w2w13 – Page 3 – Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community

March 5, 2019March 21, 2019

Anaerobic Digestion: Co-Digestion and Operational Issues

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Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the performance of various mixing regimes on methanogen biomass content in anaerobic digesters. Methane production in anaerobic digesters is directly related to the methanogens within the system. Current systems involve mixing to increase biogas production and system efficiency, however little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this relationship. In this study three pilot scale anaerobic digestion systems with three different mixing regimes were run with replication to examine the impacts to methanogen biomass content and biogas production. The results will provide insight for operational recommendations as well as the basic microbial processes with digestion systems which are critical for optimization.

Authors

Rebecca Larson, University of Wisconsin-Madison ralarson2@wisc.edu

Purpose

To evaluate various feedstocks and operational parameters for anaerobic digesters, including impacts to biogas production, quality, and operational issues.

What Did We Do?

Evaluated numerous co-feedstocks with manure in laboratory and large scale systems to identify biogas production impacts and potential operational issues associated with each.

What Have We Learned?

Analysis of ffedstocks is critical for determination of digester fundtioning. Constituents can significantly impact the quantity and quantity of biogas produced.

Future Plans

To evaluate scale up to determine if small scale biomethane potential analyses can be used to determine full scale biogas production.

Authors

Rebecca Larson, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Corresponding author email address ralarson2@wisc.edu

Asli Ozkaynak, Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Additional Information

Data is to be published

Acknowledgements

Funded by the USDA

The authors are solely responsible for the content of these proceedings. The technical information does not necessarily reflect the official position of the sponsoring agencies or institutions represented by planning committee members, and inclusion and distribution herein does not constitute an endorsement of views expressed by the same. Printed materials included herein are not refereed publications. Citations should appear as follows. EXAMPLE: Authors. 2013. Title of presentation. Waste to Worth: Spreading Science and Solutions. Denver, CO. April 1-5, 2013. URL of this page. Accessed on: today’s date.

Anaerobic Digestion: Co-Digestion and Operational Issues from LPE Learning Center

March 5, 2019March 27, 2019

Managing Livestock Ammonia: A Volatile, Promiscuous Fugitive In the Atmosphere (Rocky Mountain National Park)

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Abstract

Livestock production is the largest source of atmospheric ammonia, accounting for over 50 % and 40 % of the national and global inventories, respectively. At beef feedlots for example, 40 to 60 percent of the fed nitrogen is lost to the atmosphere as ammonia. Once ammonia enters the atmosphere it can convert to an aerosol and travel long distances from the source. Most of this fugitive nitrogen is eventually deposited back to the ground when scavenged from the air by precipitation. Unfortunately, this unintentional nitrogen transport and fertilization is having a negative ecological impact on pristine ecosystems around the globe. Thus, it is not surprising that livestock ammonia is an area of growing public concern and regulatory debate. Perhaps nowhere is ammonia from livestock under greater scrutiny than along the Front Range of Colorado. Increased levels of atmospheric nitrogen deposition are having a negative impact on the ecology of Rocky Mountain National Park, a crown jewel of the National Park System. While studies suggest many different sources are contributing to nitrogen deposition in the park (e.g., urban, out of state sources), much attention has been directed to the beef feedlots and dairies that populate the plains just east of the mountains. The keynote address will briefly discuss ammonia emissions from livestock at global scales, with commentary on a new United Nations report “Our Nutrient World” that draws considerable attention to manure management and atmospheric ammonia. The remainder of the presentation will focus on Colorado’s regional ammonia issue and what is being done to reduce ammonia loss from feedlots and dairies along the Front Range. New technologies for measuring ammonia and minimizing environmental impacts will be discussed.

About the Author

Jay Ham joined the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at CSU in 2008 with an appointment that includes research, teaching, and extension responsibilities. Prior to joining the faculty at CSU, he led a program in Micrometeorology and Environmental Physics for 18 years at Kansas State University. Dr. Ham’s research includes: (1) evaluation of air and water quality issues at animal feeding operations; (2) instrumentation development for environmental, soil, and crop research; (3) micrometeorological studies of water, carbon, and contaminant transport between the surface and atmosphere; and (4) air quality impacts of oil and gas development. His teaching responsibilities include courses in micrometeorology and research proposal development.

Dr. Ham acts as lead investigator for several federally-funded research projects ($1.75 million) that focus on ammonia emissions from feedlots and dairies. This work includes the develop of management practices to reduce emissions from livestock operations and track atmospheric transport of ammonia along the Front Range – including nitrogen deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park. Jay and his team were recently awarded a new grant as part of the National Robotics Initiative (NSF and USDA) to develop air quality robotics for use at feedlots and diaries. Other research interests include the air quality impacts of hydraulic fracturing used in oil and gas exploration.

