Ruminant Manure Research Articles

Maintaining traditional values and looking for novel uses assure equines' survival as a species

SummaryBackgroundRoutine tasks performed by equids have been taken over by motorised transportation and agricultural mechanisation services, and both are rapidly expanding in developing nations. For instance, in developing nations, the length of all‐season roads annually has increased by 0.2% and the number of vehicles by 15% to 17%. Consequently, rural agriculture no longer regularly recruits equines.ObjectivesStrategies need to be developed to safeguard the use values of equids to guarantee their crucial role in the daily lives of rural people.Study designThe report has compiled the findings of field‐based exploratory qualitative study.MethodsThis study involved in‐depth interviews of 10 knowledgeable informants and analysed FAOSTAT historical dataset to assess the population status of equids.ResultsTo encourage people to use equids for companionship and recreational purposes, the hobbies of equine farming need to be promoted in both urban and rural areas. Equestrian riding and racing can be beneficial for festivals and sociocultural events, like weddings, funerals and competitions. It is illogical to disregard the transportation, ploughing and crop harvesting roles of equids. It is worthwhile to include donkeys and mules in the well‐established sports of horseracing and riding. Bovines can produce high‐quality carcasses when equids are used as work animals. Equine manure is rich in nutrients compared with ruminant manure. Equid meat is occasionally consumed and exported. Equid hides can be used to produce leather goods and parchments. It is essential to investigate the medicinal value of equine products. By clipping hair from horses' tails and manes, handicraft people can make whiskers and cords of musical instruments. Equids are highly sought‐after in landscape management and scientific studies. In rangelands, horses can assist in monitoring grazing and browsing livestock. In open urban public spaces and rural areas, equines can graze on communal grazing lands as stray animals and a population of feral animals may eventually emerge.Main limitationsThis is an exploratory qualitative study and it needs to be supported by extensive studies involving formal surveys.ConclusionTo ensure the continued existence of equids, it is worthwhile to explore the derived use values, enhance the existing ones and alleviate their major production constraints.

Responses of soil arthropods to fertilisation with ruminant manure in irrigated buffel grass production

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to characterise the edaphic macrofauna in soil cultivated with Cenchrus ciliaris L. under irrigation and fertilised with ruminant manure in a Brazilian semi-arid region. The experimental design was in split plots. The main plot was composed using tanned manure from 3 species of ruminants (goat, cattle and sheep), in addition to the control treatment (without manure). The subplots were composed of 3 production cycles of buffel grass. Collections of edaphic macrofauna were performed every 28 days. A total of 3453 arthropods were collected, distributed in 15 taxonomic groups representing 12 orders, 7 of which belong to the Insecta class; 3 from the Arachnid class; and 2 from the Diplopoda class. Ants (Formicidae) accounted for 86.76% of this abundance and were followed by representatives of the orders Araneae (4.26%), Polydesmida (3.61%) and Scarabaeidae (1.58%). Principal Components 1 and 2 explained 56% of the data variation. Bovine manure attracted a greater abundance of individuals, mainly ants. Goat manure showed the highest abundance (p < 0.0013) of the Scarabaeidae class, while sheep manure showed the highest abundance (p < 0.0110) of the Embioptera. The number of individuals varied between the beginning and end of each cycle.

Qualitative Screening of Yeast Biodiversity for Hydrolytic Enzymes Isolated from the Gastrointestinal Tract of a Coprophage “Gymnopleurus sturmi” and Dung of Ruminants

In this study, thirty yeast strains isolated from the gut of coprophagous “Gymnopleurus sturmi” and twenty-four from the dung of ruminants were shown to be producers of cellulases. Cellulolytic yeast isolates could also produce other hydrolytic enzymes such as pectinase, lipase, β-glucosidase, catalase, inulinase, urease, gelatinase, and protease. The oroduction of amylase was present in only one isolate of dung of ruminants. On the other hand, the production of tannase was absent in these isolates. All the yeasts isolated from two sources could utilize various carbon sources, including sorbitol, sucrose, and raffinose, and withstand high concentrations of glucose (300 g/L), salt (100 g/L), and exogenous ethanol. They could grow in a wide pH range of 3 to 11. The growth was stable up to a temperature of 40 °C for isolates from the gut of coprophage and 37 °C for the yeast from the dung of ruminants. These activities and growing conditions were similar to the diet of coprophagous insects and the composition of ruminant manure, likely because the adaptation and distribution of these microorganisms depend on the phenology and trophic preferences of these insects.

