Location: Livestock Bio-Systems
2023 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Develop pen surface amendments and treatment practices for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) to reduce emissions to the environment, including greenhouse gases (GHG) and odors.
Sub-objective 1.A: Determine the effect of climatic conditions on GHG and odor emission from beef feedlot pen surfaces from various geographical locations.
Sub-objective 1.B: Evaluate the addition of feedlot surface amendment(s) in lab-scale studies to reduce emission of GHG and odorous compounds from beef feedlot pen surfaces from various geographical locations.
Sub-objective 1.C: Evaluate the validity of using electromagnetic induction surveys to predict and mitigate spatially variable feedlot surface GHG and odor emissions.
Sub-objective 1.D: Determine seasonal and annual ammonia transport and dry deposition from beef confinement facilities in and around the livestock facility.
Sub-objective 1.E: Determine NH3 and H2S emissions from swine finishing barns and manure storage based on feed inputs.
Sub-objective 1.F: Continue developing treatment methods for removing certain antimicrobials from wastewater and expand the efficacy of this process for additional pharmaceutically active compounds.
Objective 2: Quantify how long-term manure additions to soil alter soil health as measured by chemical, physical, and biological properties.
Approach
Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) cause environmental concerns because of the organic, inorganic, pathogenic, and pharmaceutical residues sometimes found in manure and their potential as sources for contamination of soil, surface and groundwater, and air quality. The multifaceted, integrated research proposed herein will provide valuable information for managing the impact of manure on the environment. This work focuses on beef and swine production with an emphasis at the pen because that is where manure is most concentrated, and where management can have a significant impact. A series of experiments are planned to better understand how emission characteristics vary based on climatic conditions and geographical location within the U.S. of open-lot beef pen surface material (PSM). Effects of spatial location within the pen will also be examined. It is anticipated this information will provide insight for the development of precision pen surface management practices for improved environmental control, including the use of pen surface amendments. Nitrogen deposition surrounding the beef feedlot, and the effect of dietary inputs on nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) outputs from a swine facility will contribute towards larger efforts to model air emissions from livestock production facilities. Additional experiments will develop methods to remove antibiotics and other pharmaceutical compounds in beef, swine, and dairy wastewater prior to land application. The removal of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical compounds will mitigate the potential spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Finally, the impacts of manure application as a fertilizer amendment will be examined to better characterize the benefits for improving sustainability of soils for crop production. The unique resources and scientific expertise at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) will enable successful completion of this plan.
Progress Report
Sub-objective 1A: Research continues to determine the effect of climatic conditions on greenhouse gas (GHG), and odor emission from beef feedlot pen surfaces from various geographical locations. Study is underway to evaluate feedlot surface material (FSM) obtained from two geographical regions with significant cattle production (Texas and Nebraska) at three moisture levels defined as dry (air-dried), wet (1:2 water-to-FSM ratio), and saturated (1:1 water-to-FSM ratio) and three different ambient temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C). A series of lab-scale studies were conducted for 14 days each to determine ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and greenhouse gases including nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To date, two replications of the hot and moderate treatments, and one replicate of the cold treatment have been completed. The final cold replication is currently on-going.
Sub-objective 1B: Lab-scale and on-farm studies have been conducted to evaluate the addition of feedlot surface amendments, pit additives, and animal diet on feedlot surface characteristics, odor, and gas emissions. Lab-scale experiments have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of microbial and chemical feedlot surface amendments. Air samples were analyzed for VOC, NH3, H2S, and greenhouse gases including N2O, CH4, and CO2. The first lab-scale study compared 10% alum and a microbial pit additive added at a rate of 1.0 g product to 4.5 kg FSM. A subsequent study examined the microbial pit additive added at rate of 1.0 g product to 4.5 kg FSM in dry, (1:2 water-to-FSM ratio), and saturated (1:1 water-to-FSM ratio) conditions.
An on-farm project initiated in May 2022 was completed in November 2022 to evaluate the effectiveness of a microbial-based pit additive in reducing gas and odor emissions from the underground pit beneath a slatted-floor beef cattle barn. The product was added to two of the five underground pits in May 2022. Once monthly, just prior to the monthly maintenance addition of the pit additive, air samples were collected from the barn, and manure samples collected from the pit of four of the five pens. Air samples were analyzed for odorous VOC, NH3, H2S, CO2, N2O, and CH4. Manure nutrient content was determined at each sampling. Air samples were analyzed from the stored manure samples at Day 1, 4, 6, and 7 post-collection and analyzed for VOC, NH3, H2S, CO2, N2O, and CH4.
A second on-farm project was conducted in June – July 2023, at a Clay Center, Nebraska, beef feedlot to evaluate the addition of a microbial additive added to the feedlot surface area. Air samples were collected on five occasions over an 18-day period and analyzed for odorous VOC, NH3, H2S, CO2, N2O, and CH4. Manure nutrient content was determined at the beginning and the end of the study.
Additional studies evaluating FSM include a study started in June 2023 to investigate effects from distillers grain diet on FSM. Samples were collected from beef feedlot pens at a research facility that fed diets containing either no ethanol co-products (control), wet distillers grains, or dry distillers grains. Characterizations and initial experiments have been completed. A study has begun looking at blended beef and chicken manure with considerations of soil properties and emission of GHG and VOCs.
