Composting as a Means of Disposal of Sheep Mortalities

Four studies explored the feasibility of year-round composting of lamb and mature sheep mortalities within the arid climate of the Canadian prairies. In all studies, a ratio of 2:1:1 (manure : mortalities : chopped straw) was maintained, although depth of the mortality layer within the bin, number of layers of mortalities per bin, age of animal (lamb or mature sheep) and time of year (summer or winter) were varied. Composting neonatal lambs in the spring/summer was successful whether a single layer (n=15 lambs, weight 99.7 kg) or two, separated layers of mortalities (n=41 lambs, weight 198 kg) were added to a 2.4 m³ open bin. Residual bone, wool and soft tissues were negligible after the lamb compost had completed one heating cycle. In contrast, composting mature sheep in the fall/winter was more difficult due to: (1) over wet manure (31% dry matter) resulting in continuous anaerobic decomposition of carcasses; (2) fat/grease accumulation when composting a layer of carcasses 71 cm in depth (weight of sheep 1020 kg). For mature sheep mortalities, 2 heating cycles were required to eliminate soft tissues and wool. As compost in all studies heated in excess of 60°C in the primary and/or secondary bin, bacterial isolates taken after the compost completed the secondary heating cycle were all innocuous species. Provided that compost is protected from excessive moisture and compost is aerated by turning into a secondary bin, a 2:1:1 (manure:mortalities:straw) ratio allowed for year-round composting of lamb and mature sheep mortalities.     

Literature Review: Occurrence,Degradation and Fate of Pesticides During Composting: Part II: Occurrence and Fate of Pesticides in Compost and Composting Systems

This paper reviews the findings of research reported in the currently available literature regarding the occurrence and transformations of pesticides through the composting process and the use of compost. Part I summarizes the composting process, pesticides and mechanisms of pesticide degradation. Part II reviews research studies concerning the occurrence and fate of pesticides during composting. Investigations of pesticide residues in composting feedstocks and finished compost detected few of the target pesticides. The compounds that were found occurred at low concentrations. The majority of the compounds detected were insecticides in the organochlorine category, including chemicals that have been banned from use in the U.S. for many years. Generally, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and most herbicides were rarely detected. Comparisons of pesticide concentrations before and after composting also showed organochlorine compounds to be most resistant to biodegradation during composting. With some exceptions, pesticides in other categories decomposed moderately well to very well. Studies that followed the mechanisms of degradation indicate that mineralization accounts for only a small portion of pesticide disappearance. Other prominent fates include partial degradation to secondary compounds, adsorption, humification, and volatilization. In general the research results suggest that the pattern of pesticide degradation during composting is similar to the degradatiion observed in soils. With a few important distinctions, composting can be considered a biologically active soil environment in which degradation is accelerated. However, as some studies noted, composting does not always speed the degradation of all pesticides. The nature of the pesticide, specific composting conditions and procedures, the microbial communities present, and the duration of composting affect the extent and the mechanisms of degradation.     

Review of The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm

Collaborative ventures between industry and professional association represent a strategy to maximize resources for a mutual goal. As a cooperative venture, The American Dietetic Association co-sponsored with Kraft General Foods, Inc. and The Good Housekeeping Institute a survey on American's diet and nutrition habits. The survey findings focused on consumer's behaviors, attitudes, knowledge and obstacles toward diet and nutrition. The results from the survey are being used to create and expand nutrition education campaings to the public.     

The Importance of Chelation in Composting: A Historical Perspective

? Much more research is presently being done on composting organic wastes than on humification in the soil. Humus research has therefore been reincarnated in the form of composting research. However, chelation is a neglected but important chemical reaction in composting and the utilization of compost as a soil amendment, just as it has been in soil formation and soil fertility. Research is needed to clarify the role of chelation in composting. It is also important to recognize the limitations in interpreting results from compost research in which the role of chelation was not considered.     

A Model for Temperature Dependency of Thermophilic Composting Process Rate

To suit the purpose of composting, an optimal control of the composting process will be advantageous. Modeling may be useful for predicting how a composting process will proceed, both for the purpose of dimensioning a process plant and for planning the process runs. It may also be applicable for process control. If an applicable mathematic model can be created from a reasonably simple theoretic basis, it may have advantages compared to an empirical model. An equation for the temperature dependency of decomposition rate is proposed for modeling thermophilic composting processes. The equation is derived from a simple chemical model, including enzyme activity applying the Arrhenius equation.     

