Source: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS submitted to
IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION IN THE UNITED STATES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0212106
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
ILLU-741-358
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
S-1032
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2007
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2013
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Wang, X.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
2001 S. Lincoln Ave.
URBANA,IL 61801
Performing Department
AGRI ENGINEERING
Non Technical Summary
This project studies improvements of livestock waste management and emissions control in two contexts, specific technologies and the overall impact of livestock production on the surroundings. Technologies that will be studied include improved mapping of liquid manure application, refined vegetative filters for treating feedlot runoff water, specific capture-and-treat technologies for swine confinement ventilation exhaust air (especially advanced biofilters), and thermochemical conversion of swine manure solids into a crude oil product to reduce manure's pollution potential and provide an alternative fuel. The project will also help develop tools for describing the overall effect of livestock and poultry production at the larger scales of ecosystem, regional, national, and global. Tools will include models and universal 'building blocks' that enable livestock and poultry production and subsystems to be entered into life-cycle analysis and related systems-analysis procedures.
Animal Health Component
20%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
20%
Developmental
70%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
4033910202050%
1413910202020%
1333910202010%
4043910202020%
Goals / Objectives
1. Develop preliminary models of each animal industry that describe its cumulative ecological risk, energy flows or ecological footprint as a dynamic, nonlinear function of the stocks, flows and transformations of matter and energy comprising CAFO systems. 2. Continue the development and performance evaluation of process-level strategies and tactics to reduce environmental pollution at the process level from confined animal feeding operations. This work will include 1) management tools, strategies and systems for land application of animal manures and effluents that optimize efficient, environmentally friendly utilization of nutrients and are compatible with sustained land and water quality; 2) physical, chemical and biological treatment processes in engineered and natural systems for management of manures and other wastes; 3) methodology, technology, and management practices to reduce odors, gases, airborne microflora, particulate matter, and other airborne emissions from animal production systems; and 4) feeding systems for their potential to alter the excretion of environmentally-sensitive nutrients by livestock.
Project Methods
Objective I. We will recruit scientists from appropriate fields of study (such as systems modeling, economics, ecological systems, and systems research) to assist the group in (1) developing the procedures for estimating the stress imposed by livestock and poultry production on the components of an ecosystem, and (2) normalizing and integrating those modeled components in the context of policy change, technology implementation, or other measures in the sector of concentrated livestock and poultry production. We will assist the group in developing a conceptual framework for a model that describes each animal industry at the national scale and its ecological footprint, energy ledger or life-cycle profile. The purpose of the model is to discern and direct the true impacts of our research and our national policy. We will also assist in identifying the information needs that contribute to the conceptual model, including data, stocks, flows, and indices. Objective II: Illinois will continue to conduct applied research studies on liquid manure land application practices, on vegetative filters for overland flow treatment of feedlot runoff, on specific technologies for odor and gaseous emissions mitigation from swine confinement facilities, and will continue laboratory research on thermochemical conversion of swine manure solids to crude oil. Research findings will be shared with peers and non-technical audiences through publications and regular University of Illinois Extension channels.

