On-Farm Evaluation & Demonstration of Ammonia Reduction Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Feedlots and Dairies

The purpose of this award is for the grantee to create a comprehensive best management practices plan for reduction of ammonia emissions for cattle producers. Colorado State University will address a serious gap between researchers and agricultural producers when it comes to getting experimental results into practice. Some information is available in an accessible format, but little to none is available about ammonia, a gas that is getting major attention as of late due to its detrimental health and environmental effects. This project will create a comprehensive best management practices (BMP) plan for reduction of ammonia emissions for cattle producers. The plan will include ammonia reduction practices for every aspect of the operation including nutrition, barn and pen mitigation, waste management and processing, and land application. The is project will entail a comprehensive review of current literature will be conducted to evaluate current ammonia BMPs, testing of the most promising BMPs on-farm to evaluate their relative effectiveness, and a detailed survey of cattle producers to monitor current and future ammonia BMPs, with emphasis on feasibility, constraints, and cost leading to the compilation of an ammonia handbook highlighting BMPs with highest efficacy and lowest cost.