Feedlot Surface Research Articles

MOBILITY OF ELEMENTS IN SOIL UNDER STABILIZED DAIRY FEEDLOT SURFACES: A LABORATORY STUDY

Accumulation of manure on dairy feedlot surfaces (DFS) generates great amounts of dissolved constituents that can impact surface water and groundwater quality. Application of fluidized bed combustion (FBC) residue has been suggested to stabilize DFS and to minimize the environmental impact on water quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of using FBC residue (to stabilize DFS) on the mobility of elements in Lily loam soil (Typic Hapludult). Seepage generated from simulated dairy manure (DM)-, FBC-, or DM/FBC-feedlot surfaces was applied to 70-cm soil columns at 10 weekly intervals. Using FBC with DM decreased the amount of N, P, Si, Mg, K, Na, and organic C retained by the soil and increased the retention of Ca, S, B, and Cl. A large portion of elements (e.g., P, B, Ca, Mg, K, Na) was retained in the surface 20 cm of the soil and decreased with depth. However, using FBC with DM enhanced the release of native soil Al, Fe, and Mn. Mechanisms responsible for this depletion could include (i) dissolution of soil minerals by SO4, (ii) replacement of elements on exchangeable sites by Ca, (iii) reduction of high-valence elements to more soluble forms, and (iv) formation of soluble element-organic complexes. We concluded that two sets of reactions should be considered when evaluating the impact of the stabilization process on water quality: (i) reactions between DM and FBC constituents that control chemical composition of the seepage and (ii) reactions between the seepage and soil components that control elements attenuation and mobility.

Chemical Composition of Leachate of Dairy Manure Mixed with Fluidized Bed Combustion Residue

AbstractThis study was initiated to investigate the hypothesis that using Fiuidized Bed Combustion (FBC) residue to stabilize a dairy feedlot surface (DFS) could enhance element attenuation and minimize the environmental impact on water quality. The laboratory leaching experiment included FBC, dairy manure (DM), and DM/FBC treatments. The leaching process consisted of 10 weekly additions of distilled water, each of 460 mL. Using FBC with DM decreased the concentration of most elements (e.g., P, N, K, Ca, Al, Si, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, As, and Se) in the leachate. A decrease ranging from 5.6 to 100% was obtained. The presence of high concentration of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is believed to enhance element attenuation by FBC minerals (e.g., Feo, and Al‐oxides). Several mechanisms involved in this process are proposed: (i) formation of insoluble metal‐organic complexes; (ii) sorption of soluble organic and inorganic species on mineral surfaces; and (iii) precipitation of soluble inorganic species. These mechanisms are discussed in relation to each of the measured elements. On the other hand, using FBC with DM appeared to increase the concentration of B (235%), S (47.3%), and Mg (36.5%) in the leachate. Reactions of DOM with FBC minerals to form soluble organic complexes were suggested to explain B and S increases. The increase in leached Mg could be attributed to the presence of SO2−4. Our results provide evidence that using FBC to stabilize DFS has the advantage of immobilizing a large portion of most elements present in DM leachate.

Dust Emissions in Cattle Feedlots

Dust from cattle feedlot surfaces, alleys, and roads can annoy neighbors, irritate feedlot employees, and possibly impair cattle performance. This article discusses past and present research on feedlot dust emissions in light of the standards established by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Ammonia and Amine Emissions from a Large Cattle Feedlot

AbstractVolatilization of ammonia (NH3) and amines is widely recognized as an important mechanism for loss of feedlot waste nitrogen to air and water resources, but quantitative measurements of these emissions have not been made. We used a micrometeorological technique to determine vertical NH3 and amine flux densities above a large cattle feedlot in northeastern Colorado. The NH3 flux density averaged 1.4 ± 0.7 kg N/ha per hour in periodic measurements during the spring and summer of 1977, and was estimated to have a similar magnitude during the previous fall and winter. Somewhat lower fluxes were recorded when the feedlot surface was wet, but these were offset by higher‐than‐average fluxes as the surface dried. The amine‐N flux was < 1% as great as that of NH3‐N and made an insignificant contribution to the feedlot's N balance. Trimethylamine flux was always the highest and exceeded the sum of all other amine fluxes. Total NH3 and amine emissions represented about one‐half the rate of urinary N deposition, or about one‐fourth the rate of total N deposition, estimated for this feedlot. Our data support the hypothesis advanced by other authors that animal wastes are a major source of atmospheric NH3, and in some areas are the principal source.