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Livestock producers, ag consultants, custom manure haulers, state and federal regulatory agency representatives, livestock commodity group representatives, and undergraduate students in Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Animal Sciences, other scientists and engineers, Extension field staff and educators, industry journals and other agricultural media, and agri-industries. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training or Professional Development Opportunities: Results of the project were presented at various training venues including the Illinois Pork Expo, annual Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops around the state of Illinois, and undergraduate courses at the University of Illinois. The annual Certified Livestock Manager Training Workshops provide an opportunity for Professional/Continuing Development credits for Certified Crop Advisors and Professional Engineers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of the project were presented at different professional conferences and published in journals. The results are also presented at various training venues including the Illinois Pork Expo, annual Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops around the state of Illinois, and undergraduate courses at the University of Illinois. Results were also disseminated via Extension media such as news columns and radio programs, and undergraduate classes. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Illinois Manure Management Plan (IMMP): The Illinois Manure Management Plan training sessions were held to encourage producers and consultants to implement the IMMP planning and recordkeeping tools and the IMMP website (www.immp.uiuc.edu) was further developed during the period of this project. For example in the past year, we held 8 workshops throughout the state starting December 11, 2012 and ending on March 6, 2013. A total of 274 producers, contractors, educators and others participated and were certified at the workshops. Of the 274 certified approximately 32 of those were producers who manage facilities with fewer than 300 animal units (AUs). This was encouraging, given the current statutory requirement for certification is for producers managing 300 AUs or more. For the 2012-2013 season, 57 people signed up to take the CLM on-line quizzes. The Illinois Manure Management Plan Workbook and website will help producers meet compliance guidelines with existing and new water quality regulations. The IMMP tools will be useful to Illinois livestock facilities of all sizes, but are particularly helpful for facilities of 1,000 animal units and larger. Livestock producers have better information regarding the selection of, and investment in, emission control technologies based on the results of the field tests. Approximately 1,000 Illinois livestock producers now have a reporting and recordkeeping tool. Follow-up visits were conducted with producers who use IMMP and with NRCS engineers, in order to help us evaluate the tool's impacts and to gather suggestions for improvements. The IMMP web tool was further refined and improved for Illinois livestock producers. A dairy producer's Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (for EQIP cost-share funding) case study was developed for a training course that began in 2011. We developed and delivered a new o-line course to help Technical Service Providers practicing in Illinois write Comprehensive Manure Management Plans. We actively participated in interagency meetings on new NPDES permit rulemaking for Illinois. We have a greatly expanded base for teaching manure nutrient management plan development, including: Horse manure composting program was begun to assist stable managers in NE Illinois to manage manure in more environmentally sustainable ways and especially for diverting horse manure from landfills into better uses, e.g. compost. We have built stakeholder involvement and developedpotential program extent to include new groups, now representing the pathways from production to landfill, nurseries, and other potential end users of composted manure. We have provided much clarity and refinement to the rules basis for Illinois NPDES permit rulemaking for CAFOs and expect this to have a great effect on the quality of the final rules in the state. Research of feedlot runoff was conducted to identify environmental factors affecting the fate and transport of Cryptosporidium parvum in surface and near-surface runoff so that best management practices can be developed to ultimately reduce or eliminate microbial contamination of water resources from feedlot runoff. The results from the small-scale experimental system compare well with results from the larger-scale system in that the C. parvum oocyst recovery in runoff (i.e. escape from the treatment system to the environment) was substantially lower from the vegetated surface when compared to those from the bare surface condition in every case.Results of the feedlot runoff studies showed that vegetated filter areas can be effective management practices, by capturing and treating certain microorganisms that are known to impact human health if they enter drinking water supplies. Various GPS mapping strategies for towed-hose applicators and tanks were evaluated and refined. An Extension team worked with commercial manure haulers to identify a low cost system for as-applied mapping of manure application in crop fields. Results were presented in training sessions to custom manure haulers and to