Dung decomposition of cattle grazing from mixed pastures of Signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) and tree legumes

The mineralization rate of ruminant manure may influence the fertilization management of pastures. This study aimed to evaluate feces decomposition of heifers grazing signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) fertilized or not with N, or intercropped with legumes in the dry forest region. Two experiments were conducted; the first one was a CRD that evaluated the evolution of CO2 from a mixture of soil and feces (10:1) during 22 days of incubation in a hermetically sealed bucket with a solution of NaOH 0.5 mol L-1. The second one was a RCBD that evaluated the in situ decomposition of feces in nylon bags in time periods 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256 days after incubation above ground. The single negative exponential mathematical model was adequate (P ≤ 0.0001) to quantify the CO2 evolution of the mixture of soil and feces, indicating that 78% of CO2 was released at the beginning of the incubation, especially for the feces collected in the signalgrass pastures intercropped with Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. (gliricídia). After the first 5 days, CO2 evolution was more stable. Remaining biomass in the litterbag along decomposition fitted the single negative exponential model (P &lt; 0.001). Greater relative decomposition rate (k) of bovine fecal biomass occurred for the N-fertilized signalgrass treatment (k = 0.0031 g g-1 day-1) and a lesser rate for the treatment intercropped with Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. (sabiá) (k = 0.0018 g g-1 day-1). Nitrogen fertilization in signalgrass pasture favored the decomposition of bovine feces at the end of 256 days of incubation.

Effect of Substitution of Urea With Different Type and Levels of Ruminant Manure on Nutritive Value of Rice Straw Silage

This study was conducted in Nutrition Lab. to investigate the effect of the type and level of substitution of urea with ruminant manure, M (sheep, cow and buffalo) on basis of nitrogen (N) content on the nutritive value of rice straw silage (RSS). Accordingly silages were nominated as, S-RSS, C-RSS and B-RSS. Urea (U) was substituted with dried manure at 6 combinations, 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 of U:M. Silage samples were prepared by treating chopped straw with pre-treated solution contained 10% low quality debis and 2% urea. Results showed that lower (P˂0.01) DM loss (11.4%) was observed in S-RSS, and with addition of urea only (3.6%). &#x0D; Samples of S-RSS and C-RSS recorded higher (P˂0.01) Fleig points (Fp) as compared with those prepared by the addition of B-RSS, 60.42, 55.58 and 49.59 respectively. Reduction (P˂0.01) in this parameter was noticed in samples prepared with a combination of 100:0. Aerobic stability (AS) was a reduced (P˂0.01) in samples prepared by addition of S-RSS by 15 and 13 hours in comparison with samples of C-RSS and B-RSS respectively. Samples prepared with combination of 100:0 were prior (P˂0.01) as compared with other samples.&#x0D; Results also showed an increase (P˂0.01) in in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVOMD) in samples of S-RSS in comparison with samples prepared by addition of C-RSS and B-RSS, 49.99, 44.59 and 42.77% respectively. Samples prepared with combination of 100:0 recorded lower (P˂0.05) in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) as compared with combinations of 70:30 and 60:40 of U: M, 40.52, 45.36 and 45.94% respectively.

