ARS | Publication request: AIR QUALITY: ODOR, DUST AND GASEOUS EMISSIONS FROM CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN GREAT PLAINS

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: December 23, 2004
Publication Date: January 5, 2005
Citation: Sweeten, J.M., Parker, D., Auvermann, B., Parnell, C., Cole, N.A., Maghirang, R., Murphy, P., Weinheimer, B. 2005. Air quality: odor, dust and gaseous emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations in the Southern Great Plains. In: State of the Science Animal Manure and Waste Management, January 4-7, 2005, San Antonio, Texas. 2005 CDROM. Also available at: http://epa.gov/ttn/chief/conference/ei14/index.html.

Technical Abstract: Particulate matter (PM), ammonia, odor, and gaseous emissions from open-lot cattle feedlots and dairies in the semi-arid Southern Great Plains are a concern to producers, rural residents, and regulatory agencies. A multi-agency, multidisciplinary team funded by USDA-CSREES is conducting a 4-year research and technology transfer project to address 5 objectives: (1) Accurate characterization of PM, ammonia, odor, odorous gases (VOC's, H2S, etc); (2) Develop effective abatement strategies; (3) develop scientific basis for improved emission factors and process models, including appropriate dispersion modeling; (4) determine cattle health and performance parameters affected by PM; and (5) effective technology transfer. The coordinated research projects involve 23 scientists from 5 institutions including Texas A&M University System components (Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES), Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE), West Texas A&M University (WTAMU)), Kansas State University (KSU), and USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Two years of research have been completed in which the PIs monitored emissions from open-lot cattle feedlots in the Texas Panhandle and southwest Kansas and from dairies in North Central Texas. Emission sources included: open lot pen surfaces, entire feedyards, holding ponds and lagoons, and free-stall dairy barns. Evaporation rates from feedlot surfaces are determined in relation to evapotranspiration rates and weather variables to foster development of PM (dust) control systems using water spraying, water curtain, or surface mulches. Chemical controls of ammonia include denitrification inhibitors or humates. Fundamental factors involved in PM generation and emission have been identified. The project team provided 19 technical papers at the 2004 ASAE/CSAE meeting in Ottawa.