Project Number: 1902-13000-011-12
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jul 01, 2006
End Date: Jun 30, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this study is to assess the trade-offs of alternative manure application technologies relative to environmental emissions of nutrients and odor. For each manure application technology we will quantify (1) nitrogen and phosphorus losses in runoff (small plot with rainfall simulators) and groundwater (lysimeters), (2) ammonia emissions to air (dynamic chambers), and (3) odor emissions (olfactory panel). These data will be used to calibrate the Integrated Farming Systems Model, which will be applied to representative farms to quantify costs and benefits of the different technologies.

Approach:
Field trials will be conducted to test the agronomic and environmental costs and benefits of five manure application systems at two no-till sites in Pennsylvania (Rock Springs) and Maryland (Princess Anne). Manure application systems include a new high-pressure injector, aeration-infiltrator, disk injector, broadcaster and broadcaster followed by tillage. USDA-ARS will fabricate a variable-rate manure applicator to operate the implements. Nutrient and sediment runoff will be evaluated with USDA-ARS' rainfall simulators at the Rock Springs site. Edge-of-field monitoring of nutrient and sediment losses in runoff will also be conducted by USDA-ARS using field-scale plots equipped with flumes and automatic samplers. Ammonia losses will be measured at both sites by USDA-ARS using dynamic ventilation chambers. Cost/benefit assessment of different application systems will be conducted using Dr. Rotz's Integrated Farming Systems Model on three representative dairy and swine farms. Dr. Beegle (PSU) and Dr. Kleinman have overall responsibility for project implementation and coordination of activities. Dr. Kleinman will oversee the field runoff portion of the study. Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Kleinman will install and monitor lysimeters in PA and MD, respectively. Dr. Sharpley will be responsible for the rain simulation experiments at Rock Springs. Dr. Dell will coordinate gas measurements. Dr. Rotz will conduct farm simulations and whole farm analyses.