NCCC_old9: MWPS: Research and Extension Educational Materials

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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Annual/Termination Reports:

[09/01/2015] [09/28/2016] [09/30/2017] [10/13/2018]

Date of Annual Report: 09/01/2015

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/19/2015 - 05/20/2015
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2014 - 09/01/2015

Participants

Attendees: Janni, Kevin. (MN); Hellevang Ken (ND); Kathy Walker (MWPS); Pepple, Laura (IL); Hayes, M. (IL); Cortus, Erin (SD); Jacobson, Larry (MN); Scherer, Tom (ND); Harmon, Jay (IA); Zulovich, Joe (MO); Stowell, Rick (NE); Erb, Kevin (WI); Ni, J. (IN); Lui, Z. (KS); Murphy, Pat (KS)

Brief Summary of Minutes

NCCC-09, MWPS: Research and Extension Educational Materials
2015 Annual Meeting
May 19-20, 2015

May 19, 2015
Elings Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Attendees: K. Janni (MN), K. Hellevang (ND), K. Walker (MWPS), L. Pepple (IL), M. Hayes (IL), E. Cortus (SD), L. Jacobson (MN), T. Scherer (ND), J. Harmon (IA), J. Zulovich (MO), R. Stowell (NE), K. Erb (WI), J. Ni (IN), Z. Lui (KS), P. Murphy (KS)

NCCC-09 Leadership Team includes: K. Janni – Chair; R. Larson – Vice Chair (unable to attend); A. Schmidt – Secretary (unable to attend) and K. Hellevang – Past Chair

Welcome (Janni)
• Reviewed NCCC-09 Objectives (formal and informal)
• Discussed meeting objectives

Committee Activity and Introductions (Janni)
• Kevin Janni led the group through an activity to identify areas of expertise, current work and plans for applied research and Extension work in the next year.

NCCC-09 White Paper – Status of Extension Engineering in the North Central Region (NCR) (Hellevang)

• Ken Hellevang distributed the latest draft white paper on the status of Extension engineering in the NCR and led a discussion. He is still looking for more examples of unmet needs. Numerous concerns and issues were raised including:
o Could lose 2/3 of irrigation engineers in the next five years in the NCR
o There is very little grain drying and handling expertise in the NCR
o There is very little structural engineering capacity in the NCR
o Extension field specialists (especially remotely located positions) are hard to fill, and in some cases, underpaid
o Huge need for younger workforce in agriculture in general (feedback from DC)
o High turnover at NRCS in coming years based on informal Minnkota survey

• National Needs Fellowships were used in the 1980s to fund graduate training for least 10 engineering positions

• The Whiter paper had been presented to ANR Program Directors in the NCR on April 20, 2015. Some numbers were questioned because they are not official human resource numbers.
• The NCCC-09 Executive Committee will ask members to clarify their state’s numbers. It was suggested that we:
o Identify the number of people on hard funding versus soft funding.
o What were numbers from 20 years ago?
o Identify people in retirement categories ex. < 5 yrs, < 10 yrs, > 10 yrs

• It was noted to that the “Other” category was relatively high in the results presented

• Ken presented information on the North Dakota survey on importance of and need for engineering by topic

• Several ideas for developing and find future Extension engineers were discussed
o Extension engineering internships
o UNL Extension has created a pool of graduate student assistantships for Extension
o Can Master-Apprentice concepts or Post Doc concept be adapted?

Administrative Advisor Update from John Lawrence
• NIMMS reporting system undergoing makeover – may be ready in September
• Kudos to the NCCC-09 for submission and formatting of reports
• Coordination and organization seems to be going well; new members
• Break out groups could participate with remote technology (and bring in additional expertise)
• Past experience suggests some face-to-face still necessary
• Struggle to produce publications – might take a proposal to the directors to initiate any movement
• NIFA – tends toward movement of money from formula funds to competitive grants

Four Topic Group created in 2014 were given a chance to give reports
• Water Group is considering proposal to NCWRN for a MWPS publication
• Grain Group is making progress to revise MWPS-13. Reviewing draft this summer
• Manure Group has been holding monthly calls, which have been critical to their efforts. They expect a draft of MWPS-18 S4 this fall.
• Facilities group has struggled. Individual efforts have let to progress on a carbon footprint project between NE and SD and some heat stress initiatives

Attendee Priorities and Goals were shared to help people identify others with common interests and efforts.

The Topic Groups met for roughly 90 minutes

May 20, 2015
NCCC-09 Business meeting was called to order by K. Janni, NCCC-09 Chair
• Minutes from 2014 were reviewed and approved.
• Erin Cortus was nominated and elected as Secretary
• The annual report was discussed. A Word document using existing format will be sent by Schmidt this summer. NCCC-09 members will be asked to update the information and report on Extension and Applied Research Activities between Oct 1 2014 to September 30, 2015). Multistate collaborations are strongly encouraged. For each provide:
o Accomplishments include a brief couple of sentences describing the activity
o Outcomes, if reported, were added to the accomplishments paragraph.
o Impacts of activities

• Suggestions for annual meeting next year. Similar timing is expected and Iowa is probably the location. A tour of Syngenta by Bill Koenig is a potential idea from last year.
• Recruitment of new NCCC-09 members was discussed. The website membership was reviewed. Extension engineers not on list will be contacted and invited to join NCCC-09;

• Suggestions for the next Quarterly call as solicited. Topic suggestions included: Pit foaming and avian influenza. Dr. Lingying Zhao is scheduled for the fall call to talk about her USDA project.

• Members were reminded to invite others to listen in on topic presentations

USDA NIFA Update – Brad Rein
• Brad Rein connected to the meeting via Zoom. He provided an update on USDA budget update noting that they had the highest increase of any science industry in federal government. They are starting to fill vacant positions and will be looking for an Agricultural engineer. They will be looking for someone in a Bioenergy/bioproducts position. He reported a Concern about lack of irrigation engineers voiced by Department Chairs. Department chairs need to develop a proposal. They might participate in the Water for Agriculture grant opportunity.
• Funding opportunities
o Foundational programs
o CARE program- good for programs close to producers. Due early June. Must be critical to producer committee

Kathy Walker provided an update on MWPS. Topics included
• Structures and Environment Handbook MWPS-1 – some sections are outdated. Suggest including a disclaimer with book similar to disclaimers included with other books already. Can be reprinted in sections to meet course needs
• Kathy is developing a MWPS Identity – Banner and responsive design for website, facebook page, pinterest
• MWPS-13 in production. Goal is printed books by end of 2015
• Downloads have increased international sales. Shipping costs have sometimes been restrictive.
• NRAES-1; NRAES 200, 201 and 85 have been discontinued
• Corrals for handling beef cattle (CAN-723) Quit purchasing due to shipping costs
• MWPS budget is still tight and program still has deficit to repay.
• Assistance requested to spread the word. Flyers available.
• Universities have several copies on hand, and inventory could be checked before any reprints

Ken Hellevang reviewed some White Paper Summary comments and suggestions for next version including information on:
• Engineer versus non-engineers
• Soft versus hard funded positions
• Years to retirement
• Void in engineering pool available to fill positions
• Specific skills for an extension engineer
• Options to increase pool of viable candidates
• Candidates need to be willing to learn application
• Ideas improve status of Extension engineering
• Inform undergrads of career opportunities (i.e. in 101 class, senior design projects that include an extension component)
• Develop a national staffing plan (topic and regional coverage)
• Facilitating multistate positions or programs; or coordinating teams among states; critical mass in a region
• Summer internship positions

The Manure and Facilities Topic Groups met for roughly 90 minutes. Upon return the provide brief reports on goals and activities for the next year.
• Manure Group
o They will continue composing MWPS 18-4, Manure Treatment and Utilization
o They want drafts of sections by end of summer and plan to go through a review process in Fall of 2015. Questions about editor and graphic charges were discussed
o Continue with monthly calls
o They have no current plans to update MWPS 18-1,2,3
• Facilities Group
o Rick Stowell will work on materials on confined cow-calf facilities with Pat Murphy
o Rick Stowell will continue work on an environmental footprint calculator for swine facilities with Erin Cortus.
o Rick Stowell and Curt Gooch are planning a meeting on dairy heat stress in June to coordinate plans
o Joe Zulovich will provide leadership on updating swine ventilation rates.
o Kevin Janni will coordinate communications related to avian influenza

Jay Harmon led a tour of Sukup and Elings Halls.

Thanks to Erin Cortus for taking meeting notes.

NCCC-09, MWPS: Research and Extension Educational Materials

North Central Region Extension Educator Interests and Activities

This is a summary of the responses from NCCC-09 members attending the 2015 Annual Meeting in Elings Hall on the ISU campus. Attendees were asked to answer the following questions.
1. List 2 to 5 engineering areas of expertise you have:
2. List 2 to 5 current key Extension or research activities or programs you have worked on in the past year:
3. List 1 to 3 Extension or applied research needs you would like to or will work on in the next year:
4. List emerging engineering needs or issues that might become very important in the next few (ex. 3 to 5) years:
5. List critical MWPS publication needs (Revisions or new publications needed):

Daniel Anderson (IA)
1. Nutrient management, Manure treatment
2. Manure application certification, AMPAT, Odor control
3. Biosecurity, Swine manure odor control, Anaerobic digester operation, Manure injection into cover crops, Manure nutrients vs. crop needs
4. Odor control, Accurate manure application at low rates, Sludge removal from deep pits, Anaerobic digestion technology / operation, Non-farm companies working with farmers.

Kennth Hellevang (ND)
1. Grain drying & storage, Structures – energy, environment, mold, flooding, Energy – renewable & bioindustry
2. Grain drying & storage, BioIndustry Summit, Solar workshop & consultations, Flood education
3. MWPS Grain handbook –MWPS-13, Moisture measurement, Safety & entrapment, Energy Efficiency in grain drying
4. Grain quality, Identity preservation, Lack of structures expertise in NCR

Jiqin Ni (IN)
1. Air quality, Anaerobic digestion, Manure management
2. Anaerobic digestion workshops in IN, Biogas recovery from lagoon water, Runoff and leaching impact after digestate applications, Characteristics of digerster influents and effluents
3. Post treatment of digester effluent, Manure calculation method & tool, Manure survey, North American Manure Expo, Effects of manure and manure treatment on soil-water-air.
4. P removal from digestate or P recovery, Anaerobic digestion for small farms

Ziefei Liu (KS)
1. Air quality, Manure management
2. Using UV/TiO2 (Ultra violet and Titanium Oxide) technology to mitigate livestock emissions, Effectiveness of vegetative environmental buffers to reduce air emissions from livestock farms, Meta-analysis of air emissions from swine and cattle operations
3. Indoor air quality, Characterizing and modeling of smoke emissions from pasture burning in Flinthills, KS, Anaerobic digestion of animal manure, Biofilter.
4. Guidelines for establishing vegetative environmental buffer for livestock facilities, Anaerobic digestion and co-digestion.

Morgan Hayes (IL)
1. Livestock environment
2. Heat stress / thermal comfort, Ventilation, Alternative beef housing
3. Ventilation, Manure & cover crops, Water intake & use, Heat stress & thermal comfort
4. Resource concerns regarding water, energy and others, Biosecurity, Alternative housing

Laure Pepple (IL)
1. Manure management, Livestock ventilation
2. Manure management training (Certified Livestock Managers Training, Custom Applicator Training, Technical Service Provider Training, Online Training Development), Pit foaming research, Deep bed back design, WHC of manure bedding mix
3. Deep bed pack characterization research, Mortality composting outreach, Website and outreach platforms, Water use, Pit foaming
4. Heat stress for animals, Ventilation design recommendations, Implementing best management practices for cover crops, nutrient stabilizers, odor, land application, Variable rate technology for manure application, Water use & need recommendataions for animals.

Erin Cortus (SD)
1. Nutrient management, Process-based modeling, Air emissions
2. Air quality monitoring & modeling of beef cattle facilities, Odor modeling for livestock siting, Information transfer among manure nutrient management professionals, Energy use and heat stress in dairies.
3. Odor management plans, Air quality monitoring of beef cattle facilities, Carbon footprinting, Information transfer among manure nutrient management professionals
4. Alternative livestock housing. Disease transmission prevention, Manure treatment.

Tom Scherer (ND)
1. Subsurface drainage design, Irrigation water management, Onsite wastewater systems, Household water supply
2. Subsurface drainage design workshops, Irrigation workshops, Design of drainage lift stations for farm fields
3. Design of drainage lift stations, Water quality of drainage water, Uniformity of water application under pivots
4. Treatment of subsurface drainage water, Sub-irrigation systems

Larry Jacobson (MN)
1. Structures, Farmstead design, New animal housing designs.
2. Ventilation design and management, Energy use & conservation in animal agriculture, Animal cooling technologies. , Odor control management, Manure storage & collection,
3. Manure management, Odor measurement & control , Manure pit foaming.
4. Bioaerosol measurement, control and reductions, Biosecurity building designs.

Joe Zulovich (MO)
1. Livestock ventilation design & trouble shooting, Manure system design, Site selection, Water systems, Structural design, Grain storage systems
2. Ventilation & moisture control, Manure applications systems, Mortality management, Structural systems, Temporary grain storage, Water supply development.
3. Livestock building energy use (ventilation), Post frame design tool
4. Water supply development, Water recycle & reuse, Livestock building design with respect to animal welfare, Antibiotic free livestock & poultry production

Jay Harmon (IA)
1. Ventilation of animal facilities, Structural design, Facility layout & design
2. AMPAT – Air Management Practices Assessment Tool, Ventilation workshops, Piglet transport, Energy conservation, H2S hazard measurement
3. Air scrubber, Impact of environmental stressors on pigs, H2S.
4. Safety of workers (H2S, CH4, CO), Animal welfare, Filtering barns & biosecurity

Kevin Erb (WI)
1. Impact of ag equipment on rural roads, Connections with manure hauling industry
2. Conservation professional training program, North America Manure Expo, Custom applicator equipment including boats and semis.
3. Protocol for safe manure agitation with boats without damaging liner, Variable tire pressure impact on soils and roads
4. Re-imaging manure, Manure as solid, Biosecurity for mass mortalities without burning or incineration, Manure piping, Catching up with manure application industry

Rick Stowell (NE)
1. Animal environment well-being, Manure handling, Ventilation, Farmstead planning, Air quality
2. Climate impact on animal agriculture, Biofilters, Digesters, Odor & siting
3. Heat stress in cattle & shade structures, Dairy facilities, Confined cow-calf, Environmental footprints for livestock production
4. Energy utilization, Animal production with synthetic inputs

Kevin Janni (MN)
1. Air quality, Ventilation, Odor, Biofilters, Milkhouse wastewater, Tube systems
2. Dairy calf barn ventilation, Dairy cooling, Heat stress
3. Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Calf ventilation, Dairy cooling, Biosecurity
4. Large poultry operation planning to enhance biosecurity,

Critical MWPS Publication needs:
• Livestock handbooks are dated
• Manure treatment & management
• Mechanical ventilation
• Grain

