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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Livestock Nutrient Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332962

Title: Manure ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle fed condensed tannins

Author
item CAMPBELL, TERRA - West Texas A & M University
item RHOADES, MARTY - West Texas A & M University
item BAILEY, ERIC - West Texas A & M University
item Parker, David
item SHRECK, ADAM - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA)

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2016
Publication Date: 7/17/2016
Citation: Campbell, T., Rhoades, M., Bailey, E., Parker, D.B., Shreck, A. 2016. Manure ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle fed condensed tannins. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Meeting Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: Tannins are a naturally occurring organic substance that is concentrated in seed coats and hulls of plant tissue. A research study was conducted by scientists and students at West Texas A&M University (Canyon, Texas) and ARS (Bushland, Texas) to test a commercial condensed tannin product derived from a South American evergreen tree. The condensed tannins were fed to beef cattle at rates of 0, 0.5 and 1.0 percent on a dry matter basis. Emissions of ammonia and two greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) were measured from the manure. Condensed tannins reduced ammonia emissions by about 50 percent. Carbon dioxide emissions were reduced slightly, and there was little effect on nitrous oxide emissions. These results demonstrate that condensed tannins are effective at reducing manure ammonia emissions when used in the diet of beef cattle.

Technical Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the effects of three levels of condensed tannins fed to 27 beef feed yard steers on ammonia and GHG emissions from manure. Condensed tannins were fed at rates of 0, 0.5 and 1.0 percent on a dry matter basis. Manure and urine were collected from two periods over 6 days. Fecal and urinary output was measured on a per animal basis. Manure and urine were placed in inert plastic containers and stored separately at minus 4 decrees C until analysis. Manure was placed in 16.7 x 16.7 x 17 cm plastic chambers and urine was topically added. Samples were collected every 24 hours for 1 week, then every 48 hours for 1 week. Headspace samples were injected into a GHG GC for analysis. NH3 concentrations were measured using a Manning Systems, Inc., ECP2 gas detector. H2S concentrations were measured using a Jerome 631-x hydrogen sulfide analyzer. Increasing amounts of tannins fed to the animals showed a 0, 51, and 57 percent reduction of NH3 concentrations in the headspace, respectively. CO2 emissions showed an increase with amount of condensed tannin fed. There was no treatment effect on N20 emissions. Results indicate that condensed tannins fed to beef cattle can effectively reduce gaseous NH3 emissions from confined beef animal facilities.