livestock producer audiences. Foam production in deep-pit manure storages is a growing concern for the swine industry.We collected survey information on manure pit foaming problems, conducted tests on commercially available foam suppression agents, and investigated building fires that resulted from ignition of pit foam biogas; we collected a large number of manure samples from foaming and nonfoaming manure pits, for bacterial analysis. Hydrothermal Processing (HTP): The HTP process has the potential to produce up to fifteen U.S. gallons of crude oil product per finishing pig raised. The process can be used on a variety of wet feedstocks to produce oil products. A continuous HTP process for making crude oil product from animal wastes and other agricultural by-products has been licensed to private companies and is nearing commercialization. A pilot plant is under construction for converting swine manure solids to oil. New protocols for describing the products of hydrothermal processing were developed. Studies of hydrothermal processing of livestock manure and various other agricultural feedstocks were completed, and a system of processing that included wastewater treatment by algae was modeled. A modeling analysis was performed of an HTP system that combines feedstocks from a rural community's wastewater treatment and the county's swine finishing facilities. The analysis showed significant financial and environmental advantages of the HTP system compared to conventional wastewater treatment means. Biofilter Studies: Biofilter packing materials and an innovative trickling biofilter were evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling ammonia emissions from swine buildings. A new style of biofilter container was designed, constructed and demonstrated on the University of Illinois livestock farm. Instrumentation was installed on the new biofilter to monitor ammonia removal and concentrations of other gases. Biofilter demonstration site was developed, for swine producer training on how to design, construct, and manage biofilters for ventilation air cleaning. We conducted studies of various biofilter media, especially airflow characteristics linking particle size distribution, moisture content, and other factors. Ammonia removal of biofilters was studied in relation to moisture content of target organic media. We now have a much better understanding of the ammonia removal process, as related to moisture content of organic media. We are better able to predict ammonia removal based on media moisture content and ammonia loading history. We have an improved algorithm for the biofilter design process based on media airflow characteristics and particle sizing. Biofiltration technology for reduction of emissions from swine wean-to-finish confinement buildings were tested. A set of five similar swine buildings on a single farm - one control and two sets of two buildings for treatments - were instrumented with continuous air sampling equipment. Final data analysis showed the effectiveness of the emissions control systems, and results were delivered to the sponsor of the research. Biofilter experiments and demonstrations give livestock producers new information regarding the selection of, and investment in emission control technologies for mechanically ventilated animal buildings. Research results have allowed us to develop new tools for teaching biofilter design and management to producers, contractors, consultants, agencies, and other stakeholders. We held two workshops for agency staff, farmers, and agribusiness to demonstrate biofilter construction and maintenance.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Yang, X., X. Wang, Y. Zhang, J. Lee, J. Su and R. S. Gates. Monitoring Total Endotoxin and (1->3)-beta-D-Glucan at the Air Exhaust of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. Vol. 63(10): 1190-1198. DOI:10.1080/10962247.2013.810556.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Yang, L., X. Wang, T.L. Funk, R.S. Gates and Y. Zhang. Impedance Based Moisture Sensor Design and Test for Gas-Phase Biofilter Applications. Transactions of the ASABE. 56(4): 1613-1621.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Yang, L., X. Wang, T.L. Funk, S. Shi, R.S. Gates and Y. Zhang. Moisture Monitoring and Control in Gas-Phase Biofilters to Achieve High Ammonia Removal Efficiency and Low Nitrous Oxide Generation. Transactions of the ASABE Vol. 56(5): 1895-1903.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pepple, L.M., R.S. Gates and A.D. Kent. Microbial community analysis on liqiuid swine manure for foaming and non-foaming deep-pits. Paper presented at the XLII Congresso Brasileiro de Engenharia Agricola  CONBEA 2013, 4-8 August, Fortaleza, Brazil.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Turner, G. IV., L. Pepple, T. Funk and R.S. Gates. Evaluation of a mechanical foam mitigation device in swine deep-pit manure storage. Paper No. 13-1595267. ASABE International Meeting. Kansas City MO, 21-24 July. ASABE: St. Joseph, MI.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Liangcheng Yang, Xinlei Wang, Ted L. Funk and Angela D. Kent. Effects of Media pH Conditions on Gas-Phase Biofilter Ammonia Removal, Nitrous Oxide Generation and Microbial Communities. In Proc. of 2013 International Symposium on Animal Environment and Welfare, Chongqing, China, Oct. 19-22, 2013, pp295-308.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Yang, L., X. Wang and T.L. Funk. Effects on biofilter ammonia removal and nitrous oxide generation. Paper No 1594519. St. Joseph, MI: ASABE.


