Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Meeting was called to order by Chair Powers at 8:30 am.
Ted Funk (IL), Wendy Powers, Gerald Evers, Larry Jacobson, John Classen, Al Sutton, Tom McCasky, Tim Stanton, Ron Miner, Phil Westerman, P.Y. Yang, Wes Wood, Jim Converse, Larry Newton, Harold Keener (OH), Jack Meisinger, Roselina Angel, Saqib Muktar, Todd Applegate, Jose Bicudo, Bob von Bernuth, Joe Fontenot, Gary Cromwell, Jun Zhu, Deanne Meyer, Zinghou Wu, Mary Ann Rozum, Ron Lacewell, Phill Goodrich, K.G. Karthikeyan

Larry Jacobson (host) provided the group with logistical information. Kevin Janni, Head of Department of Biosystems and Ag engineering, F. Abel Ponce de Leon, Head, of Department of Animal Science provided welcomes and greetings. Members and visitors were introduced.

Advisor Lacewll and CSREES Representative Rozum gave an overview of important items for the group to note:
7 EQIP has innovative solutions technologies competitive grants $35 to 70 million for development and research
7 Impacts of S-1000 activities must be included in the annual report.
7 Must submit report via the web
7 Need to emphasize collaborative efforts among institutions (a key objective of regional research)


Business meeting:

Phil Westerman elected secretary

Selection for next years location: Committee of Rosalina Angel, Todd Applegate, Larry Jacobson, and Deanne Meyer. Recommendation of Hawaii. San Antonio, Colorado. Colorado was selected. Timing needs to be considered due to the meeting in Raleigh. Ft. Collins. Have meeting shortly after September 11.

Standardized format for reports. Important to be sure each group submits information for the secretary to use. Is there a way to link to CRIS database. Wendy will do this draft.

Thanks to Wes Woods for establishing the website. Full reports could be put on the website. Links of interest. Linked to SARE 17 group, sites in TX,

The list server is going away in winter. The group will use Wes Woods server.
Meeting format: Discussion for meeting format. Performance based outcomes. Can we connect the dots between research conducted and delivered outcomes. Air and Water Quality outcomes. Limit reports to 5 to 6 minutes. Allow write up of report. Focus on implementation of results and collaboration.

OBJ 1, T 1. DEVELOP MANAGEMENT TOOLS, STRATEGIES AND SYSTEMS FOR LAND APPLICATION OF ANIMAL MANURES AND EFFLUENTS THAT OPTIMIZE EFFICIENT, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY UTILIZATION OF NUTRIENTS AND ARE COMPATIBLE WITH SUSTAINED LAND AND WATER QUALITY.
T 1. Methods to reduce nutrient movement from land application sites into surface and groundwater. Work with variable rate slurry spreader technology has been done (IL) to more precisely target nutrient application and minimize nutrient movement to surface or groundwater. Amelioration of P overloaded soils via tillage and forage system selection continues (AL). Closely planted hybrid poplar trees have been used to mitigate lagoons at closure (NC, OR).

T 2. Quantify gaseous emissions into the air from land application sites. AL, GA, AL, MD. Gas emissions from land-applied manure on pasture (AL and GA), sorghum and small grain crops (AL and MD), and no-tilled, deep-subsoil tilled and conventional tilled soybean row crops (GA) will be compared. Manure types include broiler litter, dairy slurry, swine effluent and pasture grazed cattle manure. Ammonia and particulate emissions inventories for beef were conducted (TX). Ammonia volatilization was quantified from three circular bermudagrass plots (NC, SC). Volatilization rates were quantified using a passive field scale technique.

T 3. Reduce movement of zoonotic pathogens from land application sites.
Control of manure pH was evaluated as a means to reduce pathogen load in manure (AL). Researchers also utilized alkaline earth and metal salts for pH and odor control. An alum (2%) and lime (2%) combination was used to reduce E. coli and S. typhimurium.

T 4. Improve accuracy of manure land application in accordance with best management practices for nutrient planning. Combining manure with additional N will increase yield and P uptake from the soil (TX). A ryegrass-bermudagrass system removed about 30 to 50% more P than the clover-bermudagrass system the first 2 years. Poultry manure was applied to forage crop based on P needs. It was overseeded with legume to meet additional N needs. Turf grass was used to export manure N and P. Manure nutrient application rates were quantified (CA) through lagoon effluent metering in conjunction with use of an on-farm quick test to target nutrient application. Work in IA evaluated the distribution uniformity of existing manure spreaders. Work in IA related to swine hoop systems was designed to evaluate the seasonal patterns of N mineralization and the synchronization of soil N release patterns with crop growth and nutrient uptake. A prototype was developed for a variable rate technology slurry spreader (IL).

