Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Administrative Advisor report - Dr. Cherry SDC-308 project is in the final stages of approval by the experiment station directors. This "air quality" project replaces two past regional projects (NC-189 and SC-291) that were not renewed. Presently there are 9 states and 13 scientists on the project. Others (including attending this meeting) need to contact their department heads/experiment stations directors to have their institution and names added to the project. Dr. Cherry reminded participates that these projects are called "multi-state" now and really are nationally rather than regional as in the past. This is especially true for this project since air quality concerns from animal agriculture is an issue throughout the country, and replaces two previous regional committees, NCR189 and S291. Also, these projects are not just research focused but need an extension component, private industry involvement, as well as government agencies like USDA-ARS and EPA. Dick Hegg, representing CSREES, reported that there are and have been numerous air quality grants awarded from the IFAFS and NRI Initiative proposals plus now the EPA consent agreement monitoring projects that will be hopefully announce soon. Thus, there needs to be a national reporting and coordination effort in the important and growing animal agricultural air quality area. He stressed not only will this committee be reporting but help direct and guide research and extension projects and policy. He reminded us that when reporting, scientists need to include all (not just their own) programs in the animal air quality area that are being worked on at their institutions. This committee's communications should also include Ray Knighton, the CSREES Program Leader for Air Quality. It was suggested that we generate an annual research priority list for the coming year or more that the Program Leader should find helpful when planning for future NRI funding. EPA needs representation on this committee as well. Incentives are needed for participation on the committee. Some new approaches, rather than just getting together yearly and giving state reports, are needed. It was suggested to chose 2 or 3 specific tasks each year that would be done during the coming year as a way to highlight some benefits for participation on the committee. Those in attendance generated the following list of tasks: 1. Listing of emerging air quality issues to forward to Ray Knighton, CSREES AQ-NPL 2. Critique/develop Air Consent Agreement's QAPP 3. Energy efficiencies in production agriculture 4. Annual development of critical issues list for assembling a competitive grant-writing team 5. Establish standard methods/protocols for AQ measurements 6. Prepare periodic research summaries to describe state of science in targeted areas 7. Emphasize national extension initiative for air quality efforts 8. Identify process based model development gaps A straw poll was done and the fourth task (Annual development of critical issues list for assembling a competitive grant-writing team) received the most "votes" from our small group at this meeting. Larry Jacobson will lead the effort to complete this task before the committee's next meeting (proposed June, 2006). The following officers for the first year of the committee were selected: Chair - Larry Jacobson, U of Minnesota Chair-Elect - Wendy Powers, Iowa State University Secretary - Lingjuan Wang, North Carolina State University These are successive positions, with each officers moving up one position and only a new secretary elected each year. Thus the chair-elect become chair and secretary becomes the chair elect after our next meeting in 2006. Those in attendance would like to thank Yuanhui Zhang, University of Illinois, for all of his hard work to plan this first meeting and more importantly to initiate this new committee through the Agricultural Experiment Station process. There was discussion about trying to coordinate next years meeting of this project with the Agricultural Air Quality Workshop being held in Potomac, MD on June 5-8, 2006. The new chair and others will investigate the possibility of scheduling the SDC-308 meeting next year immediately after (June 8-9) this workshop somewhere in the Washington DC area (possibly College Park or Beltsville, MD).

