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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #354246
Research Project: Sustainable Management and Byproduct Utilization of Manure Nutrients and Environmental Contaminants from Beef and Swine Production Facilities

Location: Livestock Bio-Systems

Title: Use of aluminum sulfate (alum) as a feedlot surface amendment to reduce ammonia emissions from beef feedlots

Author
item Spiehs, Mindy
item Woodbury, Bryan

Submitted to: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/14/2018
Publication Date: 7/3/2018
Citation: Spiehs, M.J., Woodbury, B.L. 2018. Use of aluminum sulfate (alum) as a feedlot surface amendment to reduce ammonia emissions from beef feedlots. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE), July 29-August 1, 2018, Detroit, MI. ASABE Paper No. 1801541. https://doi.org/10.13031/aim.201801541.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13031/aim.201801541

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The poultry industry has successfully used aluminum sulfate (alum) as a litter amendment to reduce NH3 emissions from poultry barns but the technology has not been utilized in the beef industry. The objective of this study was to measure NH3 from feedlot surface material (FSM) containing alum. A 33-day lab-scale study was conducted using pans containing FSM and either 0, 2.5, 5, or 10% alum. The pH of the FSM was significantly lower (P < 0.01) when treated with 2.5, 5, and 10% alum as opposed to the 0% alum treatment. Ammonia emissions were immediately reduced when FSM was treated with alum. No NH3 volatilization occurred below a pH of 6.5. A second study was conducted at the feedlot. Six feedlot pens that recently had cattle removed were used. In each pen, three areas were treated with 5% alum and three areas were left untreated. There was a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in pH in the areas of the pens where alum was added compared to those that did not receive alum. Ammonia concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) for the areas that received alum compared to those that did not receive alum for the first 7 days of the study, but were higher for the alum-treated locations on Day 10, and similar between the two areas for the remainder of the study. We concluded that 5% alum may reduce NH3 emissions from beef feedlots, although frequent reapplication may be needed to maintain the suppression in NH3.