation (TV) barn. These costs are offset by a 3-7% increase in average daily gain and 5-10% decrease in feed consumption per pound of pork produced. Other benefits include better pig health and worker environment. Using these assumptions in a standard economic projection, annualized net present value per pig space is between $2.43 and $9.03 with 6.0 to 12.8 years to payback over the baseline tunnel ventilated facility.
    2. Studies showed that the iris was the only species well suited to the aquaculture wastewater. The iris flourished while the soft rush barely survived and the cattail died. Water quality analyses showed reduction in PO4-P concentrations from tank 1 to tank 3 in the treatment systems using iris, indicating that the iris were effectively removing P from the wastewater.
    3. faster growing plants initially result in superior nutrient removal, somewhat slower growing plants remove more nutrients and produce more forage after 1-2 years for recovery of nutrients from digester effluent.
    4. Ability to convert many types of wet biowaste into crude oil via the hydrothermal liquefaction process has been demonstrated. Integrated with an algae water treatment system, the E2-Energy process provides a system platform for producing energy from low-cost or negative cost feedstocks while performing environmentally friendly water treatment and nutrient capture functions.
    5. This research resulted in the commercialization of an in-house developed, inclined gravity, dairy manure and sand separator. This unit separates the larger organic particles in the manure (or approximately 50-60% of excreted wastes) and more than 80-90% of the sand in the waste slurry as two separate piles.
    6. The breakthrough of this project demonstrates that it is feasible and possible to generate clean energy solely from major waste streams from agricultural production without needing expensive chemicals.
    Last Modified: 20-Jul-2011
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