He can be contacted at:
Jay Ham, Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University
970-491-4112
jay.ham@colostate.edu

Managing Livestock Ammonia: A Volatile, Promiscuous Fugitive in the Atmosphere from LPE Learning Center

March 5, 2019March 22, 2019

Using AWM and SPAW For Evaluating Animal Waste Storage Structures

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Abstract

The AWM (Animal Waste Management) software is primarily a design tool. It has been traditionally used for designing animal waste storage structures (tanks, ponds, lagoons, etc). Recently, it was upgraded to incorporate the evaluation function that enables the user to evaluate existing animal waste storage structures for their design adequacy. On the other hand, SPAW (Soil-Plant-Air-Water) is a water budgeting tool for farm fields, ponds and inundated wetlands. The SPAW model performs daily hydrologic water budgeting using a modified SCS Runoff Curve Number method. The POND module of the SPAW simulates a water budget for a small pond/ reservoir/lagoon as well as performs statistical analysis of pond inundation cycles based on the wetland growing season. The SPAW water budget outputs from one or more fields are used as input for the POND module. This paper demonstrates, with an example, how these two tools (AWM & SPAW) can be used for evaluating existing animal waste storage structures for adequate design and operational feasibility. The AWM evaluates the capacity of the designed dimensions for the waste flowing into the structure and inflow from the extreme storm events; and the SPAW evaluates operational feasibility using long term simulations based on daily input of waste, rainfall, and other hydrologic interactions. The paper also elaborates the data sources such as soils, climate, evaporation, etc. and the process of compiling and formatting these data for SPAW simulations

Authors

Harbans Lal, USDA/NRCS harbans.lal@por.usda.gov

Pat Willey, Punya Khanal

March 5, 2019March 22, 2019

Impacts of Anaerobic Digestion and Solid Liquid Separation on Pathogen Destruction

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Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the pathogen inactivation on 9 dairy facilities in Wisconsin with a combination of anaerobic digestion and solid/liquid separation technologies. Samples were collected every 2 weeks over the course of eight months to assess dairy pathogen inactivation in full-scale operational digesters and solid/liquid separators. Samples were then analyzed by qPCR for pathogens including protozoa, bacteria. bovine viruses, and indicators.

Preliminary results indicate full-scale anaerobic digesters reduce pathogen levels by 99% to 99.9%. And after digestion and separation of the digestate, the liquid fraction contains the majority of pathogens. Although the solids fraction contained fewer pathogens, the concentration could still be above the infectious dose, particularly for calves. Results have implications for a variety of digestate end uses including bedding and land spreading.

Purpose

Anaerobic digestion and bedding recovery units are increasing in on-farm use around the United States as a component of manure management systems. Nearly all on-farm systems with a digester in the United States have a mechanical solid/liquid separation system following digestion which fractions the digestate into a solid and a liquid product. Processing of manure using digestion and/or a solid/liquid separation process can impact the nutrient and pathogen content of each stream. Lack of data for real world performance has limited the use of end products and has reduced revenues and resulted in operational problems for many dairies in Wisconsin.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fate of pathogens and nutrients through full scale anaerobic digestion and solid liquid separation systems to better understand the impacts of manure processing.

What Did We Do?

In order to assess real world performance of digesters and solid/liquid separation systems, an assessment of 9 on-farm systems was conducted over the course of one year. The study design includes sampling every other week pre and post digestion (if a digester is on-farm) and the solid and liquid portion after separation. This allows for assessment of the digestion process and the separation system. Samples are evaluated for nutrients, solids, pathogens (particularly those associated with herd health) and pathogen indicators. The results indicate impacts to pathogen and nutrient concentrations throughout the system.

What Have We Learned?

Pathogen content from farm to farm and within one farm varies significantly. Performance of digesters on pathogen destruction is extremely variable. Through the solid/liquid separation process the majority of the pathogens within the stream remain in the liquid portion.

Future Plans

To continue evaluation through controlled systems to identify key operational techniques to increase pathogen removal.

Authors

Rebecca Larson, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin – Madison, ralarson2@wisc.edu

Mark Borchardt, Research Microbiologist, USDA – ARS

Asli Ozkaynak, Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Susan Spencer, Research Microbiologist, USDA – ARS

Additional Information

Data is to be published

Acknowledgements

Funded by the USDA

Impacts of Anaerobic Digestion and Solid Liquid Separation on Pathogen Destruction from LPE Learning Center

March 5, 2019March 27, 2019

Watershed Management Resources DVD

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Why Develop a Watershed DVD?

The cover of the Watershed Management Resources DVD

The Watershed Management Resources DVD is an interactive e-learning tool created by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It was created for a wide variety of audiences including watershed groups, government and non-government organizations, post-secondary students , agricultural producers and any others who wish to learn more about water quality, water sampling and integrated watershed management. This tool promotes a synergistic approach to watershed management and increases leadership capacity by encouraging all members of a watershed community to work together to reduce harmful impacts to watersheds and to monitor their watershed for improvements.

What Did We Do?

A screen shot of the Welcoming page in the Surface Water Sampling section of the DVD

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canda used past experiences and current information to create a trilingual (English, French and Spanish) set of educational modules. This self-paced DVD provides users with interactive flash animations, video clips and text screens which educates about issues of water quality, beneficial management practices (BMPs) and watershed management. The DVD is available free of charge to any interested parties.

What Have We Learned?

A screen shot of the Hydrologic Cycle Animation that is found on the DVD.

Integrated watershed management is a complex topic and involves all types of people with varying levels of knowledge. Any type of educational tool that can be used to help stakeholders better understand their watersheds and how to appropriately monitor and manage them are very useful.

Future Plans

To continue to find ways to extend our knowledge to the sector.

Authors

Serena McIver, Senior Water Quality Engineer, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, serena.mciver@agr.gc.ca

Additional Information

More information on the organization and agriculture in Canada can be found at www.agr.gc.ca

March 5, 2019March 22, 2019

On-Site Analytical Laboratories to Monitor Process Stability Of Anaerobic Digestion Systems

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Abstract

The anaerobic digestion of complex materials is a highly dynamic, multi-step process, where physicochemical and biochemical reactions take place in sequential and parallel ways. The stability of the process depends on a delicate balance between the formation and consumption of products. When the concentration of a particular substance reaches the homeostatic equilibrium of certain organism or group of organisms, such balanced is disrupted, and the process becomes upset. If measures to correct the source of the problem are not taken, substrate stabilization and biogas production will progressively decrease, and eventually stop. Recovery of a digester can take several weeks to months, during which, energy generation and waste treatment are not possible, resulting in increased operational costs for the facility. To detect process perturbations and prevent major digester upsets, periodic monitoring is essential.

In this study, analytical laboratories were installed on selected on-farm anaerobic digestion systems in New York State, to periodically monitor key process parameters and to evaluate performance and stability of the operations. Preliminary results showed that analytical labs were critical to detect process upsets efficiently, particularly in co-digestion systems, where loading rates and influent characteristics are usually variable. The laboratory is rather optional in manure-only operations, where the influent consists of a steady and predictable waste.

Authors

Rodrigo Labatut, Cornell University ral32@cornell.edu

Curt Gooch, Cornell University

On-Site Analytical Laboratories to Monitor Process Stability Of Anaerobic Digestion Systems from LPE Learning Center

March 5, 2019July 21, 2020

Agenda for Waste to Worth 2013

W2W Home | Live Webcasts | Printable Program

Wednesday a.m, April 3, 2013

All times are MOUNTAIN time zone (+1 hour for central and +2 hours to convert to eastern; -1 to convert to pacific)
Sessions marked with are planned for live webcasting.
Sessions marked with have been submitted for continuing education credits through the Agronomy Society.

6:30	Registration
7:45	Welcome Mark Risse
7:50	Opening Remarks Rick Koelsch (via webcast)
8:00	Managing Livestock Ammonia: A Volatile, Promiscuous, Fugitive In the Atmosphere? (focusing on Rocky Mountain National Park) Jay Ham
9:00	Affecting Change Through Collaboration: An Industry-Driven Approach Phyllis Woodford	Nutrient Management Standards: Making Them Work Where We Work Erin Cortus and Nichole Embertson, Moderators	Impacts of a Changing Climate on Animal Agriculture Pam Knox	Discovery Farms Model: Helping Farmers Take Control of Water Quality Ron Wiederholt
9:20	CO Livestock Association: A Proactive Partner in Addressing Livestock Ammonia Bill Hammerich			How Do Environmental Risk Management Strategies Fit Into Risk Management Dennis Frame
9:40	Ammonia Emmissions from Dairies: A Producer’s Perspective Jon Slutsky			Will Spreading Bans Reduce Manure Runoff Events? Amber Radatz
10:00	Break – Visit exhibitor booths
10:30	Management Techniques to Reduce Nitrogen Losses from Feedlot Cattle Shawn Archibeque	Nutrient Management Standards: Mapping Out Future Research Opportunities Erin Cortus and Nichole Embertson	Economic Impacts of Heat Stress Normand St. Pierre	Using Soil Moisture to Predict the Risk of Runoff on Non-Frozen Ground Tim Radatz
10:50	Feedlot NH4, BMP Adoption Barriers and Opportunities James Pritchett	The Farm Manure to Energy Initiative: Chesapeake Bay Region Jane Corson-Lassiter		What Practices Increase Infiltration &Reduce Runoff on Slopes >30%? Joe Bragger
11:10	Ability of Nitrogen Isotopes to Distinguish Ammonia Sources Joshua Stratton	Benefits of Bedding Reuse for the Equine Industry Mollie Bogardus		Discovery Farms
11:30	Successful Regulatory- Industry Partnership to Address Air Emissions Nichole Embertson	Effect of Fractionation and Pyrolysis on Fuel Properties of Poultry Litter Kausheldra Singh	Money from Something: Carbon Market Developments for Agriculture Jim Jensen	Discovery Farms
11:50	Luncheon Speaker Federal Regulations and Pending Legislation Affecting Nutrient Management Jeff Blackwood, The Fertilizer Institute and Ashley McDonald, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Wednesday p.m., April 3, 2013

