Compost vs. Stockpiling of Manure

Effectiveness	X	X	X	X	X
Practicality	X	X	X	X	X
Cost	X	X	X	X	X
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Composting is not a widely practiced management technique on feedlot operations, rather stockpiling of manure is more common. We wanted to se if there was a benefit for ammonia reduction with one of the manure storage treatments.

The Problem
Background
Experimental Methods
Results and Cost Analysis
The Solution

The Problem

X...

Background

Of the total nitrogen entering manure storage as compost or manure stockpiles, 20 to 50% is lost as ammonia volatilization, and the rest is converted to products of nitrification/denitrification or immobilized. Some nitrous oxide losses occur during nitrification and incomplete denitrification, but these are less than 5% of the total nitrogen loss (19). Paillat et al. (30) stockpiled manure found that the ammonia flux in compost piles is related to the biodegradable nitrogen present and the nitrification and immobilization of ammonia, which depends on the C:N ratio, the carbon biodegradability, and microbes present in the pile. Less biodegradable carbon sources, like sawdust, were found to increase ammonia emissions, thus the choice of added carbon source to a compost pile needs to be considered as it will determine the rate of ammonia emissions. Additionally, proper management of pile moisture and air circulation will determine the rate of temperature increase and subsequent ammonia volatilization. In general, aeration and a reduction in pH will decrease ammonia emission, while an increase in temperature and a low C:N will increase ammonia. Even though the majority of ammonia is emitted from compost piles within the first 10 days of composting, tunring will produce a spike in ammonia as the inner layers of the compsot are exposed to ambient air.

Experimental Method

Method. Coming Fall 2008......

Results and Cost Analysis

Results. Coming Fall 2008......

Cost Analysis. Coming Fall 2008.....

The Solution