Energy and Nutrient Recovery fromCattle Feedlots

Authors

Roger A. Eigenberg, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Bryan L. Woodbury, U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterFollow
Brent Auvermann, Texas A&M University
Mindy J. Spiehs, U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterFollow

Date of this Version

2011

Document Type

Article

Citation

International Scholarly Research Network

ISRN Renewable Energy

Volume 2012, Article ID 723829, 5 pages

doi:10.5402/2012/723829

Comments

Copyright © 2012 Roger A. Eigenberg et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License

Abstract

Selective harvesting of manure can benefit cattle producers by creating a product of value. A tool that identifies locations of manure accumulation has been developed using a subsurface sensor (Dualem-1S, Milton, ON) and software designed for salt mapping (ESAP, Riverside, CA). The combination allowed the development of models to estimate higher heating value (HHV) of feedlot manure across a feedlot pen. Soil sample data from cattle feedlots in Texas and Nebraska were analyzed for volatile solids (VSs) then combined with the Dualem-1S apparent soil conductivity (EC_a) data to produce models having correlations between associated EC_a values and VS (r² = 0.869, VS). A corresponding model is under development to estimate the moisture content of the collectable solids. The combined models allow real-time spatial estimates of HHV within a feedlot pen. These methods will allow direct harvesting of VS for use as a recoverable energy source through direct combustion or cocombustion.