Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Minutes of the S-1032 Annual Meeting Held June 2 and 3, 2009 At the Embassy Suites Hotel in Kansas City In Conjunction with the Annual Meetings of S-1025, the NRI Air Quality Project Directors Meeting, and the eXtension Livestock, Poultry and the Environment Learning Center meeting Secretary S-1032: Kelly Zering Associate Professor, Dept. of Agricultural and Resource Economics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8109 email: kelly_zering@ncsu.edu June 2 " 1:00 p.m. meeting called to order and welcome extended by S-1032 Chairman Ted Funk - Participants introduced themselves - Ted Funk thanked past Chairman John Classen for organizing the meeting " Announcements - An ad hoc group met to discuss Massey et al comments on EPA proposed Mandatory GHG Reporting Rules - Poster sessions were held jointly with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality " Discussion of S-1032 Objective 1 Develop preliminary models of each animal industry that describe its cumulative ecological risk, or ecological footprint, as a dynamic non-linear function of the stocks, flows and transformations of matter energy comprising CAFO systems facilitated by guest Jeffrey D. Rice, Applied Sustainability Center, Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Life Cycle Analysis methods, standards, and existing LCA databases are the primary topics. " 3:00 p.m. Discussion of S-1032 Objective 2: - Wendy Powers addressed research being conducted across the S-1032 institutions on Feeding Strategies to reduce nutrient excretion and air emissions - Saqib Mukhtar addressed research being conducted across the S-1032 institutions on biological, chemical, and thermal treatment of manure, mortalities, and wastewater - Larry Newton addressed research being conducted across the S-1032 institutions on vegetated or aquaculture based wastewater treatment June 3 " 8:00  9:45 a.m. Joint poster session 1. with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality Project Directors: more than 27 posters were displayed and supported by researchers " 10:00  noon Oral presentation session 1. joint with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality Directors - Reports were presented on 6 research projects involving S-1032 members from several institutions and addressing topics of modeling various emissions from animal feeding operations and reducing net emissions through diet and mitigation methods " Noon  1:00 Jeffrey D. Rice, University of Arkansas presented Life Cycle Analysis: An Overview with Examples from Food and Agriculture " 1:00  3:00 Oral presentation session 2. joint with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality Directors - Reports were presented on 5 research projects involving S-1032 members from several institutions and addressing topics of characterizing various emissions from animal feeding operations and reducing odor, ammonia, and other emissions through various treatment methods " 3:15  4:00 Joint poster session 2. with S-1025 and NRI Air Quality Project Directors: more than 27 posters were displayed and supported by researchers " 4:30  5:30 S-1032 Business Meeting - Chairman Ted Funk calls meeting to order and introduces officers - Following discussion, Vice Chairman Saqib Mukhtars motion to accept the 2008 meeting minutes was seconded by John Classen and passed by voice vote - Plans to make progress on S-1032 Objective 1 were discussed. A number of potential funding sources to support directly related research were raised. A small team of S-1032 members volunteered to develop at least 2 joint proposals over the next year for funds to support research related to Objective 1. - Administrative Advisor Ron Lacewell from Texas A & M University addressed the group. He noted that the multi-university approach being applied by S-1032 members is appreciated. He observed that S-1032 had chosen ambitious and challenging objectives and reminded the group to identify specific, feasible steps to accomplish each year. - Richard Hegg, USDA CSREES Advisor to S-1032 addressed the group. He noted several grant programs that could potentially fund S-1032 projects. He reported that Matt Smith is a new National Program Leader for Manure Utilization and that a 5 year plan of work on this topic for ARS is posted on their website. He noted that eXtension LPE has been identified by ARS as a way to extend their research findings. He also mentioned that a new USDA Office for Ecosystem Services had been formed and that Susan Collins had been appointed as the first Director. - Ray Knighton, USDA CSREES was present and mentioned that there was potential for $38 million to become available for youth development and job creation. - Rick Koelsch, University of Nebraska presented an overview of the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center and provided two handouts describing the program and summarizing accomplishments. He noted that LPE provides a link between researchers and their audiences through eXtension. He noted that S-1032 research briefs provided by Saqib Mukhtar after the 2008 meeting were posted on the LPE web-site and had more than 2000 page views after the first 6 months. LPE has a national presence with about 1400 names on their mailing list. Associations are expanding with USDA agencies and with social networking web-sites. - Saqib Mukhtar noted that the International Symposium for Animal, Agricultural and Food Processing Wastes and Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations will meet Sept 13  19, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Dallas TX. The Symposium is sponsored by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. - Plans for the 2010 meeting of S-1032 were discussed. Meeting jointly with S-1025 and the NRI Air Quality group was recommended for the 2010 meeting based on the success of the 2009 meetings. California was discussed as a potential location although limited travel budget due to the current recession was a concern. The date of the meeting was expected to fall within March through May. A motion by John Classen , seconded by Rick Koelsch, and adopted by voice vote directed the meeting planning team to attempt to meet in California jointly with S-1025 and the NRI Air Quality group pending their agreement. John Classen will work with Ted Funk to organize the 2010 meeting of S-1032. - Wendy Powers reported that the Nominating Committee recommended Steve Safferman from Michigan State University as Secretary of S-1032 for 2010. Hearing no other nominations, Steve Safferman was elected S-1032 Secretary by enthusiastic acclamation. - Incoming Chairman Saqib Mukhtar expressed the appreciation of the S-1032 members to Ted Funk for his service and leadership as Chairman of S-1032 in 2009. - New officers are: Ted Funk, Past Chairman. Saqib Mukhtar, Chairman. Kelly Zering, Vice Chairman. Steve Safferman, Secretary. - The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m. on June 3, 2009. Submitted by Kelly Zering, 2009 Secretary.

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

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