Accomplishments

Significant Efforts and Outcomes Members of NCCC-09 continue to participate in numerous collaborative efforts within the region. Current projects by NCCC-09 active work teams cover the topic areas of manure management, grain drying and energy efficiency, soil and water, and animal agriculture and facilities. Teams of NCCC-09 participants contributing to each of the projects in these topic areas met regularly over the past year and continue to meet monthly by conference call to work on developing extension materials that are applicable throughout the region, increasing collaboration and productivity, strengthening unified messages, and reducing the resource demand on extension personnel. Specific collaborations within the NCCC-09 group include the endeavors described in the following pages. NCCC-09 Quarterly Conference Calls NCCC-09 successfully continued to hold quarterly teleconferences. During each teleconference, speakers were invited to present research and extension programs that were recently completed, produced significant outcomes, or were timely to recent events. Each presentation provided an opportunity for discussion among participants and was recorded and archived for later viewing. Quarterly conference calls were also used to provide updates on development and revisions of Midwest Plan Service materials and ideas for additional collaborative activities. Outcomes: The following presentations were made during the year. Topics were selected based on interest and requests of committee members. • Energy Use and Conservation in Swine Facilities – Larry Jacobson, University of Minnesota • Social Media and Extension: A Perfect Fit! – Cheryl Griffith, University of Nebraska – Lincoln • Social Media and Extension: Tools & Tips – Jeff Reisdorfer, University of Minnesota • Engineering Experiences and Challenges from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – Hongwei Xin, Iowa State University; Kevin Janni, University of Minnesota; Joe Zulovich, University of Missouri; Shafi Rahman, North Dakota State University Engineering Expertise in the North Central Region Clientele in the region have expressed concern about their ability to access extension engineers for educational and technical assistance on production agriculture topics. This has led to extension engineering faculty concerns about staffing levels in the North Central Region, which affects our ability to conduct applied research and deliver relevant information to clientele. In an effort to determine where additional engineering-related expertise may be needed in the region to satisfy clientele needs, members of the committee undertook a project to identify current engineering expertise throughout the North Central Region. A survey was distributed to NCCC-09 members to identify individuals in each participating state who currently provide engineering expertise and to identify full time equivalents (FTEs) provided for each subject area. A white paper summarizing the results of the survey was developed and presented to North Central Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leaders during their April meeting. Outcomes: Survey results identified a number of concerns and issues for the NCR. Specific issues include the potential to lose two-thirds of the current irrigation engineering expertise in the next five years; inadequate expertise/capacity for addressing grain drying/handling and structural engineering; lack of competitive salary and suitable candidates for extension field specialist positions; significant need for development of agricultural work force; and high turnover rate expected at NRCS in coming years. Grain Drying and Storage Farmers and extension staff in other states sought technical assistance from the NDSU Extension Service. A number of NC-213 member from various land-grant universities are working together to update MWPS-13 Handbook entitled “Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook”, second edition, 1987. The lead is Sam McNeill from the University of Kentucky. Others engaged are Kennett Hellevang (NDSU), Dirk Maier (ISU), Carol Jones (OSU), Klein Ileleji (Purdue) and Kingsly Ambrose (Purdue). A grant from NC-213 was awarded to aid in this effort. Outcomes: A grain drying and storage educational program was conducted that included seminars or webinars; news releases and articles that were used across the region by extension staff, grain equipment manufacturers and dealers across the country, grower/farmer organizations (commodity groups); and telephone and e-mail consultations. A webinar was conducted for Nebraska Extension staff and technical assistance was provided to staff and farmers in Nebraska. Presentations on “Energy Efficiency Features of Grain Dryers and Drying Methods” and “Conducting a Grain Dryer Energy Audit or Evaluation” were developed and placed on the Internet for use by staff across the country. (Available at: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/graindrying/publications-grain-drying-and-storage) Extensive media work and distribution of articles aided the educational effort. Farm Journal, USDA Radio, Manitoba Agriculture, Successful Farming, and Grain Journal. Alternative Grain Storage Options was published in the National Corn & Soybean Digest. Articles are distributed to neighboring state Extension staff, grain commodity groups, grain equipment manufacturers and distributors, North Central Region Extension Engineering staff, national grain industry staff and grain industry media. Presentations in other states done in cooperation with their extension service included: • Handling High Moisture Corn – Nebraska Extension • Grain Storage Management – MonDak Ag Days, Sidney, MT • Post Harvest Considerations for Malt Barley – 2015 Empire State Producers Expo, Syracuse, NY • Drying Small Grains and Storage Management – West Winfield, NY • Drying and Storing Wheat and Malting Barley – Soybean/Small Grain Congress, Batavia, NY • Drying and Storing Small Grains – Small Grains Congress, Waterloo, NY • Post-harvest considerations for Small Grains – Regional Hudson Valley Value-Added Grain Systems School, Leeds, NY • Successfully Drying and Storing Sunflowers and Grain Drying, Storage and Handling – Crop Connect Conference, Winnipeg, MAN • New Aspects of Grain Drying and Storage – Western Precision Agriculture Conference, Sioux Falls, SD Minnkota Builders Conference Minnesota and South Dakota organized the 2015 meeting of the Minnkota Builders and Equipment Association in Sioux Falls, SD. Outcomes: The meeting provided consultants, builders, and equipment suppliers with current information about pathogen reduction, fire safety issues, change in swine finishing weights, calf housing ventilation, manure pit foaming research and outreach efforts, and dairy barn energy use, and a preview of beef confinement housing system research. Finally, a discussion on “Where will the next generation of building and livestock equipment professionals come from?” was conducted. Survey results were shared with the NCCC-09 for incorporation in the Engineering Expertise document. Ventilation of Swine Production Housing Extension engineers and animal scientists in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska continue to deliver workshops for barn managers and pig caretakers to address the need for improved understanding and management of mechanical ventilation systems in swine buildings. This year engineers from Missouri helped present a workshop in Missouri. A mobile ventilation laboratory was used to demonstrate mechanical ventilation principles, fan interactions, inlet behaviors and controller performance. Funds for the mobile lab were provided by the pork producer organizations in the four states. With recently published heat and moisture production rates for all phases of swine production, there is an opportunity to develop updated ventilation rate recommendations. For this project, state universities in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri have created a collaborative team to address the need for updated recommendations. Outcomes: Iowa conducted 13 workshops for 213 producers who stated that they finish a total of 24 million pigs annually. Biofilter Research Specialists from SD and MO are collaborating with a SD producer to incorporate and study biofilters for pit exhaust fans, considering two types of small-scale biofilter, variable material depths and biofilter media. More information regarding the biofilter media mixture, surface area, media depth, and pressure drop is being collected in the laboratory and at the farm. Outcomes: None to report yet Climate Change A national project team including Nebraska, Washington, Texas, Georgia, New York, and Minnesota is collaborating on a NIFA AFRI-funded Extension project addressing Animal Agriculture in a Changing Climate (AACC). The AACC project is building extension capacity in this topic area through provision of educational resources via the eXtension Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC) and professional development offered via regional programs. Minnesota and Texas lead efforts in the Midwest and Southwest, respectively, and have involved several NCCC-09 members from Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri and Kansas in the Midwest or Southwest working groups. Outcomes: Over 220 individuals have enrolled in the online course developed by this project. The AACC team organized five climate-focused sessions at the Second Waste-to-Worth Conference, April 2015, in Seattle, WA, which was attended by approximately 250 people. Other significant project events include delivering three climate sessions at the 2014 and 2015 annual meetings of the National Association of County Agricultural Ag Agents (Mobile, AL, July 2014, 120 participants and Sioux Falls, SD, July 2015, 130 participants); a daylong Cattle & Climate Workshop (Stillwater, OK, Nov. 2014, 90 participants); the Midwest Farm Energy Conference (Morris, MN, June 2015, 50 participants); and the Dairy Environmental Systems & Climate Adaptation Conference (Ithaca, NY, July 2015, 120 participants). A fact sheet titled “The Role of Extension in Communicating Contentious Issues” was developed in follow-up to extension agent comments received at the Fall 2014 Cattle & Climate Workshop in Stillwater, OK. The fact sheet “Advanced Application Techniques – Making the Most of Your Manure Responsibly” received a Blue Ribbon award in the medium publications category at the 2015 ASABE conference in New Orleans, LA. Sustainable Dairy A national project team including Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania among other states is collaborating on a funded (CAP) project addressing dairy sustainability. This project team is also coordinating with others from the climate change team described above. The objective of the extension component of this project is to increase available educational materials and provide useful producer tools to increase sustainable practices within the dairy industry. Outcomes: The extension has held two conferences to date and will hold four additional regional conferences and field days in each state over the next 2.5 years. Tools and educational materials are being developed to promote sustainability including integrating nutrient management and emissions information for field scale practices, developing a virtual farm for the Great Lakes Region to compare sustainable management strategies and provide information necessary for adoption, economic tools, and other useful extension information. Materials will be provided in a number of outlet mechanisms including eXtension webpages under the LPELC area of practice and www.sustainabledairy.org. Pig Production Environmental Footprint Faculty from Nebraska, South Dakota, and Arkansas are collaborating on a pilot project to utilize the National Pork Board (NPB)-funded Pig Production Environmental Footprint Calculator on swine operations in western Corn Belt states as an extension effort of a larger integrated NIFA-AFRI project. The objectives are to identify glitches in the tool and identify potential revisions to make the tool more user-friendly, get baseline information on resource utilization on Midwest swine farms, assess opportunities to improve resource efficiency and swine farm profitability, and gather producer feedback on the tool. Outcomes: Five swine farms in Nebraska and six in South Dakota were identified as cooperators for this project. Students working on the project have completed and continue to conduct interviews with the cooperating producers via telephone, e-mail and face-to-face meetings to gather relevant farm data necessary to run the calculator. After running the calculator for an operation, team members report and discuss calculator outputs, work with cooperators to identify potential practice changes to reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and energy usage, and gather feedback from cooperators on the functionality and relevance of the calculator to their operation. Upon completion of all farm analyses, data will be aggregated to define regional carbon, water, and energy footprints for swine production systems. Educational outputs thus far include one-page information sheets titled, “What is a Carbon Footprint?”, “What is a Water Footprint?”, and “What is an Energy Footprint?”. Additional planned outputs include educational programs that will improve producer knowledge of these resource concerns; enable producers and the industry to recognize activities and practices that are the greatest contributors to a farm’s overall carbon emissions, water usage, and energy usage; and encourage producers to implement strategies to reduce carbon emissions and conserve resources. National Air Quality Site-Assessment Tool (NAQSAT) NAQSAT is a free and confidential online tool that animal feeding operators and managers can use to assess the impact of common animal feeding operation practices and alternatives on emissions from their operation. Faculty from Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota contributed to the revision of NAQSAT in 2014. Outcomes: NAQSAT was approved as a ‘standard tool’ by USDA NRCS in 2015. This is anticipated to enhance utilization of the tool by NRCS staff as they work with producers on environmental assessment plans. A training session was delivered at the 2015 Waste-to-Worth Conference. As a complimentary activity, Iowa State University revised the Air Management Practices Assessment Tool (AMPAT), which directs producers to possible practices to address the issues that NAQSAT raises as needing attention. Flood Preparation and Recovery North Dakota and Missouri finished a NIFA Special Needs grant that provided funding for a National Extension Disaster Education Network project that compiled technical resources for both EDEN and eXtension related to preparation and recovery from flooding. Having peer reviewed science and research based resources compiled in subject matter groups will save Extension educators a great deal of time as they prepare for providing education following a flood. The project also clarified roles for extension staff during the phases of a flood and recovery. Outcomes: An extensive list was compiled of almost 500 resources cataloged by categories with resource descriptions. This was developed by surveying state Extension, FEMA and other flooding resources websites. The resources have been provided to the EDEN webmaster and distributed to the EDEN Flooding NEIL. The Extension Disaster Education Network Flooding Leadership Team met for a face-to-face meeting and developed a document that identifies the role of extension during the phases of a flood and recovery, including the roles for various extension staff such as administrators or county educators. This has been shared on the EDEN website and with the EDEN Flooding NEIL. The following articles were compiled, authored, and posted to eXtension. • 3 Things You Should Know About Flooding • 3 Tips for Buying Flood Insurance • 4 Places to Find Flood Forecast Maps • 5 Priorities When Returning to a Flooded Home • 7 Ways to Use Social Media Before, During, and After Floods • Disaster Related Smartphone Apps • Understanding Phases of a Flood • FAQs About Flooded Gardens • How To Prepare For Disaster Short videos were created on preparing to evacuate your home when flooding is imminent. Topics are: Preparing your liquid propane tank; Turn off electrical power; Turn off natural gas; Preparing a fuel oil tank indoors. The videos are housed on the North Dakota State University Flooding website and the eXtension website. Drainage Research Forum University of Minnesota and Iowa State University Extension have collaborated for 15 years in conducting an annual Drainage Research Forum. South Dakota State Extension joined the collaboration in 2011. The host institution rotates annually. Outcomes: The annual event is typically attended by 100 state agency and university affiliates, conservation staff, and agricultural professionals. The event is a forum where current work is presented and ideas for new projects are cultivated. Extension Drainage Design and Water Management Workshops An annual series of four two-day workshops were conducted by the University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University Extension, and South Dakota State University Extension on designing and installing field tile. A collaborative effort was undertaken between the NRCS and Extension specialists to conduct Drainage Water Management Level II training for NRCS personnel in the 12 Midwest states. Outcomes: A total of 180 farmers, industry people and government agency personnel were trained in the basics of tile drainage design. Led by South Dakota Extension, a multi-state training grant by Extension specialists in eight states and the NRCS funded the Drainage Water Management Level II training program. The project resulted in the development of eight online training modules, each about one hour in length, to present the various aspects of DWM was Phase I. These modules are online at: http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/dwm-module-2-1. Phase II consisted of onsite training sessions held in locations where the NRCS employees could drive to in a few hours. Energy Education and Outreach Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Minnesota have contributed to various renewable energy and farm energy conservation extension programs underway in the Midwest. Members from WI, IA and MN participate as ex-offico members on the board of directors of the Midwest Rural Energy Council (MREC), which holds an annual educational conference. South Dakota and Minnesota collaborated to deliver a series of four workshops on farms in both states on the topic of heat stress and energy use on dairies. Change in knowledge as a result of the workshop was assessed through a post-workshop survey that 46% of the 101 workshop contacts (including producers, equipment suppliers and industry consultants) completed. A planning guide factsheet was also developed. Outcomes: On a scale of 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent), the average level of understanding for the topics of temperature-humidity index, behavioral signs of heat stress, production impacts of heat stress, principles of air distribution, fan performance and evaporative cooling methods increased from approximately 2.4 to 3.4 as a result of the South Dakota-Minnesota workshops. Through open-ended survey questions and discussion with participants, knowledge gaps and outreach needs were identified in the areas of ventilation staging for mechanically-ventilated facilities and effectiveness of isolated cooling methods (i.e. in specific locations such as the holding barn). Iowa continues to develop material on energy usage benchmarks for crop drying, fieldwork and swine production. Contributing NCCC-09 members have produced fact sheets, webinars, You Tube videos, and other web content related to grain drying and storage for corn, barley, and sunflowers; swine housing and manure digestion. One of the upcoming quarterly NCCC-09 conference calls (Sept 2014) will focus on energy Extension programming. Agricultural Safety and Health Indiana (Purdue University)’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program addresses three core areas – agricultural workplace safety and health, rural emergency preparedness, and rehabilitation services for farmers with disabilities. Each core area is involved in multi-disciplinary activities and multi-state collaborations. Training on grain storage and handling safety has been conducted in eight states and over 65 instructors from 11 states have been trained. Purdue is host to the National AgrAbility Project currently serving 20 funded states and several unfunded affiliated projects. The projects hosts a national website (www.agrability.org), a toll-free access line, 1-800-825-4264, and conducts regional and national workshops. Outcomes: The 2015 National AgrAbility Training Workshop was conducted in Rochester, NY with approximately 230 participants from over 25 states. Regional workshops that address the needs of migrant and seasonal farm workers and Veterans with disabilities have been held in Pittsburg, PA, Rochester, NY, Lafayette, IN, Ft. Collins, CO, Yuma, AZ, and Knoxville, TN. Nearly 200 rehabilitation professionals and rural educators attended these in-service training events. Manure Pit Foaming Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska continue collaborating on research to combat excessive foaming in swine deep manure pits. These states have seen an increase in foaming on manure pits, with foam sometimes causing flash fires in buildings. Studies are being conducted to determine foaming causes, develop safe management strategies to control pit foaming, and identify long-term solutions to this dangerous issue. Outcomes: A team of university and industry personnel representing a broad spectrum of experience and capabilities are addressing the problem. Extension articles and safety information are being conveyed across the region to help address short-term concerns. Beef Finisher Housing and Manure Management Specifications Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota are continuing collaborative work to develop planning specifications for bedded-pack beef barns. Bedded-pack barns (solid manure) are presently sized based upon manure production and storage figures for liquid manure systems. As a result, many regulation-driven designs are oversized and inefficient. For this project, state universities and agencies will work together to collect field data and experiences to improve the beef unit planning procedures. South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska are initiating a project to evaluate land application of bedded and non-bedded solid beef cattle manure for corn production in the three states. South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska are collaborating on a related project to evaluate environmental parameters in deep pit cattle finishing barns. Measurements will be collected from producer barns from 2015 to 2018. Outcomes: Federal funding allows for continued research into the environmental conditions in and around confined beef cattle facilities, facilities which are continuing to grow in number in the Northern Great Plains. State universities and agencies will work together to collect field data and experiences to improve the beef unit planning procedures. MWPS publication, MWPS-16: The House Handbook, has been newly implemented into undergraduate coursework at the University of Illinois for TSM 371 Residential Housing. North American Manure EXPO [AR, MO, IN, OH, OK, PA, & WI] Pennsylvania State University chaired the 2015 North American Manure Expo, July 14-15, 2015. The theme of the Expo held in Chambersburg, PA was “Professionalism in Nutrient Management”. Missouri and Indiana continue to stay active with the North American Manure Expo. Both states are serving the Expo Committee and participated in the 2015 Expo at Pennsylvania, which had attendees of 1200-1400 people. The next Manure Expo (2016) will be held at Ohio, which will be co-chaired by Ohio and Indiana. Outcomes: The Expo continues to bring the practical management, equipment, and new research findings regarding manure nutrient management together and present to various audiences. The technical field tours, demonstrations, and classroom sessions provide opportunities for Extension educatinr to present the materials to a large audience. The 2015 two-day event brought together over 90 vendors with Extension and research personnel from various states, including several represented by NCCC-09, and Canada to offer short classes and demonstrations relating to nutrient management and environmental protection. The Puck PCE Pump School was offered on the day prior to the Expo. The first day of the Expo featured tours of Mercer Vu Dairy, Slate Ridge Dairy, Burk-Lea Dairy, Wilson College, and Kiskaddon Beef Farm, followed by a New Product Showcase, Digested Organics Seminar, and Bazooka Farmstar Seminar that evening. Day two of the Expo featured seminars on topics including Commercial Manure Haulers, Manure and Corn, Poultry Focus, Equine Focus, Management Basics, Dairy Focus, Agricultural Road Safety, Responsible Ag, Gas Safety, PA One Stop Mapping, and Regulation Changes. Demonstrations on day two included solid manure spreaders, liquid manure spreaders, compost turners, manure calibrations, and a live action spill response. Horse Manure Composting A project in South Dakota provided an opportunity for undergraduate engineering students to research and design a prototype of a composting implement for use by an individual managing two horses or small herd sizes of other livestock. Outcomes: A prototype was developed and tested. Students are addressing issues identified during testing. Students learned how to use published ASABE standards in the design process, and how to incorporate operator and environmental safety into their design considerations. They also increased team collaboration and project management skills. Livestock Mortality Composting Illinois and Michigan are collaborating to plan and deliver a large animal non-emergency carcass composting workshop with assistance from Michigan State and Illinois State University. The workshop will include both presentations and hands-on demonstrations with an on-farm active mortality composting site. Nebraska Extension has been collaborating with Nebraska NRCS to demonstrate large animal mortality composting and will expand the project to include a second demonstration site in Fall 2015. Outcomes: Attendees of the Non-emergency Mortality Composting Workshop will become more familiar with how to manage a bin style mortality composter. Based on responses to the currently planned workshop effort may be made to expand workshop and offer in other areas. Attendees of the Large Animal Mortality Composting field days in Nebraska learned how to construct and manage large animal mortality composters through formal presentations, panel discussion, and demonstration of a compost pile being turned and a carcass being added to the pile. Technical Service Provider (TSP) Training Illinois is coordinating the second year of TSP training for developing comprehensive nutrient management plans (CNMP) for livestock producers. TSPs work with livestock producers and typically write several nutrient management plans each year. Outcomes: In addition to Illinois TSPs, this course was recently approved by the National Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide training to all TSPs who need certification. Erosion Control Research and Training Center The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) at the University of Illinois has teamed with state and federal organizations to develop a facility that will provide research and training opportunities in erosion and sediment control and storm-water management. The Erosion Control Research and Training Center was originally created under a research project administered by the Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT), with in-kind contributions from the Illinois Land Improvement Contractor’s Association (ILICA). ICT is an innovative partnership between the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the University of Illinois. ICT administers IDOT’s contract research program, which is funded using IDOT’s federal State Planning and Research funds. Rabin Bhattarai and Prasanta Kalita, agricultural engineers with ABE, were co-investigators for the project, along with Niels Svendsen and Heidi Howard of the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) of the Army Corps of Engineers. The team has received continued funding from IDOT for additional studies. Outcomes: Trainees have learned improved techniques and materials for erosion control on and around highway construction projects. Pathways Project The project titled “Mapping the Pathways for Effective Information Dissemination and Education between Manure Nutrient Management Agriculture Professionals” is a collaborative endeavor with both a national and North Central Region focus. The project goal is to establish documented and effective pathways for information dissemination and usage among manure nutrient management professionals. The national project team disseminated a national survey to collect data on the functions, information sources, dissemination methods and barriers for information exchange by research institutions, private industry, government, education, regulatory, technical service providers, and producers, garnering nearly 1000 responses. South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri garnered funding through the North Central Region Water Network for initial survey analysis focused on North Central Region states, which is on-going and will be completed in 2015. Outcomes: Various interest groups in the regulatory, commodity/producer associations, and university sectors assisted in survey dissemination and participation. Project information and interim results were presented and discussed at the 2015 Waste to Worth Conference in Seattle, WA. Final survey results have not yet been compiled. I-29 Dairy Outreach Consortium Extension educators from Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota collaborated to present one-day workshops focused on Raising Your Best Calf Ever. Outcomes: Four workshops were held with one in each participating state. Over 90 people attended the workshops. Attendees learned about automatic calf feeders, positive pressure tube system, milk replacers, heifer diets and calf health. Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) Training Illinois state-mandated CLM training programming continues to serve an audience of about 1,000 producers and consultants over the three-year training cycle. The main training curriculum for the CLM program is the LPES National Curriculum, originally published by MWPS. Outcomes: The training serves approximately 1,000 livestock producers and consultants over a three-year cycle, providing information that helps them to better manage their livestock operations and nutrient management activities. Land Applicators Training This state-mandated training for individuals responsible for manure management activities on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Nebraska provides attendees with relevant information to make decisions about management of nutrients produced by their livestock operations. The training is conducted annually during January and February at multiple locations statewide. Outcomes: The training serves approximately 100 livestock producers and consultants annually who report being responsible for the management of nearly 5 million head of cattle and nearly 2 million head of swine in Nebraska. The percentage of attendees receiving initial certifications (53%) is slightly greater than those receiving re-certification hours (47%). The training provides information that helps these individuals better manage their livestock operations and nutrient management activities. Creating an Enduring U.S. Dairy Production Industry This is the title and focus for the 30th ADSA Discovery Conference on Food Animal Agriculture. Kansas State University and University of Missouri are leading the development of the “Innovation in Animal Facilities” topic for this conference. The objective of this effort is to try envisioning what dairy facilities may look like in the year 2050 and identify what outside forces will impact the design of dairy facilities in the future. This conference will be held Nov 2-5, 2015 in Itasca, IL. More information is available at: http://www.adsa.org/Meetings/DiscoverConferences/30thDiscoverConference.aspx. Outcomes: This effort brings the engineering issues and design process to the discussion of sustainable dairy production to all the other dairy related disciplines on a national stage. The different production, societal and economical goals must be balanced when the detailed facility design process begins. The hope is the other disciplines will gain an appreciation of the tradeoffs that need to be evaluated when designing a new facility in the US. Large Dairy Herd Management Book A third edition of the Large Dairy Herd Management book is currently under development. This third edition is targeted to be a reference for innovative producers, dairy consultants and college students in advanced dairy production courses. The geographic scope for this third edition is projected to be a worldwide rather than just North America like the second edition. For the “Physical Facilities and Environment” section, an NCCC-009 member from University of Missouri is serving as the section editor and an NCCC-009 member from Kansas State University is serving as the coeditor. Chapter topics/titles and chapter authors are to be determined by the end of Sept 2015 with all drafts due in March 2016. A conference is scheduled for May 2016 to present material in all chapters. Final publication is expected in mid-2017. Outcomes: This new revision will likely serve as a transition reference between all disciplines supporting dairy production and engineering. One outcome from this new book revision may be that it provides increased demand for engineering-focused MWPS publications addressing dairy production topics. MWPS Manure Summit Members throughout the Midwest region coordinated to provide programming on new and innovative manure and farmstead by-products processing and treatment in Green Bay, WI. This was a 2.5 day conference which included numerous presenters from the region and an anaerobic digester operator training. Outcomes: The “Manure Group” within the NCCC-09 committee continues to work on Over 200 producers, industry, and government personnel attended the conference to improve their understanding of manure systems in order to increase operation efficiencies, reduce environmental impacts, and decrease costs. MWPS Publications NCCC-09 members coordinate the review and revision of existing Midwest Plan Service (MWPS) publications and the writing of new materials. Outcomes: The “Manure Group” within the NCCC-09 committee continues to work on a new publication about manure handling and application practices to compliment the MWPS-18 series. Existing MWPS publications warranting revisions were prioritized at the annual meeting and select new publications were identified for development.