Effect of Substitution of Urea With Different Type and Levels of Ruminant Manure on Nutritive Value of Rice Straw Silage

Effect of Substitution of Urea With Different Type and Levels of Ruminant Manure on Nutritive Value of Rice Straw Silage

Effect of Substitution of Urea with Different Types and Levels of Ruminant Manure on Microbial Evaluation of Rice Straw Silage

This study was conducted in Nutrition Lab. Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University to investigate the effect of type and level of substitution of urea with ruminant manure (sheep, cow and buffalo) on basis of nitrogen content on microbial composition of rice straw silage. Urea was substituted with dried manure at six combinations, 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50. Silage samples were prepared by treating chopped straw with pre-treated solution contained 10% low quality juice and 2% urea. Treated straw was packed in double plastic bags which were closed tightly and fermented for 60 days in bits. Results revealed that samples prepared by addition of cow manure were characterized with higher number of total anaerobic (P?0.05) and lactic acid bacteria (P?0.01), 9.22 and 8.62 log CFU.g-1 FM respectively. Whereas, lower (P?0.01) number of molds and yeasts were detected in those prepared with addition of buffalo manure, 3.51 and 4.54 log CFU.g-1 FM respectively. Significant increases were also observed in the total number of anaerobic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria with lower (P?0.01) numbers of total aerobic bacteria due to substitution of urea with manure, however, lower (P?0.01) number of molds and yeasts, 3.49 and 4.51 log CFU.g-1 FM were detected in samples prepared with a combination of 100:0 of urea: manure.

Use of Bacteriophages to Control Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Domestic Ruminants, Meat Products, and Fruits and Vegetables.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important foodborne pathogen that causes severe bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Ruminant manure is a primary source of E. coli O157:H7 contaminating the environment and food sources. Therefore, effective interventions targeted at reducing the prevalence of fecal excretion of E. coli O157:H7 by cattle and sheep and the elimination of E. coli O157:H7 contamination of meat products as well as fruits and vegetables are required. Bacteriophages offer the prospect of sustainable alternative approaches against bacterial pathogens with the flexibility of being applied therapeutically or for biological control purposes. This article reviews the use of phages administered orally or rectally to ruminants and by spraying or immersion of fruits and vegetables as an antimicrobial strategy for controlling E. coli O157:H7. The few reports available demonstrate the potential of phage therapy to reduce E. coli O157:H7 carriage in cattle and sheep, and preparation of commercial phage products was recently launched into commercial markets. However, a better ecological understanding of the phage E. coli O157:H7 will improve antimicrobial effectiveness of phages for elimination of E. coli O157:H7 in vivo.

Nitrogen losses in ruminant manure management and use of cattle manure vermicast to improve forage quality

Ruminants have low efficiency of nitrogen utilisation; unutilised nitrogen is being excreted in the faeces and urine. The most effective way to minimise nitrogen losses in ruminant production is through efficient feeding strategy. Ruminant manure is an inevitable consequence of its production. All these have adverse environmental effects. Composting and vermicomposting have been suggested as efficient tools for recycling manure, these bring a stabilised and sanitised end product for agriculture. Composting process is an accelerated aerobic degradation of fresh organic matter by microorganism to mature compost. Nevertheless, it may bring some environmental problems by releasing gases which include ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide, reduce the agronomic value of the manure and increase the cost of composting through turning of the compost to ensure aeration. To overcome the cost of composting and produce high quality products, vermicomposting is being recommended. Vermicomposting involves the bio-oxidation and stabilisation of organic material by the joint action of earthworm and microorganism. Moreover, the combination of composting and vermicomposting has been considered as a way of achieving stabilised substrates. Ensiled cattle manure treated with straws has been used to improve nutritional quality of ruminant feed and the result was encouraging. Vermicast, an end product of vermicomposting has higher nutrients content compared with manure or composted manure. Therefore vermicomposting of ruminant manure with rice/wheat straws might have the potential of being used as feed supplement to small ruminant. The likely benefit will be an increase in feed intake, increase in microbial protein supply, increase in fibre digestibility and possibly an increase in weight gain. The aim of this review is to discuss nitrogen losses in ruminant production and manure management and to provide an insight on the possibility of using vermicast as feed supplement to ruminants and as probiotic for treating fibrous feed.