Application of alum to liquid dairy manure converted soluble P to insoluble P (99%) when adequate rates were applied and pH was controlled (TX). However, these alum rates cost more than $388 per 100,000 gallons treated. Addition of Polyacrylamide was effective to enhance solids separation when combined with alum treatment.

OBJ 2. DEVELOP, EVALUATE, AND REFINE PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT PROCESSES IN ENGINEERED AND NATURAL SYSTEMS FOR MANAGEMENT OF MANURES AND OTHER WASTES.

T 1. Develop and evaluate innovative applications of engineered biological treatment processes to stabilize waste, reduce odor, and manage nutrients. Scientists in OH, TX and CO have worked to develop and evaluate effectiveness of mortality composting to provide an alternative to the escalating costs and decreasing availability of rendering. Aeration and solid liquid separation have been evaluated (MN, CA). Work continues with short retention time anaerobic digestion to reduce odor (HI).

A group of U.S. Universities are participating in the evaluation of an ASBR (Alternating SBR) system designed to serve a single hog facility as part of a cooperative project with Taiwan. The goal is to achieve a zero discharge system in which the residual sludge is air dried.

Researchers in IA, NC, OH, and MI have worked together to provide uniform technical and economic comparison of four new swine housing/manure collection systems currently receiving considerable attention: the scraper for fecal/urine isolation (MI), deep-bedded hoop structure (IA), the high-rise hog house (OH) and the belt system (NC). Common goals of these systems are to reduce the liquid stream and/or rapid separation of the liquids and solids to reduce ammonia volatilization, reduce odor, minimize or eliminate liquid treatment system costs and develop alternative techniques for solids utilization. The protocol developed allows analyses of nutrient balance, air quality, animal performance, and economics.


T 2. Develop and evaluate vegetated or aquaculture- based treatment systems for treating wastewater or runoff from concentrated feeding operations or land application sites.

Duck-weed was used to remove nutrients from dilute effluent (NC). Cryptospyridium Parvum (C. parvum) was evaluated in overland and near-surface flow under simulated rainfall conditions (IL). The vegetation acted as an effective barrier allowing for oocyst entrapment, adsorption to the plant material and infiltration of the oocysts through the soil profile. Oocysts were detected in near-surface flow for both bare-ground and vegetative conditions.

Vegetative filters were evaluated to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff (IL). Additional work in MN evaluated the effectiveness of biofilter media types following heavy rainfalls. Evaluation of data for a long term (10 year) study has begun for constructed wetlands (AL) with poultry waste.

T 3. Develop and evaluate physical and chemical treatments for recovering or stabilizing manure solids or manure treatment by-products for improved utilization alternatives.

T 4. Develop and evaluate biological or thermochemical treatment of animal manures for conversion into value-added products.
A thermochemical conversion liquefaction project was conducted on swine manure in IL to develop crude oil.

Bench-scale facilities were developed to further study of thermochemical conversion (TCC) of manure solids into a crude oil product was conducted (IL) to improve oil yield and post process water quality. The effects of the addition of anhydrous Na2CO3 on the conversion efficiency and quality of oil and aqueous products derived from the TCC of swine manure were evaluated. Lower conversion of volatile solids to oil was achieved for tests with higher Na2CO3 concentrations.

A co-firing technology for coal and broiler litter (BL) to generate power was evaluated (TX). Ultimate and proximate analyses were performed on excreted broiler manure (EM), cleanout litter (CL), dried and ground litter(DL), coal, and a 90:10 blend of coal and CL (C90:DL10)to determine BL fuel quality and characteristics. BL fuels were higher in N, S, and ash but lower in heating values than those for coal. The ash composition of EM and CL indicated that these fuels are likely to cause fouling and corrosion in a boiler burner due to greater concentration of ash and its higher volatile oxides composition as compared to coal. The 90:10 blend (C90:DL10) exhibited fuel quality and cost ($/GJ) similar to coal.

Composting was carried out for manure (swine, dairy, broiler litter and caged layer) in OH. A three-cell composting system separated by large hay bales was used for composting equine and bovine carcasses (TX). Horse bedding (horse manure and wood shavings) was used as a co-composting material.

OBJ 3. Develop methodology, technology, and management practices to reduce odors, gases, airborne microflora, particulate matter, and other airborne emissions from animal production systems.

T 1. Develop standard methods of collection, measurement, and categorizing or reporting of airborne emissions (odors, gases, particulates, endotoxins, pathogens, and other materials) from animal production operations.
Multi-state collaborative activities have been involved in this task. Much of the work has been accomplished under an IFAFS grant (MN, IL, IN). Continuous measurement of NH3, H2S, and CO2 has been accomplished through an instrument trailer that can be transported from site to site and provides real time data. The focus of the research is on swine systems. Other work in IA identified the compositional differences that occur in air samples collected from dairy, swine, and poultry facilities thereby necessitating the development of novel strategies of odor evaluation.


T 2. Determine short and long term impacts of airborne emissions from animal production units.
Site selection tools or models to assist in avoiding or minimizing selection problems have been developed by MN, ID, and IA. The OFFSET program (MN) was adopted by the state regulatory agency to assist in site selection. Work from IA characterized emissions from swine facilities in Iowa and to study of the downwind movement of these emissions. Onsite, samples were analyzed for hydrogen sulfide and ammonia concentration. Samples were also collected for analysis by gas chromatography of volatile compounds and olfactometry.

T 3. Emission control technology development and selection for site-specific cases.

Permeable cover installed at a swine farm in NC was evaluated(OR, NC). It was effective in odor control and nearly complete elimination of ammonia emissions.

A wet scrubber on an exhaust fan was tested in the laboratory to optimize contact time and gaseous adsorption by the water within the scrubber (IL). Results indicated that the removal efficiency for ammonia was 29 and 26% for water pressures of 30 and 60 psi, respectively.

A commercial negative pressure lagoon cover evaluated (IL). Gases exhausted from the fan were tested for odors and sampled chemically. Results indicated that the negative pressure cover was more effective at reducing ammonia emissions. The lagoon cover was effective in significant reduction of odor emissions.

A filter testing apparatus was built to allow evaluation of sheet-form filter materials as odor filters for building exhaust fans. Unprocessed wool was tested in two different filter configurations, using olfactometry to determine odor removal rates. The test facility and procedure proved convenient and reliable for testing wool filter materials.

Obj 4. Develop and evaluate feeding systems for their potential to alter the excretion of environmentally-sensitive nutrients by livestock.

Kentucky, IN, MD, IA, MI, and DE have worked independently and collaboratively with swine and poultry. Researchers in PA worked on N reduction in dairy cattle diets. Studies to evaluate dietary effects on ammonia emissions from grower-finisher swine and evaluate fecalurine segregation, pH adjustment, and urease inhibition impact on ammonia release were cpnducted (IA).

T 1. Develop and evaluate strategies to reduce P excretion from livestock.
Improving phytase efficiency (IN, MD, IA) and a new phytase (NY, IN) were studied for poultry. Effect of ionic compounds on nutrient retention was evaluated (IN). Scientists have evaluated the benefit of low phytate corn, low phytate soybean meal (with and without supplemental phytase) as a means to reduce total P excreted for both poultry and swine (KY). Broiler P requirements were studied through a feed to processing group of studies conducted by MD, IA, and IN. Work in AL focused on fecal P in horse manure. In the fecal P excretion in horses fed typical diets with and without added phytase project, fecal P excretion was characterized in eight yearling geldings (Equus caballus) fed four typical diets, with and without added phytase.

T 2. Evaluate and quantify excretion of non-nutrient pollutants from animal agriculture.

Scientists in TN have continued to work on quantifying presence of 17b-estradiol in dairy manure and manure effluents.

Arogo, J., P. W. Westerman, A. J. Heber, W. P. Robarge and J. J. Classen. 2001. Ammonia emissions from animal feeding operations. White paper sponsored by the National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management, Published by MWPS (also available on CD), Ames, IA. 63 pg.

Auvermann, B., R. Bottcher, A. Heber, D. Meyer, C.B. Parnell, Jr., B. Shaw, and J. Worley. 2001. Particulate Matter Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations. National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management. Available through midwest plan service at http://www.mwpshq.org.

Chaiprapat, S., J. Cheng, J.J. Classen, J.J. Ducoste, and S.K. Liehr (In press) Modeling nitrogen transport in duckweed pond for secondary treatment of swine wastewater. Journal of Environmental Engineering.

