EPA-600/2-76-188 September 1976 Environmental Protection Technology Series ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ada, Oklahoma 74820 ------- RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have been grouped into five series. These five broad categories were established to facilitate further development and application of environmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields. The five series are: 1. Environmental Health Effects Research 2. Environmental Protection Technology 3. Ecological Research 4. Environmental Monitoring 5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY series. This series describes research performed to develop and demonstrate instrumentation, equipment, and methodology to repair or prevent environmental degradation from point and non-point sources of pollution. This work provides the new or improved technology required for the control and treatment of pollution sources to meet environmental quality standards. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa- tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161. ------- EPA-600/2-76-188 September 1976 ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS by Maurice L. Horton John L. Wiersma James L. Halbeisen Water Resources Institute South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota 57006 Grant Number S-802532 Project Officer Douglas Kreis Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory Ada, Oklahoma 74820 ROBERT S. KERR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ADA, OKLAHOMA 74820 ------- DISCLAIMER This report has been reviewed by the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publica- tion. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. ii ------- ABSTRACT The effect of salt level of the ration for beef steers upon salinity of the waste and the effects of the applied waste upon the soil and upon crop production was investigated. In addition, the study was conducted in both covered and open feedlot pens to study the effect of shelter in a northern climate upon animal performance and waste characteristics. The field portion of the study included four rates of waste up to 179 MT/ha. applied to plots 0.02 ha. in size. Detailed soil analyses were made which included salinity, nutrients, cations, and the dis- persion hazard as indicated by the level of exchangeable sodium. The levels of salt used in the ration appeared to have little or no effect on animal performance; however, the salinity and sodium levels of the waste were directly affected. The salinity level of the sur- face 30 cm of soil where high rates of waste were applied was suf- ficiently high to affect the growth of corn. The lack of leaching water caused a maximum effect of the applied waste in the surface layer. This report was submitted in fulfillment of Grant Number S-802532 by the Water Resources Institute, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, under the partial sponsorship of the Environ- mental Protection Agency. Work was completed as of December, 1974. iii ------- CONTENTS Sections Page I Conclusions 1 II Recommendations 3 III Introduction 4 IV Facilities !0 V Climatic Data and Animal Environment 12 VI Materials and Methods 19 VII Results and Discussion 31 VIII Literature Cited 52 IX Glossary of Abbreviations and Symbols 55 X Appendix 57 ------- LIST OF FIGURES Number Page 1 Feedlot facilities 11 2 Temperature variation in open and covered 18 pens 3 Waste incorporation and plot preparation 21 4 Field plots showing relative elevations 23 5 Soils map of plot area 24 6 Soil sampling 27 7 Field installation for runoff 30 vi ------- LIST OF TABLES Number Page 1 Temperature and precipitation records 13 for the Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm 2 Monthly precipitation summary for the 17 Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm during the period October 1973 through September 197A 3 Detailed profile description of the Egan 25 silty clay loam soil 4 Animal performance 32 5 Dry matter waste production 33 6 Waste analyses 34 7 Waste rates from the low NaCl ration 35 applied to field plots 8 Waste rates from the high NaCl ration 36 applied to field plots 9 Bacteriological characteristics of beef 37 waste 10 Leaf analyses of corn plants harvested 38 at silking from plots receiving the indicated amounts of waste 11 Yield of ear corn and silage from plots 39 receiving four rates of applied beef waste 12 Soil analyses: Chlorides, electrical 40 conductivity and pH 13 Soil analyses: Nitrogen and phosphorus 41 vii ------- Number Page 14 Soil analyses for plots receiving the 42 indicated amounts of waste 15 Analysis of variance for exchangeable 43 Na in soil 16 The mean values for exchangeable Na 44 (meq/lOOg) for the main effects and interactions which are significant 17 Equations developed for exchangeable Na 45 from the multiple regression analysis and significance of the equations 18 Analysis of variance results for exchange- 46 able K in soil 19 The mean values for exchangeable K (meq/lOOg) 47 for the main effects which are signifi- cant at the .01 level 20 Equations developed for exchangeable K 48 from the multiple regression analysis and significance of the equations 21 Analysis of variance results