Vermicomposting: Tool for Sustainable Ruminant Manure Management

Ruminants are important sources of meat and milk. Their production is associated with manure excretion. Estimates of over 3,900,000 million metric tonnes of manure are produced daily from ruminants worldwide. Storage and spread of this waste on land pose health risks and environmental problems. Efficient and sustainable way of handling ruminant manure is required. Composting and vermicomposting are considered two of the best techniques for solid biomass waste management. This paper presents vermicomposting as an effective tool for ruminant manure management. Vermicomposting is a mesophilic biooxidation and stabilisation process of organic materials that involves the joint action of earthworm and microorganism. Compared with composting, vermicomposting has higher rate of stabilisation and it is greatly modifying its physical and biochemical properties, with low C : N ratio and homogenous end product. It is also costeffective and ecofriendly waste management. Due to its innate biological, biochemical and physicochemical properties, vermicomposting can be used to promote sustainable ruminant manure management. Vermicomposts are excellent sources of biofertiliser and their addition improves the physiochemical and biological properties of agricultural soils. In addition, earthworms from the vermicomposting can be used as source of protein to fishes and monogastric animals. Vermicompost can also be used as raw materials for bioindustries.

Characterizations of livestock manure market and the income contribution of manure trade in Mukogodo, Laikipia, Kenya

The use of livestock manure in African agriculture supports a market system that links pastoral and agricultural communities, but has been little studied. We investigated this market in central Kenya. Out of 60 households interviewed, all had livestock and 81% were involved in livestock manure trade. Livestock manure from rangelands is marketed directly to individual traders or brokers (76%), farmers (20%), and horticultural growers (4.6%). There was a significantly greater demand by farmers for small ruminant manure than for cattle manure. The mean annual livestock manure sales per household were 10.8 and 5.7 metric tonnes (MT) for small ruminant and cattle manure, respectively. Mean annual household gross income for small ruminant and cattle manure was KShs. 3,450 and 1,350, respectively. In 2006, livestock manure brokers were receiving a mark-up of 90% from sale of small ruminant manure at an agricultural town. Local government levies KShs. 92.90 per MTof livestock manure and received a total of Kshs. 54,532 from the sale of 587 MT of manure during the study period. Other beneficiaries to the livestock manure business included truck loaders who received an average wage of between KShs. 200 and 270 per MT.Themost important variables determining the quantities of livestock manure per metric tonne (MT) were household size, number of goats and sheep, income from manure sale, prices of small ruminant manure per MT, hypothesized to influence the quantities of manure sold. The most important variables determining the livestock manure income were number of goats and sheep, amount of small ruminant manure (MT) sold, prices of small ruminant manure per MT and income from livestock sale. Key words: Manure, rural markets, cattle, goats, Mukogodo, Laikipia, Kenya. ...

Portage des Escherichia coli entérohémorragiques par les ruminants et effet de probiotiques

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are Shiga-Toxin producing E. coli (STEC) that cause human outbreaks which can lead to a severe illness such as haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS), particularly in young children. The gastrointestinal tract of cattle and other ruminants is the principal reservoir of EHEC strains and outbreaks have been associated with direct contact with the farm environment, and with the consumption of meat, dairy products, water and fruit or vegetable contaminated with ruminant manure. Several outbreaks occurred these last years in France. In Brazil, although STEC carriage in ruminants is important, human cases due to EHEC are fairly rare. In order to reduce EHEC survival in the ruminant gastrointestinal tract and thus limit contamination of food products, it is necessary to determine the mechanisms underlying EHEC persistence in this ecosystem with the aim of developing nutritional or ecological strategies. The effect of probiotics has been tested in vitro on the growth and survival of EHEC strains and in vivo on the animal carriage of these strains. Various studies have then shown that lactic bacteria or non-pathogenic E. coli strains were able to limit EHEC fecal shedding. In addition, understanding EHEC physiology in the ruminant gut is also critical for limiting EHEC shedding. We found that EHEC O157:H7 is able to use ethanolamine and mucus-derived sugars as nitrogen and carbon sources, respectively. Thus, these substrates represent an ecological niche for EHEC and their utilization confers a competitive growth advantage to these pathogens as they use them more rapidly than the bacteria belonging to the resident intestinal microbiota. Understanding EHEC metabolism and ecology in the bovine intestinal tract will allow proposing probiotic strains to compete with EHEC for nutrients and thus decrease the sanitary risk.

