Composted Cattle Research Articles

Transport of Metals (Al, Fe) and Trace Elements (Cu, Mo, Ni, and Zn) through Intact Soil Cores Amended with Fresh or Composted Beef Cattle Manure for Nine Years

ABSTRACT Composting of feedlot cattle (Bos Taurus) manure may enhance metal and trace element accumulation and transport through the soil because these elements are concentrated in manure during composting. Little research has been conducted on comparing transport of metals (Al, Fe) and trace elements (Ni, Cu, Mo, Zn) through soil amended with composted manure (CM) versus fresh feedlot manure (FM) stockpiled for up to two months. Our objective was to determine if the transport of six selected chemicals (Al, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo) was affected by the composting of cattle manure applied annually at 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt. for nine years to a clay loam soil. Intact soil cores were taken from a field experiment in the spring of 2007. Deionized water was applied to the soil cores in the laboratory under steady-state (4.9 cm d−1) and unsaturated conditions. The chemical concentrations were measured in the effluent and breakthrough curves and cumulative mass loss curves obtained. Flow-weighted mean concentrations (FWMC) and mass loss of Al, Fe, Ni, Mo, and Cu, recovery of total applied Al, and maximum concentrations of Fe and Mo were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater for CM compared to FM. Although greater chemical concentrations in amendments and soil for CM than FM may partially explain greater transport under CM, we believe that greater unsaturated hydraulic conductivity at 7 mBar for CM was a more important factor.

Transport of Residual Soluble Salts and Total Sulfur through Intact Soil Cores Amended with Fresh or Composted Beef Cattle Feedlot Manure for Nine Years

ABSTRACT Composting of beef cattle (Bos Taurus) manure may increase the soluble salt (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and total sulfur (S) content and increase transport through the soil. Little research has been conducted on comparing transport of these chemicals through soil amended with composted (CM) manure versus fresh feedlot manure stockpiled for up to two months (FM). Our objective was to determine if the transport of these chemicals was greater for CM compared to FM when annually applied at 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt. for nine years to a clay loam soil. Intact soil cores were taken from a field experiment in the spring of 2007. Deionized water was applied to the soil cores in the laboratory under steady-state (4.9 cm d−1) and unsaturated conditions. Residual chemical concentrations in effluent were measured and breakthrough curves and cumulative mass loss curves obtained. The peak concentrations of K and total S; flow-weighted mean concentration (FWMC) and mass loss for Na, K, and total S; and recovery of Mg, Na, K, and total S were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater for CM compared to FM. However, peak concentrations, FWMCs, and mass loss of Ca and Mg were similar for both manure types. Treatment effects on these two soluble salts were likely masked by high natural Ca and Mg already in the soil. Analysis of co-variance also suggested greater cumulative mass loss of most chemicals (except Ca) for CM than FM at pore volumes between 0.25 and 2.5. However, our findings could not be explained by the differences in chemical content of the amendments or soil, or greater cation exchange capacity for CM than FM. The greater unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (at 7 mBar) of soil amended with CM compared to FM was the likely cause of greater transport of Na, K, and total S; and may be related to a physical effect of finer particles increasing water flow for composted manure.

Bacteriophage control of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in cattle compost

To isolate bacteriophage that infects vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and to investigate the ability of this phage to diminish VRE number in vitro and in experimentally VRE-inoculated compost. We sampled 106 solid or water samples, including 101 bovine faecal samples; lytic phage named Vrep-5 was isolated from one bovine faecal sample by plaque assay using the clinical VRE isolate FN1 (Enterococcus faecium). Vrep-5 generated clear plaques 1 mm in diameter and exhibited characteristics of the family Myoviridae A1, with a spherical head (122 ± 16 nm) and a contractile tail (152 ± 17 nm long). Vrep-5 lysed other bacterial strains, including Enterococcus faecalis. Inoculation of vrep-5 into 0.5 g unsterilized compost experimentally inoculated with FN1 at the multiplicity of infection of 1500 (8.8 × 10(4) CFU g(-1) VRE and 1.3 × 10(8) PFU g(-1) vrep-5) led to a decrease of >3 log(10) in VRE abundance compared with the untreated control after 24 h of incubation. The data show that bacteriophage vrep-5 is effective in the rapid reduction in VRE colonization in compost. The present study gives valuable new knowledge in the fight against VRE in the animal production.

