Environmental Conditions in Beef Deep-Bedded Mono-Slope Facilities

Abstract

and Implications Ammonia (NH 3 ), temperature, moisture content, pH, pack depth, nutrient composition and concentration of odorous volatile organic compounds (VOC) were measured at 56 locations in each of four pens in two commercial beef deep-bedded mono-slope facilities (BDMF). Areas of high NH 3 concentration occurred randomly throughout the pens. Ammonia concentration increased as pack and ambient air temperature increased. Concentration of VOC was highest in transition areas between the bedded pack and the concrete floor. Depth, moisture content, and pH of the bedded pack did not influence concentration of NH 3 and VOC. Nutrient composition of the manure/bedding material in BDMF is similar to manure in open feedlots, except that in BDMF the volatile solids content is much higher. E. coli concentrations can occur at high levels in BDMF and vary with differences in ambient temperature. Priority should be given to NH 3 and E. coli mitigation during hot months. However, locationspecific NH 3 mitigation will not be effective due to the random distribution of NH 3 in the pen. Frequent cleaning of the area surrounding the bedded pack should reduce VOC concentration.

Use of Wood-Based Materials in Beef Bedded Manure Packs: 2. Effect on Odorous Volatile Organic Compounds, Odor Activity Value,Escherichia coli, and Nutrient Concentrations

“…After 42 d, the DM ranged from 22.3 to 26.1%. These values are similar to previous research using lab‐scaled bedded packs (20–27%) (Spiehs et al, 2013) but are slightly lower than the DM content of bedded packs in commercial cattle barns (29.99–31.9%) (Euken, 2009; Spiehs et al, 2011). The decrease in DM was expected because urine and feces were added to the bedded packs over the 42‐d period.…”

“…After 42 d, total N ranged from 17.8 to 22.3 g kg −1 . This is similar to the total N content in the 6‐wk‐old bedded packs in a previous study (18.4–28.2 g kg −1 ) (Spiehs et al, 2013) and the total N content in commercial barns, which ranged from 21.0 to 30.49 g kg −1 (Euken, 2009; Spiehs et al, 2011). At the end of the study, bedded packs containing corn stover and green cedar chips contained significantly higher concentrations of total N compared with bedded packs containing dry cedar chips or pine chips.…”

“…Total E. coli levels were similar among the bedding treatments and were affected by the age of the bedded packs, but there was no interaction between bedding and age of bedded pack (Table 6). Average total E. coli concentrations ranged from 5.06 to 6.87 log 10 CFUs per g of material and were similar to those previously observed in bedding manure/material from beef deep‐bedded mono‐slope facilities (Spiehs et al, 2011) and simulated bedded packs (Spiehs et al, 2013). Total E. coli populations in the bedded packs increased ( P < 0.0001) between 0 and 7 d, decreased ( P = 0.0005) between 21 and 28 d, and reached the lowest observed level of 5.06 log 10 CFUs per gram of material at Day 42, as observed in a previous study (Spiehs et al, 2013).…”

“…The persistence of E. coli O157:H7 in manure is similar to that of generic total E. coli (Berry and Miller, 2005; Berry et al, 2010). Both E. coli O157:H7 and total E. coli can occur at high levels in the bedded pack material of deep‐bedded cattle confinement facilities (Spiehs et al, 2011). Further work showed that bedding type can affect the levels of total E. coli in simulated bedded packs.…”

Use of Wood-Based Materials in Beef Bedded Manure Packs: 1. Effect on Ammonia, Total Reduced Sulfide, and Greenhouse Gas Concentrations

“…The average concentration of NH 3 in the lab‐scaled bedded packs ranged from 350.8 to 516.7 mg m −3 . These values are similar to the concentration converted from reported values using similar techniques to measure NH 3 concentration above the bedded pack surface of commercial barns during moderate weather (373.0 ± 14.9 mg m −3 ) (Spiehs et al, 2011). …”