Management Impacts on Ammonia Volatilization from Swine Manure

Ammonia released from swine manure into the air is becoming an increasingly controversial topic in Iowa. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of several management strategies to reduce ammonia volatilization from swine manure over time. In six benchtop trials using twenty-four 1-L manure storage vessels, treatments were applied to the vessels, and manure and air samples were analyzed for concentrations of ammonia and other forms of nitrogen. Segregated storage of urine and feces, keeping manure cool and still, addition of yucca extract, and acidification reduced ammonia volatilization.