Transport of Residual Nutrients Through Intact Soil Cores Amended With Fresh or Composted Beef Cattle Manure for Nine Years

Although fresh beef cattle (Bos Taurus) manure has traditionally been applied to cropland in Western Canada, application of composted manure has recently increased, and the environmental impact of increasing application of composted manure is unknown. Our main objective was to compare the effect of fresh versus composted feedlot manure on transport of residual nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), chloride (Cl), and total reactive P (TRP) to subsurface soil. Fresh and composted feedlot manure was annually applied at 0 and 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt. for nine years to a clay loam soil in a replicated field experiment. Intact soil cores (0-30 cm depth) were taken from the field in the spring of 2007, and the residual soil chemicals were eluted from the soil cores by applying deionized water to obtain breakthrough curves. Although mean values for peak and flow-weighted mean concentrations, and mass loss of NO3-N, Cl, and TRP were, in general, significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher for the amended cores compared to the unamended control, there were no significant differences between fresh and composted manure. Asymmetrical breakthrough curves and peak concentrations prior to one volume for NO3-N and Cl indicated preferential transport in macropores, whereas a gradual increase in concentration for TRP indicated transport by matrix flow. The cumulative mass of NO3-N and Cl were described using an exponential equation with asymptote and negative rate constants, and reflected a rapid initial release of these chemicals followed by a steady-state condition. In contrast, TRP loss from amended cores was best fit with an exponential growth equation and positive rate constant, and reflected a gradual slow release of this chemical. Mean peak concentrations exceeded the Canadian drinking water guideline of 10 mg NO3-N L−1 by 44 fold for composted manure (438 mg L−1), 34 fold for fresh manure (339 mg L−1), and 15 fold for the unamended control (153 mg L−1). The P sorption index was similar for fresh and composted manure, but mean values were significantly lower for the amended compared to unamended soil cores. Our findings suggested no statistical evidence for more transport of these nutrients for composted compared to fresh manure but there was a greater risk of transport for amended compared to unamended soils, particularly for macropore transport of NO3-N and Cl.

Effect of combined application of manure and fertilizer on N2O fluxes from a grassland soil in Nasu, Japan

The manure application rate to grassland is often limited by the manure's potassium content. As a result, supplemental nitrogen (N) or phosphorus fertilizer may be required. In Japan, bark or sawdust are often added to manure to reduce its moisture content as a part of the composting process, and composted manure is spread on fields in late autumn to free storage space to hold the manure produced during the winter. We evaluated the effects of a combined application of bark- or sawdust-containing dairy cattle compost in late autumn and supplemental fertilizer supply on the N2O emissions from grassland for 5 years. N2O emissions from the manure plus fertilizer plot, fertilizer-only plot, and no N (control) plot were measured using closed chambers. The cumulative precipitation during the 18-day period before and the 12-day period after N application were important control factors for N2O emissions. In addition, N2O emissions increased drastically when the average air temperature during the 12-day period after the N application exceeded 15°C. Therefore, the timing of N application with respect to precipitation and temperature was the most important factor controlling N2O emissions. By combining manure application in late autumn with reduced application of N fertilizer during the summer growing season, it may be possible to mitigate N2O emissions from Japanese grasslands.

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Reduction of cadmium uptake in spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) by soil amendment with animal waste compost

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of animal waste compost (AWC) in reducing Cd uptake by spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.). Spinach was grown in a field that had been treated by having cattle, swine, or poultry waste compost incorporated into the soil before each crop throughout 4 years of rotational vegetable production. Cadmium concentration was 34–38% lower in spinach harvested from the AWC-treated soils than in the chemical fertilizer-treated soil. Although the repeated application of swine and poultry compost caused significant P accumulation in the cropped soils, that of cattle compost did not. These results indicate that cattle compost with high affinity for Cd and low P content should be the preferred soil amendment when used to reduce Cd uptake by spinach.

Soil Phosphorus Distribution as Affected by Manure Compost Phosphorus Concentration and Incorporation

Phosphorus (P) from manure can become an environmental pollutant if applied to soil at rates in excess of plant uptake. This research examined the effects of composted beef cattle manures from two feeding regimens on soil P storage and forms. Composted manures were applied in the spring before planting (preplant) with incorporation, in spring after planting (postplant) without incorporation, or in winter without incorporation. Soils were sampled following 1 and 2 years of treatment at depths to 15.0 cm. All P fractions from both composted manures increased over pre-amended levels. High-P composted manure increased total P (TP) and inorganic P (IP) more than low-P composted manure. Total P and IP were greater in soils receiving low-P composted manure postplant than in those receiving manure preplant. Accumulation of TP and IP in uppermost depths was greater in the second year of composted manure application than in the first year. Appropriately managing composted manure requires integrating P concentration, time of application, and incorporation.

