Rocky Mountain National Park Early Warning System

Reducing Ammonia Emissions from Animal Production Systems

In animal production systems, ammonia emissions most often originate from urea-nitrogen in urine or feces. Most of that nitrogen enters the animal as feed protein, which producers want to convert to meat or milk. The best means of reducing ammonia emissions is to maximize the amount of protein utilized by the animal, thereby capturing the maximum value from the feed input and minimizing negative environmental consequences.

Even when rations are balanced to provide the optimal levels of crude protein in the most available forms, some portion of nitrogen fed will be passed through the animal. Some general management strategies for minimizing ammonia emissions from animal production systems include

When a warning is issued

When a warning is issued that an air mass in eastern Colorado is likely to move into RMNP and move nitrogen into the Park, some practices that may be employed to reduce emissions during a warning period include:

  • Delay disturbing manure by cleaning pens, turning compost piles, or loading out manure or compost until the warning period expires. These practices lead to large, short-term releases of ammonia.
  • Sprinkling pens with sufficient water to reduce the concentration of ammonia on the pen surface.
  • Delay aerating lagoons. Aeration leads to short-term bursts of ammonia emissions.
  • Add cover to compost, solid manure, or mortality disposal areas daily or with each addition of manure. Adding acidification agents such as alum to compost and manure piles can significantly reduce emissions temporarily.
  • Increase the frequency with which alleyways are flushed to remove manure and urine.
  • Delay draining pull-plug waste systems, pumping or aerating open-air lagoon system, and applying manure to fields except by injection. If applications must be made, incorporate manure or effluent immediately.
  • Avoid land application of solid manure by spreader truck and application of lagoon effluent by sprinkler or spray truck.

Additional Assistance

For additional assistance identifying sources of air emissions at animal feeding operations and/ or means of reducing emissions, visit the National Air Quality Site Assessment Tool (NAQSAT) website and the following Extension Fact Sheets produced by Colorado State University:

Resources

Reducing Ammonia Emissions

Animal Production Systems
Crop Production Systems