SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

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

Accomplishments

Impacts

  1. 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-09 members and presenters. These calls were also able to allow each subgroup to report on updates and aide in maintaining progress on current projects.
  2. Engineering Expertise in the North Central Region The data collected ideas presented in this paper suggests 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Climate Change The Animal Agriculture and Climate Change (AACC) project has built Extension capacity to extend climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies nationally, which will be highly constructive in the development of more resilient livestock and poultry operations and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from animal agriculture.
  6. 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.
  7. 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. As a result of the series of trainings, the NAQSAT development team has a list of suggested improvements to the tool, including an option of using the tool for land application of manures, only. As the only air quality tool currently approved and available to NRCS staff maintaining a relevant and robust tool that helps producers make informed decisions about air quality issues is essential. An estimated 7,000 AFOs across the US may use NAQSAT for the purpose of securing financial assistance or to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production.
  8. Managing Water for Increased Resiliency of Drained Agricultural Landscapes Researchers and extension specialists from across the Midwest are collaborating in the evaluation and synthesis of agronomic, environmental, and economic performance of drainage water storage practices in the U.S. Corn Belt. New scientific and extension publications are being developed to advance our understanding of how controlled drainage, saturated buffers, and drainage water recycling can be implemented and managed across the landscape. Students at multiple levels are learning about drainage water management concepts in agriculture. Agricultural drainage stakeholders such as farmers, drainage contractors, drainage industry representatives, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations are being involved in the discussion on transforming the future of farm drainage to include drainage water storage to establish more resilient agricultural systems.
  9. 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.
  10. North American Manure EXPO [OH, PA, WI, OK, ND, MN, MO, IN, & SD] 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.
  11. Livestock Mortality Management 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. With an estimated annual economic impact on the U.S. of nearly $8 billion at the onset of the PEDv outbreak in 2013, PEDv mitigation strategies developed and delivered by an NCCC-09 member have contributed to significant economic gains for the U.S. and Canadian swine industries in the past year.
  12. Pathways Project Mind-mapping software was used to aggregate the broad array of results of survey data. The mind-map exercise was invaluable for the team members involved, but the utility of this map was not completely understood by the larger agricultural professional community when presented in a national webinar. This supports the survey result showing lower relevance for decision tools, but also spurs additional work to further investigate implications of these potential communication links.
  13. Livestock Manager and Land Application Training Programs Attendees acquire information that helps them to better manage their livestock operations and nutrient management activities in pursuit of greater environmental sustainability. For example, for the NE Land Applicator Training over the past seven 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.
  14. 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 and South Dakota State University • MWPS-18-S1, S2, S3 used at South Dakota State University • MWPS-16 is the textbook for a course at the University of Illinois. • MWPS-66: Cow-Calf Production is used as a textbook at Iowa State University and Purdue University • MWPS-13: Grain Drying is used at North Dakota State University • MWPS-6: Beef Housing is used at North Dakota State University • MWPS-7: Dairy Freestall is used at University of Wisconsin
  15. Receptor Modeling and Smoke Management Workshop As air quality standard for O3 is routinely violated, the information obtained from this effort is essential for making effective smoke management plan, air quality policy, and health warnings.
  16. Meta-analyses of Ammonia and Methane Emissions from Cattle Operations Measuring emissions from farms is difficult and expensive. Results from the meta-analyses reduced uncertainties in estimates of emission rates, and will make regulating and mitigating emissions easier.
  17. Virtual Anaerobic Digester Operator Training & STEM Education Modules Virtual access to basic, accurate information related to anaerobic digestion is essential for increased deployment of the technology. Initially the impact of the virtual information will be measured by monitoring the hit rate and linger time for each module. Knowledge gained by users of the training program modules will be assessed by way of quizzes embedded in the module. As the program advances, the team will try to assess impact of digester deployment and operation.
  18. Manure and Soil Health Nearly 400 participants, representing all regions of the U.S. and beyond, and influencing the decisions of over 12,000 farmers participated in the Manure and Soil Health roundtables that were hosted in 2017. Of the participants, 87% reported gaining new knowledge or adding value to what they already knew and 56% indicated that they are likely or very likely to make or recommend changes in manure and soil management practices as a result of the roundtables. Grant expenditures for multi-state research and extension efforts focused on improving knowledge and behaviors of farmers and their advisors about positive impacts of manure on soil health are expected to increase and the anticipated long-term impacts of this programming effort include an increase in the number of crop acres receiving manure application, improvements in the balance of nutrients within regions of intensive livestock production, and a reduction in non-point source nutrient discharges within the Mississippi River Basin.
  19. 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
  20. 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.