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Estimation of nitrogen fertilizer effect on cattle compost and swine compost by acid detergent digestible nitrogen

Estimation of nitrogen fertilizer effect on cattle compost and swine compost by acid detergent digestible nitrogen

Effects of age of cattle, turning technology and compost environment on disappearance of bone from mortality compost

As residual bones in mortality compost negatively impact subsequent tillage, two studies were performed. For the first study, windrows of mature cattle or calves were placed on a base of barley straw and covered with beef manure. Windrows were divided into two sections and turned at 3-month intervals. Approximately 5000 kg of finished compost per windrow was passed through a 6 mm trommel screen, with bones collected and weighed. Bone weight was 0.66% of mature cattle compost and 0.38% of calf compost on a dry matter basis, but did not differ after adjustment for weights of compost ingredients. In a subsequent study, four windrows were constructed containing mortalities, straw and beef manure (STATC) or straw, manure and slaughter waste (STATW). Also, straw, beef manure and slaughter waste was added to an 850 L rolling drum composter (DRUMW). Fresh bovine long-bones from calves were collected, weighed and embedded in the compost. Bones were retrieved and weighed when windrows were turned, or with DRUMW, after 8 weeks. Temperatures achieved followed the order STATW > STATC > DRUMW ( p < 0.05). Rate of bone disappearance followed a pattern identical to temperature, with the weight of bones in STATW declining by 53.7% during 7 weeks of composting. For STATC, temperatures were uniform over three composting periods, but bone disappearance was improved ( p < 0.05) when compost dry matter was lower (46%), as compared to 58%. Using a ratio of five parts manure to one part mortalities, results of this study demonstrated that residual bone was <1% of cured cattle compost and may be reduced by maintaining a high compost temperature and moisture content.

Applicability of near infrared spectroscopy as an alternative to acid detergent analysis for cattle and swine manure compost

Recently, acid detergent analysis has been reported to provide valid data to evaluate decomposition properties and to determine the available nitrogen (AVN) of organic materials, such as compost. However, this methodology requires complex procedures and creates considerable costs. As an alternative, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a simple method to determine acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and acid-detergent-soluble organic matter (ADSOM), in order to evaluate the decomposition properties of cattle and swine manure compost. To establish an easy and accurate method of estimating AVN in cattle and swine manure compost, the accuracies of direct estimations of AVN by NIRS in incubation experiments and indirect estimations by NIRS based on acid-detergent-soluble nitrogen (ADSN) or total nitrogen (TN) were examined. The reflectance spectra of freeze-dried and milled compost samples were determined using a scanning monochromator. Second derivative spectra and multiple regression analysis were used to develop calibration equations for each constituent. The calibration equations for ADF, ADL and ADSOM were “successful” according to commonly applied criteria. Acid-detergent-soluble nitrogen was found to be more suitable than TN for estimating AVN in cattle and swine manure compost. As the accuracies of the estimations of ADSN and TN by NIRS were comparable, the estimation of AVN based on ADSN as determined by NIRS was more accurate than that based on TN determined by NIRS. The direct prediction of AVN through NIRS was not as accurate as the estimation of AVN based on ADSN determined by NIRS. We conclude that NIRS is a practicable alternative to the time-consuming acid detergent analysis of cattle and swine compost, and that ADSN as determined by NIRS is useful for estimating AVN in the compost.

Micromorphological observation of pelletized cattle compost using thin sections

Micromorphological observation of pelletized cattle compost using thin sections

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Short-Term Nitrogen Leaching Potential Of Fresh and Composted Beef Cattle Manure Applied to Disturbed Soil Cores

Although fresh beef cattle (Bos taurus) manure has traditionally been applied to cropland in southern Alberta, there has been a recent increase in application of composted manure to cropland in this region. Nitrogen leaching from fresh manure (FM) versus composted (CM) beef cattle manure application has not been investigated in this region. Our objective was to compare short-term (# 23 d) N leaching potential of NO3 -N and NH4 -N under increasing rates (0, 13, 39, 77 Mg ha−1 dry wt.) of FM and CM applied to a clay loam soil under uniform soil and simulated environmental conditions. Amendments were applied and incorporated into repacked 15-cm soil (surface Ah horizon) cores, incubated for 15 d, and then leached under constant-head and saturated conditions in the laboratory. An unamended control (CON) was also used. Leaching potential of NO3-N and NH4-N depended on how the N leaching variable was expressed: peak concentration vs flow-weighted mean concentration (FWMC) vs mass loss vs recovery in leachate. Peak concentrations of NO3-N were at least 90% greater for CM (125.8 mg L−1) than FM (66.3 mg L−1) and the CON (60.5 mg L−1) treatments. The FWMC of NO3-N was significantly (P # 0.05) greater for CM (21.0 mg L1) than FM (16.3 mg L−1). Recovery of NO3-N in leachate as a percentage of total N applied was significantly greater for CM (4.7%) than FM (0.8%). Peak concentrations of NH4-N, FWMC of NH4-N, mass loss of NO3 and NH4, and recovery of NH4, were similar between FM and CM. These results suggest that short-term N leaching potential of CM was greater than FM for peak concentration, FWMC, and recovery of NO3-N.