Mechanical Manure Harvesting From Feedlots

ABSTRACT A manure harvester was constructed which incor-porated the functions of pulverizing, loading, trans-porting and unloading. It was towed by a medium-sized tractor and powered hydraulically. In tests on wood paste and beef feedlot manure, power requirements were less than 10 kW to load material 5 cm deep at forward speeds of 1 to 2 km/hr. Approximately 40 mVhr were loaded. Harvesting and handling beef manure from a feed-lot surface to the user or processor is an important feature of any utilization scheme. Current harvesting and handling methods usually involve collection and loading into a truck spreader using a tractor front loader. A mechanical manure harvester was constructed at Colorado State University. It incorporated the func-tions of pulverizing, loading, transporting and unload-ing. The machine was designed for use on concrete and on graded, packed soil surface lots. Increased operating efficiency and capability for working with a variety of manure conditions will become increasingly important as management prac-tices require more frequent harvesting. Stone et al. (1975) showed that the chemical and physical proper-ties of manure changed significantly during the first 3 wk of aging. This suggests that manure may be more valuable and easier to process if it is har-vested more frequently. The manure harvester de-scribed in this paper is efficient and capable of han-dling different volumes of material under a variety of conditions.

Controlling Feedlot Surface Odor Emission Rates by Application of Commercial Products

Controlling Feedlot Surface Odor Emission Rates by Application of Commercial Products

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A FEEDLOT SOIL PROFILE

Chemical analyses of feedlot soil profiles showed the presence of high exchangeable K+ in the surface of the feedlot profile, which differs greatly from that of adjacent cropland. The K+ originated from plant material being fed to the animals. Potassium comprised more than 75 percent of the exchange capacity in this zone. Evidence suggests that K can cause deterioration of the soil physical properties. Low NO3-N below 15 cm demonstrates the lack of water movement through the feedlot surface, the presence of reduced conditions, or both.

Soil Profile Conditions of Cattle Feedlots

AbstractCharacterization of the conditions that exist in the feedlot surface and soil profile is important to evaluation of the potentials for soil and water pollution. Cattle action and management activities create a dynamic condition in the feedlot. The organic matter surface causes physical and biochemical changes in the soil that are unlike natural or cultivated soils. The feedlot profile can be described as three layers: the organic matter, the interface, and the underlying soil. Measurable characteristics include bulk density, infiltration, and content of organic matter, water, and nitrate‐N. Generally, the surface 15.2‐cm depth of feedlot soils is compacted and has a high bulk density. Infiltration into the feedlot surface layers is essentially zero. There is no transpiration, and the soilwater content is more uniform through the profile than on cropped land.

Ammonium, Nitrate, and Total Nitrogen in the Soil Water of Feedlot and Field Soil Profiles

A level feedlot, located in an area consisting of Wann silt loam changing with depth to sand, appears to contribute no more NO 3 - nitrogen, NH 4 + nitrogen, and total nitrogen to the shallow water table beneath it than an adjacent cropped field. Soil water samples collected at 46, 76, and 107 cm beneath the feedlot surface generally showed NO 3 - nitrogen concentrations of less than 1 μg/ml. During the summer months, soil water NO 3 - nitrogen increased at the 15-cm depth, indicating that nitrification took place at the feedlot surface. However, the low soil water NO 3 - nitrogen values below 15 cm indicate that denitrification takes place beneath the surface.

Ammonium, Nitrate, and Total Nitrogen in the Soil Water of Feedlot and Field Soil Profiles1

A level feedlot, located in an area consisting of Wann silt loam changing with depth to sand, appears to contribute no more NO(3) nitrogen, NH(4) nitrogen, and total nitrogen to the shallow water table beneath it than an adjacent cropped field. Soil water samples collected at 46, 76, and 107 cm beneath the feedlot surface generally showed NO(3) nitrogen concentrations of less than 1 mug/ml. During the summer months, soil water NO(3) nitrogen increased at the 15-cm depth, indicating that nitrification took place at the feedlot surface. However, the low soil water NO(3) nitrogen values below 15 cm indicate that denitrification takes place beneath the surface.

Shelter and Feedlot Surface effects on Performance of Yearling Steers

Six winter and six summer trials involving 1,415 yearling steers were conducted to study the effects of shelter and feedlot surface on rate of gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency. Shelter significantly increased rate of gain in both summer and winter, with the greater effect occurring in winter. Shelter did not significantly affect feed consumption in either winter or summer, but did have a significantly beneficial effect on feed efficiency in winter. There was only a trend toward improving feed efficiency with shelter in summer; consequently, shelter improved efficiency significantly more in winter than in summer. Surface did not significantly affect rate of gain, feed intake or feed efficiency, although paving did greatly expedite the removal of manure and feedlot maintenance. Shelter and surface did not interact significantly to affect rate of gain, feed consumption or feed efficiency.