Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Open-Lot Cattle Feedyards: A Review

Effects of environmental and housing system factors on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from cattle barns: A meta-analysis of a global data collation

This study provides a meta-analysis on the relationships between cattle barn CH4, NH3 and N2O emission rates and their key drivers (i.e., housing type, floor type, environmental conditions). Understanding these relationships is essential to reduce uncertainties in emission inventories and suggest targeted mitigation measures. The total number of daily emission rates included in the analysis was 139 for CH4, 293 for NH3 and 100 for N2O emissions. Emission rates in the database showed a large variation with 45-803.5 g/LU d-1 for CH4, 0.036-146.7 gN LU-1 d-1 for NH3, and 0.002-18 gN LU-1 d-1 for N2O emissions. Despite the high emission variability, significant effects were identified·NH3 showed positive correlation with air temperature; NH3 emissions differed between housing types but not between floor types·NH3 emissions from tied stalls were lower than the ones from cubicle housing regardless of the floor type. Additionally, NH3 emissions from loose housings were lower than the ones from cubicle housing·NH3 and N2O emission rates from temperate wet zones were lower than the ones from temperate dry zones. CH4 emission rates were affected by environmental factors only and not by housing and floor type, showing negative correlation with air temperature and humidity. The factors investigated can be suggested as ancillary variables and descriptors when cattle barn emissions are measured, in order to make best use of emission data. Country-specific data of these key drivers can be included into national inventories to adapt them to different agroecosystems and support targeted policies.

Effect of diets with different crude protein levels on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from a naturally ventilated dairy housing

Less crude protein (CP) in the diet can reduce nitrogen excretion of dairy cattle and lower their ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O) formation potential. The diet composition might also affect emissions of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). However, previous studies did not investigate the effect of diets with different CP levels that are customary practice in Switzerland on NH3 and greenhouse gas emissions on a practical scale. In a case-control approach, we quantified the emissions (NH3, N2O, CH4, CO2) in two separate but identical compartments of a naturally ventilated cubicle housing for lactating dairy cows over six days by using a tracer ratio method. Cows in one compartment received a diet with 116 g CP per kilogram dry matter (DM), in the other compartment with 166 g CP kg-1 DM. Subsequently, diets were switched for a second 6-day measurement phase. The results showed that the diet, aside from outside temperature and wind speed in the housing, was driving NH3 and N2O emissions. NH3 and N2O emission reduction per livestock unit (LU) was on average 46 % and almost 20 %, respectively, for the diet with low CP level compared to the higher CP level. In addition, strong relationships were observed between the CP content of the diet, N excretion in the urine and the milk urea content. An increased temperature or wind speed led to a clear increase in NH3 emissions. Differences in CH4 and CO2 emissions per LU indicated a significant influence of the diet, which cannot be attributed to the CP content. Our herd-level study demonstrated that a significant reduction in NH3 and N2O emissions related to LU, energy-corrected milk as well as DM intake can be achieved by lowering the CP content in the diet.

Nitrous Oxide from Beef Cattle Manure: Effects of Temperature, Water Addition and Manure Properties on Denitrification and Nitrification

Beef feedyards produce nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. Limited research has evaluated the processes that produce feedyard N2O, and how rainfall and temperature impact N2O losses. Manure in feedyard pens develops into a complex ecosystem of microbes, extracellular enzymes, feces, and urine, with varying H2O content. This study aimed to improve understanding of feedyard N cycling under differing environmental conditions by incubation of manure in simulated feedyard pens using large chambers under laboratory conditions. We hypothesized that nitrification was the primary source of feedyard N2O, with interactions among temperature, H2O content, and manure properties. Emissions of N2O were monitored with a real–time N2O analyzer. Manure samples were taken at intervals for analyses of physicochemical properties, denitrification enzyme activity (DEA), and nitrification activity (NA). Due to equipment limitations, there was only one chamber per temperature tested. Correlation was poor among N2O emissions and rates of DEA and NA. However, significant relationships were found among key manure characteristics, such as ammonia/ammonium and nitrate/nitrite concentrations, manure dry matter, redox status, and temperature. These data suggest that most N2O was derived from denitrification in the top 5 cm of the manure pack. Further study is warranted to identify the processes involved in flushes of N2O emitted immediately after rainfall, possibly due to abiotic chemical reactions that release N2O sequestered in manure pores.