Sessions marked with an * are planned for live webcasting.
Sessions marked with have been submitted for continuing education credits through the Agronomy Society.

1:00	Activation Energy of Urea Hydrolysis and Ammonia Henry Constant Effects Joshua Stratton	Effect of Manure Handling on the Steroid Movement in Beef Cattle Systems Charles Shapiro	Adaptation Methods and Bioclimate Scenarios Nicola Lactera	Discovery Farms (cont’d)
1:20	Development of an Acid Scrubber for Reducing Ammonia Emissions Phillip Moore	Designing Structures to Remove Phosphorus from Drainage Waters Josh Payne		Discovery Farms (cont’d)
1:40	Ammonia Mitigation Using Electrolyzed Water Spray Scrubber Saqib Mukhtar	Treatment of Silage Runoff with Vegetated Filter Strip Mike Holly		Feeding Cattle Without the Feedlot Jason Gross
2:00	The Effect of Bulking Agent on Nutrient Loss from Composting Jolene Rutter	Inactivation of Dairy Manure-borne Pathogens by Anaerobic Digestion Becky Larson	GHG Mitigation Opportunities for Livestock Management in the U.S. Shawn Archibeque	Balancing Earth, Air, and Fire In the Kansas Flint Hills Jeff Davidson
2:20	Ammonia Mitigation and Capture as a Liquid Fertilizer from manure Saqib Mukhtar	Outreach Response to Livestock Mortality Events Associated with Algal Toxin Susan Wilde		Designing Wells for Maximum Production, Well Life, and Energy Efficiency Jay Lazarus
2:40	Best Management Practices for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rhonda Miller	Silage Leachate Characteristics Mike Holly
3:00	Break – Visit exhibitor booths
3:30	Potential Air Quality Impacts of Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Manure Pius Ndegwa	Livestock Mortality Composting in the Semi-Arid West Tommy Bass	Impacts of Changing Climate in the Northeast on Manure Storage Peter Wright	Making Sense of Smells – Communicating Odors to Diverse Audiences Doug Hamilton
3:50	On-Farm Comparison of Two Liquid Dairy Manure Application Methods Lide Chen		From Waste to Energy: Life Cycle Assessment of AD systems Horacio Aguirre-Villegas
4:10	Litter Generated Ammonia Captured by Activated Carbon Derived from Broiler Litter Kari Bristolara		Estimation of On-Farm Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Poultry Houses Claudia Dunkley
4:30	Evaluating the Dust Abatement Potential of Stocking Density Jack Bush		Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Beef Cattle Under Grazing Conditions in Florida Marta Moura Kohmann
4:50	Photometric Prediction of Ground-level PM10 Concentrations Sharon Preece	Tannin Inhibition of Total Gas Production, Methane, and Sulfate-reducing Bacteria Terry Whitehead	Effects of Climate Change on Pasture Production and Forage Quality Rebecca McCulley
5:10	Dissipation of Fine Particulates Downwind of Poultry Houses John Worley
5:30	Estimating Ammonia Emissions Using Low-cost, Time-averaged Concentration Measurements Kira Shonkwiler

Wednesday Evening Poster Session, April 3, 2013 (6:00 – 7:30 pm)