for EC in 49 soil 22 The mean values for EC (pmhos/cm) for 50 the main effects and interactions which are significant 23 The equations developed for EC from the 50 multiple regression analysis and sig- nificance of the equations viii ------- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was made possible through the assistance and cooperation of a number of individuals and departments. The services of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station through the Departments of Agricultural Engineering, Animal Science, Microbiology, and Plant Science are gratefully acknowledged. The services of the staff of the Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm were essential and greatly appreciated. The assistance of the Environmental Protection Agency is gratefully acknowledged. The dedicated services of the following individuals are acknowledged with sincere thanks: Ron Beyer — Agricultural engineer with the Water Resources Institute. Albert Dittman — Research associate with the Agricultural Engineering Department who made a major contribution to the project. Delwyn Dearborn — Dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, who was Head of the Animal Science Department when the project was initiated. Douglas Kreis — Ecologist with the Environmental Protection Agency and Project Officer for this project. Richard Luther — Professor of Animal Science and Research Manager of the Experiment Farm during the first year of the project. Paul Middaugh — Professor of Microbiology in charge of bacteriological analyses. Shirley Mittan — Technician in charge of Water Quality Laboratory analyses. Dan Ronning — Student and technician in Animal Science. Fred Shubeck — Research Manager of the Southeast Experiment Farm. William Schneider — Extension beef nutritionist in charge of ration formulation and livestock performance. Alan Vogel — Animal scientist with the Southeast Experiment Farm. In addition to the above individuals, the assistance of secretaries, part-time labor employees, and student employees is gratefully ac- knowledged . ix ------- SECTION I CONCLUSIONS 1. The amount of sodium (Na) in waste from steers fed a common ration, except for the amount of salt (NaCl) added to the ration, varied directly with the level of added salt. Steers receiving no added NaCl produced waste with a Na content of 0.3% to 0.5%, while steers receiving a ration with 0.75% added NaCl produced wastes containing 1.2% to 1.6% Na on a dry weight basis. 2. The amount of wastes produced by beef steers will vary from feedlot to feedlot depending upon the composition of the ration, feed intake, weather, and management variables. During one feeding cycle, steers on a high roughage (corn silage) ration produced an average of 2.65 kg of dry waste per head per day. The same steers on a high concentrate (corn grain) ration produced only 1.79 kg of waste per head per day. These values are less than was expected for compa- rable size steers. 3. Steers fed a ration containing no added salt (NaCl) up to a level of 0.75% of the ration on a dry weight basis showed little or no difference in rate of gain or feed efficiency. 4. During two separate feeding periods, beef steers in open pens gave slightly higher daily rates of gain (0.08 kg/day) than similar steers housed in covered pens. During periods of extreme cold and inclement weather, rates of gain and feed efficiencies of cattle in both open and covered pens were drastically reduced. The chemical and physical properties of waste was comparable for open and covered pens except for the water content which varied with weather conditions. 5. Many of the soils of the Northern Great Plains contain large quan- tities of salts and high levels of salinity within the profile. Where the depth of leaching is shallow (30 to 60 cm), addition of large quantities of animal waste that contain appreciable quantities of salt will further limit the productivity of these soils. During 1974, salts in waste applied to field plots remained in the 0- to 30-cm layer and increased the salinity level, as ------- indicated by electrical conductivity (EC), to values in excess of 5,000 ymhos/cm. These values exceed the salt tolerance levels for proper germination and growth of many common agronomic plants. 6. Chemical analyses of corn leaf samples taken from waste disposal plots showed an increase in total N and a decrease in Mg with increased rates of applied waste. 7. Precipitation amounts and patterns were such that no runoff occurred from the field plots during the course of the study. ------- SECTION II RECOMMENDATIONS The combination of soils and climate found in the Northern Great Plains presents a number of problems in animal waste management. The high natural levels of salinity combined with small quantities of leaching water may well establish a limit on applied waste based on the increase in salinity which can be tolerated. Recognizing that one year of data on soil effects and crop response due to applied waste is a limited data base from which to make recom- mendations, the following suggestions are offered: 1. The addition of salt (NaCl) to the ration for beef steers should be kept at a minimum in order to reduce the soil dispersion and salinity hazard due to the applied waste. The addition of 0.25% NaCl to the ration on a dry weight basis appears adequate under most circumstances. 