S-1000
Regional Project
Animal
Manure and Waste Utilization, Treatment and Nuisance Avoidance for a Sustainable
Agriculture
2003 Station
Reports
Reporting Scientist and
Location:
Gerald W. Evers, TAMU Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Overton
Brent W. Auvermann, TAMU Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Amarillo
L. Wayne Greene, TAMU Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Amarillo
Saqib Mukhtar, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept., TAMU, College
Station, TX
John M. Sweeten, TAMU Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Amarillo.
2003 Texas State Report-Regional Project S-1000
Summary of Work
Objective 1, Task 1. Determine the relationship of manure nutrient
application and crop system management to productivity, nutrient recovery,
and element concentrations and fluxes in soil, runoff, and leachate in order
to develop efficient, environmentally-sound land application programs.
Scientist: Gerald W. Evers
Progress to Date: Applying animal manure as the
only plant nutrient source to pastures results in a build up of soil phosphorus
(P) over time because of the difference in N-P ratio in the manure (10:1)
and the forage crop needs (10:4.4). In previous research, combining broiler
litter with nitrogen fertilizer applied to an annual ryegrass-Coastal bermudagrass
pasture enhanced yield and P uptake. After 4 years, residual soil phosphorus
was about 50% lower (21 to 38 kg P ha-1) where nitrogen fertilizer was applied
compared to no nitrogen fertilizer (50 kg P ha-1). Crimson clover, an annual
legume, was substituted for the annual ryegrass to determine if a legume
would provide sufficient N, through symbiotic fixation from the atmosphere,
to increase yield and P uptake instead of applying commercial N fertilizer.
Nine Mg of broiler litter ha-1 was applied in April, 1999 and 2000 and 4.5
Mg ha-1 in April, 2001 and 2002. Eight nitrogen fertilizer treatments
consisted of no N, or 56 kg ha-1 applied once, twice, or three times during
the bermudagrass growing season on about April 15, June 1, and/or July 15
resulting in annual N rates of 0 to 168 kg ha-1. Applying nitrogen fertilizer
with the broiler litter to the clover-bermudagrass did not increase yield
or P uptake 3 out of 4 years. This implies that the clover was providing
enough nitrogen to meet the bermudagrass requirements. In the control treatment
(broiler litter without N fertilizer), residual soil P was only 30 kg ha-1
for the clover-bermudagrass compared to 50 kg ha-1 for the broiler litter
only treatment with ryegrass-bermudagrass.
Usefulness of Findings and Impact: Results from the ryegrass-bermudagrass
system proves the hypothesis that combining animal waste with additional
commercial N fertilizer will increase forage yield and P uptake and reduce
residual soil P. Use of a cool-season forage legume like crimson clover in
place of annual ryegrass resulted in similar forage yields without the expense
of commercial N fertilizer. Although there was little difference in residual
soil P levels among fertilizer treatments in the clover-bermudagrass study,
they were similar to the ryegrass-bermudagrass fertilized with broiler litter
and commercial N fertilizer. Using forage legumes would be less expensive
than annual ryegrass and applying N fertilizer to enhance forage growth and
phosphorus uptake and reduce residual soil P.
Work Planned for 2003-2004: A new research project will be initiated
applying broiler litter to reclaim surface mine land. The present practice
is to apply 57 kg ha-1 of N, P, and K to establish forages. This practice
will be compared to applying 2.25, 4.5, and 9 Mg ha-1 of broiler litter when
establishing Coastal bermudagrass.
Publications:
Evers, G. W. 2003. Using clovers to reduce soil phosphorus buildup
when applying animal manure to pastures. Agronomy Abstracts Nov.3-6, 2003,
Denver, CO. Scientist: John M. Sweeten
Progress to Date: The Texas Panhandle accounts for nearly 30% of the
US cattle on feed. Almost 30% of the region’s 18-in./yr annual precipitation
is captured as runoff (effluent). A cooperative research project by
TAES/TAMUS, WTAMU, and USDA-ARS was conducted using feedlot runoff from the
384-hd experimental cattle feedlot at Bushland, TX. Runoff holding
pond effluent was applied to 27 plots of winter wheat or forage sorghum over
a 24-month period. Each plot (16 m x 4.5 m) was plowed with an offset
disc, chiseled and leveled with a laser plane before planting. Cropping
rotations were: sorghum-fallow, wheat-fallow, and sorghum-wheat (2 crops/yr).
Runoff was applied by flood irrigation on level borders at 3 application
rates: 0, 25, 50 cm/cropping season, with 3 replicates per crop/effluent
treatment combination. Plots were irrigated every 2 weeks after plant
emergence until effluent treatments were reached without supplemental irrigation.
