Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Webinar Series for 2019-2020

S-1074 organized four online webinars during the past year. The three research webinars were recorded. Links to the recordings are available in the S-1074 shared drive.

• The first webinar was held September 18, 2020. Dr. Joel Peterson with University of Wisconsin-River Falls presented his work on “Change in livestock nutrient excretion due to changes in productivity and diet from 1987 to 2007”. He highlighted impacts of changes in livestock diets in the past 30 years, particularly the increased use of distiller’s grains and microbial phytase and their consequences for manure excretion values. He highlighted the substantial variability, spatially and temporally, dairy manure nutrients that should be considered in large-scale nutrient flux analyses. In the swine sector, increases in manure nutrient excretion have been offset by increase in efficiency which reduced nutrient fluxes per animal unit.
• The second webinar was on November 20, 2020. Dr. Lingjuan Wang-Li with North Carolina State University talked about her work on “Air Quality & Animal Production Systems Engineering for Enhancement of Sustainability.” The presentation reviewed Dr. Ling’s project focusing on developing an updated inventory of NH₃ emissions in animal agriculture systems, characterization of aerosols and particulate matter (PM) in various agricultural and urban regions, and the advancement of understanding fate, transport, and transformation of NH3 emissions from animal feeding operations across the soil-air-water systems.
• A third webinar was presented by Ms. Lori P. Miller from USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Her presentation title is “Mortality Management and Biosecurity Capabilities Overview”. The presentation focused on animal health emergencies and provided an overview of decontamination and disposal response capabilities in relation to avian influenza (AI), African swine fever (ASF), as well as COVID19-related disruption in the supply-chain the relevant depopulation and mortality disposal needs.
• The fourth and final webinar was on April 16, 2021. Dr. Sara Crawford from the National Pork Board. Dr. Crawford’s presentation highlighted the NPB priorities and initiatives to advance sustainability and biosecurity in the swine production system. She also highlighted key research needs including more advanced decision-support tools for producers to advance sustainability, as well as more options to facilitate carcass disposal and management in response to routine and catastrophic mortality events.

Accomplishents (multi-state and collective aligned with S1074 goals)

• In Arkansas, researchers at the University of Wisconsin built a lab-scale liquid anaerobic digester (16-L capacity) and tested it on a mixture of diluted dry litter and straw and found it to be performing well and producing methane at about 132 mL CH₄ per gram of volatile solids (VS) at a concentration ranging from 49 to 61% in the biogas. The testing run with C/N = 15, TS = 4%, and HRT = 11 d showed the highest methane production efficiency (161.79 ± 12.20 mL CH4/ g VS added), while that with C/N = 20, TS = 6%, and HRT = 7.59 d had the largest COD removal efficiency (39.49% ± 4.57%). In addition, a significant increase in magnesium (Mg) release after digestion was also observed which could help subsequent struvite generation process. These results prove anaerobic co-digestion of poultry litter and wheat straw can be a feasible approach to treat poultry litter and recover nutrients if it is coupled with other technologies.
• In Texas (Texas A&M), the manure management team created digital learning platforms for animal waste extension including virtual reality (VR) Extension, TAMMI website, TexasManure Twitter, Texas Manure YouTube channel, and online Extension courses. In addition, 30 VR headsets were shared with California group for educational purposes to replace cancelled field trips. VR footages and videos have been shared with several states within the S-1074 group.
• In California (UC Davis), researchers developed compost (windrows, 12-week) from dairy manure solids and residual woody biomass from almond processing plants. Finished compost was assessed for differences between dairy-almond and dairy-alone windrows. Finished composts was pelletized and land applied to almond orchards (4 dry tons per acre). Data currently being analyzed and prepared for publications.
• California researchers also worked collaboratively with collaborators from IL, OH and CA to develop and deliver a graduate food waste cohort challenge and engaged with INFEWser management team to provide leadership for the INFEWser project and annual graduate student symposium to train the next generation of scientists.
• In Georgia (University of Georgia-Athens), Dr. Chai developed a machine-vision based method to reconstruct images of broiler chicken that are occluded by equipment and pipes in the vision field. The performance of the developed algorithm, overlap rate (OA), false-positive rate (FPR) and false-negative rate (FNR) were 0.8150, 0.0032, and 0.1850 respectively, was found to be satisfactory and provides a new method to aid vision-based machine predictions.
• In Iowa, Koziel led the effort of publishing the summary and overview of the odor regulations worldwide with 18 scholars representing 17 countries on 5 continents. 10.3390/atmos12020206. Koziel leads the ASTM Workgroup to develop a new standard for environmental odor assessment. Koziel-lead (with Andersen, co-PI) published the results of testing the performance of 12 marketed pit manure additives for mitigation of odor emissions. The narrative was also published in the National Hog Farmer and Farm Journal. Andersen working with team members from Nebraska and Minnesota helped develop the “Value of Manure Library for Educators and Advisors”. Andersen demonstrated pilot-scale anaerobic digestion with biochar positively impacted methane production.
• In Ohio, Ohio state team has been focused on developing model tools to predict air emission generation, distribution, and dispersion and evaluate air emission mitigation technologies. In 2020, we have been working on two projects related to the objective of S-1074. In collaboration with Dr. Alber Heber and Dr. JiQin Ni, Professors at Perdue University, we worked on A NIFA Foundational grant project "Modeling Fluxes, Fate and Transport of Ammonia Emission from Egg Production and Manure Management Facilities". Acheivements from this project were: (a) A fundamental mechanistic Ammonia Emission Model (AEM) for ammonia emission from manure-belts of poultry facilities developed in the previous year was published as a journal article, (b) a practical farm-scale AEM for ammonia emission from manure-belt poultry houses developed in the previous year was published as a journal article, (c) preliminary AERMOD simulations were performed for estimation of dispersion and deposition of NH3 emission from typical manure-belt layer facilities at Ohio. The model still needs to be validated using data from field measurement. Equipment and methods for field measurement were investigated, but the field test was delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic, and (d) literature review of precious ammonia emission studies were conducted for a meta-analysis of ammonia emission data. 
• In collaboration with Dr. Heping Zhu, Agricultural Engineer at USDA ARS Application Technology Research, Ohio researchers worked on a NIFA grant project “Electrostatic Precipitation for Air Cleaning of Particulate Matter (PM) Emissions at Animal Production Facilities.” Achievements from this project were: (a) COMSOL computer simulation model has been developed to simulate and optimize electrostatic precipitators for collection of dust particles. Validation tests for the COMSOL model performance had been conducted. A journal article will be submitted soon, (b) developing prototype of electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and electrostatic spray scrubber (ESS) PM control technologies based on the COMSOL simulation and optimization results. Laboratory performance tests have been conducted.  Journal papers have been drafted, and (c) partially conducted field performance test of prototypes of electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and electrostatic spray scrubber (ESS) for dust control at poultry layer houses. Materials and energy costs of the ESP and ESS operations were recorded. Techno-economic analyses for both the optimized ESP and ESS devices will be conducted based on the long-term field test data

• Researchers in Idaho (Univ. of Idaho) conducted performance evaluations of solid/nutrient separation efficiencies of centrifuges and screens with performance data incorporated into extension materials and presentations. Liquid manure solid/nutrient separation is an important step for better uses of manure nutrients and reducing overall manure handling costs. They also collaborated with colleagues at Washington State University, USDA ARS, Utah State University, Oregon State University, and Montana State University on holding a regional conference focusing on Nutrient Recycling and Food Safety in the Pacific and Mountain Northwest during October 27-29, 2020 in Boise, Idaho.
• At Michigan State University (MI), researchers are evaluating transport of soluble nutrients to produce an index for guidance on maximizing beneficial plant uptake and minimizing environmental risk when applying manure, biosolids, and commercial fertilizers. This year, the research emphasized the impacts of the nutrient type, loading, and environmental conditions using column testing and computational fluid dynamics modeling.
• At the University of Minnesota, S-1074 members are Co-PIs on a USDA NIFA Award 2020-67021-32465 to design and implement a scalable and dynamic database and management system for collecting and combining manure analysis results from around the U.S. Ultimately, the database will provide up-to-date, aggregated information on animal manure nutrient composition in user selected terms: spatially, temporally, and by animal system source. In addition to nutrient management planning, this database will support regional nutrient balance models, and life-cycle analyses.
• S-1074 MN member, Dr. Cortus, co-mentored two graduate student cohorts as part of the INFEWSer project to address two challenges: [1] identifying economic, governance and societal factors thought to be related to increases and decreases in livestock production in five South Dakota counties, and [2] identifying stakeholder roles in the adoption of non-traditional manure management practices in North Carolina.
• In Missouri, Teng Lim and Joseph Zulovich collaborated with Richard Stowell and Amy Schmidt (Nebraska), and other faculty from Arkansas, Ohio, and Colorado on an integrated USDA-NIFA project titled “ Water and Nutrient Recycling: A Decision Tool and Synergistic Innovative Technology” (2018-2023). This extension program works with stakeholders in the national agricultural community to encourage systematic evaluation of manure nutrient management and adoption of nutrient water recycling technology.
• At North Carolina, Co-PI John Classen, is advising a graduate student who is developing a GIS model to assess and quantify the flood risk of lagoons in the state. Co-PIs Mahmoud Sharara and John Classen have developed in collaboration with S-1074 members from WI, MN, and NE, a topic review focusing on overarching topics relating to nutrient imbalances in US animal agriculture, various scales of approaching the topic, and recommendations for research, outreach and education to address these challenges. Co-PI Sharara has contributed to the 2021 Manure Summit with a webinar on manure pelleting technology as part of farm, regional, and national nutrient planning efforts. Also, in reaction to the COVID-19 disruptions of meat supply, Dr. Sharara developed a training program on mass depopulation methods and considerations, enlisting participation from experts in VA and MS. The training aimed at providing industry stakeholders with information and recommendations on safe and compliant depopulation. Sharara coordinated and lead an S-1074 workshop focusing on nutrient imbalances and next-steps. This workshop engaged another researcher network, NRCS LTAR Manuresheds group, to synthesize approaches and develop recommendations for approaching nutrient challenges at a systematic level.
• At North Dakota, several studies on manure management and greenhouse gas mitigation are on-going. One of the studies is on anaerobic co-digestion of manure, where corn stover is pretreated with different alkaline treatments (NaOH, NH4OH, and Ca(OH)2) and nanoparticles were also added to enhance biogas production. Headspace gases were collected in 2-6 day intervals during the experimental period and were analyzed for methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and H2S concentrations. Total gas volume was recorded. VFA and other important parameters for anaerobic digestion were measured.
• At Nebraska, Dr. Schmidt is leading A nationwide team of research and extension professionals with expertise in livestock production, veterinary medicine, food safety, communication strategies and environmental management to develop capacity to design and deliver nationwide extension programming focused on AMR. The project title, “iAMResponsible”, is intended to convey that everyone has an obligation to understand AMR and learn how they can adapt to using science-based practices to mitigate AMR and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations. Essential to the awareness campaign was the identification of an expanding group of content experts whose work is the foundation for the media materials created for the campaign and for much of the educational materials being developed for extension outreach programming. The iAMResponsibleTM Project team further expanded their online course, AMR from a One Health Perspective, with emphasis on developing scientific communication skills in young STEM professionals. During the Spring of 2021, twenty-four students at five universities – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, North Carolina State University, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, Washington State University – participated in the multi-institutional graduate course led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The iAMResponsibleTM Project team will continue efforts to identify educational needs, produce and curate research-based content intended to improve public awareness about AMR, and improve access among producers, consumers, and stakeholders to research-based information about potential AMR-related food safety risks. In the coming year, public awareness efforts will be coupled with an examination of producer attitudes toward AMR and antibiotic use and an evaluation of audience needs to identify gaps in informational materials and outreach methods. The team will utilize these results to further refine our outreach efforts towards improving the ability among producers, consumers, and stakeholders to assess and adopt practices to mitigate potential AMR-related risks.
