2005 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Ammonia, odor, and greenhouse gas emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations are major environmental concerns, and are creating unease between livestock producers and the rural and urban communities dependent upon livestock production. These emissions are primarily caused by the activities of the microorganisms inhabiting the livestock manure environments. The research proposed here will provide valuable information on some of the environmental parameters and controls on microbial activities responsible for ammonia, odor, and greenhouse gas emissions from cattle and swine manure; will develop methods to compare emitted odor compounds; and will provide solutions to control detrimental microbial activities. Multiple experiments will evaluate manure from diets differing in starch, fiber, crude protein, and distiller’s byproducts content and animal source in order to determine the effects that diet has on (i) odor compound production and emission, (ii) nitrogen transformation and loss, and (iii) greenhouse gas emission. A range of environmental conditions affecting dominant microbial physiologies (inactive, aerobic, and anaerobic) in multiple manure and soil incubations which vary the manure moisture content, manure to soil content, and temperature will also be conducted. Solutions to control microbial activities will involve studies to identify cost-effective, environmentally safe antimicrobial chemicals, which will inhibit production of offensive odors in stored manure. An expected secondary benefit from the use of these chemicals is a reduction of pathogens. Solutions to control ammonia emission will involve inhibition of the enzyme urease, which is responsible for creating the largest pool of ammonia in stored manure. The work planned supports NP206, Manure and Byproduct Utilization, and specifically addresses Component 1 (Atmospheric Emissions) with emphasis in Focus Area 1 (Understanding the Biological, Chemical, and Physical Mechanisms Affecting Emissions) and Focus Area 3 (Control Technologies and Strategies for Emissions). Ultimately, producers, the rural communities impacted by manure emissions, scientists, and the general public will benefit from this program by utilizing the information on the critical control factors regulating microbial activities in manure environments to develop better management tools and technologies to reduce the environmental impact of modern livestock production. 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. A vacancy currently exists, thus, the milestones for Objectives 1 and 2 of the Project will be on hold until a replacement is found. Objective 1A - Manure emission chamber Year 1 - Collect, analyze samples Year 2 - Report method Objective 1B - Dietary fiber and emissions Year 1 - Analyze data, report results (Cattle - silage vs. forage) Year 2 - Collect, analyze samples (Swine - alfalfa) Year 3 - Collect, analyze samples (Swine - alfalfa) Year 4 - Analyze data (Swine - alfalfa) Year 5 - Report results (Swine - alfalfa) Objective 1C - Dietary starch and emissions Year 1 - Collect, analyze samples (Cattle - high moisture corn) Year 2 - Analyze data (Cattle - high moisture corn) Year 3 - Report results (Cattle - high moisture corn); Collect samples (Cattle - distiller’s byproducts Year 4 - Analyze samples, data (Cattle - distiller’s byproducts) Year 5 - Report results (Cattle - distiller’s byproducts) Objective 1D - Dietary nitrogen and emissions Year 1 - Analyze samples (Cattle - oscillating crude protein; Swine - dry skim milk) Year 2 - Analyze data (Cattle - oscillating crude protein; Swine - dry skim milk) Year 3 - Report results (Cattle - oscillating crude protein; Swine - dry skim milk) Objective 2 - Feedlot surface conditions and emissions Year 1 - Analyze data (manure & moisture content) Year 2 - Report results (manure & moisture content) Year 3 - Collect, analyze samples (temperature) Year 4 - Analyze data (temperature) Year 5 - Report results (temperature) Objective 3A - Alternative plant oils Year 1 - Collect, analyze samples Year 2 - Analyze data Year 3 - Report results; evaluate other additives Year 4 - Report results if other additives were evaluated Objective 3B - Combine NBPT and plant oil Year 1 - Collect, analyze samples Year 2 – Analyze data; report results Year 3 - Select additive concentrations and repeat exp. with cattle and swine manure Year 4 - Report results Objective 3C - Granule Year 2 - Collect samples Year 3 - Analyze samples and data; evaluate other granules Year 4 - Report results; analyze samples and data; collect field study samples Year 5 - Analyze field study; report results Objective 3D - Swine field study Year 3 - Collect swine field study samples Year 4 - Analyze samples Year 5 - Analyze data; report results 4a.What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Plant oils reduce livestock odor. U.S. patent 6,902,726 entitled “Reduction of Odor Gases From Waste Using Plant-Derived Oils” was issued June 7, 2005. The work describes how thymol and carvacrol have the ability to reduce the production of gas and short-chain volatile fatty acids, and the viability of total anaerobic bacteria and coliforms in animal excreta. The objective of this work is to provide a treatment for reducing odor emissions and disease from animal waste. 4b.List other significant accomplishments, if any. None 4c.List any significant activities that support special target populations. None 4d.Progress report. None 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. This project was initiated April 2005 and has no major accomplishments thus far. The work planned supports NP206, Manure and Byproduct Utilization, and specifically addresses Component 1 (Atmospheric Emissions) with emphasis in Focus Area 1 (Understanding the Biological, Chemical, and Physical Mechanisms Affecting Emissions) and Focus Area 3 (Control Technologies and Strategies for Emissions). 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? U.S. Patent 6,902,726 was issued on June 7, 2005 for work conducted on a previous project (CRIS 5438-31000-053-00D). This previous work will be evaluated for economic feasibility and potential adoption by livestock producers. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). This is a new project, thus none so far.