Soil Amendments Reduced Herbicides Mobility into Agricultural Runoff	George Antonious
Training Manure- and Compost-Spreading Contractors for the Cattle-Feeding Industry in the Texas Panhandle	Brent Auvermann
A Review of WV Poultry litter analysis from 1994 to 2010 that demonstrates a continual fluctuation in nutrient concentrations resulting from changes in Poultry Feed Formulations and new storage methods	Tom Basden
Impacts of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program	Shelby Bollwahn
Greenhouse gas emissions from land-applied swine manure: development of method based on static flux chambers	Kelsey Bruning (student)
On-farm field days as a tool to demonstrate agricultural waste management practices and educate producers	Mario de Haro Marti
Reducing Phosphorus Loading into Ohio’s Lakes through Manure Applications on Growing Crops	Amanda Douridas
Design, hydrologic performance, and effluent characteristics of a woodchip heavy-use area with subsurface drainage for wintering beef cattle	Joshua Faulkner
Youth Ag. Greenhouse Gas Educational Lab Materials via Pork Production Scenarios	Rick Fields
Online Bioenergy Training Modular Course Series	Charles Gould
Enhancing the productivity of Livestock production through improved feeding: Empirical evidence from highland of Ethiopia	Mesay Yami Gurmu
Converting Onion Waste into Energy as a Co-digestant with Dairy Manure	Gary Hawkins
Waste Disposal by the Veterinary Community	Kristi Henderson
Interactive Displays on Environmental Stewardship for General Agricultural Audiences	Leslie Johnson
A review of effectiveness of vegetative buffers for mitigating air emissions from livestock facilities	Zifei Liu
The National Air Quality Site-Assessment Tool (NAQSAT)	Jerry May
Factors affecting manure transfers in the midwest	Laura McCann
White meat-Green farm: Case study of Brinson Farms	Dana Miles
Alternative Poultry Litter Storage for Improved Transportation and Use	Josh Payne
Pesticide Application Air Quality Emissions Inventory Project	Theresa Pella
Lessons learned from the installation and monitoring of a swine finisher biofilter	Crystal Powers
Cellulose-based industrial wastewater by-product as broiler bedding material	Casey Ritz
Co-pyrolyzing plastic mulch waste with animal manures	Kyoung Ro
Arkansas Discovery Farms	Andrew Sharpley
Direct measurements of methane emissions from a dairy lagoon in northeast Colorado	Kira Shonkwiler (student)
Manure Spreader Calibration Field Days for Confined Animal Facility Operators in South Carolina	Bryan Smith
South Carolina’s Confined Animal Manure Manager Program	Bryan Smith
Highlights of the Air Quality Education in Animal Agriculture Project	Rick Stowell
Nutrient Management Regulations and the Equine Industry	Ann Swinker
Ammonia Emissions from anaerobically digested manure	Fei Sun (student)
Drying and Rewetting Effects on Gas Emissions from Dairy Manure in Semi-arid Regions	Pakorn Sutitarnnontr
Exploring Chicken Manure to Increase Concentrations of Organic Sulfur Compounds in Onions	Eric Turley
Ammonia Recovery from Livestock Wastewater with Gas Permeable Membranes	Matias Vanotti
Combination of borax and quebracho condensed tannins treatment to reduce hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from stored swine manure	Terry Whitehead
Currently Used Manure Management Practices of Equine Operations	Carey Williams
Diet and Tillage Effects on VOC Emissions Following Land Application of Beef Cattle Manure	Bryan Woodbury

Thursday a.m, April 4, 2013

Sessions marked with an * are planned for live webcasting.
Sessions marked with have been submitted for continuing education credits through the Agronomy Society.