Publications

NCCC-09 Publications NCCC-09 members led efforts to outline and begin developing one new product for publication in the coming year by MWPS. This and other publications from the 2014-15 reporting year include: • Manure Processing and Utilization (MWPS 18-4 1st Edition), In development, R. Larson, E. Cortus, A. Schmidt, D. Anderson, T. Lim, K. Erb, S. Rahmen, Z. Liu, and J. Ni. • Carroll, H., Cortus, E. L., Erickson, T., Janni, K., & Salfer, J. Dairy heat stress management and energy use planning guide. South Dakota State University Extension • Schuster, N.R., L.M. Durso, J.E. Gilley, S.L. Bartelt-Hunt, X. Li, D.B. Marx, A.M. Schmidt, D.D. Snow. 2015. Runoff nutrient and microbial transport following swine slurry application. Trans of ASABE. In Review. • Schmidt, A.M., J.D. Loy, S. Vitosh, C. Kelling, J.G. Wheeler. 2015. PEDV survivability in swine mortality compost piles. Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Managing Animal Mortality Products, By Products, and Associated Health Risk: Connecting Research, Regulations and Response. Lancaster, PA. September 28 – October 1, 2015. • Schmidt, A.M., J.D. Loy, S. Vitosh, J.G. Wheeler, C. Kelling. 2015. Determination of thermal death time for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Managing Animal Mortality Products, By Products, and Associated Health Risk: Connecting Research, Regulations and Response. Lancaster, PA. September 28 – October 1, 2015. • Liu, Z. 2015. How much gas does a beef or dairy cattle produce? Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. MF3185 • Liu, Z. 2015. Anaerobic digestion of livestock manure: feasibility and factors to consider. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. MF3184 • Liu, Z. 2015. Carbon footprint of livestock production. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. MF3180 • Liu, Z. 2015. Health guidelines for smoke from vegetation fires. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. MF3179 • Liu, Z., et al. 2015. Technologies for odor and air emission control in swine production facilities. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. MF2918 • Liu, Z., et al. 2015. Understanding air quality concerns of prescribed range burning in Kansas. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. MF3121 • Energy Efficient Grain Drying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jpD-nCyRAT4 • Grain Dryer Energy Audit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zJQCmFj1Kiw • Preparing to evacuate your home when flooding is imminent, including: – Preparing your liquid propane tank – Turn off electrical power – Turn off natural gas – Turn off the water – Preparing a fuel oil tank indoors

Impact Statements

NCCC-09 Quarterly Conference Calls Quarterly conference calls enhanced committee activity, provided useful information on current issues, facilitated timely communication about extension publications and programs and facilitated networking among NCCC-9 members and presenters. These calls were also able to allow each subgroup to report on updates and aide in maintaining progress on current projects.
Engineering Expertise in the North Central Region The white paper that was developed as a result of this effort was presented to North Central Region Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Leaders during their April 2015 meeting. The data collected through this effort has generated ideas for developing and identifying future extension engineers through extension engineering internships, graduate assistantships for extension-focused post-baccalaureate students, and Master-Apprentice or Post Doctoral opportunities in extension.
Grain Drying and Storage The educational program for grain drying and storage provided farmers and others handling the grain with the expertise to make management decisions affecting the approximately 12.3 billion bushels of corn, 3.2 billion bushels of soybeans, and 1.1 billion bushels of wheat harvested in the NCR with a value of about $83.5 billion. Energy efficient drying methods can save from 15% to 30% on energy. The potential savings drying the corn produced in the region from 20% to 15% moisture content using energy efficient methods that reduces energy consumption by 20% produces a savings of 247 million gallons of LP gas.
Minnkota Builders Conference Participants reported that this professional development opportunity provided them with useful information that they can use in their facility-planning activities. The meeting facilitates networking among builders, equipment suppliers, consultants and university faculty.
Ventilation of Swine Production Housing Barn managers and pig caretakers that participate in swine ventilation workshops will maintain a healthier and more productive environment for their pigs and will do so using less energy (feed, fuel and electricity). With the planned revision of ventilation rate recommendations, engineers and swine producers can better design and retrofit ventilation systems in barns. An update of MidWest Plan Service (MWPS)-32 Mechanical Ventilation Systems for Livestock Housing is likely to occur.
Biofilter Research Prediction models for nitrous oxide formation related to media moisture content 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 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.
Climate Change The five-year Animal Agriculture and Climate Change (AACC) project is building Extension capacity to extend climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies nationally, which will result in more resilient livestock and poultry operations and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Results of a mid-project survey of participants showed an additional 20-30% of respondents were able or very able to perform nine extension skills related to climate and animal agriculture as a result of their participation thus far in project activities (from baseline of 25-50%).
Sustainable Dairy This project will build national extension capacity to promote sustainable dairy practices. The information will provide dairy producers with data to promote numerous aspects of sustainability in addition to climate change. This will increase efficiencies, decrease greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, increase adaptation to climate change, reduce other environmental impacts (e.g. water quality), and increase profitability.
Pig Production Environmental Footprint The data and educational outputs generated from this project will improve producer knowledge of natural resource concerns; enable producers and the industry to recognize activities and practices that are the greatest contributors to a farm?s overall carbon emissions, water usage, and energy usage; and encourage producers to implement strategies to reduce carbon emissions and conserve water and energy.
National Air Quality Site-Assessment Tool (NAQSAT) The NAQSAT provides owners and managers of animal feeding operations a confidential online tool to investigate practices and their impact on airborne emissions from their operations.
Flood Preparation and Recovery This program provides information that outlines the phases of flood preparation and recovery and the role of extension personnel during these phases. The materials developed provide critical information to reduce the impact of flooding and provide essential tools for quick recovery which will reduce the economic and operational impact.
Drainage Research Forum The drainage research forum allows continued focus on drainage systems to increase benefits related to drainage systems while improving water quality.
Extension Drainage Design and Water Management Workshops Field tile workshops increase the number of acres in the northern plains states that are properly tiled, increasing the productive capacity of this land without harming water quality.
Energy Education and Outreach Surveys for the Heat Stress and Energy Use workshops indicated participants intended to adopt heat stress monitoring and airflow pattern detection/fan maintenance procedures where there formally were none. Energy education projects keep members informed of research, educational developments and unique energy expertise in the farm energy area in the NCR and farm operations become more energy efficient and produce more energy.
Agricultural Safety and Health External research conducted by an independent sub-contractor has documented a statistically significant improvement in the quality of life of clientele served by AgrAbility Projects. Data have also been gathered that document that a client who receives AgrAbility services is more likely to remain engaged in agricultural production.
Manure Pit Foaming Solutions to pit foaming in Midwestern swine production deep-pit operations are expected to be generated. Safe management strategies will improve the safety of workers and animals by reducing the incidences of flash fires caused by trapped methane.
Beef Finisher Housing and Manure Management Specifications With this continued collaborative effort, it is anticipated that beef finishing operations with bedded pack manure systems will be designed to more accurately reflect the appropriate manure storage sizes needed to protect the environment, fertilize cropland, and efficiently house animals.
North American Manure EXPO [AR, MO, NE, OH, OK, PA, & WI] The approximately 1200 individuals who attended the 2015 North American Manure EXPO included personnel from EPA, DNR, NRCS, extension, research, and education. The understanding and management capabilities related to manure management were enhanced for attendees. Demonstrations improved attendee understanding of proper solid and liquid manure application and equipment calibration. Safety of personnel working around manure storages and conveyance systems was improved.
Horse Manure Composting Undergraduate engineering students know how to use standards from ASABE and other sources in design activities. A producer with two horses received assistance from the student design team and their faculty advisor to help in horse manure composting activities.
Livestock Mortality Composting Providing information and demonstrations to illustrate proper techniques and management strategies to operate on-farm mortality composters has elevated the popularity of this biosecure and ecologically acceptable mortality management strategy. Attendees at the Nebraska demonstration field days have reported improved confidence in their ability to establish and successfully operate an on-farm mortality composter.
Technical Service Provider (TSP) Training Well-trained technical service providers write high quality site-specific manure nutrient management plans that assist producers to improve environmental quality in their respective vicinities.
Erosion Control Research and Training Center Trainees have learned improved techniques and materials for erosion control on and around highway construction projects.
Pathways Project Following analysis of survey results, information will be used to identify and prioritize information delivery methods to most effectively reach the various audiences to which manure and nutrient management efforts are directed. Upon conclusion of the project, the information pathways and communication tools developed by this project will be used by agriculture professionals in development of more successful and end-user focused outreach and education programs.
I-29 Dairy Outreach Consortium Dairy producers, calf producers, and university students learned about current research and production practices for raising calves. At least 57 farms were represented with herd sizes ranging from less than 100 to over 2000 cows.
Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) Training Attendees acquire information that helps them to better manage their livestock operations and nutrient management activities in pursuit of greater environmental sustainability.
Land Applicators Training Over the past six years, attendees have reported a moderate to significant improvement in: knowledge of regulations related to manure (94%), recordkeeping and reporting for the NPDES permit (91%), managing manure nitrogen (93%), and value and costs of manure (87%), among other topics.
Midwest Manure Summit Trainees learned multiple methods for processing and treatment systems as well as designs to mitigate environmental impacts.
MWPS Publications MWPS publications are used extensively in extension programs and college courses including, but not limited to: ? Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan materials are used for technical service provider training in Illinois. ? MWPS-1 and MWPS-13 are both used as textbooks for a course at the University of Nebraska. ? MWPS-18 is used as a text at the University of Minnesota ? MWPS-16 is the textbook for a course at the University of Illinois.
Creating an Enduring U.S. Dairy Production Industry This conference will provide a venue for sharing ideas and creating a vision for ensuring the future vitality of the U.S. dairy industry.
Large Dairy Herd Management Book This effort should enforce to other dairy production disciplines the value agricultural engineers can bring to the design, development, and management of dairy production operations.

Date of Annual Report: 09/28/2016

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/18/2016 - 05/19/2016
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2015 - 09/30/2016

Participants

2015-16 Officers
Past Chair – Kevin Janni, University of Minnesota
Chair – Rebecca Larson, University of Wisconsin
Vice Chair – Amy Millmier Schmidt, University of Nebraska
Secretary – Erin Cortus, South Dakota State University
Administrative Advisor – John Lawrence, Iowa State University
NIFA Representative – Steven Thompson, National Program Leader for Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering

Official Participants
Richard Cooke, University of Illinois
Erin Cortus, South Dakota State University
Jay Harmon, Iowa State University
Morgan Hayes, formerly University of Illinois, now University of Kentucky
Kenneth Hellevang, North Dakota State University
Steven Hoff, Iowa State University
Kevin Janni, University of Minnesota
Rebecca Larson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jiqin Ni, Purdue University
Laura Pepple, formerly Illinois Cooperative Extension, now Private Industry
Tom Scherer, North Dakota State University
Amy Schmidt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lingying Zhao, Ohio State University
Zifei Liu, Kansas State University
Dana Kirk, Michigan State University
Steven Safferman, Michigan State University

Unofficial Participants
Daniel Andersen, Iowa State University
Kevin Erb, University of Wisconsin
Joseph Harner, Kansas State University
Teng Lim, University of Missouri-Columbia
Shafiqur Rahman, North Dakota State University
Richard Stowell, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Yuanhui Zhang, University of Illinois
Joe Zulovich, University of Missouri-Columbia

Brief Summary of Minutes

NCCC-09 Annual Meeting

May 18-19, 2016

Ames, IA

Minutes

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Meeting called to order by Becky Larson at 1:05 p.m.

Introductions by attendees

Present: Becky Larson – U of WI (Chair), Amy Schmidt – UNL (Vice Chair), Morgan Hayes – U of IL, Dana Kirk – MI State, Tom Scherer – NDSU, Larry Jacobson – U of MN, Kevin Janni – U of MN (Past Chair), Paul Tanger – USDA-NIFA, Kathy Walker – IA State, Steve Thomson – USDA NPL

Joining via Distance: Ken Hellevang – SDSU, Joe Zulovich – Mizzou, Teng Lim – Mizzou

Update from Steven Thomson, NPL

Funding increases proposed for FY 2017 for a number of programs

NSF Initiated Collaboration – National Robotics Initiative (NRI); NSF receives proposals, then sorted into panels based on topics

Comment made that extension ag engineers are really the ones delivering technology info to producers so programs funded at the national level need to have an engineering component to facilitate the distribution of research findings to stakeholders

CARE program is where some of these ag engineering-related projects may need to be directed

Funding for graduate students: National Needs Fellowship (NNF) – Research and Extension (proposal hint: indicate enough senior faculty; make sure their roles are clear and not “tacked on”; check the web for dates…last year’s deadline was August 19, 2015)

Efforts for Outreach/Extension: Doctoral and Post Doc; AFRI-CARE; Food and Nutrition; Others

Reporting Discussion by Paul Tanger

(Paul’s position is a two-year appointment to target specific needs within the NIFA program.)

Why report outcomes and impacts? Satisfy funding agencies, justify the investment of public and private funds, increase visibility, and build credibility and support – Clear reporting of outcomes and impacts is an essential component of effective science communication.

How does NIFA use outcomes and impacts? Who reads them?
- Impact documents and annual reports, impact spotlight stories (essentially a blog) – “NIFA Impact” website; graphical handouts; congressional testimony by Sonny Ramaswamy
- Stories about our work should evoke an emotion rather than just report data and numbers! Write an interpretive summary of your work that is easily understandable by the general public.

REEport is where we prepare reports; Data Gateway (https://nifa.usda.gov/data) is a search tool for data in CRIS where you can filter by state, project types, keyword, etc.

Include info on:
- How does the work I’m doing make the world a better place?
- Why should anyone care?
- What is the problem?
- Why does it need to be researched?
- Why is it important to the general public?

Methods and approaches should explain in non-technical language what you intend to do to produce data and results.

Anticipated or realized results? These are your intended outcomes and impacts.

The non-technical summary is arguably the most important section of the report as it will be accessed by legislators, public, community leaders, tax payers, etc.

In AFRI program, there are co-sponsored/funded opportunities with commodity groups like NPB. Topics for these funding opportunities for next year are due this summer. May need to look at how we can influence the topics proposed for next year that are engineering-related.

We could identify major gaps in our field as a white paper that NIFA could use to identify FY18 funding priorities. Send to Paul Tanger.

Foundation for Food and Ag Research – non-profit with $200M of federal funding provided – about to announce a rapid response program; should be very similar to CARE (foundationfar.org) but can cover topics outside of NIFA-AFRI

MWPS Update – Kathy Walker

Following on Facebook is very low; how do we improve the “reach” of MWPS? Need to be sure that faculty and students outside ag engineering are aware of this source of technical resources. Include a slide in any talk, or in news articles, radio interviews, etc. that directs audience to MWPS.

Recommending changing “Midwest Plan Service” to “MWPS – Technical Farm Publications”

Countryside, rural, farm…key words for marketing campaign ideas; maybe approach Ag Communications as opposed to Marketing, Journalism, etc.

Manure Safety publication needed!

Costs for publishing new books? MWPS-7: $20 per illustration; $12 per page for editing; MWPS-28: $8 for illustration; $10 per page for editing; MWPS-13: $30 per illustration estimated; $2500 for editing budgeted

We need to make an effort to increase publication prices, to promote the publications, etc. Maybe need to have a promo booth at ASABE to display pubs, etc.

State Updates by Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Wisconsin

Meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Meeting called to order by Becky Larson at 8:10 a.m.

Update from John Lawrence, NCCC-09 Academic Advisor

NIMSS website has been updated. If you haven’t been on there in some time, you will need to click on the “Forgot my password” link to set new login credentials.

The annual report is due within 60 days of this meeting, so mid-July!

Our committee review by NIFA will occur this fall/winter and renewal of our proposal will be due in Fall 2018. If our proposal is not submitted/renewed, it will expire in September 2019.

Multi-state efforts are still strongly encouraged.

Ideas Moving Forward

Becky will work on developing a Box folder for committee members to upload current outputs that can be used by others within the committee.

Topic areas where we may have a critical mass of personnel working:
- Animal health and welfare
  - Filtered barns – structure and ventilation
  - Biosecurity – PEDV and HPAI
    - Facility design
    - Operational/management practices
    - Site management
  - Water management at a small watershed scale/holistic management of water
    - Design of water holding structures
    - Conveyance/distribution systems
    - Distributed water storage impacts
  - Watershed-scale Manure/Nutrient Management/Distribution
    - Tools for assessing mass balance
    - Design and siting of manure distribution systems (technical, economic, and policy factors)
  - Enhancing Manure Value
    - Quantifying value of manure to improve soil quality
    - Nutrient recovery and distribution for optimal utilization
    - Identifying processing needs to develop usable products (market demand)
  - Emerging Contaminants in Manure
    - Treatment processes for antibiotic resistance
    - Endocrine disruptors
    - Fate, transport, and impacts of emerging contaminants originating from manure
  - Safety
    - Manure storage and transfer systems
    - Grain storage and transfer systems
    - Drainage tile installation and maintenance

Ag Engineering Expertise Report – Ken Hellevang

Engineering expertise is not available in industry and we need to identify industry’s role in various topics. Sharing programming for various topics at regional levels may be the model we will need to define. Understanding needs by state and sharing by state may be acceptable under the right circumstances. In some areas, training for agencies – some engineers, some not – is part of our role. Providing expertise to develop NRCS standards is another role that we fill.

How do we obtain current research on production ag engineering topics to enable extension engineers to respond to questions with current, research-based information?

AFRI-CARE projects and similar collaborative efforts are going to be needed to address development or revision of high-value regional data and/or tools.

USDA-NIFA is making an effort to incorporate engineering into the processes funded nationally, which shows that USDA recognizes the need for engineering expertise. Directors should realize that USDA-NIFA is requiring an engineering component in projects, which should support our push for greater engineering expertise in the region.

Topic Group Updates

Manure group will try to meet at ASABE.

Business Meeting

As of October 1, …

Past-Chair: Becky Larson

Chair: Amy Schmidt

Vice-Chair: Erin Cortus

Secretary: Morgan Hayes

Next quarterly call will be in September.

Future Meetings of NCCC-09

Maybe future meetings should be held at the location of the current committee chair. Or the chair can hold it somewhere else. Cycle of upcoming meetings:

2017 – Nebraska

2018 – South Dakota

2019 – Kentucky

To get greater face-to-face participation, we may need to consider sending people other than the typical representatives (i.e. other extension engineers in our states who don’t currently attend the meeting).

State Reports need to be submitted to Erin by end of June!

Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m. by Becky Larson.

