Compaction Study

The Doon Compaction Study was started in the spring of 1997. The goal was to determine the impact heavy grain carts might be having on the Moody soils and how deep-tilling might reduce the yield loss

Composting Swine Mortalities at Allee Farm: Lessons Learned

It is common to lose 10 to 15% of the newborn pigs during pasture farrowing season. Common losses during growing and finishing range from 2% to 4%. Our on-farm demonstration utilized an abandoned swine building to compost the year;s losses

Compaction Study

The Doon Compaction Study started in the spring of 1997. The goal was to determine the impact heavy grain carts and heavy manure spreaders might be having on the Moody soils and whether deep tilling could restore the yield

Spring Thaw Warrants Proper Precautions for Producers

Record snowfall this winter and predicted warm weather and rain in the coming weeks have set the stage for rapid melting and potential local and regional flooding. “Farmers need to consider the flooding possibilities and act now while the snow is still solid, allowing tractors and equipment to work,” said Kris Kohl, Iowa State University agricultural engineer. “With snow drifts and piles in new places, they may act as temporary dams and prevent runoff water from exiting through normal waterways and ditches. For farmsteads within the 100-year flood plain, consider moving forages and grain to higher ground or selling it.

Livestock Composting at the Allee Farm

Composting is becoming a popular way to handle livestock mortalities. The co-compost material, sometimes referred to as carbon source or bulking agent, is used to cover the mortalities and provide a microenvironment for bacteria. The co-compost material should be readily available, inexpensive, and free of pesticide residues. Some commonly used co-compost materials are turkey brooder litter, poultry litter, hoop barn manure, corn stalks, ground corncobs, wood shavings, and wood chips. Use of a compost thermometer is helpful to be sure that the process is occurring properly. Temperatures in the 110 to 150o F range indicate decay that will be fast and odor free whereas cold temperatures indicate problems

Alligator Farming Project

The project is investigating conversion of swine farrowing house mortalities into value added products using alligators. Alligator production in the southern states has been a successful farming operation for over 15 years. Currently the southern states produce about 500,000 alligators each year; about 80% are farm raised. Alligators can convert the swine mortalities into marketable products of meat and hides. Alligators need a warm environment and clean water in order to thrive. The recommended temperature is 89o F, with the performance directly related to the temperature. The temperature and building styles of commercial alligator farms are similar to swine nurseries

Mechanics of rill headcutting

Soil erosion has been a major concern in the United States for over a century. Water erosion accounts for about two thirds of this erosion. Past researchers have divided the erosion process into rill and interrill erosion components. Rill erosion process can be further divided into scouring, headcutting and side sloughing subprocesses. Headcuts are defined as local areas of intense erosion accompanied by an abrupt elevation change. To more accurately model the rill erosion process, headcutting mechanics were developed to mathematically model the phenomenon;Headcut erosion data were collected on seven soils in six states as part of the USDA Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP). Rill plots 9m long and 0.5m wide, were set up on 3% to 6% slopes. These plots were formed with cultivator shovels. A rotating boom rainfall simulator was used to simulate rainfall over the erosion plots. After equilibrium runoff was achieved, additional flows of 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 L/min were added to the top of each rill. During each flow addition, wooden stakes were placed adjacent to headcuts that formed in the rill and overhead stereo photographs were taken to determine the location of headcuts. Flow additions were repeated without rainfall. Headcut erosion was measured by calculating the volume of soil voided and multiplying this by the soil bulk density;Five models were developed using the principles of fluid mechanics. Statistical analyses indicated that two models, the total energy model and the vertical force model, were superior over other models tested. The energy model was based on the sum of the energy lost at each headcut. The vertical force model was based on the force in the plunge pool due to the flowing water. Coefficients of determination (r[superscript]2) using the energy model and the vertical force model were 0.85 and 0.84, respectively. Soil properties were correlated to the erodibilities calculated with the two models. Organic carbon had the highest correlation for the energy model erodibilities with a correlation coefficient of -0.95. Soil shear angle had the highest correlation for the vertical force model with a correlation coefficient of -0.89

Livestock and the environment in Sioux County

Why don\u27t livestock producers make the best use of their manure resources? How can they do a better job? Focus groups and a countywide survey in Iowa\u27s Sioux County, a major livestock producing area, were used to answer this question

Liquid Manure Analysis Comparisons

Sioux County, Iowa, has by far the highest concentration of livestock in northwest Iowa. According to the 1997 Census of Agriculture, there were 174,053 cattle and calves, and 762,294 hogs and pigs. Land application of manure can create environmental risks to surface and ground water. The main objective of the Sioux County Manure Project is to (a) identify problems with manure application and (b) develop information that livestock producers can use to improve management of manure as a fertilizer source, match manure nutrient application to crop needs, and reduce negative environmental impacts. This part of the project was to identify nutrient levels present in manure so that better nutrient planning for crops can take place. Manure from several operations was compared for nutrient value; then, manure samples collected during application of manure were compared with samples collected before application