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Illinois Certified Livestock Manager training continued. We enhanced and delivered for the second year an on-line course to help Technical Service Providers practicing in the Midwestern U.S. write Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMPs). We actively participated in interagency meetings on new NPDES permit rulemaking and the revised NRCS 590 standard for Illinois. Hydrothermal processing (HTP) of manure and other waste feedstocks continued, as we tested more feedstocks including algae in the HTP to better understand thermochemical pathways. HTP in conjunction with wastewater treatment and algae production is being developed at a new demonstration center on the University of Illinois campus research farm. A biofilter demonstration site was completed for swine producer training on how to design, construct, and manage biofilters for ventilation air cleaning. We held two workshops for agency staff, farmers, and agribusiness to demonstrate biofilter construction and maintenance. We conducted more studies of biofilter media, especially ammonia removal of biofilters, in relation to moisture content of target organic media. Design of a biofilter media moisture sensor continued, and new calibration curves for that sensor were produced based on the new circuit enhancements. We collected survey information on manure pit foaming problems, conducted tests on commercially available foam suppression agents, and collected a large number of manure samples from foaming and non-foaming manure pits, for bacterial analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators and Contacts: Michael Ellis, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The following individuals at the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Laura Pepple, Xinlei Wang, Yuanhui Zhang, Richard Gates, Lance Schideman, and Stanley Solomon. Partner Organizations: University of Illinois Extension faculty and staff participated in the training activities listed in the Outputs section. Illinois NRCS, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Beef Association, and the Illinois Farm Bureau. Training or Professional Development Opportunities: Results of the project were presented at various training venues including the Illinois Pork Expo, annual Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops around the state of Illinois, and undergraduate courses at the University of Illinois. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included livestock producers, ag consultants, custom manure haulers, regulatory agency representatives, livestock commodity group representatives, and undergraduate students in Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Animal Sciences. Efforts included training workshops, Extension media such as news columns and radio programs, and undergraduate classes. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Illinois Manure Management Plan improvements and case study -- we have a greatly expanded base for teaching manure nutrient management plan development. Biofilter studies -- we are better able to predict ammonia removal based on media moisture content and ammonia loading history. We have an improved understanding of the biofilter design process based on media airflow characteristics, particle sizing, and media moisture. Research results have allowed us to develop new tools for teaching biofilter design and management to producers, contractors, consultants, agencies, and other stakeholders.