Vaccination against EHEC: insights from model in sheep

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 are zoonotic pathogens associated with haemorrhagic colitis (HC) and the haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Ruminants are the main reservoir of this organism and most outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 infections are food borne. Food contamination by ruminant manure has been reported as the primary source of human infection, therefore inhibition of E. coli O157:H7 colonization and shedding in ruminants could control the risk of human exposure to this pathogen. In the present study a vaccine based on the translocon proteins EspA and EspB and the outer membrane adhesion factor intiminγ significantly reduced faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by orally infected sheep.

Immunization of sheep with a combination of intiminγ, EspA and EspB decreases Escherichia coli O157:H7 shedding

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 are zoonotic pathogens associated with haemorrhagic colitis (HC) and the haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Ruminants are the main reservoir of this organism and most outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 infections are food borne. Food contamination by ruminant manure has been reported as the primary source of human infection, therefore inhibition of E. coli O157:H7 colonization and shedding in ruminants could control the risk of human exposure to this pathogen. In the present study a vaccine based on the translocon proteins EspA and EspB and the outer membrane adhesion factor intiminγ significantly reduced faecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by orally infected sheep. Protection correlates with serum antibody responses to the defined antigens and validates the targeting of these colonization factors. Whereas vaccination has been described in cattle, this is the first study describing a significant decrease in faecal shedding following systemic immunization of sheep.

Carbon sequestration in soils with annual inputs of maize biomass and maize-derived animal manure: Evidence from 13C abundance

Abstract The abundance of 13C was determined over a period of nine years in two soils (LUN, coarse sand; ASK, sandy loam) following their conversion from C3-crops and to the C4-crop silage maize (Zea mays L.). The soils were exposed to identical management and climatic conditions, and were sampled every second year. The aboveground maize biomass was either removed (stubbles and roots left), chopped and added to the soil, or fed to sheep and the faeces then added to the soil. Annual inputs of maize biomass and sheep faeces were similar (0.8 kg DM m−2). The study included soils maintained under C3-crops (beet roots, Beta vulgaris L.). After nine years of maize cropping, soil C from stubbles and roots accounted for 12 and 16% of the total-C in the LUN and ASK soil, respectively. Without additional organic amendment the content of total-C in the ASK soil remained constant and similar to that of soil retained under C3-crops whereas total-C tended to decrease in the LUN soil. When maize biomass and sheep faeces were added, soil total-C increased and C from these C4-sources averaged 14% and 21% of the soil total-C, respectively. Following nine annual additions, retention of C added in aboveground maize biomass averaged 19% while the retention of C added in maize-derived faeces was 30%. Our study infers that that ruminant manure C contributes about 50% more to soil C sequestration than C applied in crop residues.

