Confined Animal Production Research Articles

Biogas production and electricity generation from a quail manure wastewater treatment system per water depth

Coturniculture, as an activity which demands low investment and quick return, is shown to be a possibility for the rural family producer. Concomitant to this, we highlight the fact that the use of liquid quail farming waste, aimed at generating energy by anaerobic digestion, can mean a viable and promising technology for obtaining biogas from confined animal production systems. The growing demand for energy establishes that new energy sources are better used, and a great opportunity for their growth may be the use of biomass in anaerobic digestion systems, in which the organic substrate is degraded and transformed into energy and biofertilizer. The method applied was Biochemical Potential of Methane, through benchtop bioreactors with a volume of 250 mL, and in mesophilic conditions. Waste was used as inoculum from the manure tank of the quail egg production farm. Thesubstrates used to compose the treatments were liquid quail farming waste from the water depth treatment system, with 15, 30 and 45 days of deposition. In the results obtained, it was verified that the best mono digestion used was inoculum+substrate of 30days of deposition, with water retention time of 45 days, showing a higher production accumulated in biogas (0.00078476 Nm3) and CH4 (0.000575 Nm3) as well as the highest biogas potential of 0.0043 Nm3 (kg substrate)-1. When converted into electrical energy, by means of a motor generator, using as fuel the biogas produced by the liquid quail farming waste, the value of 104.64 kwh (45 days)-1 was obtained.

10 Conservation Planning for Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture

Abstract The United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) works in a voluntary and collaborative manner with agricultural producers to solve natural resource issues on private lands. One of the key steps in formulating a solution to those natural resource issues is a conservation planning process that identifies the issues, highlights one or more conservation practice standards that can be used to address those issues, and allows the agricultural producer to select those conservation practices that make sense for their operation. In this conservation planning process, USDA-NRCS looks at natural resource issues related to soil, water, air, plants, animals, and energy (SWAPA+E). With the increasing focus on Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry, the air quality natural resource concern associated with greenhouse gases is of particular importance. This presentation will focus on the USDA-NRCS conservation planning process for determining whether greenhouse gases from confined animal production is a resource concern and the conservation practice standard options that can be used to address an identified resource concern for greenhouse gases from confined animal production.

Assessing effects of confined animal production systems on water quality, ecological integrity, and macroinvertebrates at small piedmont streams (Patagonia, Argentina)

Breeding of livestock in confined areas has recently become an alternative of production for farmers in Northwest Patagonia. Strong concern about how these practices can alter health and integrity of streams exists and mitigation measures from livestock impact have been recently incorporated to the legislation. We examined changes in water quality, riparian integrity, habitat conditions, and macroinvertebrates community at three low order streams having different modalities of animal production management. The general design included visits at 11 sites (comprising references sites) in a bimonthly scheme. We assessed hydrological and physicochemical features including oxygen, conductivity, nutrients and total suspended solids. Epilithic chlorophyll and bacteria (total coliforms and E. coli) were also measured. Integrity of each site was assessed by two adapted indexes for Patagonian streams: riparian ecosystem quality (QBRp) and habitat condition (HA). A suite of 12 qualitative bioindicator measures based on aquatic macroinvertebrates were utilized at two flow contrasting periods. Compared to reference sites, intensive and semi-intensive practices produced low to moderate impact regarding to oxygen saturation, conductivity and nutrient levels, but strong alteration of the riparian ecosystem and of the in-stream habitat condition were detected. E. coli counting resulted in declining of water quality at both intensive and semi-intensive management, and exceeded the recommended critical value for recreational purposes. Plecoptera and Trichoptera richness significantly diminished at most impacted sites during low water period. In addition, several macroinvertebrate metrics displayed negative and significant responses to ammonia level increases, evidencing a possible toxicity effect. Our findings suggest that these emergent practices, which are rapidly expanding in a relatively undeveloped area, might have negative impacts. Mitigation measures for stream protection should be recommended to landowners through conservation programs.

Composition of Poultry Litter in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Determining the chemical composition of poultry litter is important in order to apply this waste as soil fertilizer without causing negative environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the average and variability of some chemical parameters of 165 samples of poultry litter produced from confined animal production facilities located in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, Southern of Brazil. Samples of approximately 5.0 L were collected on 20 points from the truck [...]