2. Housing for cattle in feedlots in the Northern Great Plains may be of questionable value in improving performance except for the purpose of keeping the cattle dry. 3. The salinity and dispersion hazard of animal waste applied to high clay soils receiving a minimum of leaching water should be con- tinually monitored to prevent damage to crop production land. It is recommended that additional detailed investigation of the salinity buildup, soil dispersion, crop production, and runoff characteristics under several rates of applied waste be continued. ------- SECTION III INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT The climate and soils of the Northern Great Plains present some unique problems to the livestock feeder who uses the land for waste disposal. The importance of housing to protect the animals from the cold or to improve animal performance and disposal of the wastes are areas of con- cern. The nature of the soils — large amounts of clay and large quan- tities of salts — together with a variable but low quantity of leaching water raises questions regarding waste application rates which can be tolerated on crop production land. Concentration of waste components at or near the soil surface increases the pollution potential due to surface runoff or erosion. The climate, soils, and feedlots of South Dakota exhibit a good cross section of the waste management problems of the Northern Great Plains. In an attempt to develop solutions to the waste management problems, a project was initiated at the Cornbelt Research and Extension Center near Beresford, South Dakota. The purpose of the project was to develop guidelines relating climate, waste, soils, and crops to assist livestock feeders in cold regions in developing waste management techniques that are environmentally acceptable while retaining crop production capabilities. The specific objectives of the project were: 1. Evaluate the effects of roughage content and salt content of the ration upon amount and composition of wastes from beef cattle in confined feedlots. 2. Evaluate the influence of covered versus open pens upon the chem- ical and physical properties of wastes to be removed from the pens. 3. Determine the maximum application rates for disposal of wastes on the land compatible with maintaining reasonable levels of crop production with pollution control. ------- 4. Determine the concentration and movement of chemical and bacte- riological waste components by surface runoff or leaching through the soil under the prevailing climatic conditions. GENERAL BACKGROUND Various authors have studied differing feedlot conditions in an attempt to establish those conditions which affect the chemical characteristics of beef cattle waste. Gilbertson, McCalla, Ellis, and Woods (1971) have examined feedlot slope and animal densities in relation to the chemical characteristics of the waste concluding that these two factors have no definite relationship with the quality of the waste. Yet, these studies have suggested that climatic conditions influenced the vari- ability of the chemical characteristics of beef cattle waste. Frye et al. (1972) have found that the grams of NaCl fed per day per head of beef cattle directly influence the relative salinity of the feedlot waste and runoff water. They have shown that the relative salinity of the runoff water was almost linearly related to the grams of NaCl in the beef cattle ration. Research has indicated that the chemical analyses of beef cattle waste varies considerably from feedlot to feed- lot and the characteristics are unique for each feedlot. This uniqueness indicates that a chemical analysis is needed to characterize the beef cattle waste of any given feedlot. According to Martin (1970), 85% of the ingested K appears in the beef cattle waste; therefore, a large application of beef cattle waste to the soil adds a large quantity of K which may disturb the nutrient balance in the soil and eventually affect the crops grown on the soil. When K is present in the soil in excessive amounts, plants may consume more K than is needed for normal growth (luxury consumption). The K to Mg ratio of forages grown on soils is important due to hypomagnesemia (grass tetany). Beef cattle receiving forage high in K and low in Mg may develop hypomagnesemia which causes death to the animal. Vitosh, Davis, and Knezek (1972) harvested corn silage which contained a K to Mg ratio capable of causing hypomagnesemia. The corn silage was grown on soil receiving beef cattle waste for nine consecutive years at 67.2 MT/ha. (20 t/a.) (wet weight basis with the last year's waste containing 70% water). Vitosh et al. (1972) suggested that forage grown on soils receiving large amounts of beef cattle may have a large enough K to Mg ratio to warrant an addition of Mg to the feed if this forage is fed to beef or dairy animals. The Relationship of Applied Beef Cattle Waste to Salt and Sodium Content The cations Ca, Mg, Na, and K and the salts of these cations are the most abundant in beef cattle waste and the most important in affecting salinity and dispersion of soil. Soil salinity