Impact of nutrition and season on pond culture performance of mono-sex and mixed-sex Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus)

A 2×2×2 factorial experiment was carried out in a 16 earthen pond system to determine the effect of poor and improved nutrient inputs on the performance of mixed-sex and mono-sex Nile tilapia over both wet and dry seasons in Central Thailand. The poor nutrient level consisted of fresh ruminant manure only (50 kg dry matter ha −1 day −1) and the improved also received inorganic fertilisers and ricebran as supplementary feed. Artificially incubated first feeding hatchlings were nursed under similar conditions to produce mixed-sex and mono-sex fry before stocking in 200 m 2 ponds at 3 fish m −2. Growth and net yields after 5 months were affected by nutrient level but not by sex (mono- or mixed-sex). However, ponds stocked with mixed-sex fish had a significantly greater proportion of small fish (<15 cm TL) than mono-sex that had more large size class fish (>15 cm TL). Mean weights of fish in each size class were not different overall but if ponds with improved nutrition were considered alone, survival and use of mono-sex affected the mean size of recruits (i.e. individuals <10 cm) and stocked fish (10–20 cm) harvested. Individual harvest size was inversely related to survival. The lack of major differences in performance of mono-sex and mixed-sex was linked to the presence of piscivorous fish and the method of seed production. The pattern of survival among the different treatments was possibly related to the movement of the air-breathing fish between ponds. The homogeneous and young age of the mixed-sex seed may explain the relatively low levels of reproduction, indicated by numbers of fry, observed in the trial. The importance of nutrient levels, rather than the use of mono-sex fish in the Chitralada strain, was demonstrated, provided young mixed-sex seed are used. The study has implications for promoting smallholder tilapia production; both the nature of demand for fish and the resource base need to be understood before developing tilapia hatchery strategies.

Decomposition of and nutrient release from ruminant manure on acid sandy soils in the Sahelian zone of Niger, West Africa

In ago-pastoral systems of the semi-arid West African Sahel, targeted applications of ruminant manure to the cropland is a widespread practice to maintain soil productivity. However, studies exploring the decomposition and mineralisation processes of manure under farmers’ conditions are scarce. The present research in south-west Niger was undertaken to examine the role of micro-organisms and meso-fauna on in situ release rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from cattle and sheep–goat manure collected from village corrals during the rainy season. The results show that (1) macro-organisms played a dominant role in the initial phase of manure decomposition; (2) manure decomposition was faster on crusted than on sandy soils; (3) throughout the study N and P release rates closely followed the dry matter decomposition; (4) during the first 6 weeks after application the K concentration in the manure declined much faster than N or P. At the applied dry matter rate of 18.8 Mg ha −1, the quantities of N, P and K released from the manure during the rainy season were up to 10-fold larger than the annual nutrient uptake of pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum L.), the dominant crop in the traditional agro-pastoral systems. The results indicate considerable nutrient losses with the scarce but heavy rainfalls which could be alleviated by smaller rates of manure application. Those, however, would require a more labour intensive system of corralling or manure distribution.

C and N mineralization of composted and anaerobically stored ruminant manure in differently textured soils

Three animal manures cross-labelled with 15N in either the urine, faeces or straw fractions were prepared. After a storage period of 86 days when the manures were exposed to either composting or to anaerobic storage, portions of the manures were incubated in six differently textured soils with clay contents ranging from 11 to 45%. Evolved CO2-C was determined during a 266 day incubation and inorganic N and 15N in soil were measured at the termination of the incubation. The mineralization of C was analysed using first-order kinetics, and two C pools with fast (P1) and slow (P2) turnover rates were estimated. The total conversion of added C (Ps) was estimated as Ps=P1+P2.The cumulated CO2 production was considerably higher from soils incubated with anaerobically stored manure compared with soils amended with composted manure. CO2 production levelled off after c. 60 days in the three sandier soils whereas CO2 continued to be produced throughout the incubation from the three soils with the highest clay content. More C was assigned to the easily decomposable P1 pool in the sandiest soils whereas the more recalcitrant P2 pool was larger in the soils with higher clay content. Because of the different relationships between soil texture and C pools, Ps ended up being similar for five of the six soils. When taking C losses during the preceding storage into account, the accumulated C losses during storage and after incubation in soil accounted for 60 and 54% of C initially present in the composted and anaerobically stored manure, respectively.Net N mineralization which averaged 16% of applied organic N took place in all soils amended with composted manure. Soils with anaerobically stored manure showed net immobilization after the 266 days of incubation. The amount of N immobilized accounted for up to 30% of the inorganic N applied with the manure. As anaerobically stored manure generally loses less inorganic N during storage, it may contain more inorganic N than composted manure at the time of field application. Because of the immobilization that takes place after application of anaerobically stored manure to soil, the immediate levels of plant available N in soil may not be as different from soil supplied with composted manure as could be expected from the inorganic N content in the two types of manure. However, when considering the manure as a N resource, anaerobic storage is superior to composting.