Effect of Growth Promotants on the Occurrence of Endogenous and Synthetic Steroid Hormones on Feedlot Soils and in Runoff from Beef Cattle Feeding Operations

Supplements and growth promotants containing steroid hormones are routinely administered to beef cattle to improve feeding efficiency, reduce behavioral problems, and enhance production. As a result, beef cattle manure will contain both synthetic steroids as well as a range of endogenous steroids including androgens, estrogens, and progestogens. A two-year controlled study was conducted in which beef cattle were administered steroid hormones via subcutaneous implants and feed additives and the occurrence of 16 endogenous and synthetic steroid hormones and metabolites was evaluated in runoff from beef cattle feedlots and in manure and soil collected from feedlot surfaces. Samples were extracted and analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometryfor metabolites of the synthetic androgen trenbolone acetate, 17α-trenbolone, 17β-trenbolone, for the nonsteroidal semisynthetic estrogen agonist, α-zearalanol, and the synthetic progesterone melengesterol acetate, as well as a wide range of endogeneous estrogens, androgens, and fusarium metabolites. Synthetic steroids including trenbolone metabolites and melengestrol acetate were detected in fresh manure and in feedlot surface soils from cattle administered synthetic steroids at concentrations up to 55 ± 22 ng/g dry weight (dw) (17α-trenbolone) and 6.5 ± 0.4 ng/g dw (melengesterol acetate). Melengesterol acetate was detected in 6% of runoff samples from feedlots holding cattle administered synthetic steroids at concentrations ranging up to 115 ng/L. The presence of melengesterol acetate in runoff from beef cattle feeding operations has not been previously reported. Synthetic steroids were not detected in manure or runoff from control cattle. A wide range of endogenous hormones were detected in runoff and feedlot surface soils and manure from cattle given synthetic steroids and from control cattle, with no statistically significant differences in concentration. These results indicate that runoff from confined animal production facilities is of environmental and public health concern regardless of the use of growth promotants.

Concentrations of airborne endotoxin and microorganisms at a 10,000-cow open-freestall dairy1

Confined animal production systems produce increased bioaerosol concentrations, which are a potential respiratory health risk to individuals on site and downwind. In this longitudinal study, airborne endotoxin and microorganisms were collected during the spring, summer, and fall at a large, open-freestall dairy in southern Idaho. Compared with the background ambient atmosphere, both endotoxin and culturable heterotrophic bacteria concentrations were up to several-hundred-fold greater 50 m downwind from the facility, then decreased to near background concentrations at 200 m. However, downwind fungi concentrations were not increased above background concentrations. At 50 m downwind, the average inhalable endotoxin concentration ranged from 5 to 4,243 endotoxin units per m⁻³, whereas bacteria concentrations ranged from 10² to 10⁴ cfu per m⁻³ of air. Although the bioaerosol concentrations did not follow a seasonal trend, they did significantly correlate with meteorological factors. Increasing temperature was found to be positively correlated with increasing bacteria (r = 0.15, P < 0.05), fungi (r = 0.14, P < 0.05), and inhalable endotoxin (r = 0.32, P < 0.001) concentrations, whereas an inverse relationship occurred between the concentration and solar radiation. The airborne concentrations at 50 m were also found to be greatest at night, which can likely be attributed to changes in animal activity and wind speed and reduced exposure of the airborne microorganisms to UV radiation.

REDUCTION OF AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM TREATED ANAEROBIC SWINE LAGOONS

There is a need for treatment technologies that can effectively address environmental concerns associated with manure in confined animal production, including accurate assessment of their environmental benefit. These technologies must be able to capture nutrients, kill pathogens, and reduce emissions of ammonia (NH3) and nuisance odors from manure. To meet these needs, a wastewater treatment plant was demonstrated at full-scale in one of two 4,360-pig production units on a finishing farm in Duplin County, North Carolina. The treatment system installed in the first production unit combined new treatment technologies consisting of solid-liquid separation with removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from the liquid phase. The second production unit was used as a control to evaluate emission improvements using traditional anaerobic lagoon technology. Both production units had similar production management and lagoons with similar surface area (about 0.9 ha each) and wastewater design. As the treatment system recovered the manure solids and replaced the anaerobic lagoon liquid with cleaner water, it converted the anaerobic lagoon into a treated water pond. Our objective was to study changes in NH3 emissions as a result of improved water quality. The study was done one year after lagoon conversion into aerated pond as a result of manure treatment and included cold and warm weather conditions. Passive flux samplers were used to measure NH3 gas fluxes from both lagoon systems. Average total ammoniacal N (TAN) concentrations in lagoon liquid were 31 and 388 mg/L for the treated and traditional systems, respectively. We found that free NH3 (FA) concentration, which integrates TAN, temperature, and pH into a single factor, explained 90% of the variation in NH3 emissions from these lagoon systems. Lower N concentrations in the converted lagoon substantially reduced annual NH3 emissions by 90% with respect to those found in the traditional anaerobic lagoon. Ammonia emissions from the converted lagoon totaled 1,210 kg N/lagoon/year (or 1,311 kg N/ha/year). This annual rate compares with NH3 emissions of 12,540 kg N/lagoon/year (13,633 kg N/ha/year) from the traditional lagoon. Overall, these results demonstrate that production of clean water using new wastewater technologies can accelerate lagoon cleanup and substantially reduce ammonia emissions from confined animal production.