Open-Air Windrows for Winter Disposal of Frozen Cattle Mortalities: Effects of Ambient Temperature and Mortality Layering

After imposition of fees for disposal of cattle carcasses by the rendering industry, on-farm methods of mortality disposal are being investigated. Three open-air mortality compost windrows were constructed in January (JAN) and February (FEB) of 2004 in the cold, semiarid climate of southern Alberta, Canada. Windrow A included a base of barley straw a minimum of 46 cm thick, a layer of cattle mortalities (n=12) and a layer of stockpiled manure (minimum of 46 cm) covering the mortalities. Windrows B and C also had a bottom layer of barley straw, with windrow B containing 9 mortalities in 2 layers and windrow C containing 12 mortalities in 3 layers. Due to ambient temperatures > 0°C, carcasses (range 236 to 673 kg) were frozen at the time of windrow construction. Type ‘T’ thermocouples were embedded at the base of B and C windrows and temperatures within 120 cm of the surface were measured using a stainless steel dial probe. Windrows were turned 3 times at 3 mo intervals. Samples were collected from initial compost amendments and prior to each turning for determination of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), N, C and coliform bacteria. Ambient temperature was 13°C higher (P < 0.05) for the initial heating of FEB as compared to JAN compost, although the rate of compost temperature decline did not differ between replicates in this period. Days at maximum temperature did not differ between replicates and maximum temperatures in all windrows exceeded 55°C. After 3 heating periods and 9 mo, flesh was not evident and only fragments of bones (max wt. 740 g) were found. Results of this study demonstrate that ambient temperatures < 0°C and frozen mortalities provide no barrier to the use of open-air windrows for disposal of cattle mortalities. As well, stacking up to 3 layers of full-sized cattle mortalities in a windrow did not affect temperature profiles, residual flesh or bone, or analyses of the finished compost. Under the climatic conditions of southern Alberta, layering mortalities would reduce space requirements for large-animal mortality composting in a feedlot setting.     

Nutrient Management Options for Florida Citrus: A Review of NPK Application and Analytical Methods

Citrus production in Florida is ranked first in the United States. Success of the citrus industry in the state relies heavily on sound water and nutrient management practices. Recently, citrus production has been declining due to the escalating prevalence of the citrus greening (Liberibacter asiaticus) and canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis) diseases. One option being explored is the manipulation of nutrient management scenarios to increase and enhance tree productivity. The paper presents a review of the management, analytical and application methods of three major nutrients Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) on Florida's sandy soils with low organic matter (OM) and high leaching potential due to heavy annual rains (～1200 mm). The NPK management options for Florida citrus are compared with those of other citrus producing regions around the world. Also, the critical tissue and soil nutrient concentrations for optimal and high citrus production are discussed. The review paper should provide important nutrient management guidelines to citrus growers in Florida and other regions with similar climatic and soil conditions.     

Chemical Evaluation of Sewage Sludge Composting as a Mature Indicator for Composting Process

Several chemical parameters were studied during a 100 daysperiod in order to identify parameters that can be used asindicators of compost maturity. One treatment was a mixture ofsewage sludge and sawdust (TS); another was a mixture of sewagesludge, pig manure and sawdust (TS-PM). The pH of water extractsincreased during the thermophilic phase and then decreased in twotreatments. While the electrical conductivity (EC) decreasedthroughout the composting time. The 4.99% in the change ofvolatile matter of TS-PM was higher than 1.73% in that of TS,at the same time, the change of organic carbon were 5.04% inTS-PM more than 3.82% of TS. Total nitrogen content in TS andTS-PM had a markedly increase tendence during composting, andthe change in TS-PM was very more obvious than in TS, soreduction of C/N ratio in TS-PM was higher than in TS, C/Nratio of TS-PM and TS was 14.39 and 18.57 in mature production,respectively. Carbon content in HA plus FA and HA in twocomposts decreased from 0 to 100 day, but carbon content of FAdecreased, so HA-C/FA-C ratio, HR, HI has a markedly increase inTS and TS-PM, and the parameters in TS-PM were higher than inTS. The points expressing maturity degree in TS-PM was more inTS. The nitrogen content of HA plus and HA showed a increasedtendence in TS and TS-PM, the change of nitrogen of thesefractions in TS-PM was higher than in TS, so C/N ratio of allfractions including HA plus FA, HA and FA, indicated a reductiontendence, and the refuction in FA was larger than in HA. E4/E6ratio of HA plus FA and HA decreased during composting, and one FA was increase. E4/E6 ratio of HA plus FA and HA in TS-PM wasvery smaller than in TS, HA in TS-PM was a larger molecular sizethan HA in TS. The changes of organic matter compositions incomposting: the crude fat and carbohydrates had a markedlyreduction and cellulose plus hemicellulose had a slight decrease;crude protein and lignin content in TS and TS-PM had an increasetendence.     

