Animal Science, Department of
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports
Date of this Version
2022
Citation
2022 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report
UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
Two mass balance experiments were conducted during winter and summer seasons to evaluate the effect of spreading biochar on the feedlot pen surface on manure nutrient retention. The winter experiment (Dec to June) evaluated three treatments including biochar spread to pen surface (approximately 54 lb of biochar per steer), hydrated lime spread to pen surface (cooperation with UNL Environmental Engineering; approximately 68 lb per steer) and negative control (no treatment applied). The summer experiment (June to Nov) evaluated biochar treatment (approximately 68 lb of biochar per steer) against negative control. Biochar utilized in winter and summer was unprocessed and sourced from Eastern red cedar. Biochar addition to the feedlot pen surface increased N concentration in manure but did not translate into increased lb of N or P removed from feedlot pens (mass balance) for both experiments. There was a significant improvement in steer average daily gain for biochar addition in the summer, with no impact on steer performance or carcass characteristics for winter
Included in
Large or Food Animal and Equine Medicine Commons, Meat Science Commons, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons