The Effects of PLT Poultry Litter Treatment on Ammonia and Particulate Matter Emissions in a Commercial Turkey Grow-Out Facility

Abstract

This study was conducted at a two-story turkey brood and grow-out facility. PLT poultry litter treatment was applied to the litter throughout two turkey grow-out cycles. The study spanned seven months to include summer and winter seasons. In the first flock, PLT was applied twice, while only one PLT application occurred in the second flock. Reductions in ammonia emissions immediately after the PLT application were found to be 72%, as averaged over the three applications. The overall reduction in ammonia emissions, averaged over the treatments, was 57%, lasting on average 11 days. The overall average ammonia emissions for the control and treatment barns were respectively 203 ±185 and 134 ±139 g d-1 AU-1 (AU = animal unit, equivalent to 500 kg live mass). PM10 and PM2.5 emissions were calculated to be 9.80 ±2.44 and 4.73 ±2.19 g d-1 AU-1, respectively, for the control barn and 6.51 ±2.59 and 2.67 ±2.54 g d-1 AU-1, respectively, for the treatment barn. PLT was found to be an effective control strategy to reduce ammonia emissions but had a minimal effect on particulate matter emissions.