Accomplishments

<h2>Grain Drying and Storage</h2> A number of NC-213 engineering members from across the country at various land-grant universities are working together to update the MWPS-13 Handbook entitled “Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook”, second edition, 1987. The lead author is Sam McNeill (University of Kentucky). Others engaged are Kennett Hellevang (NDSU), Dirk Maier (ISU), Carol Jones (OSU), Klein Ileleji (Purdue), Kingsly Ambrose (Purdue) and Mark Purschwitz (University of Kentucky). A grant from NC-213 was awarded to aid in this effort. During the reporting period, five (5) workshops were conducted in Indiana by the grain post-harvest team with about 290 farmers and grain operations personnel trained. Two (2) of the 5 workshops were organized specifically at the request of popcorn processors and their growers (97 total were in attendance at both workshops). Additionally, the team drafted about 5 news releases on various stored grain issues at various times of the year and two (2) Extension publications. Additionally, IN hosted 5 delegates from the feed industry in Thailand for 2 weeks in February 2016 on a Cochran Fellowship on the production, transportation, marketing and utilization of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as part of a USDA-FAS Cochran Cooperative Agreement. NDSU Extension Service has served as a hub of technical assistance for farmers and extension staff in other states. A grain drying and storage educational program was conducted that included seminars or webinars; news releases and articles that were used across the region by extension staff, grain equipment manufacturers and dealers across the country, grower/farmer organizations (commodity groups); and telephone and e-mail consultations. Extensive media work and distribution of articles aided the educational effort. Farm Journal, USDA Radio, Manitoba Agriculture, Successful Farming, and Grain Journal. Alternative Grain Storage Options was published in the National Corn & Soybean Digest. Articles are distributed to neighboring state Extension staff, grain commodity groups, grain equipment manufacturers and distributors, North Central Region Extension Engineering staff, national grain industry staff and grain industry media. Presentations by NDSU in other states done in cooperation with their extension service included: <ul> <li>Handling High Moisture Corn – Nebraska Extension</li> <li>Grain Storage Management – MonDak Ag Days, Sidney, MT</li> <li>Post Harvest Considerations for Malt Barley – 2015 Empire State Producers Expo, Syracuse, NY</li> <li>Drying Small Grains and Storage Management – West Winfield, NY</li> <li>Drying and Storing Wheat and Malting Barley – Soybean/Small Grain Congress, Batavia, NY</li> <li>Drying and Storing Small Grains – Small Grains Congress, Waterloo, NY</li> <li>Post-harvest considerations for Small Grains – Regional Hudson Valley Value-Added Grain Systems School, Leeds, NY</li> <li>Successfully Drying and Storing Sunflowers and Grain Drying, Storage and Handling – Crop Connect Conference, Winnipeg, MA</li> <li>New Aspects of Grain Drying and Storage – Western Precision Agriculture Conference, Sioux Falls, SD</li> </ul> Outcomes: A broad network of Extension service personnel and Ag Program Leaders; grain drying and storage companies and dealers across the United States; grain engineers across the U.S.; national and local commodity groups and associations; and selected regional and national media such as Farm Journal, USDA Radio, Manitoba Agriculture, Successful Farming, and Grain Journal aided in the national distribution of grain drying and storage information originating from NDSU. Technical assistance was provided via 160 email consultations and about 250 telephone consultations on grain drying and storage. <h2>Minnkota Builders Conference</h2> Minnesota and South Dakota organized the 2016 meeting of the Minnkota Builders and Equipment Association in Morton, MN.  The 1.5 day meeting included a tour of a track wash facility for pathogen removal, presentations, and opportunities for networking.  Outcomes: The meeting provided the 42 attending consultants, builders, and equipment suppliers with current information about  biosecurity education, biosecurity regulations, producer experiences with highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2015, pig heat stress, manure pit foaming, SDSU new swine research facilities, dairy and swine energy research, insurance loss prevention practices and new weather forecasting tools. <h2>Ventilation of Swine Production Housing</h2> Extension engineers and animal scientists in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska continue to deliver workshops for barn managers and pig caretakers to address the need for improved understanding and management of mechanical ventilation systems in swine buildings. A mobile ventilation laboratory was used to demonstrate mechanical ventilation principles, fan interactions, inlet behaviors and controller performance.  Funds for the mobile lab were provided by the pork producer organizations in the four states. With recently published heat and moisture production rates for all phases of swine production, there is an opportunity to develop updated ventilation rate recommendations. State universities in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri have created a collaborative team to address the need for updated recommendations. University of Illinois has submitted one and is in the process of submitting a second peer reviewed journal article, which should provide the basis for updating recommendations. Outcomes: Iowa conducted eight ventilation workshops for 106 producers finishing 8.5M pigs per year and with sow herds of 500,000 sows. Data is being published to update ventilation recommendations. <h2>Climate Change</h2> A national project team including Nebraska, Washington, Texas, Georgia, New York, and Minnesota is collaborating on a NIFA AFRI-funded Extension project addressing Animal Agriculture in a Changing Climate (AACC). The AACC project is building extension capacity in this topic area through provision of educational resources via the eXtension Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC) and professional development offered via regional programs. Minnesota and Texas lead efforts in the Midwest and Southwest, respectively, and have involved several NCCC-09 members from Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri and Kansas in the Midwest or Southwest working groups. A new collaborative effort between NE and SD, with support from the Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub, includes conducting focus groups and collecting case studies to assess educational needs for regional Beef Systems. Outcomes: An additional 50 individuals have enrolled in the online course developed by this project.  The online course was awarded an ASABE Blue Ribbon Educational Aids award in the web content delivery category.  Many resources were added to the project website, http://animalagclimatechange.org/, highlighted by a series of seven new videos.  Project events include the Navigating Agriculture through the Water-Energy-Food Nexus Symposium (Austin, TX; November 2015, 115 attendees). <h2>Sustainable Dairy</h2> A national project team including Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania among other states is collaborating on a funded (CAP) project addressing dairy sustainability. This project team is also coordinating with others from the climate change team described above. The objective of the extension component of this project is to increase available educational materials and provide useful producer tools to increase sustainable practices within the dairy industry. Outcomes: The extension team has held three conferences to date and will hold additional regional conferences and field days in each state over the next 2 years.  Tools and educational materials are being developed to promote sustainability including integrating nutrient management and emissions information for field scale practices, developing a virtual farm for the Great Lakes Region to compare sustainable management strategies and provide information necessary for adoption, economic tools, and other useful extension information.  Materials will be provided in a number of outlet mechanisms including eXtension webpages under the LPELC area of practice and <a href="http://www.sustainabledairy.org">www.sustainabledairy.org</a>. <h2>Pig Production Environmental Footprint</h2> Faculty from Nebraska, South Dakota, and Arkansas collaborated on a pilot project to utilize the National Pork Board (NPB)-funded Pig Production Environmental Footprint Calculator on swine operations in western Corn Belt states as an extension effort of a larger integrated NIFA-AFRI project. The objectives were to identify potential revisions to make the tool more user-friendly, get baseline information on resource utilization on Midwest swine farms, assess opportunities to improve resource efficiency and swine farm profitability, and gather producer feedback on the tool.  Eleven swine farms in Nebraska and South Dakota were identified as cooperators for this project. Undergraduate research assistants completed interviews with the cooperating producers via telephone, e-mail and face-to-face meetings to gather relevant farm data necessary to run the calculator. Data were aggregated to define regional carbon, water, and energy footprints for swine production systems. Outcomes: The pilot project experiences provide guidance for future Extension work with the calculator, including: (1) Collecting information from producers in a hard-copy survey during the interview is helpful to refer back to when rerunning or reviewing the model output; and (2) The data entry for gestation barns, particularly herd data, was challenging, and different interpretations of the calculator input questions for all farm types likely contributed to a lot of the variability seen between sites for the initial simulations. Based on the aggregated data for the grower and gestation barns surveyed, there was a higher range and variability in footprints among gestation barns compared to grow barns on a per pig basis, largely attributed to feed consumption. <h2>National Air Quality Site-Assessment Tool (NAQSAT)</h2> NAQSAT is a free and confidential online tool that animal feeding operators and managers can use to assess the impact of common animal feeding operation practices and alternatives on emissions from their operation. In December 2015, NRCS issued national instructions on use of the NAQSAT tool for any applications that involved greater than 300 animal units. As a result, training of NRCS staff on how to properly use the tool and interpret the results was needed. Faculty from Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota and many other states contributed to the revision of NAQSAT. A series of workshop was offered to train NRCS and Extension personnel to apply the NAQSAT in 2015 and 2016. The workshops were offered in states including North Carolina, Pennsylvania, California, and Nebraska. Faculty from all the states and Florida, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho, and South Dakota helped with the workshops. As a complimentary activity, Iowa State University revised the Air Management Practices Assessment Tool (AMPAT), which directs producers to possible practices to address the issues that NAQSAT raises as needing attention. Outcomes: Workshops and field trips were conducted to train NAQSAT users, and collect user feedback to improve the tool.  Comparisons of the tool outputs were compared and explained in the workshop. An USDA CIG proposal was submitted to improve the NAQSAT. As NAQSAT was approved as a ‘standard tool’ by USDA NRCS in 2015, use and awareness of the tool by NRCS staff as they work with producers on environmental assessment plans is expected to continue to increase. <h2>Extension Drainage Design and Water Management Workshops</h2> An annual series of two to four two-day workshops were conducted by the University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University Extension, and South Dakota State University Extension on designing and installing field drainage systems and ancillary water quality practices. An Extension bulletin on the design and operation of tile drainage lift stations was published by NDSU with technical review by drainage specialists from Iowa State University and South Dakota State University. This publication received an award from the ASABE Educational Aids Competition and is being distributed throughout the North Central region. It is also used as one of the design modules of the drainage design workshop. A collaborative effort was also undertaken among these, and other Midweswtern land-grant universities to conduct A Drainage Water Management webinar series. Outcomes: A total of 250 farmers, industry people and government agency personnel were trained in the basics of drainage and water quality practice design. Evaluation by the participants of the overall useful of the information presented during the workshop was rated at 5.2 with 6 being a “very useful” rating. A multi-state effort by Extension specialists in eight states and the NRCS resulted in the Drainage Water Management Level II training program. The project included the development of eight online training modules, each about one hour in length, to present the various aspects of DWM was Phase I. These modules are online at: <a href="http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/dwm-module-2-1">http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/dwm-module-2-1</a>. Phase II consisted of onsite training sessions held in locations where the NRCS employees could drive to in a few hours. <h2>Managing Water for Increased Resiliency of Drained Agricultural Landscapes</h2> Purdue University is leading a USDA NIFA-funded five-year, multi-state project examining the economic and environmental benefits and costs of storing water on farms in ways for crops to use water more efficiently and to reduce nutrients draining into waterways. The project, called Transforming Drainage for short, addresses the issues of excess water and nutrients draining from agricultural landscapes and causing problems downstream, and the need for water during the growing season to irrigate sometimes parched crops. Both of these problems are expected to get more pressing with projected changes in climate. The Transforming Drainage project will bring new understanding, tools and strategies to increase resiliency of drained agricultural land and help farmers make better drainage decisions in the future by bringing together partners from research, governmental and non-governmental organizations, drainage industry, and the local farming and drainage contractor communities across the Midwest to focus research, extension, and education. Other universities in the project are Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, Ohio State University, University of Missouri, North Carolina State University, South Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota as well as the USDA's Agricultural Research Service.   Outcomes: A regional drainage database encompassing 186 site-years of agronomic, hydrologic, and climate data from 34 experimental drainage sites in eight states has been developed.  Field measurements are continuing to be collected at 16 of these sites.  Extension and outreach efforts have led to a publicly-available website (<a href="http://www.transformingdrainage.org">www.transformingdrainage.org</a>), Extension events reaching more than 1,300 farmers, drainage contractors, and conservation planners, and 48 presentations at professional meetings and academic conferences.   Education programs for grade 9-12 students and teachers have been piloted in Minnesota and college undergraduate capstone projects are currently being promoted at multiple institutions across the Midwest. <h2>Energy Education and Outreach</h2> Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Minnesota have contributed to various renewable energy and farm energy conservation extension programs underway in the Midwest. Members from WI, IA and MN participate as ex-offico members on the board of directors of the Midwest Rural Energy Council (MREC), which holds an annual educational conference. Iowa added a benchmarking fact sheet and are working on some solar fact sheets. Purdue University Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Extension Outreach program addresses issues in the state related to educating Indiana’s producers and its agricultural industry on various renewable energy options and energy efficient technologies with the goal of increasing their adoption on Indiana’s farms and businesses.  During the reporting period, five (5) workshops were conducted in Indiana by the grain post-harvest team with about 290 farmers and grain operations personnel trained. Two (2) of the 5 workshops were organized specifically at the request of popcorn processors and their growers (97 total were in attendance at both workshops). Additionally, the team drafted about 5 news releases on various stored grain issues at various times of the year and two (2) Extension publications below. A presentation was given on the grain drying energy auditing program to the Mathews Grain Dryer Company national sales meeting, at the Purdue ANR Extension Annual Meeting, and the Indiana Milk Quality workshop.  On-farm energy audits completed (1) swine farrowing facility, (6) grain dryer replacement projects.  We held (3) solar energy workshops for on-farm systems as well as a webinar. There were (2) CENUSA Bioenergy Field Days were held for farmers to learn more about the production of switchgrass varieties targeting the bioenergy market sector. A session of the Indiana Biomass Energy Working Group on the topic of Anaerobic Digestion was held at Fair Oaks Dairy.  A training was also held for the incorporation of biofuels into the curriculum for High School Agriculture and Science teachers at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center where lab experiments were created and demonstrated. Outcomes: Not available at this time. <h2>Agricultural Safety and Health</h2> Purdue’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program addresses three core areas – agricultural workplace safety and health, rural emergency preparedness, and rehabilitation services for farmers with disabilities. Each core area is involved in multi-disciplinary activities and multi-state collaborations. Training on grain storage and handling safety for young and beginning workers, ages 16-21, continues to be conducted across the state. To date approximately 3,400 youth have participated. The www.agconfinedspaces.org website has been expanded and has received over 5,000 unique visits. Purdue is host to the National AgrAbility Project currently serving 20 funded states and several unfunded affiliated projects. The AgrAbility Program is celebrating 25 years of service in 2016. The projects host a national website (www.agrability.org), a toll-free access line, 1-800-825-4264, and conducts regional and national workshops. Outcomes: The 2016 National AgrAbility Training Workshop was conducted in Fort Collins, CO with approximately 230 participants from over 25 states. Regional workshops that address the needs of migrant and seasonal farm workers and Veterans with disabilities have been held in Pine Bluffs, AR, Petersburg, VA, Frankenmuth, MI, Tuskegee, AL, and Alcorn University in Mississippi. Nearly 200 rehabilitation professionals and rural educators attended these in-service training events. <h2>Beef Finisher Housing and Manure Management Specifications</h2> Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota are continuing collaborative work to develop planning specifications for bedded-pack beef barns. Bedded-pack barns (solid manure) are presently sized based upon manure production and storage figures for liquid manure systems. As a result, many regulation-driven designs are oversized and inefficient. For this project, state universities and agencies will work together to collect field data and experiences to improve the beef unit planning procedures. South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska are initiating a project to evaluate land application of bedded and non-bedded solid beef cattle manure for corn production in the three states. South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska are collaborating on a related project to evaluate environmental parameters in deep pit cattle finishing barns. Measurements will be collected from producer barns from 2015 to 2018. Outcomes: Federal funding allows for continued research into the environmental conditions in and around confined beef cattle facilities, facilities which are continuing to grow in number in the Northern Great Plains. <h2>North American Manure EXPO [OH, PA, WI, OK, ND, MN, MO, IN, & SD]</h2> The Manure Expo brings together Extension and research personnel from various states, including several represented by NCCC-09, and Canada to offer short classes and demonstrations relating to nutrient management and environmental protection. Ohio State University chaired the 2016 North American Manure Expo, August 3-4, 2016. The theme of the Expo held in London, OH was “Manure: Returning nutrients to their roots”. The 2017 Manure Expo will be held at Arlington, WI. South Dakota State University, University of Nebraska – Lincoln and North Dakota State University have agreed to co-host the 2018 North American Manure Expo in South Dakota. Outcomes: The Expo continues to bring the practical management, equipment, and new research findings regarding manure nutrient management together and present to various audiences. The technical field tours, demonstrations, and classroom sessions provide opportunities for Extension educators to present the materials to a large audience. The 2016 two-day event brought together over 80 vendors and 1200-1400 participants. The first day of the Expo featured technical tours of various operation, and education seminars that evening. Day two of the Expo featured tradeshow, field demonstrations, and education seminars. Demonstrations on day two included solid manure spreaders, liquid manure spreaders, manure calibrations, and a tile drainage demonstration. <h2>Livestock Mortality Composting</h2> Illinois and Michigan delivered a large animal non-emergency carcass composting workshop in Northern IL with assistance from Michigan State, IL NRCS, and Illinois State University.  The workshop included both presentations and hands-on demonstrations with an on-farm active mortality composting site. Nebraska Extension continues to collaborate with Nebraska NRCS, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to demonstrate and promote recommended establishment and management of large animal mortality composting systems to minimize environmental and social risks. A demonstration event was conducted in January 2016 at the UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center. Classroom discussion and an on-farm demonstration of mortality compost pile construction and management was also included in “Land Use and Management Practices to Enhance Water Quality Training” offered during summer 2016 as a collaboration among North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. A Nebraska NCCC-09 member provided three invited presentations about planning and executing emergency animal mortality disposal in 2016 at the “Livestock Emergency Training Workshop” funded by the Department of Homeland Security. University of Missouri Extension is collaborating with Missouri Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, and NRCS to organize materials and workshop about biosecurity and mortality management information, to prevent future disease outbreak.  The workshops will be offered at 4-5 locations within the state. Attendees will be trained about major disease outbreak quarantine, mortality management, and more importantly, biosecurity. Outcomes: Attendees of the Non-emergency Mortality Composting Workshop became more familiar with how to manage a bin style mortality composter.  Based on the more than 70 attendees to the previous workshop a second workshop will offer in the upcoming year in the Southern portion of IL. Attendees of the Large Animal Mortality Composting Demonstration Event, the Livestock Emergency Training Workshops, and the Land Use and Management Practices to Enhance Water Quality Training learned: how to construct and manage large animal mortality composters through formal presentations, panel discussion, and demonstration of a compost pile being established, monitored, and managed; why and how to develop an emergency mortality management plan; available methods for large-scale mortality disposal; appropriate agencies to help facilitate large-scale livestock mortality disposal; and resources for assisting in the planning, development, and execution of mortality disposal through on-farm composting. <h2>Pathways Project</h2> The project titled “Mapping the Pathways for Effective Information Dissemination and Education between Manure Nutrient Management Agriculture Professionals” is a collaborative endeavor with both a national and North Central Region focus. The project goal is to establish documented and effective pathways for information dissemination and usage among manure nutrient management professionals. The national project team disseminated a national survey to collect data on the functions, information sources, dissemination methods and barriers for information exchange by research institutions, private industry, government, education, regulatory, technical service providers, and producers, garnering nearly 1000 responses. South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri garnered funding through the North Central Region Water Network for initial survey analysis focused on North Central Region states, which is on-going and will be completed in 2015. Various interest groups in the regulatory, commodity/producer associations, and university sectors assisted in survey dissemination and participation. Outcomes: The Pathways survey provided the following insights: (1) the manure nutrient management field is increasingly female; (2) most organizations focus their efforts on one or two tasks related to manure nutrient management; however, University and Extension professionals tended to select more tasks per person than other organizations; (3) the most relevant sources of information among all survey respondents were Farm or Field Setting, Science-based Sites and Consultation, and the least relevant were Research Paper or Technical Document, Classroom Setting and Social Media. This project was the cumulative work of a North Central Region team who performed data analysis and mind-mapping, as well as a national team who helped test and refine the survey, and provide feedback on project steps and results throughout. Based on the North Central Region Water Network survey, this work created new collaborations and increased Extension/outreach capacity in the North Central region and beyond. A journal article was submitted for publication and is under review. <h2>Livestock Manager and Land Application Training Programs</h2> Multiple NCCC-09 members coordinate or are involved with state-level livestock and manure nutrient management training. Each state-based program run on different cycles with different audiences, but reinforce similar ideals and lessons on how to better manage their livestock operations and nutrient management activities. Examples of these programs are provided by IL and NE. <ul> <li>Illinois state-mandated certified livestock manager (CLM) training programming continues to serve an audience of about 1,000 producers and consultants over the three-year training cycle. The main training curriculum for the CLM program is the LPES National Curriculum, originally published by MWPS.</li> <li>In Nebraska, state-mandated training for individuals responsible for manure management activities on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Nebraska provides attendees with relevant information to make decisions about management of nutrients produced by their livestock operations. The training is conducted annually during January and February at multiple locations statewide. During 2015-16, grant funding from the Nebraska Environmental Trust supported the development of an online training course to complement the face-to-face LAT program. Pilot testing of this online learning and certification module will occur during 2016-17.</li> </ul> Outcomes: The CLM training program serves approximately 1,000 livestock producers and consultants over a three-year cycle. The land applicators training in NE serves approximately 100 livestock producers and consultants annually who report being responsible for the management of nearly 5 million head of cattle and nearly 2 million head of swine in Nebraska. The percentage of attendees receiving initial certifications (53%) is slightly greater than those receiving re-certification hours (47%). Both programs are examples of NCCC-09 members providing information that helps the livestock industry better manage their operations and nutrient management activities. <h2>MWPS Publications</h2> NCCC-09 members coordinate the review and revision of existing Midwest Plan Service (MWPS) publications and the writing of new materials. The “Manure Group” within the NCCC-09 committee continues to work on a new publication about manure handling and application practices to compliment the MWPS-18 series. Existing MWPS publications warranting revisions were prioritized at the annual meeting and select new publications were identified for development. Outcomes: Too early to report. <h2>Receptor Modeling and Smoke Management Workshop</h2> Kansas researchers conducted receptor modeling based on multi-year air quality data to estimate contributions of prescribed rangeland burning in Kansas to ambient PM2.5 and ozone. An annual workshop delivered before the burning season was initiated to update regulation trends, and provide science-based information that help people developing smoke management plans. Outcomes: Results of the receptor modeling has successfully unraveled the source profiles of Kansas pasture burning and quantified contribution of various sources to ambient PM2.5 and ozone, as well as their seasonal patterns. The correlations between O3 and PM2.5 from smoke has been revealed. The results have been published in peer reviewed journal and a series of extension articles are to be generated to support the annual smoke management workshop and help smoke management. <h2>Meta-analyses of Ammonia and Methane Emissions from Cattle Operations</h2> Kansas researchers conducted meta-analyses of ammonia and methane emissions from dairy and beef cattle operations in order to improve the estimations of emission rates, to understand the sources of variations, and to develop statistical emission models. Outcomes: The ammonia emission rates and ammonia loss as a percentage of nitrogen intake have been summarized for various type of operations. For each type of operation, regression models were developed to quantify the effects of air temperature and dietary crude protein on ammonia emissions. The effects of feed digestibility and intake level on methane conversion factor was summarized, while alternative expression of methane conversion factor on a digestible energy basis were recommended, and corresponding regression models were developed. <h2>Air Emission Mitigation for Swine Buildings</h2> Projects were conducted in Kansas to evaluate air pollutants mitigation technologies (such as vegetative environmental buffer and photocatalytic technology using UV light/TiO2) to be used for swine buildings. Outcomes: Effectiveness of the mitigation technologies were quantified and key parameters were identified. Guidelines for each technologies will be developed based on experimental results. <h2>Manure and Soil Health (MaSH) Working Group</h2> NCCC-09 members from the North Central Region formed a working group in 2016 focused on the role of manure in improving soil health. Represented in this working group are university and USDA personnel from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. This new initiative has goals of assembling the current knowledge on manure and soil health, providing this information to those influencing manure and land management decisions, and using this information to identify knowledge gaps to plan and facilitate future research and programming activities. Outcomes: Three activities are in development by this new working group: establishment of regular manure and soil health roundtable discussions focusing on critical issues and information needs; development of a Manure & Soil Health blog to be published on a monthly basis and encourage on-going conversations about manure management and soil health among experts and those who advise farmers; and distribution of four mini-grants to support focused literature reviews or data summarizations on subjects relevant to manure and soil health. <h2>Virtual Anaerobic Digester Operator Training & STEM Education Modules</h2> Michigan State University is developing a set of virtual learning modules to assist operator of farm and non-farm anaerobic digesters.  The training program will contain 20 to 25 modules, each 20 to 30 minutes in length.  In addition, a series of 2 to 10 minute modules on the biology and operation of anaerobic digesters will be developed for middle and high school STEM curriculums.  Outcomes: Users of the virtual training platform will gain a basic understanding of anaerobic digestion biology, mechanical systems associated with digesters, operational parameters and troubleshooting, and safety procedures. Several partner Universities in the NCCC-09 workgroup have expressed interest in using the virtual content for academic and extension activities.  <h2>Youth-based Engineering Program</h2> Purdue Agricultural and Biological Youth-based Engineering initiatives are designed “to excite youth about engineering careers through challenging and competitive hands-on design experiences.” To accomplish this mission, educational programs for youth in grades 3 to 12 are implemented on a county and statewide basis in a variety of areas (i.e., agricultural tractors and machinery, robotics, electricity/electronics, software engineering, and lawn equipment The five-manual youth electric curriculum was adapted from its traditional paper-based format to ePubs downloadable on a variety of tables and phones (iPhones, iPads, Android tablets and phones, and Windows tablets and computers). Additionally, a highly interactive version of the curriculum and other educational materials were developed into a Flash drive version. The 21st edition of the “National Youth Engineering Challenge” (<a href="http://www.4hengineering.org">www.4hengineering.org</a>) was held at Purdue University with youth from 10 Eastern/Midwestern states participating. The event involves applied competitive challenges, hands-on engineering workshops with Purdue faculty and educational tours of local engineering business such as Caterpillar’s Lafayette Engine Plant. Outcomes: Over 1,000 copies of the ePub versions of the youth electricity curriculum were downloaded in 2016 and over 200 copies of the “Flash Drive” version were sold. One hundred and twenty individuals (120) from 10 states participated in the National Youth Engineering Challenge.

