Location: Livestock Bio-Systems
Project Number: 3040-63000-002-002-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Apr 3, 2024
End Date: Aug 31, 2031
Objective:
1. Quantify baseline emissions of NH3, CH4, and N2O from beef feedyard located at MARC.
2. Determine the effect of mitigation practices (lot treatments/diet) on NH3, CH4, and N2O emissions from beef feedlot.
3. Determine the effect of diet on manure methane potential in beef cattle.
3. Quantify emissions of ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide from composting beef cattle manure and evaluate the effect of different management practices on these emissions.
Approach:
Beef feedlots will be monitored for NH3, CH4, and N2O emissions using FTIR and inverse dispersion modeling for three years. After collecting baseline emissions for a year, alternative diets and management practices will be evaluated. Ancillary measurements will include weather, pen and cattle characteristics, and manure characteristics. Maximum manure methane potential will be evaluated in collaboration with the USMARC enteric methane team for specific diets.
Composting will be evaluated as static piles, turned piles, and with different bulking agents using FTIR and inverse dispersion modeling. Potential alternative composting management strategies may also be evaluated. Ancillary measurements will include weather, pen and cattle characteristics, and compost characteristics.
Funding will be used for:
A GS-07 to 09 technician will be hired and will spend 100% of time on this project
Analysis of manure, etc. at central laboratory
Miscellaneous supplies for emissions measurements and sample collection