8:00	Livestock GRACEnet April Leytem	Quantification of Sodium Pentobarbital Residues from Equine Mortality Compost Piles Josh Payne	Framing Climate Change: Recent Research Trends on Communication Strategies and Public Opinion Erik Nisbet	Environmental Footprints of Beef Produced at the U.s. Meat Animal Research Center Al Rotz	Feed Management Certification Workshop $50 FEE	Introductory RUSLE2 Workshop $0 FEE
8:20	Emissions from Western Dairy Production April Leytem	Environmental Effects of Mortality Disposal Jean Bonhotal		Protecting Puget Sound Watersheds from Agricultural Pollution Nichole Embertson
8:40	Effects of Corn Processing Method and Dietary Inclusion of Wet Distillers Grain Andy Cole	Gypsum Bedding – Risks and Recommendations for Manure Handling Robert Meinen		Managing Creek Pastures for Improved Water Quality Kevin Wagner
9:00	Ammonia Emissions and Emission Factors: A Summary of Beef Investigations Richard Todd	Global Supply of Phosphorus Mike Stewart	Climate Change Extension: Presenting the Science Is Necessary But Insufficient Rebecca McCulley	Adoption Trends of Nutrient Related Practices on Canadian Livestock Farms Dennis Haak
9:20	Estimation of Ammonia Emissions from Two Beef Cattle Feedyards Heidi Waldrip	EPA Perspective Alfred Basile	Predicting Extension Professionals’ Climate Change Perceptions Damian Adams	Watershed Nitrogen Reduction Planning Tool William Lazarus
9:40	Assessment of Bioaerosol Transport at Large Dairy Operations Robert Dungan	Phosphorus Index and Applied Tools Andrew Sharpley	Life Cycle Assessment Modeling and Education for the Pork Industry Karl VanDevender	Phosphorus Concentrations Have Been Declining in the Illinois River Brian Haggard
10:00	Break – Visit exhibitor booths
10:30	Emissions in Swine Mortality Composts Dana Miles	Producer Perspective Dennis Frame	Staying Ahead of the Curve: How Farmers and Industry Are Responding to the Issue of Climate Change Farmer & Industry Panel	What Happens When You Mix Chitosan and Poultry Litter? Brian Haggard
10:50	Treatment Technologies for Ammonia in Liquid Manure Matias Vanotti	Modeling of Phosphorus Movement Peter Vadas		Case Study: Earthen Lagoon Closure Catherine Nash
11:10	Manure Application Method and Timing Effects on Emission of Ammonia and Nitrous Oxide Bill Jokela	Panel Discussion All Phosphorus Speakers		Efficient Utilization of Equine Manure Bryan Smith
11:30	Particulate Matter Adjacent to Cattle Deep-bedded Monoslope Facilities Mindy Spiehs			Integrating Probable Fieldwork Days into Nutrient Management Plans John Lory
11:50	Luncheon Speaker NRCS Manure Related Conservation Innovation Grants Glenn Carpenter

Thursday p.m., April 4, 2013

Sessions marked with an * are planned for live webcasting.
Sessions marked with have been submitted for continuing education credits through the Agronomy Society.

1:00	Conference Survey
1:20	Ammonia and Greenhouse Gas Surface Concentration Measurements from Beef Ferouz Ayadi	Feed Management Planners Certification Program to Reduce Nutrient Loads Dan Ludwig	Stakeholder Interest Open Forum	Modeling to Evaluate Environmental Losses, Profitability, and BMPs Tamie Veith	Anaerobic Digestion of Finishing Cattle Manure Andrea Watson
1:40	Manure Management and Temperature Impacts on Gas Concentrations Erin Cortus	Sustainable Dairy Cropping Systems Ginny Ishler		Small Farm Nutrient Management Mike Westendorf	Feasibility of Installation of Anaerobic Digesters at Cattle Operations and Demonstration of Decision Support Tool Sybil Sharvelle
2:00	Developing a Modeling Framework to Characterize Manure Flows in Texas Brent Auvermann	Effects of feeding distiller’s byproducts on reduced sulfur emissions Dan Miller		A Review of Manure Management Equipment for Small Farms Tommy Bass
2:20	Factors Affecting the Price of Manure Applied on Corn Laura McCann	BFNMP$: A tool for estimating feedlot manure economics Andrea Watson		Manure Management Facilities and Structures on Small Farms Jean Bonhotal	Evaluation of a Trickle Flow Leachate Bed Reactor for Digestion of High Solids Asma Hanif
2:40	Production of Fuel Crops to Make Biodiesel Using Animal Manure John Chastain	Integrating Manure into Feed Ration Optimization Ray Massey		Small and Backyard Poultry Flocks Jacquie Jacob	Demonstration of a Pilot Scale Leach-bed Multistage Digester for Treating Dry-lot Wastes Lucas Loetscher
3:00	Break – Visit exhibitor booths
3:30	Comparison of Using Litter for On-Farm Space Heating vs. Generation of Electricity John Chastain	What We Feed Dairy Cows Impacts Manure Chemistry and the Environment Mark Powell		Colorado Small Farm Programs Martha Sullins	Design, Construction and Implementation of a Pilot Scale Anaerobic Digester Brandon Harvey
3:50	Economic Analysis of Swine Diet Cost vs. Manure Value David Stender	Overview of Solid-Liquid Separation Alternatives for Manure Handling Jeff Porter		Influence of Swine Manure Application on Concentrations of Methanogens and Denitrifiers Kimberly Cook	Valuing Feedstocks for Anaerobic Digestion – Balancing Energy Potential and Nutrients Dana Kirk
4:10	Next Generation Manure Technology: Waste to Energy and Environmental Revenues Gus Simmons	Financial Benefits of Composting Stable Waste for the Equine Industry Mollie Bogardus		Predicting Nutrient Application at CAFO Land Application Fields using CAFOweb™ Tara Vander Dussen	Operation of Internal Combustion Engines on Digas for Electricity Production Daniel Olsen
4:30	Software for Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Dairy and Beef Production Systems Al Rotz	Benefits of Using Liquid-Solid Separation with Manure Treatment Lagoons John Chastain		Organic Mulches in Ginseng Production Jonathan Rivin	Coupling Dairy Manure Anaerobic Digesters with Commercial Greenhouses Curt Gooch
4:50	Online Bioenergy Training Modular Course Series Charles Gould	Automating Management for a Vegetative Treatment System Jason Gross			Feasible Small-scale Anaerobic Digestion Case Study: Eucolino Digestion System Amber Blythe
5:10		Process for Recovery of Phosphorus from Solid Manure Ariel Szogi
5:30		Reducing Negative Impacts of Poultry Litter on Water Quality Louis McDonald