Publications

NCCC-09 members are developing two new products for publication in the coming year by MWPS. <ul> <li>Manure Processing and Utilization (MWPS 18-4 1st Edition), In development, R. Larson, E. Cortus, A. Schmidt, D. Anderson, T. Lim, K. Erb, S. Rahmen, Z. Liu, and J. Ni.</li> <li>Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook (MWPS-13 3rd Edition), In development. Sam McNeill, Kenneth Hellevang, Dirk Maier, Carol Jones, Klein Ileleji, Kingsly Ambrose and Mark Purschwitz.</li> </ul> Additional publications from the 2015-16 reporting year include: <ul> <li>Harmon, J., D. Schweitzer. 2016. Farm Energy: Case Studies. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. PM 3063E. Available at: <a href="http://farmenergy.exnet.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2016/07/PM3063E.pdf">http://farmenergy.exnet.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2016/07/PM3063E.pdf</a></li> <li>Hellevang, K. 2015. Energy Efficient Grain Drying. Video. North Dakota State University Extension Service. Available at: <a href="http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/graindrying/publications-grain-drying-and-storage">http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/graindrying/publications-grain-drying-and-storage</a>.</li> <li>Hellevang, K. 2015. Grain Dryer Energy Audit. Video. North Dakota State University Extension Service. Available at: <a href="http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/graindrying/publications-grain-drying-and-storage">http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/graindrying/publications-grain-drying-and-storage</a>.</li> <li>Ileleji, K.E., C. Martin and G. D. Lima Miranda. 2016. A guide to prepare for grain dryer energy audit. Renewable Energy Series, RE-11-W.</li> <li>Liu, Y., Z. Liu, P. Murphy, R. Maghirang, J. DeRouchey. 2015. Vegetative Environmental Buffers (VEBs) for Mitigating Multiple Air Pollutants Emissions from a Research Swine Barn. ASABE paper No. 2190126. New Orleans, Louisiana.</li> <li>Liu, Y., Z. Liu, X. Shi. 2015 A Meta-analysis of Ammonia Emissions from Cattle Production Facilities. ASABE paper No. 152190145. New Orleans, Louisiana.,</li> <li>Liu, Y., Z. Liu. 2016. Source apportionment of ambient PM2.5 by using Unmix and PMF reception models at Flint Hills rural site and Kansas City urban site. ASABE paper No. 162447784. Orlando, Florida.,</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, R. Maghirang, D. Delvin, C. Blocksome. 2016. Estimate contribution of prescribed rangeland burning in Kansas to ambient PM2.5 through source apportionment with Unmix receptor model. Trans. ASABE. V(59)5.</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, X. Shi, R. Maghirang. 2016. Enteric methane conversion factor for dairy and beef cattle: Effect of feed digestibility and intake level. Trans. ASABE. Under review.</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, X. Shi. J. DeRouchey. 2016, Causes of variations in ammonia emissions from cattle operations. Under review.</li> <li>Liu, Z., P. Murphy, R. Maghirang, J. DeRouchey. 2015. Mitigation of Air Emissions from Swine Buildings through the Photocatalytic Technology Using UV/TiO2. ASABE paper No. 2189332. New Orleans, Louisiana.</li> <li>Liu, Z., Y. Liu. 2016. Contribution of Kansas pasture burning to ambient ozone: a combination of receptor modeling, time series and regression analysis. ASABE paper No. 162460949. Orlando, Florida.,</li> <li>Martin, C. and Ileleji, K.E. 2016. Considerations for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Renewable Energy Series, RE-10.</li> <li>Schmidt, A.M., J.D. Loy, S. Vitosh-Sillman, B. Brodersen, and D. Bright. 2016. Composting of PEDv-Positive Swine Mortalities. Nebraska Extension NebGuide. In review.</li> <li>Schmidt, A.M., N.R. Schuster, J.R. Peterson, L.R. Schott, and J.E. Gilley. 2016. Soil Invertebrates as Bioindicators of Agricultural Soil Quality Under Swine Slurry Treatments. Annual International Meeting of the ASABE. Orlando, FL. July 17-21, 2016.</li> <li>Schott, L.R., A.M. Schmidt, and H. Blanco. 2016. Soil Health Impacts of Land Applying Woody Biomass and Livestock Manure on Agricultural Fields. Annual International Meeting of the ASABE. Orlando, FL. July 17-21, 2016.</li> <li>Schuster, N.R., L.M. Durso, J.E. Gilley, S.L. Bartelt-Hunt, X. Li, D.B. Marx, A.M. Schmidt, D.D. Snow. 2015. Runoff nutrient and microbial transport following swine slurry application. Trans of ASABE. Under revision.</li> <li>Speicher, S., A.M. Schmidt, B. Woodbury, and L. Durso. 2016. Spatial Variability of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes Under Grazed and Manure-Amended Pastures. Annual International Meeting of the ASABE. Orlando, FL. July 17-21, 2016.</li> <li>Woloshuk, C.P. and K.E. Ileleji. 2016. S.L.A.M.: Maximize Grain Quality & Profits. Purdue Extension rack card developed as part of Grain Post-Harvest Extension Education tools.</li> </ul>

Impact Statements

Youth-based Engineering Program Research has shown that youth who used a worksheet with the electronic-based electricity curriculum exhibited a greater level of knowledge versus students who only the electronic-based curriculum.

Date of Annual Report: 09/30/2017

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 05/15/2017 - 05/16/2017
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2016 - 09/30/2017

Participants

2015-16 Officers
Past Chair – Rebecca Larson, University of Wisconsin
Chair – Amy Millmier Schmidt, University of Nebraska
Vice Chair – Erin Cortus, South Dakota State University
Secretary – Morgan Hayes, University of Kentucky
Administrative Advisor – John Lawrence, Iowa State University
NIFA Representative – Steven Thompson, National Program Leader for Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering
Official Participants
Richard Cooke, University of Illinois
Erin Cortus, South Dakota State University
Jay Harmon, Iowa State University
Morgan Hayes, formerly University of Illinois, now University of Kentucky
Kenneth Hellevang, North Dakota State University
Steven Hoff, Iowa State University
Kevin Janni, University of Minnesota
Rebecca Larson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jiqin Ni, Purdue University
Tom Scherer, North Dakota State University
Amy Schmidt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lingying Zhao, Ohio State University
Zifei Liu, Kansas State University
Dana Kirk, Michigan State University
Steven Safferman, Michigan State University
Unofficial Participants
Daniel Andersen, Iowa State University
Joseph Darrington, South Dakota State University
Kevin Erb, University of Wisconsin
Joseph Harner, Kansas State University
Teng Lim, University of Missouri-Columbia
Shafiqur Rahman, North Dakota State University
Richard Stowell, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Joe Zulovich, University of Missouri-Columbia

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Publications

<h1><a name="_Toc494473821"></a>NCCC-09 Publications</h1> NCCC-09 members published a new product through MWPS. <ul> <li>Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook (MWPS-13 3rd Edition), 2017. Dirk Maier, Sam McNeill, Kenneth Hellevang, Kingsly Ambrose, Klein Ilelji, Carol Jones, Mark Purschwitz.</li> </ul>   NCCC-09 members are developing a new product for publication in the coming year(s) by MWPS. <ul> <li>Manure Processing and Utilization (MWPS 18-4 1st Edition), In development, R. Larson, E. Cortus, A. Schmidt, D. Anderson, T. Lim, K. Erb, S. Rahmen, Z. Liu, and J. Ni.</li> </ul> Additional publications from the 2016-17 reporting year include: <ul> <li>Akdeniz, N., K.A. Janni, B.P. Hetchler. 2016 Mitigation of multiple air emissions from swine buildings using corn cob biofilters. Trans of ASABE 59(5): 1413-1420. (doi: 10.13031/trans.59.11873)</li> <li>Cortus, E. L., Rusche, W., and Darrington, J. (2017). Manure production rates by finishing cattle in deep-pit cattle barns for the Northern Great Plains. ASABE Paper No. 1701439. St. Joseph, MI. doi: 10.13031/aim.201701439</li> <li>Cortus, E., B. Kasu, J. Jacquet, N. Embertson, A.M. Schmidt, T.-T. Lim, and J. Heemstra. Relevant information sources in the vast and complex manure nutrient management network. Journal of Extension. (In review)</li> <li>Durso, L. and A.M. Schmidt. 2017. Antimicrobial resistance related to agricultural waste water and biosolid sources. In Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewater Treatment Processes. Edited by Patricia L. Keen and Raphaèl Fugère. Wiley-Blackwell, 1st Edition (Expected release: December 2017) ISBN-13: 978-1119192435; ISBN-10: 1119192439. pp. 400.</li> <li>E. Gilley, S.L. Bartelt-Hunt, L.M. Durso, K.M. Eskridge, X. Li, A.M. Schmidt and D.D. Snow. Setback distance requirements for removal of swine slurry constituents in runoff. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. (In press)</li> <li>Janni, K.A., L.D. Jacobson, S.L. Noll, C.J. Cardona, H.W. Martin A.E. Neu 2016. Engineering challenges and responses to the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Minnesota in 2015. ASABE Paper No. 162537392. ASABE, St. Joseph, MI, 49085.</li> <li>Janni, K.A. 2016. Identifying Biosecurity Hazards by Considering Flows on Animal Farms. p.2. UM Extension. Online at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/poultry/biosecurity/beet/index.html</li> <li>Janni, K.A. 2016 Biosecure entry education trailer (BEET). p.2. UM Extension. Online at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/poultry/biosecurity/beet/index.html</li> <li>Janni, K. 2016. Ventilating System Control with Thermostatic On/Off Control. 16 January 2016. Dairy Star. Access at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/dairy/facilities/ventilating-thermostatic-controls/index.html</li> <li>Janni, K. 2016. Heat stress factors. 23 July 2016. Dairy Star. Access at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/dairy/facilities/heat-stress-factors/index.html</li> <li>Janni, K. 2016. Manure handling: Do it safely and environmentally soundly. 8 October 2016. Dairy Star. Access at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/dairy/manure/manure-handling/index.html</li> <li>Janni, K. 2016 Plan ahead to manage snowmelt. UM Extension. Online at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/swine/facilities/managing-snowmelt/index.html</li> <li>Janni, K. 2016. Preventing roof collapses from snow and ice on agricultural buildings. UM Extension. Online at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/swine/facilities/preventing-roof-collapse/index.html</li> <li>Liu, Y., Liu, Z., Murphy, J., & Maghirang, R. 2017. Source apportionment of ambient PM2.5 by using UNMIX and PMF at rural and urban site in Kansas. J. Environ. Sci. Under review.</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, J. Murphy, and R. Maghirang. 2017. Contributions of Kansas rangeland burning to ambient O3: analysis of data from 2001 to 2016. Sci. Total Environ. Special issue: Health impact of wildland fire smoke exposure. In press.</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, J. Murphy, and R. Maghirang. 2017. Ammonia and methane emission factors from cattle operations expressed as losses of dietary nutrients or energy. Agriculture. 7(3),16; doi:10.3390/agriculture7030016.</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, J. Murphy, and R. Maghirang. 2017. Estimating ambient ozone effect of Kansas rangeland burning with receptor modeling and regression analysis. Environments. (4)14; doi:10.3390.</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, X. Shi, J. Murphy, and R. Maghirang. 2017. Enteric methane conversion factor for dairy and beef cattle: Effects of feed digestibility and intake level. Trans. ASABE. (60)2 459-464.</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, X. Shi. J. Murphy, and R. Maghirang. 2017. Variations of ammonia emissions from cattle operations: Effects of temperature and dietary crude protein content. Trans. ASABE. (60)1: 215-227.</li> <li>Liu, Z., Murphy, J., Maghirang, R. and Devlin, D. 2016. Health and environmental impacts of smoke from vegetation fires: a review. J. Environ. Prot. 7, 1860-1885. doi: 10.4236/jep.2016.712148.</li> <li>Liu, Z, Y. Liu, R. Maghirang, D. Delvin, C. Blocksome. 2016. Estimate contributions of prescribed rangeland burning in Kansas to ambient PM2.5 through source apportionment with the Unmix receptor model. Trans. ASABE. 59(5).</li> <li>Mehata, M., Cortus, E., and Darrington, J. (2017). Comparing the soil nitrogen losses for fall applied manure and inorganic fertilizer in the Northern Great Plains. ASABE Paper No. 1701037. St. Joseph, MI. doi: 10.13031/aim.201701037</li> <li>Miller, S.R., Mann, J.T., Rozeboom, D.W., Safferman, S.I., Leschewski, A., and Smith, J. 2017. Survey of Small Michigan Livestock Winter Manure Handling and Economic Assessment of Policy Change. Annual International Meeting of the ASABE, Spokane, Washington, July 16-19.</li> <li>Niraula, S., Rahman, S. & Chatterjee, A. (2017). Can manure application reduce nitrous oxide emission and ammonia volatilization from silty-clay soils of the Red River Valley? ASABE Paper No. 1700920. doi: 10.13031/aim.20170092</li> <li>Safferman, S.I., Smith, J., Dong, Y., Safferon, C.M., Wallace, J.M., Binkley, D., Thomas, M.R., Miller, S.A., Bissel, E., Booth, J., Lentz, J. 2017. Resource Recovery from Waste: Benefits and Complexity. Journal of Environmental Engineering, In press</li> <li>Schmidt, A.M. 2017. Emergency Holding Pond Management During Wet Weather. In cooperation with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). Special guidance document distributed via Nebraska Extension and the NDEQ.</li> <li>Schmidt, A.M., J.D. Loy, S. Vitosh-Sillman, B. Brodersen, and D. Bright. 2016. Composting of PEDv-positive Swine Mortalities via On-farm Composting. Nebraska Extension NebGuide G2280, p. 4.</li> <li>Schmidt, A.M., D. Miller, J.D. Loy, and E.E. Stevens. 2017. Composting as a biosecure disposal method for PEDv-infected pig carcasses. Proceedings of the 2017 Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers, Spokane, WA.</li> <li>Schmidt, A.M., D. Miller, J.D. Loy, and E.E. Stevens. 2017. Survivability of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in manure and manure-amended soil. Proceedings of the 2017 Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers, Spokane, WA.</li> <li>Schott, L.R. and A.M. Schmidt. 2016. Building Weather-ready Soils with Manure and Mulch. UNL BeefWatch, Troy Walz, Bethany Johnston (Ed.), Lincoln, Nebraska: UNL BeefWatch electronic newsletter.</li> <li>Schuster, N.R., S.L. Bartelt-Hunt, L.M. Durso, J.E. Gilley, X. Li, D.B. Marx, A.M. Schmidt, and D.D. Snow. 2017. Runoff water quality characteristics following swine slurry application under broadcast and injected conditions. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, 60(1): 53 – 56. <a href="http://doi.org/10.13031/trans.11370">http://doi.org/10.13031/trans.11370</a></li> <li>Stevens, E.E., D.N. Miller, B.A. Brittenham, S.J. Vitosh-Sillman, B.W. Brodersen, V.L. Jin, J.D. Loy and A.M. Schmidt. Alkaline stabilization of manure slurry inactivates porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Journal of Swine Health. (In review)</li> <li>Vitosh-Sillman, S.J., A.M. Schmidt, J.D. Loy, and B. Brodersen. Effectiveness of composting as a biosecure mortality disposal method for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)-infected pig carcasses. Porcine Health Management. (In press)</li> </ul> <h1><a name="_Toc494473822"></a>Scientific and Outreach Oral Presentations</h1> <ul> <li>Darrington, J., & Cortus, E. (2017). Modeling conductive heat transfer through and around grow-finish pigs. Presented at the 2017 Annual International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.</li> <li>Hellevang, K.J., et.al. April 2016. Harvest, Drying, Handling, and Storing Field Peas</li> </ul> Field Pea Production Guide (A1166). NDSU Extension Service <a href="https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/field-pea-production">https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/field-pea-production</a>   <ul> <li>Hellevang, Kenneth and Scherer, Tom. 2016. Electric Backup Sump Pumps for Houses, Video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQvjRFVtxo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQvjRFVtxo</a></li> <li>Janni, K.A. Enhancing Biosecurity Using Flow Analysis and Danish Entry Concepts. March 16, 2016. Midwest Poultry Convention. St. Paul, MN</li> <li>Janni, K.A. Biosecure Entry Adaptations. June 16, 2106. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Summer Conference, Duluth, MN</li> <li>Janni, K.A., L.D. Jacobson, S.L. Noll, C.J. Cardona, H.W. Martin A.E. Neu 2016. Engineering challenges and responses to the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Minnesota in 2015. ASABE AIM, Orlando, FL.</li> <li>Janni, K.A. Prevention – Biosecurity Training, Plans and Execution. March 13 & 14, 2017. University of Missouri Extension Preventing and Responding to Disease Outbreak Workshops. Neosho and Buffalo, Missouri.</li> <li>Johnson, L., C. Shapiro and A. Schmidt. 2017. Closing abandoned livestock lagoons effectively to utilize nutrients and avoid environmental problems. Third International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality, Raleigh, NC, USA, April 19, 2017.</li> <li>Miller, D., A. Schmidt, J.D. Loy, and V. Jin. Manure treatment and natural inactivation of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in soils. Third International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality, Raleigh, NC, USA, April 19, 2017.</li> <li>Miller, D., A. Schmidt, J.D. Loy, and V. Jin. Manure treatment and natural inactivation of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in soils. 16th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology, International Society for Microbial Ecology, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, August 2016.</li> <li>Schmidt, A., N. Schuster, J. Peterson, J. Gilley and L. Schott. 2017. Microarthropods as bioindicators of soil health following application of swine slurry. Third International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality, Raleigh, NC, USA, April 21, 2017.</li> <li>Schott, L. and A. Schmidt. 2017. Utilization of woody biomass and manure as agricultural soil amendments in Nebraska. Third International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality, Raleigh, NC, USA, April 19, 2017.</li> <li>Stevens, E., A. Schmidt, D. Miller, J.D. Loy and V. Jin. 2017. Manure treatment and natural inactivation of PEDV in soils. Third International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality, Raleigh, NC, USA, April 19, 2017.</li> <li>Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus survivability in environmental matrices. Livestock Environment Interests Group Webinar, Statewide, NE, May 2017.</li> <li>The role of manure in soil health. MNNRD Soil and Water Conservation Field Day, Ainsworth, NE, July 2017</li> <li>Animal agriculture regulations, risk management and sustainability – What is your role as a vet? VBMS 688, Lincoln, NE, April 2017.</li> <li>Pork production in the classroom: Mortality composting. Norfolk High School Agriculture Program, Norfolk, NE, March 30, 2017.</li> <li>Expansion of livestock production: Preparing to engage with stakeholders. Nebraska Planning and Zoning Commission Annual Conference, Kearney, NE, March 9, 2017.</li> <li>Expanding pork production. Nebraska Pork Producers Association Producer Webinar, Statewide, March 8, 2017.</li> <li>Animal agriculture regulations, risk management and sustainability. Animal Care Webinar Series, Regional, March 2017.</li> <li>Adding livestock: Building for the future. Nebraska Pork Producers Association panel, Statewide (3 events), NE, February 2017.</li> <li>Adding livestock: Building for the future. Nebraska Pork Producers Association Annual Meeting, Lincoln, NE, February 2017.</li> <li>Antimicrobial resistance in manure-amended soil. IANR-USMARC Research Symposium, Lincoln, NE, January 2017.</li> <li>Manure and mortality composting. NDEQ Land Application Training, Statewide (10 locations), NE, January 2017.</li> <li>Nebraska manure management regulations. NDEQ Land Application Training, Statewide (10 locations), NE, January 2017.</li> <li>Protecting herd health with biosecurity. NDEQ Land Application Training, Statewide (10 locations), NE, January 2017.</li> <li>Overview of the new AgSitePlanner.unl.edu website and decision-making tools. NDEQ Webinar, December 17, 2016.</li> <li>Animal Industry Impacts on Water Quality: Balancing Livestock Production and Water Resource Management in ‘The Beef State’. Fort Collins, CO. Four-states Irrigation Council. Invited speaker. January 13, 2017.</li> </ul>     <h1><a name="_Toc494473823"></a>Fund Leveraging, Specifically, Collaborative Grants Between Stations and Members</h1>   <ol> <li>Synthesis of Short- and Long-term Studies Reporting Soil Quality, Crop Productivity, and Climate Resilience Metrics Under Agricultural and Municipal Waste Water and Biosolids Applications. University of Nebraska. 2/28/17-9/30/17. PI: A.M. Schmidt. $3,800</li> </ol> This project involves conducting a literature review and 1) summarizing results of short- and long-term studies reporting on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and indirect indicators of soil health, including climate resilience and crop yield, from application of livestock manure, animal by-products (i.e. compost), and municipal biosolids to soil; and 2) describing research needs related to manure and soil health based upon identified gaps in knowledge. <ol start="2"> <li>Development of a Value-added Use for Woody Biomass Through Agricultural Land Application. Nebraska Forest Service. 12/1/15-12/31/17. PI: A.M. Schmidt. $25,000</li> </ol> The goal of this project is to demonstrate value-added uses for woody biomass that can help offset the cost of tree management activities and encourage landowners to manage eastern redcedars for ecological preservation, wildlife habitat protection, fire prevention, and water resources conservation. <ol start="3"> <li>Transforming Manure and Cedar Mulch from “Waste” to “Worth”. Nebraska Environmental Trust. 07/01/18 – 06/30/21. PI: A.M. Schmidt; Co-PI’s: R. Koelsch, L. Howard, J. Keshwani, G. Lesoing, A. Nygren, R. Saner, A. Timmerman, L. Thompson, and T. Whitney. $493,126. Submitted: September 5, 2017.</li> </ol> Through this project, we intend to conduct replicated on-farm research on commercial crop operations throughout Nebraska, engage high school agriculture programs, and cooperate with agricultural communications experts to deliver educational programming to equip farmers and their advisors with knowledge and skills to identify “win-win” opportunities for recycling animal manures and cedar mulch as soil amendments. <ol start="4"> <li>Transforming Manure from “Waste” to “Worth” to Support Responsible Livestock Production in Nebraska. We Support Agriculture. 01/01/18 – 12/31/18. PI: A.M. Schmidt; Co-PI: R. Koelsch. $36,113 Submitted: September 1, 2017.</li> </ol> Current and prospective livestock producers in Nebraska benefit from on-demand resources and tools that support their efforts to responsibly raise livestock and demonstrate stewardship of our natural resources. The proposed project is designed to support the environmental stewardship goals of Nebraska’s livestock producers by supporting the movement to transform management of manure from “waste” to “worth””. <ol start="5"> <li>Transforming Management of Manure from “Waste” to “Worth”. USDA-NIFA AFRI Foundational Program. 01/01/18 – 12/31/20. PI: A.M. Schmidt; Co-PI’s: R. Koelsch, D. Andersen, J. Arbuckle, M. Gardezi, T. Lim, A. Saylor-Mase, R. Massey, R. McDaniel and R. Power. $299,999. Submitted: August 9, 2017.</li> </ol> Recycling locally available nutrients, such as manure, prior to importing commercial fertilizer is essential to meeting nutrient reduction goals. The goal of this project is to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of farms through increased utilization of manure in cropping systems by identifying and addressing social and economic barriers to manure use; implementing on-farm research that demonstrates the agronomic, economic, and natural resource benefits of manure; and transforming attitudes among farmers and their advisors through outreach programming whereby they recognize manure as having “worth” rather than being a “waste”. <ol start="6"> <li>Water and Nutrient Recycling: A decision tool and synergistic innovative technology. USDA-NIFA. 05/01/18 – 4/30/23. PI: R. Stowell; Co-PI’s: A.M. Schmidt and J. Heemstra. $679,820 Submitted: August 2, 2017.</li> </ol> Development of a decision tool allowing scientific assessment of individual farm manure management and energy needs, and subsequent recommendation for technologies to implement, is proposed. Collection of on-farm data, integration of data into the decision-making tool, economic analysis of the proposed technology, and outreach programming to influence utilization of the tool are primary roles of the UNL faculty on this project. <ol start="7"> <li>Investigating mobile genetic elements and resistance gene reservoirs towards understanding the emergence and ecology of antimicrobial resistance in beef cattle production systems. USDA-NIFA Food Safety Challenge Area. 01/01/18 – 12/31/21. PI: S. Fernando; Co-PI’s: S. Bartelt-Hunt, J.D. Loy, H.P. Manzano, T. Messer, G. Morota, A.M. Schmidt, D. Snow, R. Stowell. $1,197,306. Submitted: June 21, 2017.</li> </ol> The overall goal of this project is to determine the ecology and transmission of AMR gene reservoirs by evaluating the mobile genetic elements in the cattle production system and develop science-based intervention strategies to mitigate emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance and effect change in management with industry partners through outreach. Research outputs are expected to translate to the development of novel management and nutritional strategies that reduce the burden of antimicrobial use in the cattle production system while outreach efforts will establish a successful communication network that yields improved information transfer to consumers to increase confidence in the safety of beef products. <ol start="8"> <li>Quantifying Cattle Manure-AMR Perceptions and Treatment System Variabilities to Develop a Novel Communication Framework for Conveying AMR Science and Mitigation Opportunities. University of Maryland. USDA-NIFA Food Safety Challenge Area. 01/01/18 – 12/31/21. PI: R. Stowell; Co-PI’s: A.M. Schmidt and J. Heemstra. $1,999,999. Submitted: June 21, 2017.</li> </ol> An integrated approach is proposed to a) investigate novel higher-temperature manure treatment methods for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) reduction, b) characterize AMR in manure under variable manure management systems, c) develop a manure sampling protocol for AMR-related studies, d) systematically quantify AMR knowledge and perceptions among stakeholders, and e) create targeted outreach campaigns to improve communication among experts, farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders on AMR risks and reduction strategies. <ol start="9"> <li>Workshop on Resilience and Sustainability of Integrated Agronomic Systems. Kansas State University. USDA-NIFA Foundational Program, Sustainable Agroecosystems. 01/01/18 – 12/31/18. PI: A.M. Schmidt. $49,444. Submitted: June 21, 2017.</li> </ol> The workshop will assemble researchers, educators and stakeholders in the Great Plains region to explore the tenets of integrated agricultural production system sustainability through invited presentations addressing unique perspectives on the agronomic production system, facilitated discussion to identify and delineate challenges to resiliency and sustainability of the agronomic system, and establishment of working groups to collaborate post-conference on development and submission of proposals for external funding.

