In the heart of Texas, researchers are tackling a pressing issue for the beef industry and the energy sector: ammonia emissions from cattle feedyards. Myeongseong Lee, a scientist at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Amarillo, has led a comprehensive review of the current state of science on this topic, published in the journal *Frontiers in Animal Science* (which translates to *Frontiers in Animal Science* in English). The findings could have significant implications for air quality, sustainable agriculture, and even energy production.
Ammonia emissions from beef cattle feedyards primarily originate from urinary urea in cattle manure. Historically, these emissions were estimated using constant factors, but Lee’s review highlights the advancements in process-based mechanistic models that now provide more accurate estimates. These models consider various factors affecting ammonia emissions, such as diet composition, manure management practices, and environmental conditions.
“The average ammonia emissions from a beef cattle feedyard is approximately 119 grams per head per day,” Lee explains. “However, this number can vary significantly, ranging from 24 to 318 grams per head per day, depending on various factors.” This variability underscores the need for more precise inventories of ammonia emissions, categorized by factors like crude protein percentage, manure management practices, and feedyard environment.
The review also explores mitigation strategies to reduce ammonia emissions. Precision diet feeding, which aims to meet but not exceed protein requirements, appears to be the most practical approach. “By optimizing the diet, we can reduce ammonia emissions over the animals’ feeding period,” Lee notes. Other strategies, such as growth-promoting technologies and manure or pen-surface amendments, show promise but require further research to validate their efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
For the energy sector, understanding and mitigating ammonia emissions is crucial. Ammonia is a precursor to particulate matter, which can impact air quality and human health. Moreover, ammonia emissions can contribute to the formation of secondary pollutants, which can affect energy production and distribution infrastructure.
The research conducted by Lee and his team could shape future developments in feedyard management practices and emission mitigation strategies. By providing more accurate estimates of ammonia emissions and identifying effective mitigation strategies, this work can help the beef industry reduce its environmental impact and comply with regulatory standards.
As the world moves towards sustainable agriculture and cleaner energy, the insights from this review become increasingly valuable. By addressing ammonia emissions, the beef industry can contribute to improved air quality and a healthier environment, ultimately benefiting both the agricultural and energy sectors.