Friday a.m, April 5, 2013

All times are MOUNTAIN time zone (+1 hour for central and +2 hours to convert to eastern; -1 to convert to pacific)
Sessions marked with an * are planned for live webcasting.
Sessions marked with have been submitted for continuing education credits through the Agronomy Society.

8:00	Anaerobic Digester Workforce Training Curriculum Development Jennifer Pronto	Tile Drainage Field Day to Promote Manure Management Natalie Rector	Improving Methane Yields from Manure Solids Through Pretreatment Dennis Burke
8:20		Swine Manure & Aqua-ammonia Nitrogen Application Timing on Subsurface Drainage Water Matt Helmers	Impact of Mixing Regime on Methanogen Biomass During Anaerobic Digestion Rebecca Larson
8:40	Anaerobic Digester Operators’ Virtual Discussion Group Management Kathryn Barrett		On-site Analytical Laboratories to Monitor Process Stability of Anaerobic Digestion Systems Rodrigo Labatut
9:00	The Iowa Manure Management Action Group (IMMAG): A 15-Year Partnership Angela Rieck-Hinz	Use of Filters in Drainage Control Stuctures to Reduce Risk Stephanie Herbstritt	Economical Recovery of Ammonia from Manure Digestate Dennis Burke
9:20	Water Quality Initiatives for Small Iowa Beef and Dairy Feedlot Operations Shawn Shouse	New Technologies for Drainage Water Management and Subsurface Irrigation Phil Algreen	Dairy Manure Digestion Influenced by Wasted Milk from Milking Operations Jun Zhu
9:40	Smartphone Apps for Manure Management Jill Heemstra	Role of Drainage Depth and Intensity on Hydrology and Nutrient Loss Gary Sands	Dry AD for High-Solids Manures Norma McDonald
10:00	Conference Adjourns

March 5, 2019March 28, 2019

Federal Regulations and Pending Legislation Affecting Nutrient Management

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Why Should We Follow Regulatory Discussions About Nutrient Management?

The presenters will discuss the Clean Water Act as it pertains to nutrient management. The presentation will describe current and ongoing federal action in several watersheds in the form of a Total Maximum Daily Load or Numeric Nutrient Criteria. Areas discussed will include the Chesapeake Bay, the Oregon Coast, the Illinois River in Arkansas and Oklahoma, marine and freshwater systems in Florida, and the Mississippi River watershed. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on the agriculture community’s role in nutrient management issues.

Decisions are being made everyday in Washington, D.C. by federal agencies, Congress, and the courts on how farmers and ranchers must manage their manure and their operations. It is important that producers and experts in the field educate their elected representatives and regulators on the important use of nutrients and our efforts to protect the environment at the same time we attempt to feed an ever-growing world.

Presenters

Jeff Blackwood, The Fertilizer Institute At the time of this presentation, Jeff Blackwood was the director of government relations at The Fertilizer Institute in Washington, DC where he monitored and lobbied legislative and regulatory matters regarding nutrient use issues, agriculture policy, chemical security and water quality. Prior to joining TFI, Jeff worked as Legislative Assistant to United States Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), advising the Senator on legislation related to agriculture policy. In this position he managed bills and amendments including several considered during the 2008 Farm Bill and the annual agriculture appropriations process. Prior to his work with Sen. Dorgan, Blackwood was the Senior Grassroots Advocacy Advisor with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and previously served as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Brad Carson (D-Okla.). Since that time Jeff has taken a new position as Manager of Government Affairs for agriculture policy at BASF. jeff.blackwood@basf.com

Ashley McDonald, National Cattlemen's Beef Association Ashley Lyon McDonald, Esq., Deputy Environmental Counsel, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Ashley grew up on a diversified agricultural operation with row crops and a small commercial beef backgrounding and feeding operation in the town of Norborne, Missouri. She received her Agriculture Economics degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, VA. As NCBA’s Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley represents cattle producers before Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Management and Budget on many environmental issues that increasingly affect the cattle industry. Ashley can be contacted at: amcdonald@beef.org

Federal regulations and pending legislation affecting nutrient management from LPE Learning Center

March 5, 2019March 22, 2019

What Happens When You Mix Chitosan and Poultry Litter?

