Project Number: 6445-12630-003-03
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 28, 2006
End Date: May 31, 2011

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to conduct cost effective and problem solving research that will evaluate management practices and treatment strategies that protect water quality, reduce atmospheric emissions, and control pathogens at the animal production facilities, manure storage areas, and field application sites. Specific sub-objectives include: 1.Develop management practices and decision tools for long-term use of animal manure as an alternative source of fertilizer for forages and row crop yield, nutrient loading, availability and uptake, application rate and timing, tillage, methods of application, and soil quality. 2.Determine if nutrient loading from agricultural watersheds in karst terrain is a function of physical watershed characteristics. 3. Reduce odiferous emissions by identifying and quantifying microorganisms and biological activities responsible for production of odorous compounds in livestock wastes. 4. Develop new analytical approaches to quantify gases (e.g. methane, H2S), volatile odor compounds (e.g. p-cresol, skatole, and other VOCs) and evaluate treatment technologies for odor abatement at animal production facilities and manure-applied fields. 5. Investigate the occurrence and persistence of pathogens in animal manures, waste storage systems, agricultural soils and water systems. Employ molecular-based methods to detect, quantify and evaluate the survival of target microorganisms in waste materials and agricultural soils. Investigate the mechanisms controlling transport of bacteria and nutrients through karst soils and aquifers.

Approach:
Projects in agronomic systems, soil science, emissions, microbiology, cattle evaluation facility, alternative uses of manures, and biotechnology will be conducted using the scientific expertise capabilities, field experimental plots, and specialized equipment and other facilities and resources available at Western Kentucky University in conjunction with the specialized equipment and expertise of ARS scientists in the Animal Waste Management Research Unit in Bowling Green and their cooperators for the purpose of industry application and improved economic value within agriculture. Researchers from Western Kentucky University may on occasion work in the ARS laboratories in order to access the specialized, state-of-the-art equipment of ARS. Emphasis is also placed on graduate level training at Western Kentucky University. For details refer to the approved "Project Plan."