Impact Statements

Promotion of Research and Outreach Collaboration in the NCR Increased collaborative research and outreach efforts among extension engineers in the North Central Region have produced new funding requests for federal grant dollars and are expected to yield increased grant expenditures among all university programs represented in NCCC-09 in the coming years.

Date of Annual Report: 10/13/2018

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/14/2018 - 08/14/2018
Period the Report Covers: 08/16/2017 - 08/15/2018

Participants

2017-18 Officers
Past Chair – Amy Millmier Schmidt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Chair – Erin Cortus, South Dakota State University
Vice Chair – Morgan Hayes, University of Kentucky
Secretary – Teng Lim, University of Missouri-Columbia
Administrative Advisor – John Lawrence, Iowa State University
NIFA Representative – Steven Thomson, National Program Leader for Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering
Official Participants
Richard Cooke, University of Illinois
Erin Cortus, South Dakota State University
Jay Harmon, Iowa State University
Morgan Hayes, University of Kentucky
Kenneth Hellevang, North Dakota State University
Steven Hoff, Iowa State University
Kevin Janni, University of Minnesota
Rebecca Larson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Teng Lim, University of Missouri-Columbia
Jiqin Ni, Purdue University
Tom Scherer, North Dakota State University
Amy Millmier Schmidt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lingying Zhao, Ohio State University
Zifei Liu, Kansas State University
Dana Kirk, Michigan State University
Steven Safferman, Michigan State University
Unofficial Participants
Daniel Andersen, Iowa State University
Kevin Erb, University of Wisconsin
Joseph Harner, Kansas State University
Shafiqur Rahman, North Dakota State University
Richard Stowell, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Joe Zulovich, University of Missouri-Columbia

Brief Summary of Minutes

Business Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the NCCC-09 Committee took place August 14, 2018 at South Dakota State University Cow-Calf Research Unit.

The group discussed plans for members to work on new project proposal, and decided to emphasize the importance of “collaboration”, and includes feed, fiber, and energy. The group then established objectives for the new project proposal.

Dan Anderson was elected to be the next secretary, which starts October 1.

Members discussed options for a face-to-face meeting in 2019. Options included Manure Expo (IN, July-August), Waste-to-Worth (MN, April), ASABE (Boston, July), Kentucky, Iowa, and Indianapolis (One-Water conference, Dec). There will be a survey sent to the entire group to identify a common venue for the next meeting.

New proposal request is due September 15th, a draft is needed by September 1st. The plan is to complete the project rewrite and submit/upload before December 1st.

Members discussed that there are many webinars nowadays, and there have been low attendance issue. The group decide to hold teleconferences for the project rewrite effort. Potential topics for future webinars include housing ventilation, curriculum development, and topics from the revised impact statements.

Also discussed were the accomplishments of NCCC9 committee this year:

MWPS, with the collaborative efforts of authors from Iowa State University, University of Kentucky, North Dakota State University, Purdue University, and Oklahoma State University, has released the new edition of Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook: MWPS-13, 2017. This book was professionally edited, illustrated, designed, and distributed through MWPS. The publication was recognized as an outstanding educational aid by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers with an ASABE Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award.

MWPS-13 was promoted through various sources; news release by ISU Extension and Outreach, July 2017, article in Wallaces Farmer, September 2017, and flyers sent to Mid-West co-ops, 2017.

MWPS participated as a vendor at two events; the 2018 ANR Spring Training during the Innovation Café where extension folks got together in focus group discussions and county professionals, and 2018 Iowa Ag Teachers-Summer AgEd Conference where 200 ag educators in professional development participated in committee meetings and general session to learn about the current state of ag education.

A MWPS committee has put together a draft for the new publication, “Manure Processing and Utilization” (MWPS 18-4 1st Edition), which is a collaboration among extension engineers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, North Dakota, Indiana, Texas, and Kansas.

The University of Minnesota produced a two-page factsheet on practices to identify biosecurity hazards that could lead to potential disease transmission between poultry facilities.

South Dakota State University has a new extension engineering faculty member, Dr. John McMaine. During his first year on faculty, he emphasized engagement with stakeholder groups and establishment of a research foundation and extension network for long-term success.

Aquaculture operators in Indiana have been educated on proper environmental control of aquaculture buildings (Project of Albert J. Heber, Indiana).

Trade can become more efficient because low quality grain, oilseed and co-products with food safety concerns can be removed from the supply chain (Project of Klein E. Ileleji and Rose Prabin Kingsly Ambrose, Indiana).

Manure and Soil Health Program (MaSH) Working Group focused on understanding and promoting the role of manure in improving soil health. The team includes University and USDA personnel from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Farmers are increasingly aware of the importance of soil quality.

New Facilities and Equipment

Iowa State University is planning construction of a new feed mill and grain center, a new poultry teaching and research farm, and a new swine teaching farm.

South Dakota confirmed approval of state appropriation (funds) for a new Precision Ag building. The building project also received private donations from the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, Raven Industries and others. Construction is expected to commence in Fall of 2019 and last for one year.

Michigan is constructing a mobile macropore quantification unit. All equipment will be on a trailer including image processing software to interpret photographs. Results will enable the estimation of macropore density. In addition, a test membrane was acquired to test different membranes types, configurations, and pretreatment techniques for solid/liquid separation of various agricultural residuals.

Unique Project-Related Findings

The recently distributed white paper demonstrated some agricultural engineering extension topics with critically low personnel. There is also a shortage of faculty providing education and technical assistance on the high-demand engineering topic of machinery and precision agriculture. Some additional unmet needs across the region include engineering related to livestock facilities, irrigation, structures both agricultural and residential, disaster preparation and response, and agricultural safety. Many topic areas are covered by engineers with only a small fraction (less than 30%) of their time allocated to the topic. It is unlikely that an extension engineer can conduct an appropriate extension program with such a small percentage of time allocated to the topic. Exacerbating these concerns is the fact that about 20% of the tenured extension engineering FTEs in the North Central Region will be retiring in less than five years.