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Abstract

The solubility of phosphorus (P) and low nitrogen(N):P ratio of poultry litter present environmental challenges when using this resource to supply nutrients to crops and forages. Here, we explore the use of chitosan to reduce water extractable P (WEP) in poultry litter and potentially increase the N:P ratio. Chitosan is derived from chitin, which is a waste product from the commercial shellfish industry; chitin is processed into chitosan through deacetylation, removing acetyl groups from this long-chained molecule. Chitin has been successfully used in manure separation and flocculation in wastewater treatment processes, as well as immobilizing algae in wastewater streams to uptake nutrients.

We performed a series a lab studies to evaluate how chitosan might reduce WEP, influence ammonia volatilization and potentially increase the N:P ratio of poultry litter. Our experiments showed that chitosan was effective at reducing WEP content of poultry litter and increasing the N:P ratio, but ammonia volatilization might be increased under moist conditions. We would like to take this from the lab to small plot and then field trials in the near future.

Authors

Brian Haggard, Arkansas Water Resources Center, haggard@uark.edu

I.M. Bailey, Formerly Biological Engineering Program, University of Arkansas, D.A. Zaharoff, Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Arkansas

What Happens When You Mix Chitosan and Poultry Litter? from LPE Learning Center

March 5, 2019July 6, 2020

Supporting Small-Scale Poultry and Livestock Businesses

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Why Work With Small Poultry and Livestock Operations?

Understand the business planning and development issues confronting small-scale livestock and poultry producers.

What Did We Do?

Colorado State University has been building educational programming to benefit small-scale crop and livestock producers across the state since 2007. The Colorado Building Farmers and Ranchers program uses a classroom, experiential learning and community-building approach to help smaller-scale and new agricultural producers build their businesses in a profitable, safe and sustainable manner. To date, we have graduated more than 300 producers, 65% of whom have completed business plans to expand or develop their agricultural business. These producers are primarily characterized by their focus on direct marketing, and many are located relatively close to urban areas; locations that provide both marketing opportunities as well as production constraints. The classroom education takes place over 8 weeks and helps producers build sustainable business plans, and develop a network of producers and technical assistance providers (e.g. NRCS, FSA, county planning staff). Topics covered include developing a production plan, recordkeeping, pricing, risk management, and on-farm food safety. In addition, since small-scale livestock production is a more complex business model, we have built a curriculum that guides producers through all the business planning considerations necessary to start and operate a profitable livestock operation: from acquiring poultry, sheep or goats, to health and environmental issues, to processing and creating a unique market niche.

What Have We Learned?

Given that smaller or more diversified poultry and small ruminant operations may be trying to maintain a greater number of enterprises on one farm or operation, it may be more difficult for those producers to stay on top of good management practices, as well as any requirements necessary to remain in good standing with local government and marketing partners. For example, these small-scale operations may be maintained on a limited number of acres, thus requiring very careful land and animal management. Additionally, many smaller-scale operations are located in areas where agriculture is not the primary land use. Such operations may be in the urban-rural interface, the suburbs or even in towns or cities. The research for this curriculum provided a basic overview of production, management and marketing considerations and opportunities for smaller-scale poultry and small ruminant production, and a means to discuss the relationship between resource stewardship and long-term business viability. We examined, in particular, emerging niche market opportunities and some of the costs and benefits inherent to pursuing those newer markets, finding that the costs and management skills required make it extremely difficult to operate a commercially viable small-scale livestock business in an urban area.

Future Plans

Next steps involve developing enterprise budgets with different numbers of poultry and small ruminants to understand the point at which these businesses become financially viable. This is important for helping prospective new livestock enterprises to truth their business plans, based on realistic assumptions.

Raising Poultry for Profit Video

Raising Sheep and Goats for Profit Video

Authors

Martha Sullins, Extension Regional Specialist, Colorado State University Extension, Martha.sullins@colostate.edu

Additional Information

http://www.choicesmagazine.org/choices-magazine/theme-articles/innovations-to-support-beginning-farmers-and-ranchers/approaching-beginning-farmers-as-a-new-stakeholder-for-extension

Acknowledgements

David Weiss and Dawn Thilmany (Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, CSU), Blake Angelo (Urban Ag Educator, Denver/Jefferson Counties, CSU Extension), Marisa Bunning (Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, CSU); Thomas Bass (Montana State University).

Supporting Small-Scale Poultry and Livestock Businesses from LPE Learning Center