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SUMMARY Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern for producers and their neighbors. Much work has been done to quantify emission rates, but little information has been provided about air quality downwind from these facilities. This study investigates levels of particulate matter ≤2.5 µm in diameter as they dissipate from the exhaust fans of selected commercial, tunnel-ventilated, broiler houses in northeast Georgia. Particulate matter ≤2.5 µm in diameter was measured in real time using aerosol monitors and from a time-integrated basis using cyclone samplers. Data were taken over the last 4 wk of a summer flock (considered a worst-case-scenario) and filtered to ensure enough data was present at each distance and time. Based on these data, there is a rapid reduction in fine particulate concentration as the distance from the source increases. When compared with nearby monitoring data, particulate levels appear to be near background levels at distances greater than 30 m (100 ft) from the exhaust fans.

Quarantine treatments against tephritids generally have been concerned only with eggs and larvae because the larva leaves the fruit to pupate in the soil. However, irradiation would usually be applied after fruits are packed, and some packed fruits, such as citrus, could conceivably sit at ambient conditions for a few days before being irradiated, allowing 3rd instars to emerge and pupate within the packaging. Pupae are generally more tolerant of irradiation than are larvae and eggs. This research evaluated tolerance of immatures of Mexican and West Indian fruit flies, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) and A. obliqua (Macquart), respectively, to ionizing radiation from a 137Cs source. Although tolerance to irradiation generally increased with increasing stage of development, the insect immediately preceding 2 developmental milestones (pupariation and larval to pupal molt) was usually more susceptible than 24 h earlier. We recommend that fruits to be irradiated not remain at ambient temperatures for enough time to enable 3rd instars to develop to the phanerocephalic pupal stage, which is ≈3 d at 25°C for the 2 species studied. The 1st d of the phanerocephalic pupa is ≈40% more tolerant of irradiation than the 3rd instar, whereas the insect 24 h earlier is only ≈14% more tolerant. Mexican fruit fly 3rd instars inside grapefruits, Citrus paradisi Macf., were notably more tolerant of irradiation than 3rd instars in ambient air.

The need for energy efficient, cost-effective, reliable light bulbs for broiler production is evident. This paper reports on a field test of three LED and two CFL bulbs in commercial broiler houses over an 18-month period. Differences in dimming curves, lighting efficiency, power/apparent power curves, light distribution, and lumen depreciation were noted for each bulb. Although initial lighting levels were noticeably different, all bulbs except the Life Lamp LED had depreciated within about 6 months to approximately 1.2 to 1.3 ft-candles and remained there for the next 12 months. Life Lamp LED only had 6 months in the test at time of last measurement and appeared to be still depreciating, but was still at 2.5 ft-candles. Some of the bulbs had low power factors, especially when dimmed which is a matter of concern for power companies. Different bulbs will require different programming of dimmers or at least recalibration to achieve desired lighting levels since each bulb tested responded differently to dimmers.

Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern for producers and their neighbors. Much work has been done to quantify emission rates; however, little information has been provided about air quality downwind from these facilities. This study investigates PM2.5 (particulate matter = 2.5 µm in diameter) levels as they dissipate from the exhaust fans of selected commercial, tunnel-ventilated, broiler houses in Northeast Georgia. PM2.5 was measured in real time using aerosol monitors and from a time-integrated basis using cyclone samplers. Data were taken over a 4-week period and filtered for wind direction and internal instrument calibration checks. Results indicate a rapid dissipation of fine particulates as the distance from the source increases. When compared to nearby monitoring data, particulate levels appear to be near background levels at distances greater than 30 m.

This paper compares gas emissions from mechanically-ventilated houses as measured by two techniques: air mass-balance and inverse-dispersion analysis. Ammonia emissions were measured concurrently from a poultry farm during a 45-day flock cycle. Total flock emissions calculated by the inverse-dispersion technique was 75% of that determined by the air mass-balance measurements. The difference was not uniform over the flock cycle, with good agreement during the first 28 days (2%), but poorer thereafter (35%). The divergence between the two techniques corresponded to an increase in the house ventilation rate.

Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern for producers and their neighbors. Much work has been done to quantify emission rates; however, little information has been provided about air quality downwind from these facilities. This study investigates ammonia and PM2.5 (particulate matter = 2.5 um in diameter) levels as they dissipate from the exhaust fans of selected commercial, tunnel-ventilated, broiler houses in Northeast Georgia. PM2.5 was measured in real time using aerosol monitors and from a time-integrated basis using cyclone samplers. Ammonia was measured using open-path laser spectrometers. Data were taken over a 4-week period and filtered for wind direction and internal instrument calibration checks. Results indicate a rapid dissipation of both ammonia and fine particulates as the distance from the source increases. When compared to nearby monitoring data, particulate levels appear to be near background levels. Ammonia levels are higher when wind is blowing from the source toward the sensors and tend to be higher when wind speed is less than 3.2 km/h (2 mph.) At low wind speeds, air movement created by fans overpowers ambient wind at the 30-m distance.