Activities for the reporting period focused on the following objectives: 1. Determine gaseous emission rates/factors of livestock facilities for representative housing types, manure-handling practices, and seasonal and regional differences typically encountered by the U.S. industry; 2. Quantify the efficacy of selected methods for aerial emissions abatement through dietary manipulation and manure management; 3. Provide research-based information that can be used for establishment of realistic guidelines on gaseous emissions from livestock operations; and 4. Educate industry stakeholders on means to minimize adverse impacts on environmental and natural resources while maintaining or improving their production efficiency. Specific accomplishments for the reporting period included: * Published the results of ammonia emissions from commercial layer houses, as affected by housing style (high-rise vs. manure-belt), manure management schemes (annual storage in the high-rise houses, daily removal or every 3-4 day removal from the manure-belt houses), and type of ration (standard vs. reduced crude protein diet) (IA, KY, PA); * Established a field research-based, foundational database on ammonia emissions for poultry operations typical of the U.S. poultry industry (IA, KY, PA); * Revealed the uncertainties of the indirect method of ventilation rate estimation associated with different integration time intervals (IA, IN, KY, PA); * Conducted a series of lab-scale studies to evaluate the efficacies of various pre- and post-excretion emission mitigation strategies for laying hens. The strategies include dietary manipulation, physical configuration of manure storage stacks, and topical application of mineral or chemical agents (i.e., zeolite, alum, etc.) at various dosages (IA); * Developed a framework for process-based ammonia emission models for dairy, swine, and poultry. The process-based model for estimating ammonia emissions provides a comprehensive evaluation of production practices on ammonia emission. Once developed and validated, it is anticipated to be a powerful tool for estimating emission inventories and predict impacts of various best management practices on reduction of ammonia emissions (IA, CA); * Demonstrated a readily-adoptable feeding strategy for swine that reduced ammonia emissions by 22% without negative performance effects and demonstrated, what is currently viewed as a cost-prohibitive strategy that reduced emissions by 48% without negative performance effects (IA); * Demonstrated that ammonia emissions can be reduced by 40% from laying hens as a result of a specific diet acidification regimen at the expense of hydrogen sulfide emissions (300% increase) (IA, IN, MD); * Established baseline emissions from swine and laying hens that are based on animal liveweight, animal productivity, and/or nutrient intake (IA, IN, MD); * Identified a process-based farm emissions model to estimate air ammonia emissions from a typically-designed NY dairy farm. The model will be run using several different operating conditions for an 800-milking cow central NY dairy farm. Input information specific to NY include monthly weather conditions (temperature and precipitation), herd management practice, manure storage design, and spreading methods. Results of this modeling effort will be compared to both literature results and future anticipated field ammonia sampling at this same sample farm (NY); * Collected gas and odor emissions from a swine barns deep storage manure pit from the two 1000 pig finishing rooms (same building) for approximately 6 weeks during the last growth stage of the pigs housed. Manure pit emissions represented about 75% of the total H2S, NH3, and odor emissions from the barn (MN, IA). * Concluded a year-long study of air emissions of NH3, H2S, CO2, PM10 (continuous) and odor (bimonthly) from pig farrowing, gestation, and two different pig finishing buildings as well as chicken layer and broiler facilities, located in six different states (MN, IN, IA, TX, NC, IL). * Modeled hydrogen sulfide emissions with two dispersion models and using a rank order comparison of data (not matched in space and time). Results showed the dispersion models (AERMOD in particular) may be useful in predicting maximum downwind concentrations over a period of time. * Data are being collected on emissions from the engine generator and the fuel cell of a commercial anaerobic digester. Parameters on the digester are being monitored continuously to be used in illustrating the benefits of anaerobic digestion to the environment; and * Educated/trained industry, scholars and stakeholders on the findings to date of the above accomplishments through state, regional, and national meetings with each of the above audiences. Methods of information dissemination included workshop and conference settings, fact sheets and web-based delivery methods (All participants).