• At Oklahoma, the researcher team launched an assessment of new virtual fencing technology at OSU’s Bluestem Ranch. This technology employs GPS-enabled collars on individual cattle that provide auditory and electric stimulus as needed to control cattle location and implement critical area protection and rotational grazing (alternating periods of grazing and rest) to prevent overgrazing and ensure vigorous vegetation. It is hypothesized that this new virtual technology will improve the water quality and ecosystem services (e.g., soil health, wildlife and pollinator habitat) of grazinglands by effectively controlling the distribution of cattle on the landscape without the disadvantages of traditional physical fences. Much of the work over the last year involved performing short-term trials to evaluate the utility and effectiveness of virtual fencing, presenting findings, and applying for grants to expand on our research. We have begun an in-depth analysis of data collected to date and plan to submit a paper for publication later this year describing our results. We also evaluated how virtual fencing impacted cattle cortisol levels (an indicator of stress), compared to electric fence, and found no significant difference in stress indicators among the fencing types. This research will be presented at the American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting in July 2021. We have also initiated development of a user’s guide based on our lessons learned from using the technology over the last year. This will support expanded adoption of the technology by both ranchers and conservation agencies. Interest is certainly growing in Oklahoma and nationally, among both ranchers and the conservation community. We have recently begun meeting with a multi-state group to discuss and coordinate research and outreach efforts. Additionally, in an effort to propose solutions, research and Extension directions to significantly contribute to sustainable animal protein systems, grazing goats alongside cattle were evaluated. Goats decrease the encroachment of woody plant species such as cedar trees. This improves rangeland. Goats can also be sold for additional income for the producer without having to decrease stocking rate. Base level economic cost-benefit analysis was conducted to determine if goats could be grazed alongside cattle in a profitable way. This work resulted in a presentation at the Southern Agricultural Economics Association meeting, a masters thesis, and a journal article. A fact-sheet outlining the economic findings of this research is currently under review.
• In South Dakota, the research team We collaborated with the University of Minnesota (the leading institution), the University of Nebraska, and Iowa State University in hosting the Annual Minnkota Meeting online. The audience included livestock producers, barn builders, farm finance staff, etc. We held three South Dakota CAFO trainings last year to ~90 livestock producers. Lectures were given to discuss the environmental issues and regulations associated with livestock production, as well as technologies or best management practices to address relevant challenges. We finished the remodeling of one demonstration vertical biofilter and are in progress to remodel another one. Both the biofilters are used to control odor emissions from swine confinement buildings. We are writing an article about vertical biofilter construction and operation. We finished the conversion of the South Dakota Odor Footprint Tool (SDOFT) from an Excel spreadsheet to a web-based tool. The tool is being internally tested and will be posted on South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Program web servers. We collaborated with Drs. Anderson and Min at SDSU in cultivating algae for phosphorus removal/recovery from swine wastewater. Through this effort, the SDSU has regained its capability of manure analysis. We tested multiple flocculants and coagulants regarding their effectiveness in solid separation from liquid swine manure. We are collaborating with Drs. Min and Wei at SDSU in developing environment-friendly flocculants for liquid manure pretreatment. We collaborated with Dr. Brennan at SDSU in developing an Internet-of-Things (IoT) based rangeland water tank monitoring system and have done the field testing of the system. We are working with Mr. Zilverberg at SDSU in developing an affordable smart scale system for cattle feedlots. Similar efforts also included a recently finished undergraduate research & extension project that aimed to use commercial IoT sensors to remotely monitor the thermal environment in swine barns. An extension article is being drafted based on the project outcome.
• In Virginia, Dr. Ogejo and his team collected about two and a half years of manure temperatures during storage. This work is part of our larger effort to understand the microbial transformation of nitrogen in dairy manure during storage periods. We synthesized the data to (1) discern the spatial and temporal manure temperature tendencies during storage and (2) assessed the suitability of machine learning algorithms as an alternative tool for predicting manure temperature during storage in different storage structures. Our results showed that, in general, the stored manure temperature lagged but followed a similar trend as the ambient air temperature and solar radiation. The average manure temperature was higher than the ambient air temperature for most of the year. Depth influenced the manure temperature; manure in the top layers had a higher temperature during warm periods than the bottom layers, and vice versa during cold seasons. The random forests and bagged tree ensembles machine learning algorithms were the best performers.
• At Wisconsin, multiple members of the team presented at the Midwest Manure Summit 2021 to stakeholders on animal agriculture and improving livestock manure systems to achieve improve economic, operational, and environmental sustainability. Also, an initiative was developed for multiple state members to develop manure processing fact sheets. Six are currently in development to guide livestock manure processing improvements.