Air emissions from animal feeding operations have become a growing concern. Much work has been done to study occupational exposures and the exhaust concentrations associated with animal facilities, however little information has been provided about air quality around the houses. This study investigates ammonia and PM2.5 (particulate matter = 2.5 um in diameter) inside and outside (up to 152 m from the house) of commercial tunnel-ventilated broiler houses on a farm (6 houses 11 x 130 m) in northeast Georgia. PM2.5 was measured in real time using aerosol monitors and on a time-integrated basis using cyclone samplers. Ammonia was measured using electrochemical sensors. None of the 24-h PM2.5 measures collected when the houses were in tunnel ventilation exceeded the U.S. EPA 24-h National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 65 ug/m3. Ammonia levels outside the house appeared to be considerably less than 1 ppm, but wind direction at the site was not recorded and wind at a remote weather station was contrary to the direction of the sensors on the days that ammonia data were taken. Additional study is needed to confirm these results.

Litter amendments for ammonia control have been used extensively by the poultry industry. They are applied prior to chick arrival and are critical in maintaining proper air quality during the brooding period when ventilation rates are the lowest. While effective, these amendments generally are depleted by the time the birds are 10-14 days of age. The objective of this study was to examine whether litter amendment effectiveness can be extended by increasing application rates to reduce overall broiler house ammonia emissions and whether the effect is additive as multiple applications are applied to built-up litter. The study was conducted on a 6-house commercial broiler farm. At the beginning of the study all litter was removed from the houses and clean shavings were applied. A commercial litter amendment (PLT) a product with sodium bisulfate as the active ingredient was applied at the rates of 50, 100, and 150 lbs per 1000 ft2. House temperature, relative humidity and ventilation rates were monitored by the house controller and a computer placed on the farm. Ammonia concentrations were measured with GasTech Dosi-Tubes, Rae draw tubes, and Draeger electrochemical sensors. Litter samples were taken at the end of each flock for mineral analysis. Results indicate that the duration of reduced ammonia production appears to be positively correlated with the amount of sodium bisulfate applied to the house. Litter in the higher treatments retained more N in the form of ammonium than the control indicating that less N had been volatilized as ammonia The addition of increased amounts of litter treatment at the beginning of the flock may reduce ammonia production for an additional week, but additional applications or other solutions will be necessary to control ammonia during the last weeks of production.

This paper is a summary of what is known scientifically about the closure of earthen manure structures without artificial liners, including lagoons, storage basins, and runoff holding ponds, and what needs to be examined further to increase our understanding of the dynamics of closing them in an environmentally safe manner. This information should be useful as a guide for state regulatory agencies considering rules for closure and for academicians and consultants who work with livestock production facilities.

High-volume low-speed (HVLS) fans have been used to ventilate a number of dairy free-stall barns. These large fans use less energy and run much more quietly than conventional high-speed fans. This report addresses the cooling effectiveness of these fans in a dairy free stall barn located in a hot, humid climate. A four-row free-stall dairy barn located in Tifton, Georgia was fitted with two redundant ventilation systems. System one utilized 0.9-m (3-ft) diameter high-speed cooling fans installed over the feeding fence and over the free stalls 6 m (20 ft) apart. Each fan was equipped with 4 high-pressure mister nozzles. System two utilized 7.3-m (20-ft) diameter HVLS fans installed over the center drive-through aisle at 18-m (60-ft) spacing. Controls were installed so that two groups of 64 cows each could be cooled by one system or the other. Vaginal temperature probes were installed in four cows in each group to monitor the deep body temperature. Temperature and RH inside the barn and cow temperature were recorded every 5 minutes. The tests were run for a total of six days with ventilation systems alternated among groups. Misters were automatically turned on for both systems when relative humidity was below 85% and temperature was above 24 oC. Wind speeds in the barn were measured with each system operating separately. Observed wind speeds were significantly lower for the HVLS system (0 to 8.1 km/h) than for the high-speed fan system (0 to 13 km/h), although wind speed is more evenly distributed with the HVLS system. Body temperature was approximately 0.2 oC (0.4 oF) higher for cows cooled by the HVLS fans compared with conventional high-speed fans. These results indicate that the HVLS fans did not provide adequate air flow to cool cows as effectively as the high-speed fans under extremely hot, humid conditions.

