Predicting Ammonia Emissions from Manure-Storing Buildings in Livestock Farms: A Powerful Modeling Technique
A Simplified Method for Estimating Ammonia Emissions from Poultry Layer Houses
Farmers can now effectively estimate ammonia emissions from their poultry layer houses using a new, simplified method. This approach, which balances scientific robustness with practical on-farm applicability, was developed to help farmers manage nitrogen cycling, comply with environmental reporting rules, and promote sustainable dust and emission controls.
The new method, which has been reviewed by Karen Mancl and Larry Brown, Professors at The Ohio State University's Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering department, is based on an alternative mass-balance model. This model estimates ammonia emissions as part of the total nitrogen losses in the production process, without the need for close tracking of manure production.
Key implementation steps include systematic collection and homogenization of manure samples, use of controlled temperature and storage conditions, measurement of ammonia emissions from prepared slurry samples, incorporation of surface moisture control and organic covering materials, and employing the emission data to improve nitrogen nutrient management.
To implement this method, farmers should collect and homogenize manure samples to simulate typical on-farm conditions. This involves collecting and mixing faeces and urine in realistic ratios, such as 3:2 faeces to urine, and ensuring homogenous slurry samples for ammonia emission estimation. Samples should then be stored under controlled temperature conditions to minimize volatilization losses and maintain sample integrity before analysis.
Measurement of ammonia emissions can be carried out using accessible gas measurement methods or bio-monitoring techniques, potentially adapted for poultry manure. These measurements can inform nutrient management decisions by quantifying volatilized nitrogen losses.
In addition, farmers should incorporate surface moisture control and organic covering materials, such as chopped straw or hemp chaff, on litter/manure to reduce emissions at the source. This aligns with sustainable manure management practices and reduces nitrogen loss.
The emission data can then be used to improve nitrogen nutrient management by adjusting feed composition, manure handling, and application timing, thereby minimizing environmental impact and enhancing fertilizer value in agricultural systems.
For EPCRA (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act) reporting compliance, farmers can use emission estimates derived from these adapted sampling and measurement methods to accurately report ammonia release inventories, fulfilling regulatory requirements with more site-specific data.
The alternative mass-balance method can be used to estimate ammonia emission factors from manure-belt poultry layer houses. This method was developed with financial support by the Research Enhancement Competitive Grants Program of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.
It's important to note that this method was tested on a typical manure-belt layer house housing 154,500 Lohmann white hens, with dimensions of 161.6 m in length, 15.9 m in width, and 7 m in height. Animal producers in the U.S. are required to report ammonia emissions from a farm exceeding 100 pounds in any 24-hour period under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
To estimate ammonia emissions using the alternative mass-balance method, you need to know the nitrogen content of the feed, nitrogen content of the egg, nitrogen content of the manure, ash content of the feed, ash content of the manure, ash content of the egg, feed consumption rate, and egg production rate.
While a direct, poultry-layer-specific standardized protocol was not found, the concepts from dairy slurry management are transferable with some adaptation. Farmers or advisors should consider local regulation specifics, technical support, and possible collaboration with environmental experts to implement the method confidently.
- By integrating 4-H educational programs, farmers can learn about the new, simplified method for estimating ammonia emissions from their poultry layer houses and its implications for health-and-wellness, environmental conservation, and climate-change mitigation.
- recognizing the crucial role of livestock and the impact of ammonia emissions on nutrient management, researchers have sought to adapt environmental-science principles to strengthen sustainable practices in poultry farming.
- Managing ammonia emissions from poultry layer houses is not just a matter of compliance with regulations, but also contributing to the prevention and treatment of medical-conditions related to air quality for both animals and human populations in close proximity.
- In implementing the alternative mass-balance method, farmers must consider the broader context, such as conservation efforts, health-and-wellness initiatives, and adapting to climate-change scenarios, while striving for improved environmental stewardship and sustainability in their farming practices.