Publications

  • Hong, P.Y., Li, X., Yang, X., Shinkai, T., Zhang, Y., Wang, X. and Mackie, R.I. 2012. Monitoring airborne biotic contaminants in the indoor environment of pig and poultry confinement buildings. Environmental Microbiology DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2012.02726.x.
  • Yang, L., Wang, X. and Funk, T.L. 2012. A feasible moisture sensor. Paper No. 121338423. ASABE Annual International Meeting. July 29-Aug 1, Dallas, TX.
  • Yang, L., Wang, X., Funk, T.L., Gates, R.S. and Zhang, Y. 2012. Transport and fate of nitrogen-containing compounds in gas-phase biofilters: A swing test to mitigate ammonia. Trans. ASABE. 55(5): 1951-1958.
  • Yang, X., Lee, J., Barker, D.E., Wang, X. and Zhang, Y. 2012. Lognormal fitting of particle size distribution data monitored in animal buildings: Linear versus nonlinear approach. Transactions of the ASABE 55(2): 699-707.
  • Yang, X., Lee, J., Barker, D.E., Wang, X. and Zhang, Y. 2012. Comparison of six particle size distribution models on the goodness-of-fit to particulate matter sampled from on animal buildings. Journal of Air and Waste Management Association DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2012.671148.


Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The horse manure composting program continued, to assist stable managers in NE Illinois to manage manure in more environmentally sustainable ways and especially for diverting horse manure from landfills into better uses, e.g. compost. Illinois Certified Livestock Manager training continued. We developed and delivered a new on-line course, to help Technical Service Providers practicing in Illinois write Comprehensive Manure Management Plans. We actively participated in interagency meetings on new NPDES permit rulemaking for Illinois. Hydrothermal processing (HTP) of manure and other waste feedstocks continued, wherein we tested more model compounds in the HTP to better understand thermochemical pathways. A biofilter demonstration site was developed for swine producer training on how to design, construct, and manage biofilters for ventilation air cleaning. We conducted more studies of biofilter media, especially ammonia removal of biofilters, in relation to moisture content of target organic media. Design of a biofilter media moisture sensor was revived, and new calibration curves for that sensor were produced based on the new circuit enhancements. We collected survey information on manure pit foaming problems, conducted tests on commercially available foam suppression agents, and investigated building fires that resulted from ignition of pit foam biogas; we collected a large number of manure samples from foaming and non-foaming manure pits, for bacterial analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators and Contacts: Michael Ellis, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The following individuals at the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Xinlei Wang, Yuanhui Zhang, Richard Gates, Luis Rodriguez, Lance Schideman, and Stanley Solomon. Partner Organizations: University of Illinois Extension faculty and staff participated in the training activities listed in the Outputs section. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Beef Association, and the Illinois Farm Bureau. Training or Professional Development Opportunities: Results of the project were presented at various training venues including the Illinois Pork Expo, annual Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops around the state of Illinois, and undergraduate courses at the University of Illinois. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included livestock producers, custom manure haulers, regulatory agency representatives, livestock commodity group representatives, and undergraduate students in Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Animal Sciences. Efforts included training workshops, Extension media such as news columns and radio programs, and undergraduate classes. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Illinois Manure Management Plan improvements and case study--we have a greatly expanded base for teaching manure nutrient management plan development. Horse manure composting program--we have built stakeholder involvement and developed a potential program extent to include new groups, now representing the pathways from production to landfill, nurseries, and other potential end users of composted manure. Biofilter studies--we are better able to predict ammonia removal based on media moisture content and ammonia loading history. We have an improved algorithm for the biofilter design process based on media airflow characteristics and particle sizing. Research results have allowed us to develop new tools for teaching biofilter design and management to producers, contractors, consultants, agencies, and other stakeholders.

Publications

  • Yu, G., Zhang, Y., Schideman, L., Funk, T. and Wang, Z. 2011. Distributions of carbon and nitrogen in the products from hydrothermal liquefaction of low-lipid microalgae. Energy Environ. Sci., 2011, Advance Article DOI: 10.1039/C1EE01541A.
  • Maia, G.D.N., Day, G.B., Gates, R.S. and Taraba, J.L. 2011. Biofilter media characterization using water sorption isotherms. Transactions ASABE. 54(4): 1445-1451.
  • Robert, M.J., Kasimati, A., Clarindo, A.C., Bragatto, T.C., Funk, T.L. and Gates, R.S. 2011. Evaluation of commercial products to mitigate swine manure foam. ASABE Paper No. 1100021, 2011 Louisville, Kentucky, August 7-10, 2011.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The web tool Illinois Manure Management Plan (IMMP) was further refined and improved for Illinois livestock producers. A dairy producer's Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (for EQIP cost-share funding) case study was developed for a training course that begins in 2011. Horse manure composting program was begun, to assist stable managers in NE Illinois to manage manure in more environmentally sustainable ways and especially for diverting horse manure from landfills into better uses, e.g. compost. Illinois Certified Livestock Manager training continued. Participated in interagency meetings on new NPDES permit rulemaking. Hydrothermal processing (HTP)of manure and other waste feedstocks continued. Tested model compounds in the HTP to better understand thermochemical pathways. Biofilter demonstration site was developed, for swine producer training on how to design, construct, and manage biofilters for ventilation air cleaning. We conducted studies of various biofilter media, especially airflow characteristics linking particle size distribution, moisture content, and other factors. Ammonia removal of biofilters was studied in relation to moisture content of target organic media. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators and Contacts: Michael Ellis, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The following individuals at the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Xinlei Wang, Yuanhui Zhang, Luis Rodriguez, Lance Schideman, Stanley Solomon, and Randy Fonner. Partner Organizations: University of Illinois Extension faculty and staff participated in the training activities listed in the Outputs section. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Beef Association, and the Illinois Farm Bureau. Training or Professional Development Opportunities: Results of the project were presented at various training venues including annual Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops around the state of Illinois, and undergraduate courses at the University of Illinois. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included livestock producers, custom manure haulers, regulatory agency representatives, livestock commodity group representatives, and undergraduate students in Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Animal Sciences. Efforts included training workshops, Extension media such as news columns and radio programs, and undergraduate classes. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Illinois Manure Management Plan improvements and case study--we have a greatly expanded base for teaching manure nutrient management plan development. Horse manure composting program--we have built stakeholder involvement and developed potential program extent to include new groups, now representing the pathways from production to landfill, nurseries, and other potential end users of composted manure. Illinois NPDES permit rulemaking for CAFOs--we have provided much clarity and refinement to the rules basis and expect this to have a great effect on the quality of the final rules in the state. Biofilter studies--we now have a much better understanding of the ammonia removal process, as related to moisture content of organic media. We have an improved algorithm for the biofilter design process based on media airflow characteristics and particle sizing. Research results have allowed us to develop new tools for teaching biofilter design and management to producers, contractors, consultants, agencies, and other stakeholders.