C and N transformations in 15N cross-labelled solid ruminant manure during anaerobic and aerobic storage

Three manures cross-labelled with 15N in the faeces, urine and straw fractions were prepared after feeding a sheep first with unlabelled hay and then with 15N-labelled hay. Half of each manure portion was stored aerobically (composted) with heat evolution and the other half anaerobically by preventing oxygen supply. The ratio between faeces-N:urine-N:straw-N was 1.0:1.5:0.2 immediately after mixing. All manures were stored for 86 days. The composted manure lost 46% and 53% of its initial N and C content, respectively. Losses from the anaerobically stored manure were not totally prevented but were significantly less at 18% (N) and 24% (C). Urine-N accounted for the highest proportion of total N losses from both the aerobically and anaerobically stored manures. However, contributions of N to gaseous losses from the faeces and straw fractions became more important as the storage progressed. Thus urine-N accounted for 79% of the total losses after the first seven days of composting but only for 64% at the end of the storage period. In the anaerobically stored manure, urine-N accounted for 94% of the total N losses after 28 days and for 68% at day 86. Because of the high urine-N loss in the composted manure, the proportion of faeces-N in total N was similar to that of urine-N after storage. The anaerobically stored manure still contained more urine-N than faeces-N. It was estimated that 46% of faeces-N was mineralised during the composting of the manure but a great proportion of the mineralised N was lost. Less faeces-N (33%) was mineralised during the anaerobic storage and the relative losses of the mineralised N were lower. The differently stored manures ended up having the same C:N ratio and total N concentrations but the anaerobically stored manure had a significantly greater proportion of inorganic N compared with the composted manure. Differences in the forms of N may influence the fertiliser value of the manures after field application.

Availability of Nitrogen in 15N‐Labeled Ruminant Manure Components to Successively Grown Crops

AbstractTo improve crop N use efficiency of animal manures, the availability of N in individual manure components must be better understood. This microplot field study quantifies crop offtakes of N in four similar batches of ruminant manure containing 15N‐labeled urine, feces, or straw, or unlabeled components only. The urine and feces were from a sheep first fed unlabeled hay and then 15N‐labeled hay. Manures (≈ 19 g total N m‐2) were incorporated into two coarse‐textured soils before planting to spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) undersown with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Manures with one 15N‐labeled component were supplemented with unlabeled NH4NO3 (7.3 g N m‐2), while unlabeled manure was given 15NH415NO3. Labeled and unlabeled N were determined in the spring barley at maturity and in six cuts of ryegrass taken during the succeeding 2.5 yr. The homogeneity of feces and urine 15N‐labeling was high. Dry matter yields and crop N offtakes were similar in all treatments. Barley (grain and straw) recovered 40, 26, 10, and 6%, respectively of 15N added with mineral fertilizer, urine, straw, and feces. Weighted mean recovery of the combined manure and fertilizer dressing was 22% of the added 15N. Crop recovery of urine and feces 15N was smaller and that of straw 15N higher than reported in previous studies on individual components, indicating that the N mineralization‐immobilization turnover (MIT) of the manure components interacted. In the second and third growth seasons, 2.7 to 4.4% and 1.1 to 2.0% of the 15N was recovered in grass cuts, respectively. Total recovery ranged from 84 to 95% of the added 15N, suggesting small N losses from this cropping system.