USDA-AGRICULTURAL AIR QUALTY TASK FORCE

 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON

CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS (CAFO)

                                                 --Report of Activities & Progress—

                                                            January 16-17, 2002

 

Action Plan Elements:

  1. Apprise the AAQTF of current CAFO air quality issues and developments:

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A. Recent Accomplishments:

                                                  i.                   “Ammonia Emissions from CAFOs”, Sweeten et al., Oct. 2001.

                                                ii.                   “Atmospheric Ammonia/Ammonium Concentrations in Eastern North Carolina”, Robarge et al., Oct. 2001.

 

B. New Developments & Focus Items:

·        Respond to EPA’s forthcoming new draft and/or final CAFO rules and effluent limitations guidelines to be promulgated by December 15, 2002; specifically, the air quality-related provisions of said rule will be monitored, interpreted and made available to AAQTF members and users.

·        Promote/encourage submittal of technical papers and sessions on technology/issues being addressed by the AAQTF for forthcoming scientific conferences, including:

o               Third International Conference on Air Pollution from Agricultural Operations; ASAE conference to be held Oct. 11-14, 2003, Raleigh N C. (proposal due date May 15, 2002);

o              American Meteorological Society (Agriculture and Forest Meteorology Meeting), 2003.

 

·        Promote/encourage participation in professional scientific meetings in 2002 involving agricultural air quality, including:  ASAE/CIGR International Annual Meeting, Chicago, July, 2002; Air & Waste Management Association, Baltimore, June 23-25, 2002; etc.

·        Review state standards for air quality constituents outside of NAAQS-regulated compounds (e.g. H2S, NH3, odor, VOC, etc.).

 

  1. Critically review the current knowledge-base relating to CAFOs and air quality:

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A. Recent Accomplishments:

 

                                                  i.                   Sweeten, Jacobson, Heber, et al. “Odor Mitigation for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations: White Paper & Recommendations”  (54 p); Parnell, peer reviewer.

                                                ii.                   Auvermann, Bottcher, Heber, Meyer, Parnell, Shaw, Worley. “Particulate Matter Emissions for Animal Feeding Operations: Management and Control Measures”, (40 p.);

                                               iii.                   Arogo, Westerman, Heber, Robarge, Classen. “Ammonia emissions from Animal Feeding Operations.” (Sweeten, peer reviewer)

Other air-quality related titles in the series included:

                                              iv.                   Jacobson, et al. “Site Selection of Animal Operations Using Air Quality Criteria”.

                                                v.                   Bicudo, et al. Air Quality & Emissions from Livestock & Poultry Production/Waste Management Systems”.

                                              vi.                   Schiffman, Auvermann, Bottcher. “Health Effects of Aerial Emissions from Animal Production & Waste Management Systems”.

 

 

B. New Developments & Focus Items:

 

  1. Promote the activities of the AAQTF with regard to CAFOs and air quality:

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A. Recent Accomplishments:

 

                                                  i.                   Texas ($640,000) for cattle feedlot and dairy emissions (includes: WTAMU, TAMU, USDA-ARS, & KSU); and

                                                ii.                   California ($400,000) for dairy emissions (UC-Davis & TAMU).

                                                  i.                   University of Minnesota,  $ 2.17 million to 6-state consortium. UMN, UIL, Purdue, ISU, NCSU, TAMU.  Emissions from swine confinement buildings.

                                                ii.                   Texas A & M University, TAES-Amarillo—Feedlot nutrition management. ~$ 80,000 of $ 300,000 grant for ammonia emissions control.

·        USDA-ARS, Bushland TX—Section 224 funding (~$1,000,000 FY01), feedlot nutrition, including (<$ 100,000) for development of ration controls to effect reduced ammonia emissions.

 

B. New Developments & Focus Items:

·        Implementation of NC Attorney General/Smithfield Foods Agreement includes AAQTF members serving in these capacities to develop environmentally superior technologies, via NCSU Animal & Poultry Waste management Center:

o              Technology Review Panel—J. M. Sweeten

o              Technology evaluation-V. Aneja, PI and Program Scientist–Project OPEN (Odor, Pathogens, and Emissions of Nitrogen). Also involves W. Robarge and others.

 

·        Implementation of MO Attorney General/Premium Standard Farms Agreement—includes AAQTF member (Sweeten) serving on Technology Review Team.

·        Continue to review and interpret the EPA/Office of Water’s 2002 Effluent Limitations Guidelines vis a vis air quality provisions, as appropriate.

 

  1. Enhance outreach activities of AAQTF with regard to CAFOs and air quality:

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A. Recent Accomplishments:

 

 

B. New Developments & Focus Items: