Outputs
Outcomes or projected impacts
Milestones

The project participants will measure output by experiments completed and results reported, results summarized for dissemination to the public through Extension methods, and refereed journal articles published. Models for describing various transport processes of nutrients and pathogens will be developed.  Recommendations will be published for economical, sustainable and robust manure treatment processes.  Protocols for standardized measuring of odors, gases and particulates will be published.  Optimal feeding strategies and feed additive recommendations will be documented.  Results of the proposed experiments will provide substantial information to the National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management, the National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum project, and other regional/national projects as appropriate.   Several participants in this Project are also members of the National Center and the National Curriculum projects.

Implementation of best management practices by producers, with resultant improvements in water and air quality, will have a positive impact on the environment and the sustainability of the animal industry.  Appropriate site-specific nutrient management plans will be written for farms and maintained.  Technologies will be adopted by producers for economical treatment of manure and production of value added commodities.  Measurement protocols will be adopted by the research and regulatory communities.

As models of various processes are developed they will be shared with the project participants and the administrative advisor for the purpose of fine-tuning the project’s short term goals.  Analytical and economic descriptions of systems – land application, manure treatment, odor control, and nutrition -- will be an important part of evaluating progress.