Nitrogen in global animal production and management options for improving nitrogen use efficiency

Animal production systems convert plant protein into animal protein. Depending on animal species, ration and management, between 5% and 45 % of the nitrogen (N) in plant protein is converted to and deposited in animal protein. The other 55%-95% is excreted via urine and feces, and can be used as nutrient source for plant (= often animal feed) production. The estimated global amount of N voided by animals ranges between 80 and 130 Tg N per year, and is as large as or larger than the global annual N fertilizer consumption. Cattle (60%), sheep (12%) and pigs (6%) have the largest share in animal manure N production. The conversion of plant N into animal N is on average more efficient in poultry and pork production than in dairy production, which is higher than in beef and sheep production. However, differences within a type of animal production system can be as large as differences between types of animal production systems, due to large effects of the genetic potential of animals, animal feed and management. The management of animals and animal feed, together with the genetic potential of the animals, are key factors to a high efficiency of conversion of plant protein into animal protein. The efficiency of the conversion of N from animal manure, following application to land, into plant protein ranges between 0 and 60%, while the estimated global mean is about 15%. The other 40%-100% is lost to the wider environment via NH(3) volatilization, denitrification, leaching and run-off in pastures or during storage and/or following application of the animal manure to land. On a global scale, only 40%-50% of the amount of N voided is collected in barns, stables and paddocks, and only half of this amount is recycled to crop land. The N losses from animal manure collected in barns, stables and paddocks depend on the animal manure management system. Relative large losses occur in confined animal feeding operations, as these often lack the land base to utilize the N from animal manure effectively. Losses will be relatively low when all manure are collected rapidly in water-tight and covered basins, and when they are subsequently applied to the land in proper amounts and at the proper time, and using the proper method (low-emission techniques). There is opportunity for improving the N conversion in animal production systems by improving the genetic production potential of the herd, the composition of the animal feed, and the management of the animal manure. Coupling of crop and animal production systems, at least at a regional scale, is one way to high N use efficiency in the whole system. Clustering of confined animal production systems with other intensive agricultural production systems on the basis of concepts from industrial ecology with manure processing is another possible way to improve N use efficiency.

Synergistic Effects of Dust and Ammonia on the Occupational Health Effects of Poultry Production Workers

Objective. As production methods for livestock and poultry moved towards large industrial-scale confinement facilities, the occupational health community reported risks for respiratory illnesses in workers. Likely, greater risks for respiratory disease will occur with the continuing trend towards full-time confinement workers, who inspire a combination of bioaerosols, particulates, and gases.1-3 Although there have been numerous studies on the individual health effects of air contaminants inside confined animal production facilities, there have been no reports on the effects of combined exposures. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined health effects of air contaminants on poultry production workers. Sample Population. Two hundred and fifty-seven poultry production workers participated in this study. The workers represented various areas of the poultry industry, including turkey growing, broiler production, egg laying, and unloading/shakeling in poultry processing. Worker procedures pulmonary function testing was conducted before and after a four-hour work shift. The work environment was assessed for total and respirable dust, ammonia, endotoxin and CO2. The relationship of simultaneous total dust and ammonia exposures was examined by correlation, logistic modeling, and synergy index calculations. Results. Synergy between ammonia levels and airborne dust explained up to 43% and 63% of the decline (respectively for Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV) in one second and Forced Expiratory Flow ([FEF25-75]) in pulmonary function over the work shift. Furthermore, assessing the synergy index indicated the combined effect of dust and ammonia is from 53 to 156% (greater combined than individually). The proportion of health effect due to synergy is 35%-61%. Conclusions. Synergy of simultaneous dust and ammonia exposures in a working environment raises the question of redefining exposure limits for organic dust and ammonia when workers are exposed simultaneously to these substances. Clinical Relevance. Control of both dust and ammonia in livestock facilities is extremely important. Lack of control of both these contaminants will increase the risk of respiratory dysfunction to all exposed to this environment, including workers and veterinarians.