Vegetative samples were collected at early boot stage, air-dried, ground,
mixed, and analyzed. Soil samples were collected at 3 depths before
planting and following harvest, composted, and analyzed. Effluent contained
1/4 - 2/3 of reported nutrient concentrations for feedlot runoff in the region.
Nutrient mass balances showed crop biomass removals (dry matter, N, P, K,
Ca, Mg, Na) were greater for 25 & 50 cm seasonal applications compared
to 0 cm rate, but were significant only for Cl removals. Nutrient removals
were generally greater for year 2 vs. year 1 for total N, P, K, Na, Cl, &
Mg for all 3 cropping systems. Nutrient removal trends were: sorghum-wheat>wheat-fallow>sorghum-fallow.
Soil K, Na, & Cl accumulated (kg/ha) at the highest seasonal application
rate. Pen runoff was monitored and sampled at the TAES/ARS experimental
feedlot at Bushland in parallel with feedlot nutrition trials using various
N and P ration contents; results are being analyzed.
Usefulness of Findings and Impact: Cattle feedlot runoff applied
to field plots had high nutrient removals for 3 croping systems involved
in these field trials. Nutrient removal generally followed these trends:
sorghum-wheat>wheat-fallow>sorghum-fallow. The highest application
rate resulted in soil accumulation of Na, Cl and K.
Work Planned for 2003-2004: Studies will be continued for another year.
Publications:
Miller, B. L., D. B. Parker, J. M. Sweeten, and C. Robinson.
2001. Response of seven crops and two soils to application of beef
cattle feedyard effluent. Transactions of the ASAE 44(2):309-315.
Rhodes, M. B., D. B. Parker, J. M. Sweeten, N. A. Cole, and M. S. Brown.
2002. Beef feedyard effluent application effects on nutrient mass balances
for three cropping rotations of sorghum and wheat. Paper No. 024147.
2002 International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers/CIGR
XVth World Congress, Chicago, Illinois. July 28-31. 12 p.
Wang, E., W. L. Harman, J. R. Williams, and J. M. Sweeten. 2002.
Profitability and nutrient losses of alternative manure application strategies
with conservation tillage. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 57(4):221-228.
Sweeten, J. M., K. Annamalai, B. F. Thien. and L. A. McDonald. 2003.
Co-Firing of Coal and Cattle Feedlot Biomass (FB) Fuels, Part I: Feedlot
Biomass (Cattle Manure) Fuel Quality and Characteristics. Fuel 82(2003):
1167-1182.
Annamalai, K., B. F. Thien, and J. M. Sweeten. 2003. Co-Firing
of Coal and Cattle Feedlot Biomass (FB) Fuels, Part II: Performance Results
from 30 kW (100,000 BTU/Hr) Laboratory Scale Boiler Burner. Fuel.
82(2003): 1183-1193.
Annamalai, K., M. Freeman, J. M. Sweeten, M. Mathur, W. O. O’David, G. Walbert,
and S. Jones. 2003. Co-Firing of Coal and Cattle Feedlot Biomass
(FB) Fuels, Part III: Performance Results from 500,000 BTU/Hr DOE-NETL Boil Objective 2, Task 3. Develop and evaluate physical and chemical
treatments for recovering or stabilizing manure solids or manure treatment
by-products for improved utilization alternatives.
Scientist: Saqib Mukhtar and Brent Auvermann
Progress to date: In recent years, costs of animal mortality pick-up
have increased substantially due to reduction in demand for rendered products.
Livestock Carcass disposal by burial has been the most common method while
incineration of poultry and swine carcasses is also practiced in several
states. These methods raise concerns over groundwater contamination at burial
sites, and odor, air pollution, and unsuitability of disposing large carcasses
by incineration. As the cost of dealing with mortalities and environmental
concerns increase, the animal feeding operation’s (AFO) use and/or acceptance
of on-farm mortality composting could very easily make it a preferred method
of handling livestock losses. A study was Initiated in 2002 that involved
large- carcass (horse and cow mortalities) composting using an in-bin, static
pile composting system. Bins were created using large hay bales and spent
horse bedding was used as a co-composting material. In one case, the carcass
compost piles were turned at 3 and 6-month intervals after the start of composting.
In the other case, the compost piles were built by placing the carcass above
wooden pallets and turning the pile only once in a 6-month period. This was
a low maintenance composting system because no pre processing of mortalities
(cleaving, grinding etc.) was performed, no extra moisture other than that
from the natural precipitation was added to the compost pile, and piles were
turned no more than twice during the nine-month trial period. Within a few
days after composting began, all piles achieved temperatures above 55 OC
and remained at or above this temperature for several days or weeks. Turning
piles without the wooden pallets after 3 months of composting resulted in
a much greater temperature increase for the larger carcass (cow carcass weighing
909 Kg) than that for the smaller (horse carcass weighing 500 Kg) carcass.
After six months of composting with and without the wooden pallets, similar
carcass conditions in terms of faint odors and a high degree of large bone
biodegradation were observed. After 9 months of composting, the C:N
ratios of all compost piles were nearly one half of the horse bedding used
as a co-composting material. Pathogenic evaluation of 9-month old carcass
compost piles indicated low counts of salmonella and fecal coliform bacteria.
