Environmental Conditions and Gas Concentrations in Deep-Pit Finishing Cattle Facilities: A Descriptive Study

Highlights Temperature and air movement in the naturally ventilated barns correlated to ambient conditions. Manure N-P-K values related solids distribution manure storage. Ammonia combined sulfur concentrations increased with closer proximity surface. Influences of properties, airflow conditions, barn design, management were evident for gas concentrations. Abstract . There is a lack data describe range environmental quality conditions beef cattle confinement buildings deep-pit The objective this article nutrient concentrations, aerial three storage finishing facilities varying weather Measurements collected from deep pits Minnesota on sampling days per summer, fall, spring temperatures throughout closely mirrored temperature although significantly lower sometimes at surface or inlet opening. However, floor surfaces had 2°C 5°C increases over temperatures. Air speeds through openings generally 40% wind speed; animal level, average speed was 1 3 m s-1. distributions not consistent between agitated (whole pit) samples, likely due part Total nitrogen levels ranged 4.5 6.7 g L-1, ammonium-N 50% 65% total N whole-pit samples. Phosphate potassium oxide 2.8 4.2 L-1 3.7 respectively. Aerial ammonia varied by location within barn, pen, season. Higher level one may have water and/or feed composition resulting nutrients, addition warmer At greatest concentration 8.5 ppm, 3.9 ppm nose level. Maximum maximum 270 ppb summer barns, while 52 during Carbon dioxide also season presence pen. This project first quantify slatted-floor contributes body knowledge that can be used develop process-based models estimating emissions facilities. Keywords: Airflow, Ammonia, Beef cattle, Confinement, Hydrogenslfide, characteristics, Temperature.