Publications

  • Davidson, P. 2010. Characterization of pathogen transport in overland flow. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Illinois. Urbana, IL.


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Studies of hydrothermal processing (HTP) of livestock manure and various other agricultural feedstocks were continued, and a system of processing that included wastewater treatment by algae was modeled. A modeling analysis was performed of an HTP system that combines feedstocks from a rural community's wastewater treatment and the county's swine finishing facilities. The analysis showed significant financial and environmental advantages of the HTP system compared to conventional wastewater treatment means. Biofilter packing materials and an innovative trickling biofilter were evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling ammonia emissions from swine buildings. A new style of biofilter container was designed, constructed and demonstrated on the University of Illinois livestock farm. Instrumentation was installed on the new biofilter to monitor ammonia removal and concentrations of other gases, and capability for odor sampling was established. Research was conducted to identify environmental factors affecting the fate and transport of Cryptosporidium parvum in surface and near-surface runoff so that best management practices can be developed to ultimately reduce or eliminate microbial contamination of water resources from feedlot runoff. The results from the small-scale experimental system compare well with results from the larger-scale system in that the C. parvum oocyst recovery in runoff (i.e. escape from the treatment system to the environment) was substantially lower from the vegetated surface when compared to those from the bare surface condition in every case. In this study, a 14.59 percent recovery was observed in the bare condition while only 7.15 percent of the oocysts were recovered from the vegetated condition. Aside from the location where oocysts were initially applied, very few infective oocysts were found in the soil profile. This indicates the oocysts are either strongly absorbed to soil particles and are not easily transported in the soil profile, difficult to extract once equilibrated within the profile, or somehow inactivated in the soil profile. The Illinois Manure Management Plan website (www.immp.uiuc.edu) was further developed. Follow-up visits were conducted with producers who use IMMP and with NRCS engineers, in order to help us evaluate the tool's impacts and to gather suggestions for improvements. PARTICIPANTS: (1) Principle investigator: Ted L. Funk. Liaison with departmental and interdisciplinary teams and manager of reporting. (2) No personnel were supported financially by this project. University of Illinois Extension faculty and staff participated in the training activities listed in the Outputs section. TARGET AUDIENCES: Other scientists and engineers (to help shape future research direction); Extension field staff and educators (assist with producer and consultant training sessions); industry journals; other ag media (introduce technology and invite participation with demonstration projects); State and federal agencies including regulatory (to help advise compliance actions, suggest best management practices, and provide input on regulatory changes); and agri-industries (to invite participation and possible commercialization of new technologies). PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Results of the feedlot runoff studies showed that vegetated filter areas can be effective management practices, by capturing and treating certain microorganisms that are known to impact human health if they enter drinking water supplies. Biofilter experiments and demonstrations give livestock producers new information regarding the selection of, and investment in, emission control technologies for mechanically ventilated animal buildings. Approximately 1,000 Illinois livestock producers now have a reporting and recordkeeping tool, the Illinois Manure Management Plan Workbook and website, which will help producers meet compliance guidelines with existing and new water quality regulations. The IMMP tools will be useful to Illinois livestock facilities of all sizes, but are particularly helpful for facilities of 1,000 animal units and larger.

