Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #282829
Title: Monitoring air quality in beef mono-slope barns

Author
item CORTUS, ERIN - South Dakota State University
item Spiehs, Mindy

Submitted to: Extension Fact Sheets
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2012
Publication Date: 6/22/2012
Citation: Cortus, E., Spiehs, M.J. 2012. Monitoring air quality in beef mono-slope barns. Science Behind Environmental Policy Field Day, June 22, 2012. Handout.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this research was to determine the emission rates of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in beef deep-bedded monoslope facilities, and to provide baseline information to evaluate differences in emission rates due to season, time of day, growth cycles of animals, and building management. Four beef deep-bedded monoslope facilities were selected for monitoring. Each site is monitored continuously for one month each quarter for two years to capture both daily and seasonal variations. The South Dakota State University instrument trailer alternates between two producer-owned sites in Eastern South Dakota. These two sites practice weekly manure removal. The ARS instrument trailer oversees two sites in Northwest Iowa. These two sites keep the majority of manure in the barn, along with bedding, and allow a bedpack to develop. The emission data require measurements of the airflow through the barn, and the pollutant concentrations entering and leaving the barn. At each facility, the environment-controlled instrument trailer and associated equipment is located adjacent to the barn. The trailer contains: a gas sampling system (GSS) that consist of Teflon tube sample lines connected to a computer controlled sampling manifold, gas analyzers, computer, data acquisition system, calibration gas cylinders, and other supplies. In addition to the sampling lines, there are environmental instruments to measure the airflow and weather conditions for two pens in each barn. Based on currently available data, there are indications of differences between pack and scrape manure management systems, as well as temperature, for ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations. Methane concentrations are more consistent between systems and for different temperature conditions. Emission values will incorporate these concentration data, in conjunction with airflow data, which also varies between sites and temperature conditions. Data collection will continue through October, 2012.