Cheng, J. and B. Liu. 2002. Swine wastewater treatment in anaerobic digesters with floating medium. Transactions of the ASAE 45(3): 799-805.

Cheng, J., B.A. Bergmann, J.J. Classen, A.M. Stomp, and J.W. Howard. 2002. Nutrient recovery from swine lagoon water by Spirodela punctata. Bioresource Technology 81(1): 81-85.

Cheng, J., L. Landesman, B.A. Bergmann, J.J. Classen, J.W. Howard, and Y.T. Yamamoto. (In press) Nutrient removal from swine lagoon liquid by Lemna minor 8627. Transactions of the ASAE.

De Visscher, A., L. A. Harper, P. W. Westerman, Z. Liang, J. Arogo, R. R. Sharpe and O. Van Cleemput. 2002. Ammonia emissions from anaerobic swine lagoons: Model development. J. Applied Meteorology 41:426-433.

Ekinci, K., H.M. Keener and D.L. Elwell. 2002. Composting short paper fiber with broiler litter and additives. II. Evaluation and optimization of decomposition rate versus mixing ratio. Compost Science & Utilization. 10(1):16-28.

Elwell, D.L. J.-H. Hong, and H.M. Keener. 2002. Composting hog manure/sawdust mixtures using intermittent and continuous aeration. Ammonia emissions. Compost Science & Utilization. 10(2):142-149.

Elwell, D.L., H.M. Keener, M.C. Wiles, D.C. Borger and L.B. Willett. 2001. Odorous emissions and odor control in composting swine manure/sawdust mixes using continuous and intermittent aeration. Transactions of the ASAE. 44(5):1307-1316.

Evers, G. W. 2002. Ryegrass-bermudagrass production and nutrient uptake when combining nitrogen fertilizer with broiler litter. Agron. J. 94:905-910.

Gaudreau, J.E., D.M. Vietor, R.H. White, T.L. Provin, and C.L. Munster. 2002. Response of Turf and Quality of Water Runoff to Manure and Fertilizer. J. Environ. Qual. 31:1316-1322.

Gralapp, A.K., W.J. Powers, M.A. Faust and D.S. Bundy. 2002. Effects of dietary ingredients on manure characteristics and odorous emissions from swine. J. Anim. Sci. 80(6):1512-1519.

Guo, H., L.D. Jacobson, D.R. Schmidt, R.E. Nicolai. 2001. Calibrating INPUFF-2 Model by Resident-Receptors for Long-Distance Odor Dispersion from Animal Feedlots. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, ASAE, Vol. 17(6): 859-868.

Hill, V. R., A. Kantardjieff, M. D. Sobsey and P. W. Westerman. 2002. Reduction of enteric microbes in flushed swine wastewater treated by a biological aerated filter and UV radiation. Water Environ. Res. 74(1):91-99.

Janni, K.A and D. R. Schmidt. 2002. Correlation of Odor with Air and Manure Chemistry. Final report to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB). January 15, 2002.

Janni, K.A and D. R. Schmidt. 2002. Emissions of Ammonia, Hydrogen Sulfide, Odor, and Particulate Matter. Final report to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). January 15, 2002.

Keener, H.M., D.L. Elwell, and D. Grande. 2001. Atmospheric NH3 concentrations and N-balances for 1.6 million caged layer facility - manure belt/composting system vs deep pit operation. Transactions of ASAE. Accepted.

Keener, H.M., D.L. Elwell K. Ekinci and H.A.J. Hointink. 2001. Composting & value-added utilization of manure from a High-RiseTM swine finishing facility. Compost Science & Utilization. 9(4):312-321.

Keener, H.M., D.L. Elwell, T. Menke and R. Stowell. 2001. Design and performance of a high-rise hog facility manure drying bed. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 17(5):xxxx
Keener, H.M., S.S. Foster, S.J. Moeller, D.L. Elwell. 2002f. Dealing with dead livestock. Resource. 9(8):9-10.

Liang, Z. S., P. W. Westerman and J. Arogo. 2002. Modeling ammonia emission from swine anaerobic lagoons. Transactions of the ASAE 45(3):787-798.

Meyer, D. 2002. Manure/effluent management. Systems design and government regulations in Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences. Eds. H. Roginski, P. Fox, and J. Fuquay. Academic Press.