Accomplishments

<h1><a name="_Toc526264416"></a>Accomplishment Summaries</h1>   Members of NCCC-09 continue to participate in numerous collaborative efforts within the region. Current projects by NCCC-09 active work teams cover the topic areas of manure management, grain drying and energy efficiency, soil and water, and animal agriculture and facilities. Teams of NCCC-09 participants contributing to each of the projects in these topic areas met regularly over the past year and continue to meet monthly by conference call to work on developing extension materials that are applicable throughout the region, increasing collaboration and productivity, strengthening unified messages, and reducing the resource demand on extension personnel. Specific collaborations within the NCCC-09 group include the endeavors described in the following pages. The efforts of all involved with MWPS-13 (Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook: MWPS-13, 2017) were awarded the ASABE Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence, 2018. <h2>NCCC-09 Conference Calls</h2> NCCC-09 hosted a teleconference on April 16, 2018. Prior to the group teleconference, the officers and invited members participated in an executive conference to plan for a survey to determine potential meeting date and location, and prepare for the group teleconference. Both teleconferences were opportunities for members to provide project updates, discuss MWPS ideas, announce new RFPs, and initiate potential collaborations for extension activities, publications, and proposals. The teleconferences fostered communication within NCCC-09 and among the topic groups. Participants also learned about ongoing USDA funding opportunities. Extension engineering faculty from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Missouri-Columbia collaborated on development of a Letter of Intent for a project proposal under a NIFA Foundational Program priority area. <h2>MWPS Publications</h2> The MWPS-13 Handbook entitled “Grain Drying, Handling and Storage Handbook”, was published in July 2017. A grant from NC-213 was awarded to aid in this effort. The publication received an American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Educational Aids Blue Ribbon. Some 500 copies of the book have been sold during the year. The leadership author group included Dirk Maier (ISU), Sam McNeill (University of Kentucky), and Kenneth Hellevang (NDSU). Others engaged were Carol Jones (OSU), Klein Ileleji (Purdue), Kingsly Ambrose (Purdue) and Mark Purschwitz (University of Kentucky). A broad network of Extension service personnel and Ag Program Leaders; grain drying and storage companies and dealers; grain engineers across the U.S.; national and local commodity groups and associations; and selected regional and national media aided in the national distribution of grain drying and storage information originating from NDSU. Over 500 copies were sold in 2017. Iowa State University with 16% of book sales, Ridgewater College, MN with 12%, North Dakota State with 11%, Texas A&M with 10%. Through promotion the book sales accounted for 15% after the ISU extension news release, 16% after the article in Wallaces Farmer, and 2% after Co-op flyer. The ANR Innovation Café generated another 2% and put MWPS-13 in the hands of ISU ANR Field Agronomists. MWPS publications are used extensively in extension programs and college courses including, but not limited to: <ul> <li>Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan materials are used for technical service provider training in Illinois.</li> <li>MWPS-1 and MWPS-13 are both used as textbooks for a course at the University of Nebraska.</li> <li>MWPS-18 is used as a text at the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University</li> <li>MWPS-18-S1, S2, S3 used at South Dakota State University</li> <li>MWPS-16 is the textbook for a course at the University of Illinois.</li> <li>MWPS-66: Cow-Calf Production is used as a textbook at Iowa State University and Purdue University</li> <li>MWPS-13: Grain Drying is used at North Dakota State University</li> <li>MWPS-6: Beef Housing is used at North Dakota State University</li> <li>MWPS-7: Dairy Freestall is used at University of Wisconsin</li> </ul> NCCC-09 members coordinate the review and revision of existing Midwest Plan Service (MWPS) publications and the writing of new materials. The “Manure Group” within the NCCC-09 committee continues to work on a new publication about manure handling and application practices to compliment the MWPS-18 series. Existing MWPS publications warranting revisions were prioritized at the annual meeting and select new publications were identified for development. <h2>Ventilation of Swine Production Housing</h2> Extension engineers and animal scientists in Iowa and Ohio continue to deliver workshops for barn managers and pig caretakers to address the need for improved understanding and management of mechanical ventilation systems in swine buildings. A mobile ventilation laboratory was used to demonstrate mechanical ventilation principles, fan interactions, inlet behaviors and controller performance.  Funds for the mobile lab were provided by the pork producer organizations. The team conducted seven ventilation workshops in Iowa and Ohio. <h2>Minnkota Builders Conference</h2> Minnesota and South Dakota organized the 2018 meeting of the Minnkota Builders and Equipment Association in Morton, MN.  The 1.5 day meeting included tours of Simply Shrimp, a salt-water shrimp growing operation, and Hanson Silo near Wilmar, MN. The conference included research and industry presentations opportunities for networking. The meeting provided approximately 35 attending consultants, builders, equipment suppliers, agency staff and university staff with current information about LP gas practices and code requirement, new National Fire Code updates, swine barn remodeling practices, EPCRA and CERCLA requirements and university research updates. <h2>Biosecurity Education</h2> The University of Minnesota Biosecure Entry Education Trailer (BEET) was at the Minnesota Pork Congress, Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, Minnesota FarmFest and the Minnesota State Fair where people had opportunities to learn about biosecurity. BEET was also used with veterinary students, swine system employees, horse enthusiasts and Minnesota 4-H Livestock Project participants. Although its primary function is demonstrating Danish Entry protocols used in swine and poultry production, people with other animal species such as beef cattle, goats and rabbits learned about appropriate biosecurity practices, too. Members of the Biosecurity Team made a presentation, Understanding Biosecurity When Working on Livestock Farms, at the 56th Annual Rural Energy Conference in La Crosse, WI. University of Missouri collaborated with Minnesota and Oklahoma and received funding ($46k) for biosecurity workshops in 2016-2017. Missouri has received funding for a 2018-2019 biosecurity training/workshop. The faculty are collaborating with Missouri Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and NRCS to organize materials and workshop about biosecurity and mortality management information, to prevent future disease outbreak.  The workshops will be offered at five locations within the state. Attendees will be trained about major disease outbreak quarantine, mortality management, and more importantly, biosecurity. <h2>Pig Production Environmental Footprint</h2> Faculty from University of Minnesota and University of Nebraska-Lincoln are collaborating on a project to encourage the use of the National Pork Board Pig Production Environmental Footprint Calculator on swine operations in Minnesota and Nebraska, and promoting Extension faculty and staff resources to help with these calculations. This project helps build baseline information on resource utilization on Midwest swine farms, assess opportunities to improve resource efficiency and swine farm profitability, and gather producer feedback on the tool.  The goal is to engage 65 farms in the two states, and the work is funded by the National Pork Board. The project experiences provide guidance for future Extension work with the calculator. Initial discussions with producers indicate a strong desire to continue to improve environmental protection. <h2>Energy Education and Outreach</h2> Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Minnesota have contributed to various renewable energy and farm energy conservation extension programs underway in the Midwest. Members from WI, IA and MN participate as ex-officio members on the board of directors of the Midwest Rural Energy Council (MREC), which holds an annual educational conference. <h2>Eastern South Dakota Water Conference</h2> South Dakota water extension and research faculty and staff helped organize and run the 2017 Eastern South Dakota Water Conference.  The format of the 2017 conference was a stakeholder working conference.  The morning sessions had presenters give an overview of the current state of South Dakota water resources including how water quality is measured and some current research projects.  The afternoon featured roundtable discussion guided by a series of six questions to identify where South Dakota water resources are, where we want to be and how to get there.  The comments were collected and results of the over 400 comments are being compiled into a white paper that will be presented at the 2018 conference. <h2>CERCLA and EPCRA Reporting Requirements for Air Releases from Animal Waste at Farms</h2> In April 2017, an appeals court ruling reversed a stay requiring livestock and poultry farms that emit more than 100 pounds of either ammonia or hydrogen sulfide in a 24-hour period to report air emissions as part of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. EPA considers animal production facilities as continuous emitters, which means they do not require a separate report for each day but instead a single report covering the whole year. The act was to be enforced immediately, but was then delayed multiple times as reporting deadlines approached. This development led to much confusion for farmers, which required outreach efforts. On March 23, 2018, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Omnibus Bill), was signed into law. When the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issues its mandate vacating the 2008 final rule (expected as soon as May 1, 2018), farms will remain exempt from the CERCLA reporting requirements as a result of the FARM Act. Many states were involved in conference calls and discussions to clarify internal understanding and to assist with how to extend this information to farmers. Nebraska’s worksheet for calculating emissions was in fact published by EPA as a method for determining and calculating reportable emissions.  Illinois also provided interactive online worksheets using EPA published values. As well, Illinois and Kentucky created websites to summarize information and materials.  <h2>Marketing and Delivery of Quality Grains and Bioprocess Products</h2> Purdue University is leading a project (Klein E. Ileleji and Rose Prabin Kingsly Ambrose) to assess factors, which affect the quality and safety attributes of grain, improve stored grain management and systems efficiency, especially for large facilities, and implement increased Extension programming to cover these areas. This effort will be conducted through collaboration with other land-grant university Extension Specialists and Educators under the multistate project, NC-213. <h2>Aquaculture Systems</h2> Indiana researcher environmentally surveyed three tilapia and two shrimp buildings in winter and summer, and temperatures were recorded for at least two weeks following each visit (Albert Heber). The average indoor temperature and relative humidity during the winter and summer visits were 23.3°C (74°F) and 78%, and 26.1°C (79°F) and 65%, respectively. We observed cases of inadequate ventilation rates and air distribution, excessive surface condensation, and excessive heat loss. We also noted improper attic ventilation, inadequately sized heat exchangers, the use of expensive dehumidifiers, improper vapor barrier installation, and ill-advised use of ceiling inlets. A spreadsheet was developed to calculate building heat loss factors, heat and moisture balances, predict surface condensation, determine proper ventilation rate, and estimate energy usage. Calculations have shown, for example, that ventilation is more efficient for removing humidity than dehumidification, and that uninsulated floors are responsible for a significant amount of building heat loss.   <h2>AgrAbility and Agricultural Safety and Health</h2> Indiana faculty (William Field) conducted National AgrAbility Training Workshop, March 2018, in Portland, Maine. There were over 240 attended representing over 25 states. William Field also conducted “Collaborative Agricultural Safety and Health Exhibit” at the 2018 Farm Progress Show in Iowa. Exhibits from Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa were involved in promoting safer work practices. <h2>North American Manure EXPO [OH, PA, WI, OK, ND, MN, MO, IN, & SD]</h2> The Manure Expo brings together Extension and research personnel from various states, including several represented by NCCC-09, and Canada to offer short classes and demonstrations relating to nutrient management and environmental protection. The 2017 North American Manure Expo was hosted by University of Wisconsin, held at Arlington, WI. The two-day event happened on August 22 (Tour day, agitation demonstrations, and industry education seminars) and August 23 (Education sessions, vendor trade show, and field demonstrations). The theme of the Expo was “Professionalism in Nutrient Management”. South Dakota State University co-chaired the 2018 Manure Expo with University of Nebraska – Lincoln and North Dakota State University. The Expo was held in Brookings, SD, August 15-16, 2018, and used a similar show agenda as in 2017. The Expo continues to bring the practical management, equipment, and new research findings regarding manure nutrient management together and present to various audiences. The technical field tours, demonstrations, and classroom sessions provide opportunities for Extension educators to present the materials to a large audience. The 2017 two-day event brought together over 80 vendors and 1200-1400 participants. The first day of the Expo featured technical tours of various operation followed by educational seminars that evening. Day two of the Expo featured tradeshow, field demonstrations, and education seminars. Demonstrations on day two included solid manure spreaders, liquid manure spreaders, compost turning, and side-dressing crops with manure. <h2>Livestock Mortality Management</h2> Illinois and Michigan delivered a large animal non-emergency carcass composting workshop in Northern IL with assistance from Michigan State, IL NRCS, and Illinois State University.  The workshop included both presentations and hands-on demonstrations with an on-farm active mortality composting site. Nebraska Extension continues to focus efforts on promoting composting as a biosecure and environmentally responsible carcass disposal method and encouraging development of Emergency Livestock Mortality Management Plans. Research led by a Nebraska NCCC-09 member generated recommendations for biosecure disposal of swine carcasses infected with the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) that have been distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada via National Pork Board publications, journal articles, media outputs, and webinars. Three Livestock Emergency Mortality Management Training events were delivered in Nebraska through funding provided by the Department of Homeland Security to improve the capabilities of regional emergency management associations and law enforcement officers to respond to non-routine livestock mortality events. <h2>Pathways Project</h2> The project titled “Mapping the Pathways for Effective Information Dissemination and Education between Manure Nutrient Management Agriculture Professionals” was a collaborative endeavor with both a national and North Central Region focus. The national project team disseminated a national survey to collect data on the functions, information sources, dissemination methods and barriers for information exchange by research institutions, private industry, government, education, regulatory, technical service providers, and producers, garnering nearly 1000 responses. South Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri garnered funding through the North Central Region Water Network for initial survey analysis focused on North Central Region states. Based on the North Central Region Water Network survey, this work created new collaborations and increased Extension/outreach capacity in the North Central region and beyond. A journal article was published as a result of this project. <h2>Review of Life Cycle Assessment on Carbon Footprint of Beef Production in the U.S. </h2> Kansas researchers conducted a systematic and comprehensive review of life cycle assessment on carbon footprint of beef and pork productions in the US.  The study offered (1) an initial critical review on types of LCA methodology and allocation method used, the scope, scale and system boundary defined in the LCA applications in beef production; (2) an LCA comparison of different beef systems; (3) a ranging of results on carbon footprint of beef production based on conditions of the US beef production, trends in various indicators and the current data gap. Results provided a better understanding of the whole-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the productions. <h2>Receptor Modeling and Smoke Management Workshop</h2> Kansas researchers conducted smoke management workshops and developed fact sheets for prescribed rangeland burning in Kansas, providing up-to-date information to regulators engaged in decision support and other stakeholders involved in air quality and land management, and acquainting them with current and future satellite capabilities and available resources. Results of the receptor modeling has successfully unraveled the source profiles of Kansas pasture burning and quantified contribution of various sources to ambient PM2.5 and ozone, as well as their seasonal patterns. The correlations between O3 and PM2.5 from smoke has been revealed. The results have been published in peer reviewed journal and a series of extension articles are to be generated to support the annual smoke management workshop and help smoke management. <h2>Transport of soluble phosphorus</h2> Michigan State University verified the leaching of soluble phosphorus from the freeze/thaw of cover crops and that the amount depends on the plant’s stage of growth. The researchers demonstrated an enhanced macropore analyses technique that enables the quantification of density using image processing software.  Data will be used to ultimately produce an index and/or data for modeling that will enable the inclusion of the transport of soluble phosphorus. into tile drains. Research on the transport of soluble phosphorus continues with the goal of producing an index/data that provides guidance on the use of manure and fertilizers that maximizes beneficial plant uptake and minimizes environmental risk. Research components include examining the extent and impact of macropores in different soil types, soluble phosphorus leaching from the freeze/thaw of cover crops, impact of manure application timing on soluble phosphorus release, and computational modeling of the fate of nutrients applied to crop soil. <h2>Manure and Soil Health Program</h2> NCCC-09 members from the North Central Region formed a working group in 2016 focused on understanding and promoting the role of manure in improving soil health. Represented in this working group are university and USDA personnel from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Farmers are increasingly aware of the importance of soil quality. Research has demonstrated that carefully managed manure applications can contribute to improved soil quality. However, a comprehensive assemblage of current knowledge has not occurred. The Manure & Soil Health (MaSH) initiative assembled current knowledge on this topic, improved its accessibility to those influencing manure management decisions, and used it to facilitate future research and educational activities. Specific accomplishments include: <ul> <li>Hosting of four MaSH roundtable discussions Twelve experts provided reviews of current knowledge, critical issues, and information needs of farmers.</li> <li>Development of three MaSH related white papers on the topics of 1) Analysis of Missouri Soil Health Data; 2) Winter Manure Application: Management Practices and Environmental Impact; and 3) Synthesis of studies reporting soil quality metrics.</li> <li>A monthly blog was published to encourage on-going conversations about MaSH. A blog platform based upon WordPress for author development and the Soil Health Nexus web resource (http://soilhealthnexus.org/category/manure) was developed in collaboration with the North Central Regional Water Network, and blog articles are published monthly since February 2017. A total of 15 published blog articles is available at the web resource.</li> <li>Articles were distributed to an email listserv maintained for the MaSH blog. 216 individuals received these newsletters as of March 2018. The March 2018 blog article was opened by 57 individuals within the first 4 days following its release.  Articles are also distributed to 10 individuals who serve as editors for regional, state and national Extension and agency newsletters such as Nebraska Extension CropWatch, Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC) newsletter, South Dakota State’s iGrow e-news, Michigan State University Extension’s News, NRCS Twitter Feeds and Soil Health Web resources, Purdue Extension’s Conservation Cropping Systems initiative news releases, etc. Re-purposing our articles through other Extension media appears to greatly increase exposure of Extension clientele to our blog content.  Three of the 10 editor shared that their media product reached 3,900 additional email addresses.</li> <li>The project delivered three Mash related white papers. The final products were published and distributed through two sources: 1) Soil Health Nexus web site, http://soilhealthnexus.org/resources/ and 2) Soil Health Institute has published these into their library of soil health research https://www.soilhealthinstituteresearch.org/Home/Search )</li> <li>Four grant proposals (totaling over $740,000) were developed by members of this group during 2017-18 to expand and continue on-farm research and demonstration of manure impacts on soil health; one proposal (NIFA) was declined for funding and three were awarded funds by the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NC-SARE) Program, Nebraska-based We Support Agriculture, and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.</li> </ul>   <h1><a name="_Toc526264420"></a>Fund Leveraging, Specifically, Collaborative Grants Between Stations and Members</h1>   <ol> <li>Andersons Research Grant administered by The Ohio State University through the NC-231 Multi-State collaborative research project. October 2015. For preparing, editing, and first print run of MWPS-13: Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook, July 2017.</li> </ol> The goal of this project is to prepare and print a first print of a MWPS publication: MWPS-13: Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook. <ol start="2"> <li>Facilitating “Win-Win” Manure Utilization for Sustained Soil Health, Economic and Environmental Benefits. North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education – Professional Development Grant Program. 10/01/18 – 09/30/21. PI: M. Schmidt; Co-PI: R. Koelsch (University of Nebraska); Sub-awards: D. Andersen (Iowa State) and E. Cortus (University of Minnesota). $74,905</li> </ol> This project will support SARE’s sustainability goals of long term profitability (better utilization of manure’s nutrient value), stewardship of natural resources (improved water and soil quality), and quality of life for rural communities (limit risk of manure’s negative qualities, such as odor). An existing multi-state working group will deliver a professional development program for those advising crop farmers intended to: build awareness of manure’s value; demonstrate benefits locally via on-farm research; and teach crop farmers to confidently identify "win-win" opportunities for manure use on cropland. <ol start="3"> <li>Environmental Footprints for Regional Swine Production Systems Now and in the Future – A Demonstration Pilot Project. National Pork Board. 06/01/18 – 05/31/19. PI: E. Cortus; Co-PI: R. Stowell and A.M. Schmidt. $55,126.</li> </ol> The specific objectives are to (1) engage 65 producers in Environmental Footprint calculations of current production practices; (2) measure the change in knowledge, interest and trust in environmental sustainability and related metrics following engagement with local educators; and (3) identify and evaluate strategies that have potential to help local producers reach sustainability metric goals using Life Cycle Analysis. <ol start="4"> <li>Water and Nutrient Recycling: A decision tool and synergistic innovative technology. USDA-NIFA. 10/01/18 – 9/30/23. L. Greenlee, R. Stowell; A.M. Schmidt, T. Lim, J. Zulovich, etc. $4,342,280.</li> </ol> A collaborative effort between Nebraska, Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas, and Montana.  Development of a decision tool allowing scientific assessment of individual farm manure management and energy needs, and subsequent recommendation for technologies to implement, is proposed. Collection of on-farm data, integration of data into the decision-making tool, economic analysis of the proposed technology, and outreach programming to influence utilization of the tool are primary roles of the UNL faculty on this project.   <h1>Other relevant accomplishments and activities</h1>  MWPS is in the process of revising Wiring Handbook for Rural Facilities, with a projected release date of Spring 2019. Greg Stark, Texas A&M will update the NEC codes, and Scott Sanford, University of Wisconsin-Madison, will update the lighting portion through the addition of a new chapter. Illustrations and editing have been arranged. <ul> <li>MWPS will be attending two days of training on accessibility conversions for downloads through ANR. Also starting the process of setting up Google Analytics to better monitor hits and visits to the ecommerce website and the impacts of social media, using google and Facebook ads as a possible advertising outlet.Synthesis of Short- and Long-term Studies Reporting Soil Quality, Crop Productivity, and Climate Resilience Metrics Under Agricultural and Municipal Waste Water and Biosolids Applications.</li> <li>South Dakota organized a livestock environmental training on November 1, 2017. Approximately 85 producers, county zoning board members, and others attended the day-long training.  Another training was held June 27, 2018 with over 110 attendees.  Attendees learned about water quality, animal nutrition, manure application, soil health, and nutrient management.  This training will be repeated in August, 2018 and December, 2018.</li> <li>South Dakota organized and led a workshop series related to urban stormwater management (April 4, 17, 24, 2018). The series was attended by a total of 28 homeowners and stormwater professionals. Participants learned about stormwater runoff, low impact development, rain garden design. Participants then worked in teams to develop their own rain garden design using the techniques taught in the workshop.  In June, 2018 the rain garden was constructed in Sioux Falls at a residence.  The rain garden will be monitored for one year for water quality and water quantity.</li> </ul>