The final product was ready to be land applied without the need to screen
out large bones as they shattered and disintegrated easily.
Usefulness of Findings and Impact: Based upon these results and observations,
it was concluded that an in-bin, low maintenance carcass and horse bedding
composting operation for the disposal of cow and horse mortalities can be
carried out successfully. The success of this composting study depended upon
the availability of suitable initial moisture of the mix (whole carcass and
co-composting material) and the C:N ratio of the co-composting material.
Additionally, this method may also be more suitable to temperate climates
during years with normal precipitation.
Planned work for the next year: Several demonstrations and replicated
studies to develop guidelines for large carcass composting using various
feedstock (composted manure and separated solids, sawdust, cotton burs, cooped
straw and hay etc) have either begun or will be underway next year.
Results of replicated studies will be discussed in the future.
Publications:
S. Mukhtar, B. W. Auvermann, K. Heflin, and C. N. Boriack. 2003.
A low maintenance approach to large carcass composting. 2003. Paper to be
presented at the 2003 International Meeting of the ASAE, Las Vegas, Nevada.
ASAE Paper No. 03-34106. Objective 2, Task 4. Develop and evaluate biological or thermochemical
treatment of animal manures for conversion in to value-added products.
Scientist: John M. Sweeten
Progress to Date: Fine-ground cattle feedlot manure/biomass (FB) blended
with pulverized Wyoming PRB coal at 10%:90% ratio overcame variability problems
of 100% FB combustion fuel. Higher heating value (HHV) of FB decreased
during composting and storage. Mean HHV (BTU/lb) values were: pen-collected
feedlot manure (5,433) >partially-composted (PC) at 32 days (4,679) >finished
compost (FiC) at 125 days (4,288) >bin-stored (S) compost, 204-328 days
(3,948) vs. manure (PC/S)/coal blend (11,096 <coal (12,087). FB
ash was higher in Na, Mg, Si & K, but lower in Al, Ca, Ti & Fe as
compared to coal ash. Blend fuel combustion tests in two pilot plants
were successful (100,000 and 500,000 BTU/hr) at TAMU and USDOE, respectively.
CO emissions were similar to coal and NOx emissions were slightly less for
FB/coal blend fuels despite FB with 2% N vs. 0.7% for coal. However,
ash fouling was more severe with high ash manure compared to low ash coal.
Usefulness of Findings and Impact: When feedlot manure was co-fired
with coal in 10:90 blend, less N is converted to NOx (i.e., lower fuel N
conversion factor) compared to coal. An economic analysis revealed
scenarios wherein use of a 10% FB:90% coal blend could save up to $9 million/yr
for a 2,000 MW coal-fired power plant. This research has potential
to greatly impact the amount of nitrogen oxide levels produced from coal-fired
power plants using prepared manure from feedlot facilities.
Work Planned for 2003-2004: Studies will be continued for another year.
Publications:
Annamalai, K., J. M. Sweeten, S. Mukhtar, B. Thien, G. Wei, and S.
Priyadsan. 2002. Co-firing coal, feedlot and litter biomass (CFB
& LFB) fuels in pulverized fuel and fixed bed burners. Semi-Annual Technical
Report (6/1/01-12/15/01), Project # DE-FG26-00NT40810, Texas Engineering
Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Submitted to U.S. Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory,
Pittsburgh, PA. Jan. 15. 78 pages.
Annamalai, K., J. M. Sweeten, B. F. Thien, M. Freeman, and K. Heflin.
2002. Co-firing of coal and feedlot manure blends in boiler burners
for power generation. Paper No. 026088. 2002 International Meeting
of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers/CIGR XVth World Congress,
Chicago, Illinois. July 28-31. 16 pages.
Sweeten, J. M., K, Annamalai, K. Heflin, and M. Freeman. 2002.
Cattle feedlot manure quality for combustion in coal/manure blends.
Paper No. 024092. 2002 International Meeting of the American Society of Agricultural
Engineer/CIGR XVth World Congress, Chicago, Illinois. July 28-31.
21 pages.
Thien, B. F., K. Annamalai, and J. M. Sweeten. 2002. Co-firing
feedlot and litter biomass:coal blends in a laboratory scale boiler burner.