Dissertations Casey, K.D. 2005. The determination of ammonia emissions from mechanically ventilated poultry houses, an examination of the issues involved. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY. Sadhu, Joy. 2005. Valuation of economic gains to broiler producers by modulating ventilation and using alum for ammonia control. Unpublished M.S. Thesis, Oklahoma State University. Journal Articles Dee, S.A., J. Deen, L. Jacobson, K.D. Rossow, C. Mahlum, and C. Pijoan. 2005. Laboratory model to evaluate the role of aerosols in the transport of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Veterinary Record 156:501-504. Gates, R.S., H. Xin, Y. Liang, K.D. Casey, E.F. Wheeler and. 2005. Method for measuring ammonia emissions from poultry houses. J Appl Poult Res. 14:622-634. Li, H., H. Xin, Y. Liang, R.S. Gates, E.F. Wheeler, A.J. Heber. 2005. Comparison of direct vs. indirect ventilation rate determination rates in layer barns using manure belts. Transactions of the ASAE, 48(1):367-372. Liang, Y., H. Xin, E.F. Wheeler, R.S. Gates, H. Li, J.S. Zajaczkowski, P. A. Topper, K.D. 3 Casey, B.R. Behrends, D.J. Burnham and F.J. Zajaczkowski. 2005. Ammonia emissions from U.S. laying houses in Iowa and Pennsylvania. Transactions of the ASAE 48(5): 1927-1941. Nimmermark,S.A., L.D. Jacobson, S.W. Gay, and D.R. Schmidt. Prediction by the odor from feedlot, setback estimation tool (OFFSET) compared to observations by neighborhood monitors. 2005. J Air & Waste Manage Assoc 55:1306-1314. Panetta, D.M., W.J. Powers, and J.C. Lorimor. 2005. Management strategy impacts on ammonia volatilization from swine manure. J. Environ. Qual. 34(4):1119-1130. Park, K, J. Zhu, and Z. Zhang. 2005. Influence of aeration rate and liquid temperature on ammonia emission rate and manure degradation in batch aerobic treatment. Transactions of ASAE 48(1): 321-330. Powers, W.J., R.Angel, T. Applegate. 2005. Air emissions in poultry production: current challenges and future directions. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 14:613-621. Singh, A., J.R. Bicudo, A.L. Tinôco, I.F.F. Tinôco, R.S. Gates, K.D. Casey and A.J. Pescatore. 2004. Characterization of built-up broiler litter using trench and random walk methods. J Appl Poult Res 13:426-432. Zhang, Z. and J. Zhu. 2005. Effectiveness of short-term aeration in treating swine finishing manure to reduce odour generation potential. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 105(1-2): 115-125. Zhu, J., Z. Zhang, and C. Miller. 2005. Effect of pig slurry solids on aeration efficiency and odour generation. Biosystems Engineering 90(4): 443-450. Conference Proceedings Applegate, T.J., W. Powers, and R. Angel. 2005. Feeding to reduce emissions from manure from non-ruminants. Minnesota Nutrition Conference Proceedings. Sept. 20-21, 11 pgs. Casey, K.D., R.S. Gates, A. Singh, A.J. Pescatore, E.F. Wheeler, H. Xin and Y. Liang. 2005. The effect of litter management on ammonia emissions from U.S. broiler chicken houses. Paper #615, Air and Waste Management Association 98th Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. June 21-24. AWMA. Gates, R.S., K.D. Casey, A.J. Pescatore, E.F. Wheeler and H. Xin. 2005. Assessing annual U.S. broiler house emissions. Paper #1292, Air and Waste Management Association 98th Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. June 21-24. AWMA. Goodrich, P.R., R.J. Huelskamp, D.R. Nelson, D.R. Schmidt and R.V. Morey. 2005. Emissions from Biogas Fueled Engine Generator Compared to a Fuel Cell. Paper # 634. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Air & Waste Management Association Meeting (available on the proceedings CD Rom) Held in Minneapolis, MN, June 21-24, 2005. Heber, A.J., J.Q. Ni, T.T. Teng, R. Chervil, P.C Tao, L.D. Jacobson, S.J. Hoff, Y. Zhang, J.A. Koziel and D.B. Beasley. 2005. Air pollutant emissions from two high-rise layer barns in Indiana. Paper # 1368. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Air & Waste Management Association Meeting (available on the proceedings CD Rom) Held in Minneapolis, MN, June 21-24. Hoff, S.J., D.S. Bundy, M.A. Huebner, B.C. Zelle, L.D. Jacobson, A.J. Heber, J.Q. Ni, J.A. Koziel, J.M. Sweeten,Y. Zhang, and D.B. Beasley. 2005. NH3, H2S, CO2, PM, and odor animal emission data from the six-state (APECAB) project; swine deep-pit finishing buildings. Paper # 648. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Air & Waste Management Association Meeting (available on the proceedings CD Rom) Held in Minneapolis, MN, June 21-24, 2005. Koziel J.A., B. Baek, C. Bayley, J. Spinhirne, K. Bush, A. Balota, J.M. Sweeten, S.J. Hoff, L.D. Jacobson, A.J. Heber, J.Q. Ni, Y. Zhang, and D.B. Beasley. 2005. NH3, H2S, CO2, PM, and odor animal emission data from the six-state (APECAB) project; swine finishing buildings in Texas. Paper # 1043. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Air & Waste Management Association Meeting (available on the proceedings CD Rom) Held in Minneapolis, MN, June 21-24, 2005. Jacobson, L.D., B.P. Hetchler, V.J. Johnson, D.R. Schmidt, R.E. Nicolai, A.J. Heber, J.Q. Ni, J.A. Koziel, J.M. Sweeten, S.J. Hoff, D.S. Bundy, Y. Zhang, and D.B. Beasley. 2005. Air pollutant emissions from confined animal buildings-dry sow buildings in Minnesota. Paper # 53. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Air & Waste Management Association Meeting (available on the proceedings CD Rom) Held in Minneapolis, MN, June 21-24, 2005. Jacobson, L.D., Janni, K.A., Hetchler, B.P., and Schmidt, D.R. 2005. Partitioning of Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions into pit and wall exhaust fractions for a deep-pit pig finishing barn. ASAE Paper No. 054035., presented at the ASAE International Meeting held in Tampa, FL, July 17- 20, 2005, St. Joseph, Mich.: ASAE. Jerez, S., Y. Zhang, J.W. McClure, A.J. Heber, J.Q. Ni, L.D. Jacobson, S.J Hoff, J.A. Koziel, J.M. Sweeten and D.B. Beasley. Aerial pollutant concentrations and emission rate measurements from a swine farrowing building in Illinois. Paper # 1026. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Air & Waste Management Association Meeting (available on the proceedings CD Rom) Held in Minneapolis, MN, June 21-24, 2005. Li, H., H. Xin, and Y. Liang. 2005. Effects of stack surface to volume ratio and air exchange rate on ammonia emission of laying hen manure storage. Paper #1157. Air and Waste Management Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. Liang, Y. H. Xin, H. Li, J. Koziel, L. Cai. 2005. Evaluation of treatment agents and diet manipulation for mitigating ammonia and odor emissions from laying hen manure. Paper # 054160. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, MI: ASABE Mansell, G.E. Z. Wang, Zhang, R.H., J. R. Fadel, T.R. Rumsey, H. Xin, Y. Liang, and J. Arogo. A process-based ammonia emission model for confinement animal feeding operations - emission estimate. Paper presented at 14th Annual Emission Inventory Conference. April 11-15, 2005. Las Vegas. Powers, W., S. Bastyr, J. Harmon, and B. Kerr. Gaseous emissions from swine facilities following feeding of low crude protein diets. Proceedings of the Air and Waste Management 98th Annual Conference. Minneapolis, MN. June 21-24. Powers, W., S.B. Bastyr, J. Harmon, R. Wheat, and M. Schilling. 2005. Construction of a laboratory to measure gaseous emissions. Paper number 054025. 2005 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Tampa, Florida, Jul 17 - 20. Roberts, S. H. Xin, B. Kerr, J. Russsell, K. Bregendahl. 2005. Adding fiber to the diet of laying hens reduces ammonia emissions. Proc. of the Iowa Egg Industry Symposium, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, Iowa, pp 29-37. Thoma, E.D., R.C. Shores, D.B. Harris, D.F. Natshke, R.A. Hashmonay, K.D. Casey and R.S. Gates. 2005. Measurement of ammonia emissions from mechanically ventilated poultry houses using multipath tunable diode laser spectroscopy. Paper #542, Air and Waste Management Association 98th Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN. June 21-24. AWMA. Singh, A., C. Crofcheck and G. Brion. 2005. Characterization of milk house wastewater in Kentucky. Proceedings of the Animal Waste Management Symposium, Research Triangle Park, NC. Oct. 5-7. Page 12. Singh, A., K.D. Casey, A.J. Pescatore and R.S. Gates. 2005. Efficacy of urease inhibitor to reduce ammonia emissions from broiler litter. Proceedings of the Animal Waste Management Symposium, Research Triangle Park, NC. Oct. 5-7. Page 18. Xin, H., H. Li, and Y. Liang. 2005. Update on ammonia emission mitigation for laying hen facilities. Proc. of the Iowa Egg Industry Symposium, Iowa State University Extension, Ames, Iowa, pp 38-46. Zhang, R.H., T. R. Rumsey, J.R. Fadel, J. Arogo, Z. Wang, G.E. Mansell, and H. Xin. 2005. A process-based ammonia emission model for confinement animal feeding operations - model development. Paper presented at 14th Annual Emission Inventory Conference. April 11-15, 2005. Las Vegas.