is affected by the salts which are added by waste. Soil colloids are influenced by the relative ------- amounts of Ca, Mg, Na, and K added by the waste. In turn, the amount of salt and cation proportions in the waste are influenced by the con- tents of the forage used in the ration, by the feed supplements, and by any extra salt added to the feed. The early literature of Salter and Schollenberger (1939) reported that salt fed to beef animals appears in their wastes in sufficient quantities at times to injure the quality of potatoes grown on land receiving large quantities of the waste. They attributed the bulk of the injury to the chloride in the waste. To monitor soil salinity as affected by beef cattle waste application, Murphy et al. (1972); Mathers et al. (1972); Evans, Goodrich and Munter (1972); and Reddell, Egg, and Smith (1974) have used EC of the saturated soil extract; while Evans et al. (1972) and Reddell et al. (1974) have also examined chloride content in the soil. Mathers et al. (1972) measured EC to a depth of 91.4 cm (36.0 in.) in the soil after three annual beef cattle waste applications at varying rates. The increase in the soil's EC was directly related to the amount of beef waste applied to the soil. The increase in EC was found to be greater at the soil surface than at the 91.4-cm (36.0 in.) depth; although, a waste rate of 123.2 MT/ha. (55 t/a.) (dry weight basis) per year increased the EC slightly at the 91.4-cm (36.0 in.) depth. A linear relationship was established by Murphy et al. (1972) between surface soil EC and the amount of waste applied to that soil. As soon as waste application was discontinued, soil EC was reduced by nutrient removal through actively growing plants and by continued leaching of salts into lower portions of the soil profile. After only one beef cattle waste application of 70.2 MT/ha. (31.3 t/a.) (dry weight basis), Evans et al. (1972) found only a small increase (200 pmhos/cm) in EC for the top 15 cm (5.9 in.) of the soil profile. Evans et al. (1972) also examined the chloride content in the soil profile after this waste application finding an increase in chloride concentration at all soil depths (0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, 30-61 cm, 61-91 cm, and 91-122 cm) (0-5.9 in., 5.9-11.8 in., 11.8-24 in., 24-36 in., and 36-48 in.) with the largest increase (14 ppm to 155 ppm chloride) occurring at the 61 to 91-cm (24-36 in.) depth. A direct relationship was also shown by Reddell et al. (1974) between the EC of the saturated soil extract of surface soil and the rate of applied beef cattle waste. The EC increased in the surface soil imme- diately after beef cattle waste application and decreased once the annual applications were discontinued. The chloride concentration increased in the entire soil profile after application of waste and dissipated gradually once waste application was stopped. ------- With the possibility of Na or K at high concentrations dispersing soil colloids, Na and K have been examined in relation to reduced plant growth on soils that have received large applications of beef cattle waste. Both water soluble and exchangeable Na or water soluble and exchangeable K are used to monitor the accumulation of either Na or K in soil after heavy waste applications. Reddell et al. (1974) have shown that water soluble Na and K increase directly in the top 30 cm (11.8 in.) of soil with the amount of beef cattle waste application. Murphy et al. (1972) have demonstrated the same relationship for both extractable Na and exchangeable K. Cross, Mazurak, and Chesin (1971) used soil columns to study soil hydraulic conductivity as affected by the application of beef cattle wastes. The leachate collected from columns contained increasing amounts of Na and K as the waste application was increased. Cross et al. (1971) concluded that the amounts of Na and K added in the beef cattle waste when applied to soil caused dispersion of colloids which reduced the soil's hydraulic conductivity. The ratio of Na to Ca and Mg in beef cattle waste has been suggested by Mathers et al. (1972) as being a critical property when waste is applied to the soil. Dispersion hazard ratios which are found by dividing the relative weight of Na and K in beef cattle waste by the relative weight of Na, K, Ca, and Mg in that same waste have been pub- lished by Powers et al. (1974). Dispersion ratios can be useful as guidelines in monitoring the effect of waste applied to soil. The investigators listed in the above discussion have measured various chemical properties of the soil to monitor an increase in soil salinity or a change in exchangeable bases which may cause soil dispersion. Scientists generally agree that dispersion reduces plant growth by disturbing the air and water relations of the soil profile. However, reduced plant growth on saline soils has remained a subject of serious debate among scientists. Some authors have suggested that increased osmotic pressures caused by the salts in the soil prohibit adequate water uptake by the plant. Other authors have suggested that plants grown on saline soils are subjected to nutrient imbalances which reduce plant growth by forcing the plant to absorb an excessive amount of improper