Manure Production and Nutrient Concentrations from High-rise Layer Houses

Four commercial high-rise layer houses were monitored for a year to determine manure production and nutrient concentration characteristics. Each house contained 80,400 to 124,500 mature Hy-Line W-36 birds. The solid manure collected as it accumulated beneath the cages for a year prior to being hauled out. The objective of the research was to accurately characterize the manure production to facilitate better nutrient planning. Manure volume and bulk density were measured and samples were collected monthly and analyzed for moisture, Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammonia, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and other chemical constituents. The measured manure production averaged 5.6 Mg (or 6.2 ton)·(1000 birds) –1 (year –1 on a dry basis. On a wet (as-is) basis the measured production was 9.52 Mg (or 10.5 ton)·(1000 birds) –1 (year –1 at 41% moisture. The measured manure N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O contents were 18.5-41.0- 26.0 kg/Mg (37-82-52 lb/ton) on an “as-is” basis or 30.8-69.0-44.0 kg/Mg (62-138-88 lb/ton) on a dry basis. When manure production and nutrient concentrations were combined, measured nitrogen production was 52.8% less, phosphorus was 29.5% greater, and potassium was 27.8% greater, than the respective current Iowa estimates. The average calcium concentration for all four sites studied for the year was 10.0% (as-is basis). The manure handling system had a significant impact on manure characteristics. Scraper systems had a lower moisture content and a lower percentage of the nitrogen in ammonia form (29.8% moisture, NH 3 = 20% of TKN) than systems that dropped the manure into storage immediately (46.9% moisture, NH 3 = 30% TKN)

Nitrogen Losses from Laying Hen Manure in Commercial High-rise Layer Facilities

Nitrogen (N) losses from four high-rise laying hen houses, representing four commercial layer farms in Iowa, were determined from measured performance data of Hy-Line W-36 White Leghorn layers (i.e., manure production, egg production, feed intake, body weight, and mortality). Nitrogen loss was 25, 33, 37, and 41% for Farms A, B, C, and D, respectively, based on the Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) in feed. A significant factor contributing to the difference in the N losses was the moisture content (MC, percent on an as-is basis) in manure stored in the ventilated manure storage area of the layer houses. The higher the MC, the higher the ratio of NH 3 /TKN Manure in the stored manure, and therefore, the higher the percentage of N loss. Mathematical relationships were developed. Manure handling systems played an important role in N loss by influencing MC of the manure which, in turn, affects rate of manure decomposition. Understanding the factors affecting decomposition and N loss mechanisms of layer manure could provide a means to significantly reduce ammonia emissions to the atmosphere from poultry facilities

Air Quality Resources for Iowa Animal Agriculture

A detailed list of publications, web sites, and research projects on animal agriculture air quaiity.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/extension_ag_pubs/1139/thumbnail.jp

Environmental impacts of use of poultry manure on water quality

The significant expansion of the U.S. poultry industry has led to questions about the effects of large amounts of poultry manure on the surface and groundwater. These are the final year\u27s results of a field study on how poultry manure application can affect water supplies

Management Impacts on Ammonia Volatilization from Swine Manure

Ammonia released from swine manure into the air is becoming an increasingly controversial topic in Iowa. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of several management strategies to reduce ammonia volatilization from swine manure over time. In six benchtop trials using twenty-four 1-L manure storage vessels, treatments were applied to the vessels, and manure and air samples were analyzed for concentrations of ammonia and other forms of nitrogen. Segregated storage of urine and feces, keeping manure cool and still, addition of yucca extract, and acidification reduced ammonia volatilization

Soil Infiltration and Wetland Microcosm Treatment of Liquid Swine Manure

Management systems are needed to minimize water quality concerns associated with liquid swine manure from large swine production facilities. Experiments were conducted to investigate the removal of ammonium–N, nitrate–N, and total phosphorus from liquid swine manure through the use of a soil infiltration and wetland system. Experimental treatments applied directly to the soil infiltration areas included a full–rate application of liquid swine manure, a mixture of 3/4 manure and 1/4 water, and a control application of water only. For three months during both summers of 1998 and 1999, nutrient concentrations were determined in the infiltration area influent, the infiltration area effluent, and the wetland effluent on a weekly basis. Approximately 93% of the ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3–N and NH4–N) from the applied swine manure was removed by the soil infiltration areas with a corresponding 99% increase in the nitrate nitrogen (NO3–N) concentrations were found. The wetland systems removed 94% of the remaining NH3–N and NH4–N and 95% of the NO3–N. The total P levels were decreased in the soil infiltration areas and wetlands by 89 and 84%, respectively

Agronomic and environmental soil testing for phosphorus and threshold levels in soils

Greater knowledge of soil phosphorus (P) is needed to develop application recommendations for Iowa farmers. This project provides more data on the topic by addressing both agronomic and water quality issues

Environmental impacts of the use of poultry manure for agricultural production system

Iowa is among the top national producers of poultry, with accompanying public concerns about the proper disposal of poultry wastes and associated nonpoint source pollution. This project investigated the effects of poultry manure application on surface and groundwater quality

Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Subsurface Drain Water Following Swine Manure Application

Appropriate manure application parameters are necessary to maximize nutrient utilization by plants from manure while minimizing water pollution potential. This study focused on the movement of bacteria to receiving tile drains following swine manure application. Specifically, the impacts of different manure application regimes on fecal coliform (FC), Enterococcus (EN), and Escherichia coli (EC) densities in subsurface tile drain water were examined for three years. Manure treatments, including fall, spring, and late winter application at a recommended rate of 168 kg N ha-1 (1X) and at 336 kg N ha-1 (2X) were compared with a non-manure treatment where commercial urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) was applied. Results indicate that flow-weighted average and maximum observed EN and EC levels in tile water were significantly higher where manure had been applied during late winter at the 2X rate versus the UAN and fall treatments. Levels of FC were highly variable, and the spring injection 1X treatment yielded the highest flow-weighted average and maximum tile water FC levels. Results of this study suggest that manure broadcast onto frozen ground may lead to significantly elevated EN and EC levels in tile water in similar environments, especially when applied in excess of crop nutrient requirements