Effect of quebracho condensed tannin extract on fecal gas flux in steers

Naturally occurring gaseous by-products of ruminant production-carbon dioxide (CO₂ ), methane (CH₄ ), and nitrous oxide (N₂ O)-can negatively affect the environment. Along with enteric fermentation, manure on pasture is among the most significant contributors to non-CO₂ emissions. Condensed tannins, a group of naturally occurring phenolic compounds, can alter the route of nutrient excretion and interact with microbes, suggesting they are a plausible feed additive for reducing excreta gas emissions. We evaluated how quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) tannin extract fed at 0, 15, 30, and 45 g kg^-1 of dry matter (DM) within a roughage-based diet affected fecal gas emissions at multiple locations (College Station and Stephenville, TX) during two periods corresponding to winter and spring. During both periods, CO₂ , CH₄ , and N₂ O fluxes were determined using the vented-static chamber methodology over 39 d, and cumulative emissions were calculated. A random coefficients model with animal nested within dietary treatment and period as the random factor was analyzed by location due to the presence of collinearity with soil parameters within periods. Daily CO₂ flux was influenced by soil moisture and temperature (r = .34; P < .01), whereas CH₄ and N₂ O were associated with soil moisture. Cumulative gas production confirmed a dietary effect for CO₂ and gross CO₂ equivalent at the College Station site (P ≤ .001), demonstrating a linear reduction as quebracho inclusion increased. Variance partitioning indicated that dietary treatment and seasonal period likely influenced animal digestive and metabolic parameters. Within specific environments, quebracho supplementation may assist in reducing fecal gas emissions.

Use of new technologies to evaluate the environmental footprint of feedlot systems

With increased concern over the effects of livestock production on the environment, a number of new technologies have evolved to help scientists evaluate the environmental footprint of beef cattle. The objective of this review was to provide an overview of some of those techniques. These techniques include methods to measure individual feed intake, enteric methane emissions, ground-level greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, feedlot and pasture emissions, and identify potential pathogens. The appropriate method to use for measuring emissions will vary depending upon the type of emission, the emission source, and the goals of the research. These methods should also be validated to assure they produce accurate results and achieve the goals of the research project. In addition, we must not forget to properly use existing technologies and methods such as proper feed mixing, feeding management, feed/ingredient sampling, and nutrient analysis.

Temporal Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Beef Cattle Feedlot Manure after a Simulated Rainfall Event

Nitrous oxide (NO) is a greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted from agricultural operations. The objective of this research was to quantify NO-N emissions from simulated open-lot beef cattle feedlot pens after rainfall. A recirculating-flow-through, non-steady state chamber system consisting of five 1-m steel pans was designed for quantifying emissions. A lid was placed sequentially on each pan, and headspace air was recirculated between the pan and a real-time NO analyzer, measuring concentrations every 1 s. Air-dried manure (89.2% dry matter) from a commercial feedlot in the Texas Panhandle was placed in the pans and then 0, 6.3, 12.7, 25.4, or 50.8 mm of water was applied to simulate a one-time rainfall event. Emissions of NO-N were monitored for 45 d, where two distinct episodes of NO-N production were observed over time. The first NO-N episode had a duration of 10 h and peaked 2 h after rainfall at a flux of 1.0 to 200 mg m h. The second episode had a duration of 40 d and peaked 15 d after rainfall at a flux of 0.06 to 35 mg m h. The second episode accounted for 69 to 91% of the cumulative NO-N emitted over the 45-d period. Each millimeter of rainfall increased cumulative NO-N emitted by 167.9 mg m ( = 0.99, < 0.001). This rainfall vs. cumulative emissions relationship will be useful for modeling annual NO-N emissions from open-lot beef cattle feedlots, and for assessing the effectiveness of best management practices for reducing feedlot GHG emissions.