6/9/97

Contacts:
Colin Scanes, Executive Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, (515) 294-1823
Brian Meyer, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-0706

NEW PROJECTS BEGIN IN SIX-STATE ANIMAL WASTE CONSORTIUM

AMES, Iowa -- Researchers at six universities are beginning new projects aimed at improving livestock manure management and odor control.

The Multi-state Consortium on Animal Waste recently announced its projects for 1997-98. The consortium conducts research on economically viable and environmentally sound ways to help producers address livestock manure and odor problems. Research focuses on swine, but may have applications in other livestock production areas.

The consortium was formed by Iowa State University and North Carolina State University in February 1996. Since then, the University of Missouri, Oklahoma State University, Michigan State University and Purdue University have become members. The consortium aims to boost research collaborations among the institutions and to help ensure efforts aren't duplicated.

Iowa leads the nation in hog production. North Carolina is second; Indiana, fifth; Missouri, seventh; Oklahoma, 11th; and Michigan, 12th.

Consortium projects involve researchers at two or more universities. New projects involving ISU researchers include:

• Researchers from ISU, Purdue, Oklahoma State and others will try to change swine diets so that less manure and less odor are produced.
• ISU and North Carolina State agricultural engineers will evaluate methods to remove dust and odor from ventilation air exhausted from swine facilities.
• ISU, Purdue and North Carolina State researchers will conduct field tests on a commercial odor-reduction product to measure its effects on indoor air quality, outdoor emissions and pig health and performance in swine-finishing facilities.
• ISU and Purdue agricultural engineers will develop precision-management methods to help farmers improve the application of liquid manure to crop land.
• ISU agricultural engineers and University of Missouri agricultural economists will develop tools that help livestock producers evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of livestock production before building new facilities.
• Researchers at ISU, University of Missouri and Michigan State will study the use of near infrared technology to quickly and precisely determine the nutrient value of manure.
• Researchers at all six universities will plan a conference to bring together experts from many fields to discuss innovative studies in organic waste management, and to discuss future research directions.

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