Shafiqur Rahman, NDSU Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Ruminant livestock is the predominant source of enteric methane emissions to the atmosphere, whereas manure storage and treatment are the primary sources of methane and N2O emissions resulting from manure management. A recent report from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 2013) of the United Nations indicated that the main sources of GHG emissions are: feed production and processing (45% of the total), enteric fermentation by cows (39%) and manure decomposition (10%). In ruminant livestock, methane generation depends on the animal type, daily feed intake, and quality of diet, while GHG emissions from storage and treatment of manure depend on the type of storage, duration of storage, ambient temperature, and manure management practices.
According to USDA, about 4.45 million bushels of corn are using an animal feed. At the same time, the growth of the ethanol industry is generating a substantial amount of by-products (e.g., DDGS) that increasingly add to livestock diets. Use of the DDGS in livestock diets is expanding because of its feed value as well as its price advantage over traditional feed sources and easy availability in this region. The use of DDGS and other food processing by-products in livestock diets are expanding which may change pollutant gas and GHG emissions, but that information is lacking in North Dakota
At present no portable field instrument is available at NDSU to monitor pollutant gases including ammonia and GHGs continuously for an extended period of time. Therefore, the specific objective of this grant request is to fund for the purchase of a Photoacoustic Gas Analyzer (INNOVA 1412), which is necessary to continuously monitor CO2, NH3, CH4, and N2O for the successful continuance and expansion of current research programs of the PI and collaborating scientists. This project is aligned with ND Corn Council competitive grants program for FY 2014-15 entitled, “Projects and research that address the odor and environmental issues related to confined animal feeding operation”. Therefore, the acquisition of the INNOVA 1412 is the objective of this proposal.
The total cost for the INNOVA 1412 is $75K. The NDCC has provided partial funding of $25K to purchase this instrument. This instrument has been purchased and it is in my laboratory (Waldron 210). Extramural funding is sought for conducting research with this instrument.