Publications

<h1><a name="_Toc526264418"></a>NCCC-09 Publications</h1> NCCC-09 members are developing a new product for publication in the coming year(s) by MWPS. <ul> <li>Manure Processing and Utilization (MWPS 18-4 1st Edition), In development, R. Larson, E. Cortus, A. Schmidt, D. Anderson, T. Lim, K. Erb, S. Rahmen, Z. Liu, and J. Ni.</li> </ul> Additional publications from the 2017-18 reporting year include: <ul> <li>Cortus, E.L., B. Kasu, J. Jaquet, N. Embertson, A. Schmidt, T.T. Lim and J. Heemstra. 2017. Relevant information sources in the vast and complex manure nutrient management network. Journal of Extension 56(3), Article 3FEA6. Available at: https://www.joe.org/joe/2018june/a6.php</li> <li>E. Gilley, S. L. Bartelt-Hunt, K. M. Eskridge, X. Li, A. M. Schmidt, D. D. Snow. 2017. Setback distance requirements for removal of swine slurry constituents in runoff. Trans ASABE 60(6): 1885-1894.</li> <li>Jadhav, H, S.J. Hoff, J.D. Harmon, and D.S. Andersen. 2018. Swine Finishing Room Infiltration: Part 2. Infiltration as Affected by Room Characteristics. (accepted, Applied Engineering in Agriculture).</li> <li>Jadhav, H,, S.J. Hoff, J.D. Harmon, I. Alverez, D.S. Andersen, and U. Passes. 2018. Swine finishing room infiltration: Part 1. Quantification and prediction. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 34(2):413-424.</li> <li>Janni, K.A., M. M. Torremorell, L.D. Jacobson, C. Alonso, B.P. Hetchler. 2018. Modeling airborne virus concentrations in filtered swine barns with negative-pressure ventilating systems. Trans of ASABE 61(3):1089-1099 doi.org/10.13031/trans.12561.</li> <li>Liu,Z. and Y. Liu. 2018. Review: Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from animal production. Greenh. Gases. S. 00:1–12; DOI: 10.1002/ghg.</li> <li>Ni, J. Q., A. J. Heber, T. T. Lim, S. M. Hanni, and C. A. Diehl. 2017. Laboratory evaluation of a manure additive for mitigating gas and odor releases from layer hen manure. Aerosol and Air Quality Research 17(9). doi: DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.2016.07.0327.</li> <li>Ni, J. -q., Diehl, C. A., Chai, L., Chen, Y., Heber, A. J., Lim, T. T., & Bogan, B. W. (2017). Factors and characteristics of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and particulate matter emissions from two manure-belt layer hen houses. Atmospheric Environment, 156, 113-124. http://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.02.033.</li> <li>Ramirez, B. C., Gao, Y., Hoff, S. J. & Harmon, J. D. Thermal environment sensor array: Part II. Data application to assess grow-finish swine housing. Biosystems Engineering. (accepted)</li> <li>Ramirez, B. C., Hoff, S. J. & Harmon, J. D. Thermal environment sensor array: Part I. Development and field performance assessment. Biosystems Engineering. (accepted)</li> <li>Schuster, N. R., S. L. Bartelt-Hunt, L. M. Durso, J. E. Gilley, X. Li, D. B Marx, A. M. Schmidt, D. D. Snow. 2017. Runoff water quality characteristics following swine slurry application under broadcast and injected conditions. Trans ASABE 60(1): 53-66.</li> <li>Smith, B.C., B.C. Ramirez, S.J. Hoff, J.D. Harmon, J.P. Shinn.   Design and validation of a mobile air filter testing lab for animal agricultural applications.  Buildings and Environment. (in preparation).</li> <li>Stevens, E.E., D.N. Miller, B.A. Brittenham, S.J. Vitosh-Sillman, B.W. Brodersen, V.L. Jin, J.D. Loy and A.M. Schmidt. 2018. Alkaline stabilization of manure slurry inactivates porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. J Swine Health and Prod 26(2): 95-100. <a href="http://www.aasv.org/shap.html">http://www.aasv.org/shap.html</a>.</li> <li>Vitosh-Sillman, S.J., A.M. Schmidt, J.D. Loy, and B. Brodersen. Effectiveness of composting as a biosecure mortality disposal method for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV)-infected pig carcasses. Porcine Health Management. 2017; 3: 22. doi: 1186/s40813-017-0068-z</li> </ul> Books <ul> <li>Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook, MWPS-13, July 2017. Midwest Plan Service</li> <li>Large Dairy Herd Management, 3rd Edition. 2017. American Dairy Science Association. Zulovich, J. M., & Harner, J. P. (2017). Preface - Section 3: Facilities and Environment. In David K. Beede, Editor-in-Chief (Ed.), Electronic Book – Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd Edition). American Diary Science Association. Zulovich served as lead Section Editor for Section 3: Facilities and Environment (132 pages). Section chapters and authors as follows:</li> </ul> Book Chapters <ul> <li>Durso, L. and A.M. Schmidt. 2017. Antimicrobial resistance related to agricultural waste water and biosolid sources. In Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewater Treatment Processes. Edited by Patricia L. Keen and Raphaèl Fugère. Wiley-Blackwell, 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-1-119-19243-5. 392 pp. Published December 2017.</li> <li>Harner, J. P., Zulovich, J. M., Kammel, D. W., & Tyson, J. T. (2017). Chapter 03-19: Feed center system design and management. In David K. Beede, Editor-in-Chief (Ed.), Electronic Book – Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd Edition). American Diary Science Association.</li> <li>Kammel, D. W., Zulovich, J. M., & Harner, J. P. (2017). Chapter 03-12: A systems approach to dairy farmstead design. In David K. Beede, Editor-in-Chief (Ed.), Electronic Book – Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd Edition). American Diary Science Association.</li> <li>Lim, T.-T., C. Wang, A. J. Heber, N. Ji-Qin, and L. Zhao. 2018. Effect of Electrostatic Precipiration on Particulate Matter Emissions from a high-rise layer house. In Air Quality and Livestock Farming, 372 p. T. Banhazi, A. Aland, and J. Hartung, eds. Australia: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.</li> <li>Maier, D.E., 2017. Lead author. Planning Guidelines, pp. 1-4, Grain Drying, pp. 51-82. Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook, Midwest Plan Service, Iowa State University</li> <li>Ni, J.-Q., A. J. Heber, and T.-T. Lim. 2018. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in swine production. In Air Quality and Livestock Farming, 372 p. T. Banhazi, A. Aland, and J. Hartung, eds. Australia: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.</li> <li>Zulovich, J. M., Harner, J. P., & Kammel, D. W. (2017). Chapter 03-13: Systems approach to designing milking centers and other dairy systems. In David K. Beede, Editor-in-Chief (Ed.), Electronic Book – Large Dairy Herd Management (3rd Edition). American Diary Science Association.</li> </ul> Conference Papers <ul> <li>Brown, J. T., T.-T. Lim, J. M. Zulovich, and C. Costello. 2018. Evaluation of Mechanical Scraper System Finishing Barn for Solid-Liquid Separation. In ASABE Annual International Meeting. ASABE Paper No. 1801273. St. Joseph, Mich.: ASABE.</li> <li>Harner, J. P., Marin, J. G., Zulovich, J. M., & Brouk, M. J. (2017). Water Conservation for Next Gen Dairies. In . Presented at the Western Dairy Management Conference, Reno, NV. http://wdmc.org/proceedings/</li> <li>Lim, T.-T., C. B. Bromfield, J. A. Zulovich, and R. Massey. 2017. Biosecurity: Collaboration to ensure state of readiness. In International Symposium on Animal Environment and Welfare. Rongchang, Chongqing, China.</li> <li>Parker, D. B., E. L. Cortus, K. D. Casey, G. W. Marek, K. R. Heflin, and H. M. Waldrip. 2018. Empirical model of annual nitrous oxide emissions from open-lot beef cattle feedyard pens in the Southern High Plains. ASABE Paper 1800508. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE.</li> <li>Vitosh-Sillman, S., J.D. Loy, B. Brodersen, C. Kelling, K. Eskridge and M. Schmidt. 2018. Effectiveness of composting as a biosecure disposal method for PEDv-infected pig carcasses. Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Animal Mortality Management, Amarillo, TX, June 3-7, 2018.</li> <li>Zulovich, J. A., and T.-T. Lim. 2017. Initial technical feasibility of air conditioning to eliminate heat stress in swine grow-finish facilities. In International Symposium on Animal Environment and Welfare. Rongchang, Chongqing, China</li> <li>Zulovich, J. M., Milhollin, R. K., Harner, J. P., Horner, J. L. (2018) Robotic Rotary Parlor Systems for Dairy Operations. 10th International Livestock Environment Symposium. Paper ILES18-111. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE.</li> <li>Zulovich, J. M., Milhollin, R. K., Harner, J. P., Horner, J. L. (2018) Automated Milking Systems for Dairy Operations. 10th International Livestock Environment Symposium. Paper ILES18-112. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE</li> <li>Zulovich, J. M., Milhollin, R. K., Horner, J. L., Harner, J. P., Lim, T.T. (2018) Air conditioning for naturally ventilated dairy barns. 10th International Livestock Environment Symposium. Paper ILES18-109. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE</li> <li>Zulovich, J. M., Milhollin, R. K., Horner, J. L., Harner, J. P., Lim, T.T. (2018) Air conditioning for mechanically ventilated LPCV dairy barns. 10th International Livestock Environment Symposium. Paper ILES18-110. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE</li> </ul>   Newsletters and Other Publications <ul> <li>Frankenberger, J., B. Reinhart, K. Nelson, L Bowling, C. Hay, M. Youssef, J. Strock, X. Jia, M. Helmers, and B. Allred, 2017. Questions and Answers About Drainage Water Recycling in the Midwest. Purdue University Extension. West Lafayette, IN. ABE-156-W. Online at https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ABE/ABE-156-W.pdf.) Multi-state publication, with authors from 8 institutions (6 universities, USDA-ARS, and Iowa Soybean Association). Received an ASABE Blue Ribbon.</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Consider harvesting soybeans earlier to reduce risk and improve income. Corn and Soybean Digest and Michigan State University Extension</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Corn Harvest, Drying, Storage Challenging This Year. Grain Journal – Grain E-News October. <a href="http://zeus.grainnet.com/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=4&ID=8153&NL=80&N=11617&SI=33142&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.grainnet.com%2farticle%2f126967%2fcorn-harvest-drying-storage-challenging-this-year">Read more</a>.</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Drying and Storage, Field Guide to Sustainable Production of High-quality Durum in North Dakota, A-1825, May 2017, NDSU Extension Service, Fargo, ND. <a href="https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/field-guide-to-sustainable-production-of-high-quality-durum-wheat-in-north-dakota">https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/field-guide-to-sustainable-production-of-high-quality-durum-wheat-in-north-dakota</a>.</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Good management is necessary for long term grain storage. Corn and Soybean Digest. http://www.cornandsoybeandigest.com/grain-handling/good-management-necessary-long-term-grain-storage?NL=SO-01&Issue=SO-01_20171023_SO-01_54&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_4_b&utm_rid=CPG02000000720653&utm_campaign=21750&utm_medium=email&elq2=374833b3786c40169c202884bc0c436f</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Grain Drying and Storage System Planning includes Automation, Safety, National Feed and Grain,</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Harvesting dry grain can evaporate profits, The Western Producer (Canada),</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Interview with Jodi Henke, Successful Farming; Interview with Sonka Begemann, Farm Journal.</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Keep stored grain cool, dry during summer, Corn & Soybean Digest</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Long-Term Grain Storage Requires Good Management Grain Journal – Grain E-News October. <a href="http://zeus.grainnet.com/enewsletterpro/t.aspx?S=4&ID=8153&NL=80&N=11617&SI=33142&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.grainnet.com%2farticle%2f126965%2flong-term-grain-storage-requires-good-management">Read more</a>.</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Long-term Storage Management, Corn Drying and Storage. Midwest Plan Service Website https://www-mwps.sws.iastate.edu/catalog/grain-handling-storage</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Storing grain through the summer, MN Farm Guide, Peter Scharpe</li> <li>Hellevang, K. What to do When Grain is Too Wet or Too Dry, agweb.com, (Farm Journal magazine)</li> <li>Hellevang, K. Where to measure grain temperature, iowafarmertoday.com,</li> <li>McMaine, J. March, 2018. Nutrients in water – Why does it matter and what can we do?. Guest Column for Emerge South Dakota Corn Growers’ Association Quarterly Industry Publication</li> <li>McMaine, J., A. Nardi. October, 2018, South Dakota Leadership Spotlight, New Format for Eastern South Dakota Water Conference. Guest Column in Current, North Central Region Water Network monthly newsletter.</li> <li>McMaine, J., D. Kringen, T. Trooien. January, 2018, General Impacts of Tile Drainage on Hydrology and Water Quality in South Dakota. White Paper for SD Legislature</li> <li>Schmidt, A.M. 2017. Stockpiling Manure and Biosolids. UNL BeefWatch, Troy Walz (Ed.), Lincoln, NE: UNL BeefWatch electronic newsletter. <a href="https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/beef/6982/40034">https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/beef/6982/40034</a></li> <li>Schmidt, A.M. 2018. Emergency Holding Pond Management During Wet Weather. In cooperation with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). Special guidance document distributed via Nebraska Extension and the NDEQ.</li> <li>Smith, J. S., R. Crow, S. Safferman. 2017. Winter Manure Application: Management Practices and Environmental Impact. Manure and Soil Health Working Group Report. http://soilhealthnexus.org/files/2018/02/ncrwn-winter-manure-app-mngmt-practices-enviro-impact-report-FINAL.pdf 16 pages.</li> <li>Smith, J. S., R. Crow, S. Safferman. 2017. Winter Manure Application: Management Practices and Environmental Impact. Manure and Soil Health Working Group Data Brief. http://soilhealthnexus.org/files/2018/01/ncrwn-winter-manure-app-mngmt-practices-enviro-impact-data-brief-FINAL-1.pdf . 7 pages.</li> <li>Smith, J.S., Crow, R., Safferman, S.I. “Winter Manure Literature Review – Document Summaries”.  North Central Regional Water Network, Soil Nexus. http://soilhealthnexus.org/files/2018/02/ncrwn-winter-manure-literature-review–document-summaries-FINAL.pdf</li> <li>Smith, J.S., Safferman, S.I. (2017). “Winter Manure Application: Research Needs and Future Direction.”  North Central Region Water Network, Soil Nexus.  http://soilhealthnexus.org/files/2018/02/ncrwn-winter-manure-literature-review–document-summaries-FINAL.pdf.</li> <li>Wang, H. A., T. Lim, D. Brandt, S. Norkaew, R. Miles. 2017. Manure Land Application and Soil Health Indicators. Manure and Soil Health Working Group Report. http://soilhealthnexus.org/files/2018/02/ncrwn-manure-land-application-and-soil-health-indicators-report-FINAL.pdf 12 pages.</li> <li>Wang, H. A., T. Lim, D. Brandt, S. Norkaew, R. Miles. 2017. Manure Land Application and Soil Health Indicators. Manure and Soil Health Working Group Data Brief. http://soilhealthnexus.org/files/2018/02/ncrwn-manure-land-application-and-soil-health-indicators-data-brief-FINAL.pdf 8 pages.</li> <li>Manure and Soil Health Blog. 2017. 15 articles summarizing science related to manure impact on soil health. http://soilhealthnexus.org/category/manure/.</li> </ul>   Magazine Articles <ul> <li>Cortus, E. 2018. Swine & U: Sustainability requires definition, standards, measurements. 19 April 2018. The Land.</li> <li>Janni, K. and Cortus, E. 2018. Learn More About Manure at 2018 North American Manure Expo. 14 July 2018. Dairy Star.</li> <li>Ramirez, B.C., September 2017. New heat stress index captures complete thermal environment picture. National Hog Farmer</li> <li>Ramirez, B.C., Smith, B.C., December 2017. Clearing the air on filter terminology and mechanics. National Hog Farmer</li> <li>Janni, K. 2018. Do you need an engineer on your team? 27 January 2018. Dairy Star</li> <li>Harmon, J.D., Hoff, S.J., Ramirez, B.C., May 2018. Mild weather (transitional) ventilation: easy or a major challenge? National Hog Farmer</li> <li>Harmon, J.D., Hoff, S.J., Ramirez, B.C., May 2018. All about evaporative cool cells. National Hog Farmer</li> <li>Janni, K. 2018. Preparing for equipment breakdowns. 12 May 2018. Dairy Star</li> <li>Janni, K. 2018. Remodel or retire? Hoard’s Dairyman. 25 May 2018. 163(10):337.</li> <li>Hoff, S.J., Ramirez, B.C., July 2018. ‘Air’ on the side of efficient barn energy. National Hog Farmer</li> </ul>   Websites and Electronic Resources <ul> <li>unl.edu: Website designed to host producer tools and resources for assessment and management of potential environmental and social risks on livestock production sites; led by: A.M. Schmidt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln</li> <li>Online Land Application Training (LAT) Module: Developed for use by animal feeding operation manure managers as an alternative to the <a href="http://water.unl.edu/lat">live Land Application Training workshops</a>hosted annually by Nebraska Extension, available at: <a href="https://water.unl.edu/welcome-land-application-training-online">https://water.unl.edu/welcome-land-application-training-online</a>; led by: A.M. Schmidt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln</li> <li>Regulatory Guidance Tool: On-demand web-based tool for assessment of regulatory permitting requirements associated with a user-defined livestock system and geographic location inputs, available at: <a href="https://agsiteplanner.unl.edu/tools/regGuidance/#/location">https://agsiteplanner.unl.edu/tools/regGuidance/#/location</a>; led by: A.M. Schmidt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln</li> <li>Risk Management Assessment Tool: On-demand, web-based tool for assessment of livestock-related environmental and social risks associated with geographical locations, available at: https://agsiteplanner.unl.edu/tools/riskManagement/; led by: A.M. Schmidt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln</li> </ul>   <h1><a name="_Toc526264419"></a>Scientific and Outreach Oral Presentations</h1> <ul> <li>Presentations by NDSU in other states done in cooperation with their extension service included:</li> </ul> <ol> <li>Barley Handling and Storage, Great Lakes Hop and Barley Conference, Detroit, Michigan,</li> <li>Climate Effects on Grain Storage, National Webinar organized by Purdue University</li> <li>Use of Aeration to Control Grain Quality, Minnesota Stored Grain Pest Management Workshop, St. Cloud, MN</li> <li>Benefits of Grain Drying, Shivvers Grain Dryer Dealer’s Meeting, Osceola, IA,</li> <li>Grain Bin Technology, Freemont, NE</li> <li>Grain Drying and Storage: Best Management Practices, Clyde, NY</li> </ol> <ul> <li>Field, W. Collaborative Agricultural Safety and Health Exhibit at the 2018 Farm Progress Show in Iowa. Exhibits from Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa were involved in promoting safer work practices.</li> <li>Field, W. National AgrAbility Training Workshop, March 2018 held in Portland, Maine. Over 240 attended representing over 25 states.</li> <li>Harmon, J.D., Ventilation Workshop. 7 locations around Iowa during 2018.</li> <li>Heber, A.J. and B. Rode. “Building Environmental Control”. 2018. OAA-OCAFS Conference, Columbus, OH, January 26.</li> <li>Heber, A.J. and B. Rode. “Field Assessment of Design and Operation of Midwestern Aquaculture Buildings”. 2018. NCRAC Meeting, Kansas City, MO, February 8.</li> <li>Janni, K.A. and Neu, A. Biosecurity: Understanding its importance when working on livestock farms. Feb 15, 2018. Midwest Rural Energy Council 56th Annual Rural Energy Conference, La Crosse, WI.</li> <li>Janni, K.A., M. M. Torremorell, L.D. Jacobson, C. Alonso, B.P. Hetchler. Modeling airborne virus concentrations in filtered swine barns with negative-pressure ventilating systems. Aug. 19, 2017. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Spokane, WA.</li> <li>McMaine, J. Panel Discussion, Brookings, SD, April 28 – Served on panel that answered questions from producers and concerned citizens regarding ways to reduce impact of agricultural on water quality.</li> <li>McMaine, J. Radio Interview, Ag News with Mick Kjar, May 8, 2018 – Discussed Livestock Environmental Training</li> <li>McMaine, J. Radio Interview, Dakota Farm Talk with Pam Geppert, May 18, 2018 – Discussed Livestock Environmental Training</li> <li>McMaine, J. Radio Interview, KELO It’s Your Business with Bill Zortman, January 3, 2018 – Discussed Strategies for Improving Water Quality while Maintaining Profitability</li> <li>McMaine, J. Radio Inverview, Dakota Farm Talk with Pam Geppert, April 2 – Discussed rain gardens and stormwater runoff.</li> <li>McMaine, J. Sioux Falls Farm Show, Sioux Falls, SD, January 26, 2018 – Presentation – Agriculture and Water Quality – What can we do? Approximately 18 stakeholders present.</li> <li>McMaine, J. Western South Dakota Hydrology Conference, Rapid City, SD, April 19, 2018 – Presentation – The Path Forward – Insight Gained from Directed Stakeholder Discussion at the 2017 Eastern South Dakota Water Conference. Approximately 95 stakeholders present.</li> <li>McMaine, J. Workshop Series – April 4, 17, 24, 2018 – Attended by a total of 28 homeowners and stormwater professionals. Participants learned about stormwater runoff, low impact development, rain garden design. Participants then worked in teams to develop their own rain garden design using the techniques taught in the workshop.</li> <li>Pathak, V. and Ambrose, R. P. K. 2018. Effect of starch-based hydrogel coating on early growth of corn. NC-213 Annual Meeting. Kansas City, MO.</li> <li>Ramirez, B.C., Minimizing the impact of heat stress on pigs: Common ventilation errors, how to correct them and how to prevent them. 2018 Iowa Swine Day. Ames, IA.</li> <li>Ramirez, B.C., Pit pumping ventilation safety. 2018 JBS Annual Producer Meeting. Des Moines, IA.</li> <li>Ramirez, B.C., Ventilation Workshop. Ohio State University. Columbus, OH.</li> <li>Salish, K., Mosher, G. A. and Ambrose, R. P. K. 2018. Developing GUI to predict the contamination of GM corn in non-GM corn. NC-213 Annual Meeting. Kansas City, MO.</li> </ul>   Videos <ul> <li>Two videos were produced on two-zone and three-zone Danish entry practices. They are available online at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=BAfblgkMKuE&t=71s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=BAfblgkMKuE&t=71s</a> and   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIsXmyQY4Tg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIsXmyQY4Tg</a></li> <li>Long-term Grain Storage, Nebraska Extension, Oct 16. <a href="https://youtu.be/JUTlDnmPSy0">https://youtu.be/JUTlDnmPSy0</a></li> <li>Malting Barley Drying and Storage (North Dakota). https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=Qi-8qKxilw8</li> <li>Two videos were produced about closure of earthen manure storage basins:</li> </ul> Lagoon and Earthen Manure Storage Basin Closure: Part 1 – Estimating the volume, nutrients, and land application needs of accumulated effluent and biosolids, available at: <a href="http://porkgateway.org/resource/lagoon-earthen-manure-storage-basin-closure-part-1-estimating-volume-nutrients-land-application-needs-accumulated-effluent-biosolids/">http://porkgateway.org/resource/lagoon-earthen-manure-storage-basin-closure-part-1-estimating-volume-nutrients-land-application-needs-accumulated-effluent-biosolids/</a> Lagoon & Earthen Manure Storage Basin Closure: Part II – Applying nutrients to cropland and decommissioning the structure, available at: <a href="http://porkgateway.org/resource/lagoon-earthen-manure-storage-basin-closure-part-ii-applying-nutrients-cropland-decommissioning-structure/">http://porkgateway.org/resource/lagoon-earthen-manure-storage-basin-closure-part-ii-applying-nutrients-cropland-decommissioning-structure/</a>

Impact Statements

Manure and Soil Health MaSH Roundtables were attended by 383 participants. On average each participant influences the decisions of 126 farms (or more than 48,000 farms in total) over a one-year period. Eighty seven percent indicated that they gained new knowledge or knowledge that added value to what they already knew. Forty-one percent will use the information for their own professional development, 27% for recommendations for farmers, 11% for farm management decisions, 22% for future educational programs or curricula, and 9% for policy or regulatory decisions. Fifty six percent of participants indicated that they were likely or very likely to make (or recommend) changes in manure and soil management practices.