Publications

  • Dong, R. 2008. Hydrothermal process for bioenergy production from corn fiber and swine manure. Ph.D. diss. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
  • Lee, J. 2009. Characterization and concentrations of particulate matters emitted from confinement animal buildings. MS dissertation. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
  • Zhang, Y., Schideman, L. and Funk, T. 2009. Analysis of dispersed on-farm systems to produce energy from biowaste using thermochemical conversion technology. Final report, Dudley Smith Synergy Program. Office of Research, College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois.


Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A continuous thermochemical conversion process for making crude oil product from animal wastes and other agricultural by-products has been licensed to private companies and is nearing commercialization. A pilot plant is under construction for converting swine manure solids to oil. New protocols for describing the products of hydrothermal processing were developed. Various GPS mapping strategies for towed-hose applicators and tanks were evaluated and refined. An Extension team worked with commercial manure haulers to identify a low cost system for as-applied mapping of manure application in crop fields. Results were presented in training sessions to custom manure haulers and to livestock producer audiences. Proprietary systems for reduction of emissions from swine wean-to-finish confinement buildings were tested. A set of five similar swine buildings on a single farm - one control and two sets of two buildings for treatments - were instrumented with continuous air sampling equipment. Final data analysis showed the effectiveness of the emissions control systems, and results were delivered to the sponsor of the research. Biofilter packing materials and an innovative trickling biofilter were evaluated for their effectiveness in controlling ammonia emissions from swine buildings. The Illinois Manure Management Plan website (www.immp.uiuc.edu) was further developed and training sessions were held to encourage producers and consultants to implement the IMMP planning and recordkeeping tools. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals: (1) Principle Investigator: Ted L. Funk. Liaison with departmental and interdisciplinary teams and manager of reporting. (2) No personnel were supported financially by this project. Partner Organizations: University of Illinois Extension faculty and staff participated in the training activities listed in the Outputs section. Collaborators and Contacts: Michael Ellis, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The following individuals at the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Xinlei Wang, Yuanhui Zhang, Luis Rodriguez, Stanley Solomon, and Randy Fonner. Training or Professional Development Opportunities: Results of the project were presented at various training venues including annual Certified Livestock Manager Training workshops around the state of Illinois, and undergraduate courses at the University of Illinois. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences included livestock producers, custom manure haulers, regulatory agency representatives, livestock commodity group representatives, and undergraduate students in Animal Sciences. Efforts included training workshops, Extension media such as news columns and radio programs, and undergraduate classes. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The thermochemical conversion process has the potential to produce up to fifteen U.S. gallons of crude oil product per finishing pig raised. The process can be used on a variety of wet feedstocks to produce oil products. Livestock producers have better information regarding the selection of, and investment in, emission control technologies based on the results of the field tests. Approximately 1,000 Illinois livestock producers now have a reporting and recordkeeping tool, the Illinois Manure Management Plan Workbook and website, which will help producers meet compliance guidelines with existing and new water quality regulations. The IMMP tools will be useful to Illinois livestock facilities of all sizes.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period