Volatilization of Ammonia in Deep-litter Systems with Different Bedding Materials for Young Cattle

Ammonia volatilization from animal husbandry contribute to the total nitrogen deposition, causing acidification and eutrophication. The objective of this investigation was to compare ammonia volatilization from deep-litter housing systems using different bedding material and to compare the ammonia volatilization from the beds with that from the manure alley. Four different bedding materials were compared; long straw, chopped straw (with and without an additive) and a mixture with 60% peat and 40% chopped straw. The effect of an additive containing sea algae and vegetable oils on ammonia emission was evaluated. The experiments were conducted during a six-month period in four bedded pens with a manure alley for young cattle. The ammonia emission rate from the beds and the manure alley, the temperature in the beds, the chemical composition of the bedding materials, the thickness of the beds and the cleanliness of the cattle were determined in the investigation. Six ventilated chambers were used to measure the ammonia emission rate. The ammonia emission rate from the bed with a bedding mixture of 60% peat and 40% chopped straw (dry matter weight) was significantly less than from the beds with long straw or chopped straw. The mixture of peat and chopped straw was estimated to reduce the ammonia emission by 57% compared with long straw. The ammonia emission rate from the manure alley (solid floor) was significantly less than from the bedding area with long straw or chopped straw as bedding material. From the manure alley, the ammonia emission was estimated to be 40% of the emission from the bedding area with long straw. The additive evaluated did not have any effect on the ammonia rate. It was also found that the temperature was an important factor for ammonia emission rate.