Open AccessTHE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NEW BEDDING MATERIALS ON AMMONIA EMISSION FROM DAIRY COW SLURRY
Author(s) -
Maarit Hellstedt,
Hannu E.S. Haapala
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
agrofor
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2490-3442
pISSN - 2490-3434
DOI - 10.7251/agreng2003021h
Subject(s) - peat , slurry , ammonia , environmental science , manure , pellets , bedding , poultry litter , litter , nutrient , ammonia volatilization from urea , pulp and paper industry , waste management , environmental engineering , agronomy , chemistry , materials science , composite material , ecology , organic chemistry , horticulture , biology , engineering
Agriculture is the most significant source of Ammonia emission that causes e.g. loss of Nitrogen from agricultural systems. Manure is the main source of Ammonia emissions and causes losses in the nutrient cycles of agriculture as well as local odour nuisance. By using different bedding materials, it is possible to reduce both the Ammonia emissions and to improve the cycling of nutrient. Peat is known as an effective litter material but its use as a virtually non-renewable resource is questionable. Therefore, we need to find new bedding materials to replace peat. In this study, the effect of ten different industrial by-products, reeds and stalks to reduce Ammonia emissions was tested in laboratory in January 2020. Dairy cow slurry and bedding materials were mixed in a volume ratio of 4:1. The Ammonia emission was measured for two weeks once or twice a day. Measurements were performed with a photoacoustic method. The results show that all tested materials reduce the Ammonia emission from the cow slurry used. Interesting new materials to substitute peat are zero fiber and briquetted textile waste. Wheat bran, pellets made of reed canary grass and chopped bulrush had the best effect which is at the same level as that of peat. However, no statistically significant differences between the calculated emission rates were found.