Present State of Excess Manure Nutrients from Confined Animal Production in USA

Present State of Excess Manure Nutrients from Confined Animal Production in USA

State of the art for animal wastewater treatment in constructed wetlands

Although confined animal production generates enormous per-unit-area quantities of waste, wastewater from dairy and swine operations has been successfully treated in constructed wetlands. However, solids removal prior to wetland treatment is essential for long-term functionality. Plants are an integral part of wetlands; cattails and bulrushes are commonly used in constructed wetlands for nutrient uptake, surface area, and oxygen transport to sediment. Improved oxidation and nitrification may also be obtained by the use of the open water of marsh-pond-marsh designed wetlands. Wetlands normally have sufficient denitrifying population to produce enzymes, carbon to provide microbial energy, and anaerobic conditions to promote denitrification. However, the anaerobic conditions of wetland sediments limit the rate of nitrification. Thus, denitrification of animal wastewaters in wetlands is generally nitrate-limited. Wetlands are also helpful in reducing pathogen microorganisms. On the other hand, phosphorus removal is somewhat limited by the anaerobic conditions of wetlands. Therefore, when very high mass removals of nitrogen and phosphorus are required, pre- or in-wetland procedures that promote oxidation are needed to increase treatment efficiency. Such procedures offer potential for enhanced constructed wetland treatment of animal wastewater.

Confined Animal Production and Groundwater Protection

AbstractOur national screening model considers agricultural practices, hydrologie vulnerability, and groundwater use to identify areas that might need in‐depth study to determine whether agricultural manure use contributes to groundwater quality problems. Economic efficiency dictates that, at the margin, the benefits of reducing manure nitrogen loadings to groundwater should be at least as great as the costs. However, efficiency on a national scale is complicated by the variability of costs and benefits across groundwater basins. National mandates are unlikely to be efficient, except as minimal protection. Case‐by‐case approaches can provide efficient additional protection as needed, but they have substantial information requirements. The high cost of site‐specific data on water use, values, and hydrologic settings demands that the cases examined be selected with care. We focus on the threat of manure to groundwater use for three reasons. First, manure nutrient loadings might be on the rise because of ongoing structural changes in animal production. Second, prevention in some cases is the most economic response to threats or incidents of contamination. Replacement costs for the provision of bottled water or other alternatives are often higher than the cost of preserving existing groundwater resources. Third, the 1996 Federal Improvement and Reform Act (FAIR) authorizes $1.3 billion for environmental and conservation improvements, at least half of which must go to animal production. FAIR also mandates that the spending maximize environmental benefits per dollar. Clearly, groundwater protection is a candidate for such spending.

SPATIAL ECONOMICS OF TARGETING MANURE POLICY1

ABSTRACT: Increasing specialization separates animal production from cropland, complicating manure management. To assist policy targeting efforts, we highlight areas where on‐farm use of manure may be problematic. Matching confined animal production with land, on the farm‐ rather than at the county‐level, gives our analysis an advantage over previous studies in avoiding aggregation problems. With manure‐based water quality problems, data aggregated to the county level may fail to convey the heterogeneity of animal production across regions and animal types. Aggregation bias blurs the distinction between areas with specialized animal production and those that merely have numerous animals. We estimate bias from using county aggregates, show its distribution spatially and by animal sector, and link it to concentration. Ongoing vertical integration in agriculture likely alters in‐county variability in facility scale and scope, and may influence decisions about which data we should gather and use.

Update of National and State Programs Presently Underway to Curb Point and Nonpoint Sources of Water Pollution from Animal Production Facilities

P.L. 92–500, The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, has provided two mechanisms for the control of water pollution from animal production facilities. Point source controls require that confined animal production facilities apply for a NPDES permit in order to operate. Nonpoint source controls, as established by State and area-wide water quality management programs, are to be developed around the concept of “Best Management Practices.” Presently (7/26/77), 1,275 permits are administered by EPA or the States to control point source discharges from beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, sheep and lambs, turkeys, laying chickens, broiler chickens, horses, et cetera. In the nonpoint source area within the State and areawide 208 water quality management agencies, 30 areawide agencies in 19 States have recognized water quality problems resulting from animal production facilities (7/21/77). These agencies are to propose controls through “best management practices” for their respective animal production facility problems. By November, 1978 all Statewide 208 agencies are to have a completed water quality management plan which outlines the controls needed to curb water pollution from the priorities identified.