Three geo-textile filtration tubes were used to dewater lagoon solids from a first stage dairy lagoon using chemical amendments (aluminum sulfate and a polymer) to enhance the separation process. This experiment had previously been done without chemical amendment. The chemical amendments speeded the dewatering process so that filling could be accomplished sooner, and also increased the removal rate of nutrients, especially phosphorus into the solid phase. Chemically amended slurry was pumped from the lagoon into the tube with the filtered liquid seeping from the tube and returning to the lagoon. Each tube was filled five to six times at 2–5-day intervals, and then allowed to dewater for 2 weeks before sampling the solid fraction in the tube. Separation efficiency improved from 79% to 99% for phosphorous and from 92% to 100% for organic nitrogen with chemical amendment. Time required for dewatering was significantly reduced by chemical amendment. Cost for the tube was approximately $10/m3 of recovered solids with no chemical amendment and cost including the chemicals was approximately $14/m3 of recovered solids.

High-Volume, Low-Speed (HVLS) fans were installed in a typical Southeastern US dairy free-stall barn, in addition to a more traditional High-Speed fan ventilation system. The systems were installed so that different sections of the barn can be ventilated using different cooling systems. Foggers were used in addition to fans to provide extra cooling under extremely hot conditions. Air speeds were more uniform throughout the barn, but were significantly lower in critical areas with HVLS fans as compared to conventional fans. Because of seasonal time limitations, only one set of data was taken in the fall of 2004. This preliminary data indicated that the internal temperature of cows cooled with HVLS fans was approximately 0.2o C (0.3o F) higher than those cooled by conventional high-speed fan ventilation.

A geotextile filtration tube was used to dewater lagoon solids from a first stage dairy lagoon. Slurry was pumped from the lagoon into the tube with filtered liquid seeping from the tube and returning to the lagoon. The experiment was repeated three times. Each time, the tube was filled five to six times at 2 to 5-day intervals and then allowed to dewater for an additional 2 weeks before sampling and spreading. The tube retained approximately 97% of the dry matter, 92% of organic nitrogen, 80% of TKN, 79% of phosphorus, and 36% of potassium. Separation efficiencies and dewatering of solids in the tube may be improved by the addition of chemical amendments. The process shows promise as an alternative for dewatering lagoon solids. Advantages of this technology include the fact that waste is safely contained as a solid, and the method provides flexibility in both timing and location of application so that it can be advantageously used on cropland. Limitations include the fact that waste must be handled twice (as a liquid, then a solid); the process does require some time for dewatering; and at this point, tubes cannot be reused and must be disposed of.

Reducing airborne dust in enclosed animal housing has been shown to result in corresponding reductions in airborne bacteria, ammonia and odor. Technologies that have been shown to be effective for reducing airborne dust in animal areas include misting with an oil spray, water mists, extra ventilation, and electrostatic space charge systems. Increasing pressure from environmental groups to reduce PM-10 and ammonia emissions from animal housing has led to considerable interest by the poultry and swine industries for practical systems to reduce these air pollutants. This presentation will describe an electrostatic space charge system (ESCS) that was designed to reduce airborne dust and ammonia emissions from a commercial broiler production house. The ESCS for this application was based on patented technology that was developed over a period of several years to reduce airborne dust and pathogens and proven in numerous research trials in poultry hatchers and growout areas. A recently completed study in a small broiler breeder house showed the ESCS reduced airborne dust by an average of 60%, ammonia by 56%, total bacteria by 76%, and it reduced the number of Salmonella infected broilers produced from eggs gathered in the study. Preliminary results of the present study in a broiler production house during the cool months of November through April indicate the ESCS reduced airborne dust by an average of 55% and ammonia by an average of 8% in a house with built-up litter. Later studies will include litter that is fresh or not over a few months old which is expected to improve the effectiveness of the ESCS for ammonia removal since a higher percentage of the ammonia produced would be on the dust that is removed.

Emission of ammonia gas from broiler houses has become an issue of concern. Yet most of the research that has been done on ammonia in poultry houses is more concerned with in-house air quality than with emissions, and most of the research has occurred in northern Europe where climatic conditions and perhaps management are different from that in the southeastern United States which is the area that produces the largest amount of poultry in the US. This research monitored ventilation rates and ammonia levels in a commercial broiler house in the southeastern United States to determine the approximate emission rates under hot and cool climatic conditions. In hot conditions, although ammonia concentrations were only in the 3 to 5 ppm range, extremely high ventilation rates resulted in estimated emissions of approximately 35 lb (16 kg) /day/house on some days. The instrument used to measure ammonia levels was not reliably accurate at concentrations below 5 ppm, however, and an error of 1 ppm at these high ventilation rates would result in an error of 20 lb (9 kg)/day/house. In cooler conditions, ammonia concentrations were higher, and ventilation rates were lower resulting in daily emissions similar to summer conditions. However, when the sensor was exposed to constant high levels of ammonia, the output became unstable, rendering these results questionable as well.