2002 ASME Symposium on Combustion, Energy, and Fire. International
Mechanical Engineering Congress an Exposition. New Orleans, LA.
November 17-22. Objective 4, Task 1: Develop and evaluate strategies to reduce phosphorus
excretion from livestock.
Reporting Scientist: L. Wayne Greene
Progress to Date: Three experiments were conducted to develop
feeding strategies to reduce the excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus from
concentrated beef cattle feeding operations. In experiment 1, ninety-six
growing steers (270 kg) were programmed fed to gain at a slow or fast rate.
After 88 and 60 d for steers fed to gain slow or fast, respectively, steers
were transitioned to ad libitum consumption of a high concentrate finishing
diet. Steers were harvested when the average fat thickness of the steers
in the pen was predicted to be 12 mm. Feeding steers for a slow rate
of gain during the growing period improved (P = 0.013) gain efficiency and
reduced the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus being transported to the feedlot
in the form of feed. In experiment 2, ninety-six steers (average BW
= 35 kg) were programmed-fed for a target gain of 1.4 kg/d (slow rate of
gain) during the first 62 d of the feeding period or fed ad libitum (fast
rate of gain). Steers were harvested when external fat was predicted
to be 12 mm. Gain efficiency was increased (P = 0.097) throughout the
entire finishing period by limiting ADG during the first 62 d of the experiment.
This increased efficiency resulted in 2,650 and 461 g less nitrogen and phosphorus,
respectively, being transported to the feedyard per steers when ADG was restricted
during the first part of the finishing period. Experiment 3 was conducted
to determine the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus utilization in steers
as they mature throughout the finishing period. Three dietary CP levels
(11.5, 13.0, and 14.5\% of DM) and three supplemental urea levels (100, 50,
and 0% of supplemental CP from urea) were fed in a 3 X 3 factorial arrangement
of treatments to 27 crossbred steers. Steers were used in three nutrient
balance collection periods (NBCP) at the beginning, middle, and end, of the
finishing period. No CP level x CP source interactions (P < .01)
were observed. DMI, ADG, and feed efficiency did not differ (P < 0.05)
among treatments. For each NBCP, urinary total N, urinary urea N (UUN),
and SUN increased linearly (P < 0.10) as CP level increased. For
NBCP 1 and 3, fecal N output increased linearly (P < 0.10) as supplemental
CP from urea decreased. For NBCP 2 and 3, UUN decreased linearly (P
0.10) as urea level decreased. For NBCP 1, fecal and urine P excretion
increased linearly (P < 0.10), and P retained (% of intake) decreased
linearly (P < 0.10), as CP level increased. Phosphorus intake increased
linearly (P < 0.10) as urea level decreased for each NBCP. Fecal
P output increased linearly (P < 0.10) in all NBCP, and urinary P excretion
in NBCP 1 and 2 increased linearly (P < 0.10) as urea level decreased.
Phosphorus retained (% of intake) decreased linearly (P < 0.10) as urea
level decreased for NBCP 3. As days on feed increased less N and P
were retained, suggesting the potential to decrease N and P excretion by
feeding less N and P as the feeding period progresses.
Usefulness of Findings and Impact: These data show that managing feedyard
diets will result in significant reductions in the amount of nitrogen and
phosphorus that is transported to the feedyard.
Publications:
Scaglia, G., L. W. Greene, F. T. McCollum, III, and T. H. Montgomery.
2002. Performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed different
feeding levels and implant strategies during the growing period. J.
Anm. Sci. 80(Suppl. 1):48.
Scaglia, G., L. W. Greene, F. T. McCollum, III, and T. H. Montgomery.
2002. Effect of implant strategy and feeding level during the growing
period on performance, carcass quality and composition of feedlot steers.
Proc. Plains Nutr. Council Spring Conference. April 25, 2002. Publ.
No. AREC 02-20. Texas A&M Research and Extension Center Amarillo.
p. 135.
Greene, L. W. 2002. Research update: Texas Agricultural Experiment
Station at Amarillo. Proc. Nutr. Council Spring Conference. April
25, 2002. Publ. No. AREC 02-20. Texas A&M Research and Extension
Center Amarillo. p. 87.
Niemann, D. R., D. R. George, L. W. Greene, N. A. Cole, F. T. McCollum and
N. K. Chirase. 2002. Phosphorus excretion from ruminants implanted
with estrogenic growth implants. Proc. Total Maximum Daily Load: Environmental
Regulations. March 11-13, 2002 ASAE. p. 579.
Cole, N. A., L. W. Greene, F. T. McCollum, T. Montgomery and K. W. McBride.
2003. Influence of oscillating dietary protein concentration on performance,
acid-base balance, and nitrogen excretion of steers. J. Anim. Sci.
In Review.