规模养殖场的环境监测与智能控制综述

综述了温度、湿度和氨气检测的人工方法,基于单片机的有线方法、遥测的无线方法和物联网的四类方法。分析了改变环境温度、湿度和氨气因素的控制方法及其主要问题,指出了规模养殖场的环境监测和智能控制的最新研究方向。     

Evaluation of Organic Wastes for Composting

Management of organic wastes is essential to reduce environmental pollution and increase resources of plane nutrients for crop production. This study was undertaken to evaluate major organic wastes produced in northwestern Pakistan for characteristics that are useful for composting. Organic wastes such as manures, municipal wastes (MW), crop residues, fruit/vegetable wastes, and yard wastes contained large reserves of nutrients. Manures had high nitrogen (N) and crop residues had low N. Crop residues were relatively dry (7–12% moisture); MW, poultry manure, sheep manure, leaves, and city garbage were moderately moist (27–47% moisture), whereas cattle manure (CM), fruit and vegetable wastes, and grass clippings were wet (62–89% moisture). The compost developed from mixing MW with CM matured early and had low C/N ratio compared with either source alone. These results suggested that MW could be converted into compost when mixed with CM. The inoculation of wastes with effective microbes (EM) was ineffective in expediting the process of composting.     

A Comparison of Different Bulking Agents for the Composting of Fish Offal

An experiment comparing the effectiveness of three different bulking agents in the composting of fish processing wastes was carried out using small-scale composters operated at ambient temperatures. Fish offal was mixed with each of peat moss, sawdust and wood shavings in a 5:1 ratio by weight. The mixed materials were left undisturbed in the composters for an initial 55 days. They were then mixed and reloaded into their respective composters for a further 95 days of composting. Temperatures were monitored throughout the experiment, while serial physical and chemical analyses of the compost materials were initiated after the mixing. Headspace-gas chromatography was also used to determine the levels of phytotoxic organic acids and phenol. All the compost piles reached thermophilic temperature levels (40–70°C). Due to insufficient pile mass, temperatures over 55°C were not sustained for a sufficient length of time to satisfy the EPA requirements for pathogen reduction. The temperature profiles suggest that ambient temperatures near the freezing point can significantly influence the temperature of compost piles with volumes of 63 liters or less. The results reaffirm the potential of composting as a viable option for utilizing fish processing wastes and the suitability of peat moss, sawdust, and wood shavings as bulking materials. The physical and chemical qualities of the 150-day old composts were comparable to other seafood compost products. Peat moss gave the best results in terms of nitrogen conservation, but is the most expensive option. Monitoring the concentrations of phytotoxic organic acids and phenol using headspace-gas chromatography proved to be a useful method for establishing compost maturity.     

A Method for Determining the Ultimate Fate of Synthetic Chemicals during Composting

? Pollution control workers have proposed composting as a bioremediation method for the cleanup of contaminated soil and for the detoxification of hazardous organic chemicals. However, decomposition (mineralization to CO₂ and H₂O) may not always be enhanced by composting, and transformation products of unknown risk may accumulate during composting. This paper presents a scientifically based scheme to determine the ultimate fate of synthetic materials in a composting environment, and for studying factors that may control the degradation of specific chemicals including herbicides (e.g., substrate bioavailability, enzyme concentrations, environmental conditions).     

A Cost Analysis of Municipal Yard Trimmings Composting

? The costs of building and operating open windrow municipal yard trimmings composting facilities of different sizes and levels of technical sophistication are analyzed. Per ton costs of composting are found to be competitive with the costs of operating a lined sanitary landfill. Unpaved, minimal tech facilities are considerably cheaper to build and operate than more sophisticated facilities; however, the low quality of the material produced by such facilities may significantly limit the amount of that product that can be marketed (or even given away). Economies of scale clearly favor more sophisticated systems at larger annual volumes. At lower annual volumes, composting systems featuring specialized equipment like compost turners and shredders are not likely to be cost effective.     

Composting for the Treatment of Cattle Wastes

? Livestock farming in England and Wales is estimated to produce an annual figure of 200 million tons of animal excreta, half generated by the dairy cattle industry. In the United Kingdom, the structure of the cattle industry has shifted from large numbers of small dairy farms to fewer but larger units. The national average herd size increased from 26 to 42 and finally to 64 animals in 1965, 1975 and 1985, respectively. The latest census revealed that currently there were 2.44 million dairy cows and 9.45 million other cattle and calves in the United Kingdom (total 11.89 million), third place after France (21.50 million) and Germany (19.51 million) in the EEC countries.     

A Kinetic Model of the Yard Waste Composting Process

A new kinetic concept was applied to the yard waste composting process. Yard waste mixtures with different fractions of grass clippings were composted in pilot-scale vessels. Ammonia emissions were highest with high fractions of grass clippings. Calculation of reaction rate constants was based on heat and materials balances. Although the compost mass ratios (a dimensionless number that describes how far the process has advanced) of the mixtures after composting were similar, their chemical and biological analyses reveal differences. A first order reaction model is presented that can be used for plant design. The effects of temperature and particle size on process kinetics need to be investigated further.     

农业机械室内动态模拟试验装置研制

为研究地面不平度对土壤机器系统工作性能的影响,研制了一套属无静差随动系统动态模拟试验装置,它主要由信号处理,输入环节,脉宽调节电路,驱动电路,电流传感器,位移传感器反馈环节等组成。该装置用于试验研究田间作业机械低频(≤10Hz)大振幅(≤100mm)信号的动态响应特性,试验表明,模拟精度较高。