Powers, W.J. 2002. ADSA Foundation Lecture: Keeping science in the environmental regulatory process; the role of the animal scientist. J.Dairy Sci. (accepted).

Powers, W.J. and L.A. Flatow. 2002. Effects of flocculent and flocculation rates on solids and phosphorus precipitation in dilute swine manure. Appl. Engng. Agric. (in press).

Sanderson, Matt A., R.M. Jones, M.J.McFarland, Jason Stroup, R.L. Reed, and J.P Muir. 2001. Nutrient movement and removal in a switchgrass biomass-filter strip system treated with dairy manure. J. Environ. Qual. 30:210-216.

Sherlock, R.R., S.G. Sommer, R.Z. Khan, C.W. Wood, E.A. Guertal, J.R. Freney C.O. Dawson, and K.C. Cameron. 2002. Emission of Ammonia, Nitrous Oxide and Methane from Pig Slurry Applied to a Pasture in New Zealand. J. Environ. Qual. 31:1491-1501.

Sutton, A., T. Applegate, S. Hankins, B. Hill, G. Allee, W. Greene, R. Kohn, D. Meyer, W. Powers, T. Van Kempen. 2002. Manipulation of animal diets to affect manure production, composition, and odors: State of the Science. National Center for Waste Management White Paper. Published by Midwest Plan Service, Ames, IA.

Sweeten, J. M., L. Jacobson, A. J. Heber, D. Schmidt, J. Lorimor, P. Westerman, J. R. Miner, R. Zhang, M. Williams and B. W. Auverman. 2001. Odor mitigation for concentrated animal feeding operations. White paper sponsored by the National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management, Published by MWPS (also available on CD), Ames, IA. 50 pg.

Thompson, R. B. and J. J. Meisinger. 2002. Management factors affecting ammonia volatilization from land-applied cattle slurry in the Mid-Atlantic US. J. Environ. Quality 31:1329-1338.
Traylor, S.L., G.L. Cromwell, M.D. Lindemann, and D.A. Knabe. 2001. Effects of level of supplemental phytase on ileal digestibility of amino acids, calcium, and phosphorus in dehulled soybean meal for growing pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 79:2634-2642.

University of Iowa and Iowa State University. 2002. Iowa concentrated animal feeding operations air quality study. A peer-reviewed report submitted to Director Vonk, Iowa Department of Natural Resource. Developed at the request of Gov. Vilsak.

Van Kempem, T.A.T.G., W.J. Powers, and A. Sutton. 2002. Technical note: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as an optical nose for predicting odor sensation. J. Anim. Sci. 80(6):1524-1527.

Vietor, D.M., E.N. Griffith, R.H. white, T.L. Provin, J.P. Muir, and J.C. Read. 2002. Export of manure phosphorus and nitrogen in turfgrass sod. J. Environ. Qual. 31:1731-1738.

Westerman, P. W. and J. R. Bicudo. 2002. Application of mixed and aerated pond for nitrification and denitrification of flushed swine manure. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 18(3):351-358.

Wiles, M.C.,D.L. Elwell, H.M. Keener, J.C. Amburgey, D.C. Borger and L.B. Willett. 2001. Volatile fatty acid emissions during composting of swine waste amended with sawdust as a measure of odor potential. Compost Science & Utilization 9(1):27-37.

Willett, L. B., D.C. Borger, D.L. Elwell, and H.M. Keener. 2002. Initial concentrations and disappearance of selected malodorous compounds from fresh and aged dairy manures. Toxicologist 55: (accepted)

Yang, P.Y., Chen, H.J. and Kim, S.J. 2002. Integrating EMMC process for biological removal of carbon and nitrogen from diluted swine wastewater for agricultural reuse. Bioresource Technology. In Press.


Thesis and Dissertations
Anderson, J.B. 2002. Animal Waste Lagoon Renovation by Pumping of Undisturbed Deep Sludge. Masters Thesis. BioSystems Engineering Dept., Auburn University, Auburn, AL.

Ekinci. K. 2001. (H.M. Keener, advisor). Theoretical and Experimental Studies on the Effects of Aeration Strategies on the Composting Process. Ph.D. Dissertation. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.

Nicolai, R.E. 2002. Biofiltration of Livestock Facility Exhaust Air. PhD thesis, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN. 55108.

For a complete list of publications including conference proceedings, station reports, and abstracts please visit our website at http://www.ag.auburn.edu/aaes/s1000/pubs_list.htm