Sub-objective 1D: To determine seasonal and annual NH3 transport and dry deposition from beef confinement facilities in and around the livestock facility, a meteorological station was erected, and data collected and sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to determine a potential data collection array surrounding a 6,000-animal beef feedlot located near Clay Center, Nebraska. Data collection using Ogawa passive NH3 samplers will begin in August 2023. These initial samples will help better refine the potential array surrounding the beef confinement facility before final installation takes place in Fall 2023.
Sub-objective 1E: The project to determine NH3 and H2S emissions from a swine finishing barn and manure storage based on feed inputs was substantially delayed due to an inability to get access to the collaborating commercial swine facility in Iowa until late FY2023. The barn is currently being equipped with the necessary sampling equipment and preliminary sampling will begin in late FY2023.
Sub-objective 1F: Research continued to develop treatment methods for removing certain antimicrobials from wastewater and expanding the efficacy of this process for additional pharmaceutical compounds. A series of studies were conducted to determine the ability of ultraviolet radiation to break down the antibiotics tylosin in beef wastewater. The steady state spectroscopy and density functional theory were used to explore the spectral properties of a tylosin molecule. Follow up studies investigated the photodegradation of tylosin by white light using a Copper (II) tetraphenylporphyrin photocatalyst in water and livestock wastewater. To prevent the photocatalyst from leaching into the environment it was embedded in a polymer matrix. After 24 hours, the average tylosin concentration decreased by 11.43% in the wastewater pond samples. Additional studies were conducted to determine if diatomaceous earth could act as a filter media for the antibiotics monensin and chlortetracycline. In tandem with that work, experiments have also been conducted to modify diatomaceous earth to improve the number of antibiotics and other wastewater contaminates it could filter out of animal production wastewater.
Objective 2: To quantify how long-term manure additions to soil alter soil health, yearly samples will be collected and analyzed from a 12 year-long fertilizer study comparing commercial fertilizer with manure to meet the nitrogen needs for a corn silage crop that was terminated approximately 15 years ago. Both treatments had a cover crop and a no-cover crop treatment. Samples will be collected when the corn silage is harvested from the field.
Accomplishments
1. Determine the impact of composting beef manure on antibiotic resistance. A study was conducted to determine the presence of antibiotic resistance of bacteria in beef feedlot surface material that was either stockpiled or composted prior to land application. ARS researchers at Clay Center, Nebraska, determined that both methods reduced antibiotic resistance in the stored beef feedlot surface material during the summer months in Nebraska (August – September) with an average daily temperature of 81.5 °F and total precipitation of 4.4”, but during the winter/spring months (December – March) with an average daily temperature of 37°F and total precipitation of 2.7” neither method was effective. An unexpected increase in the total antibiotic resistance was detected when corn stalks were added as a bulking agent for composting. Multiple sources of corn stalks throughout the Midwest were evaluated and corn stalks that received pesticide treatment tended to have greater antibiotic resistance. Composting and stockpiling manure during summer months can be an effective tool for producers to reduce transfer of antibiotic resistance from solid beef manure to local environments during land application.
2. Ultraviolet light can break down tylosin in beef wastewater. Due to the widespread use of the antibiotic tylosin in animal feeding operations, there is a concern that the antibiotic can accumulate in beef wastewater ponds, and the contaminated water can then further spread through the local environment and lead to the development of broader antibiotic resistance. ARS researchers at Clay Center, Nebraska, conducted a series of studies to determine if light could be used to breakdown tylosin in wastewater from beef feedlots. Researchers first identified the wavelengths of light that were most effective for breaking down tylosin. Researchers then found that a special molecule called a porphyrin could further enhance the photodegradation of tylosin in wastewater by broadband white light. The ability to use light to breakdown antibiotic residues in wastewater from beef feedlots will enable producers to eliminate antimicrobial residues in wastewater and potentially reduce antimicrobial resistance in the environment.
Review Publications
Waldrip, H., Parker, D., Miller, S., Durso, L.M., Miller, D.N., Casey, K., Woodbury, B.L., Spiehs, M.J. 2022. Microbial community structure from southern high plains beef cattle feedyard manure and relationship with nitrous oxide emissions. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 5(3). Article e20292. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20292.
Staley, Z.R., Woodbury, B.L., Stromer, B.S., Schmidt, A.M., Snow, D.D., Bartelt-Hunt, S.L., Wang, B., Li, X. 2021. Stockpiling versus composting: Effectiveness in reducing antibiotic- resistant bacteria and resistance genes in beef cattle manure. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 87(16). Article e00750-21. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00750-21.
Avramenko, A.G., Spiehs, M.J. 2023. Effects of solvent environment on the spectroscopic properties of tylosin, an experimental and theoretical approach. Water Science and Technology. 87(11):2597-2606. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2023.155.
Avramenko, A.G., Spiehs, M.J. 2023. Porphyrin mediated photodegradation of tylosin in aqueous media by near-UV light. Photochemistry and Photobiology, A: Chemistry. 441. Article 114698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2023.114698.