Publications

NCCC-09 Publications

NCCC-09 members published a new product through MWPS.

  • 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.

 

NCCC-09 members are developing a new product for publication in the coming year(s) by MWPS.

  • 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.

Additional publications from the 2016-17 reporting year include:

  • 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)
  • 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
  • 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)
  • 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.
  • 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)
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Janni, K. 2016 Plan ahead to manage snowmelt. UM Extension. Online at http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/swine/facilities/managing-snowmelt/index.html
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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. http://doi.org/10.13031/trans.11370
  • 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)
  • 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)

Scientific and Outreach Oral Presentations

  • 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.
  • Hellevang, K.J., et.al. April 2016. Harvest, Drying, Handling, and Storing Field Peas

Field Pea Production Guide (A1166). NDSU Extension Service

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/publications/crops/field-pea-production

 

  • Hellevang, Kenneth and Scherer, Tom. 2016. Electric Backup Sump Pumps for Houses, Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPQvjRFVtxo
  • Janni, K.A. Enhancing Biosecurity Using Flow Analysis and Danish Entry Concepts. March 16, 2016. Midwest Poultry Convention. St. Paul, MN
  • Janni, K.A. Biosecure Entry Adaptations. June 16, 2106. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Summer Conference, Duluth, MN
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus survivability in environmental matrices. Livestock Environment Interests Group Webinar, Statewide, NE, May 2017.
  • The role of manure in soil health. MNNRD Soil and Water Conservation Field Day, Ainsworth, NE, July 2017
  • Animal agriculture regulations, risk management and sustainability – What is your role as a vet? VBMS 688, Lincoln, NE, April 2017.
  • Pork production in the classroom: Mortality composting. Norfolk High School Agriculture Program, Norfolk, NE, March 30, 2017.
  • Expansion of livestock production: Preparing to engage with stakeholders. Nebraska Planning and Zoning Commission Annual Conference, Kearney, NE, March 9, 2017.
  • Expanding pork production. Nebraska Pork Producers Association Producer Webinar, Statewide, March 8, 2017.
  • Animal agriculture regulations, risk management and sustainability. Animal Care Webinar Series, Regional, March 2017.
  • Adding livestock: Building for the future. Nebraska Pork Producers Association panel, Statewide (3 events), NE, February 2017.
  • Adding livestock: Building for the future. Nebraska Pork Producers Association Annual Meeting, Lincoln, NE, February 2017.
  • Antimicrobial resistance in manure-amended soil. IANR-USMARC Research Symposium, Lincoln, NE, January 2017.
  • Manure and mortality composting. NDEQ Land Application Training, Statewide (10 locations), NE, January 2017.
  • Nebraska manure management regulations. NDEQ Land Application Training, Statewide (10 locations), NE, January 2017.
  • Protecting herd health with biosecurity. NDEQ Land Application Training, Statewide (10 locations), NE, January 2017.
  • Overview of the new AgSitePlanner.unl.edu website and decision-making tools. NDEQ Webinar, December 17, 2016.
  • 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.

 

 

Fund Leveraging, Specifically, Collaborative Grants Between Stations and Members

 

  1. 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

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.

  1. 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

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.

  1. 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.

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.

  1. 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.

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””.

  1. 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.

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”.

  1. 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.

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.

  1. 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.

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.

  1. 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.

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.

  1. 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.

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.

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