Research

Fate of Manure Nitrogen Applied for Grass Silage Production

Purpose:

Characterize the effect of management factors such as re-seeding of cropland as well as timing and amount of manure and irrigation water application on crop uptake of nitrogen, soil nitrate-N concentration, nitrate+nitrite-N concentration in shallow ground water underlying the field, and the relationships between these matrices.  Read more...

 

Soil-Forage-Manure Nitrogen Dynamics – Fact Sheet

Objective: Evaluate the utilization of manure nitrogen for grass silage production and the relationship between manure nitrogen application and shallow groundwater.

Methods: A 22-acre grass field in Whatcom County has been studied sine the fall of 2004. The grass field was plowed down and reseeded in the fall of 2004. Manure has been applied according to normal farm practices during the study. Soil samples have been taken monthly, except during the months of August through November, when soil samples have been taken weekly. Read more...

Manure is Used as Fertilizer in Whatcom County (July 2009)

Groundwater Results – Fact Sheet

Objective: Evaluate the utilization of manure nitrogen for grass silage production and the relationship between manure nitrogen application, soil, and shallow groundwater.

Methods: A 22-acre grass field in Whatcom County has been studied since the fall of 2004. The grass field was plowed down and reseeded in the fall of 2004. Seven monitoring wells were placed in three horizontal rows from north to south. Six wells are screened near the top of the aquifer at 13 feet, and one well is screened at the bottom of the aquifer at 38 feet. Groundwater flow is from north to south. Shallow ground water samples have been collected monthly and analyzed for nitrate+nitrite-N, ammonia, total nitrogen, chloride, dissolved oxygen, organic carbon, and dissolved solids.  Read more...

 

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        Dairy Air Quality Report October 2009

Executive Summary

Potential emissions from animal feeding operations (AFOs) that are regulated under the federal clean air act (CAA) as criteria pollutants include ozone (regulated via volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides (NOx)), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). Under the CAA, any source emitting 100 tons/yr of any of these emissions requires an operation permit. The limit drops to 50, 25, and 10 tons/yr for serious, severe, and extreme nonattainment areas, respectively. Ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are the other key emissions from AFOs that are currently regulated under two other federal statutes: CERCLA and EPCRA. An operation emitting 100 lb/day of NH3 or H2S must report release under both CERCLA and EPCRA. AFOs are, however, exempt from CERCLA for emissions from normal manure handling on farms except from other forms of releases such as from: burst anhydrous ammonia tank, breached lagoon or holding pond, and manure spills. Research is in progress under the auspices of the ‗national air emissions monitoring study – NAEMS‘ to establish credible tools and approaches for estimating emissions of these pollutants from AFOs. Read more...

        Economic Impact of Washington Dairy Farms:

                An Input-Output Analysis Working Paper Draft October 16, 2007

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Nitrogen Usage

Objective: Evaluate the utilization of nitrogen in native pasture when dairy slurry was applied during winter months.

Methods: Plots were assigned in duplicate to one of three treatments. The 1x treatment was the typical application rate for the dairy operation. Manure was applied in winter (January) and in spring after the first cutting of grass (May/June). Soil and/or grass clippings were taken once every 4 weeks. Read more...

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Washington State Dairy Federation 575 E. Main Street, Suite #2, PO Box 1768, Elma, WA 98541-1768, 360.482.3485, Fax: 360.482.4069, Email: wsdf@msn.com