Effect of combined applications of ^&lt;15&gt;N-labeled ammonium sulfate and cattle composts on nitrogen dynamics in upland soil conditions

Effect of combined applications of ^&lt;15&gt;N-labeled ammonium sulfate and cattle composts on nitrogen dynamics in upland soil conditions

Nutrition index and soil nitrate residues in grazed pastures fertilised with mineral fertiliser, pig slurry or cattle compost

A code of good practice was established by each European member state according to the nitrate directive. In Belgium, the nitrogen (N) inputs in pastures from slurry or compost are limited to 210 kg N/ha. Larger quantities can be applied when additional measurements, including soil nitrates analyses are carried on by the farmer. This trial aims to measure nitrogen balance, nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) and soil nitrates contents in pastures fertilised with mineral nitrogen fertiliser, pig slurry or cattle compost, the pastures being grazed by dairy cows and the fertilisation being brought at similar efficient N levels. NNI was calculated as the ratio of the actual N concentration to the sward N concentration it would have to be at a similar biomass in order to sustain a non limiting growth and a biomass accumulation (Lemaire and Gastal, 1997). Cattle compost was produced from cattle manure unloaded through the beaters of a spreader.

Estimation of the amount of nutrients in livestock manure

(Jpn. J. Soil Sci.Plant Nutr., 77, 283–291, 2006) Nutrient amounts in livestock manure management, including manure treatment and use, were estimated using published statistical data and other information. The eight categories for manure treatment were defined in this study as composting at facility, composting at stockyard, raw feces, dried feces, urine, slurry, purification and other. The three categories for use of manure were defined as application to farmland, sale and exchange and other. The regional daily excretion units per head of dairy and beef cattle, including the amount of excreta, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), were calculated based on the quantities and qualities of feed in each region. There was found to be a difference in the values for Hokkaido and other regions. Concerning manure treatment methods in the dairy sector, the sum of the proportion of raw feces and compost at stockyard was high in Hokkaido. On the other hand, the sum of the proportion of composting at facility and dried feces was high in Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki and Shikoku. In Kyushu, the proportion of slurry production was higher than in any other region. The amounts of N, P, and K in compost estimated in this study were compared with those calculated from published statistics. The results were as follows. The amounts of N, P, and K in dairy cattle compost, N and K in beef cattle compost, and N in poultry compost in this study were similar to the amounts cited in reported statistics. The amounts of P in beef cattle, swine, and poultry compost in this study were lower than those cited in reported statistics. As for the use of manure, application to farmland is the most common use of manure in the dairy and beef cattle sector. The proportions of purification, and sale and exchange were high for the swine and poultry sectors, respectively. Large amounts of liquid manure, such as urine and slurry, are applied to farmland. To clarify the nutrient load resulting from liquid manure, the usable amount of dairy slurry was calculated based on both the standard application rate of fertilizer and the area of grassland and forage crops. As a result, the amount of usable N was lower than the amount of liquid manure N in the Kanto-Tosan, Tokai and Kinki regions.

Effect of Application of Different Types of Organic Composts on Rice Growth under Laboratory Conditions

In the present study, pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the application of two different kinds of composts: pea-rice hull compost (PRC) and cattle dung-tea compost (CTC) on rice growth. These composts differed in their nitrogen composition, as well as in their effect on plant height, number of tillers, dry matter yield and nutrient uptake (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)) of rice plants. Plants were cultivated in 1/5,000 Wagner pots, which contained 3 kg of soil, completely mixed with the composts (PRC 404 g; CTC 380 g) and chemical fertilizer (CHEM), respectively in the first crop. The residual effect of the composts was studied after the plants of the first crop were harvested. All the treatments were replicated four times, with a randomized complete block design. The nutrient concentrations in the roots, leaf sheaths, leaf blades, stalks, and grain were analyzed at different growth stages. At the most active tillering and heading stages of the plants of the first crop, the number of tillers, dry matter yield and the amount of nutrients absorbed from the CHEM treatment were found to be higher than those in the other treatments. The values of the plant height, straw growth and nutrient uptake of the rice plants with the PRC treatment were the highest among all the treatments at the maturity stage. In the plants of the second crop, the values of the plant height, number of tillers, straw and whole plant yield and the N and K uptake from the PRC treatment were the highest among all the treatments at the heading and maturity stages. The chemical fertilizer was a fast-release fertilizer used to supply nutrients at the early stage of rice growth in the first crop. The beneficial effect of the composts on rice growth and nutrient uptake was conspicuous in the second crop, compared with that of routine treatment of chemical fertilizer.