nutrients. The stage of plant growth at which saline soils are most injurious depends on the plant species. Ayers and Hayward (1948) found corn to be less susceptible to soil salinity at germination than barley or sugar beets; however, as plant growth continues corn shows less tolerance to saline soils than barley or sugar beets. Beef Cattle Waste Application Rates on the Soil Waste application studies are conducted to arrive at an application ------- rate which will permit crop growth without causing either excessive nutrient accumulation in the soil or soil damage. This section lists the beef cattle waste application rates suggested by various authors. Although many different units are used in waste management studies, the rates discussed here will be in units of MT/ha. (t/a.) on a dry weight basis. After reviewing the literature, Aldrich (1973) concluded that one- or two-year applications of 168 to 225 MT/ha. (75 to 100.4 t/a.) of beef cattle waste seldom causes an adverse effect on yields of corn, sorghum, or forage grasses. Evans et al. (1972) reported that an application of 70.2 MT/ha. (31.3 t/a.) for one year resulted in corn grain yield of 6,502 kg/ha. (5,800 Ib/a.) for the plot receiving beef cattle waste compared with a check plot yield of 6,076 kg/ha. (5,420 lb/a.). According to Cross et al. (1971), for corn under irrigation a beef cattle waste application of 269 MT/ha. (120 t/a.) for one year increased corn yields while a higher application of 582 MT/ha. (259.8 t/a.) for one year decreased corn yields significantly. The investigations of Reddell et al. (1974) concluded that beef appli- cation rates of 86.9 and 134.4 MT/ha. (38.8 and 60 t/a.) for three consecutive years to irrigated crops did not decrease crop yields or cause damage to the soil. Mathers and Stewart (1974) recommended 9 MT/ha. (4 t/a.) for a con- tinued yearly application of beef cattle waste without any nutrient accumulations in irrigated soils. Any application rate exceeding 9 MT/ha. (4 t/a.) established a nutrient accumulation in the soil. However, such results are highly dependent upon soil and weather con- ditions. Vitosh et al. (1972) recommends a yearly dry-land beef cattle waste application of between 6 and 18 MT/ha. (2.7 and 8 t/a.) without any unnecessary nutrient accumulation in the soil. The recommended rate depends considerably on the soil texture, the weather, and the use to be made of the crop. Powers et al. (1974) have completed a comprehensive guide for beef cattle waste application rates. By using nomograms, the reader can arrive at the continuous rate which is safe for his particular situa- tion. The different nomograms represent beef cattle waste application to irrigated or dry-land soils; soils of fine, medium, or coarse tex- tures; and soils resulting in medium or low soil salinity. The literature indicates that the disposal of wastes on soil may change the chemical properties of the soil enough to alter plant growth. The ------- two hazards considered to be closely related to the disposal of wastes on soil are soil dispersion and soil salinity. Thus, chemical tests which are directly related to dispersion and salinity are useful for monitoring the changes in soil chemistry. Until some more economical use is found for animal wastes, the soil will continue to be the primary disposal site. In order to protect the crop production capacity of the soil and to minimize pollution, regular waste and soil monitoring programs should be established. ------- SECTION IV FACILITIES The Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm was selected as the site to conduct the studies under this project. The farm is located near Beresford, South Dakota, and is operated by South Dakota State Univer- sity and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. In addition to a barn and other farm buildings, the farm has a modern office and laboratory building. The farm has its own weather station and maintains a complete written record of weather data. The open feedlot and covered lot facilities were inadequate to handle this project; therefore, construction and remodeling of facilities were necessary. The barn was remodeled to handle eight covered pens with separate feeding and waste collection for each pen. New water fountains, feed bunks, and feed handling facilities were installed. A new open pen feedlot consisting of eight concrete-surfaced pens was constructed. Appropriate alleyways and holding pens were constructed to permit handling of the cattle during waste cleaning and animal weighing periods. Figure 1 is two views of the feedlot showing the open pens and the barn where the covered pens were located. Although not shown in the photo- graphs, ventilation panels were installed in the sides and roof of the barn at the end of the first feeding cycle. The added ventilation improved the odor and eliminated part of the water vapor buildup inside the barn. Other facilities used in this study include the field plot and waste handling equipment, the Soil Testing Laboratory facilities, the Water Quality Laboratory facilities, and the Computing and Data Processing facilities located on the South Dakota State University campus. 10 ------- Figure 1. Feedlot facilities 11 ------- SECTION V CLIMATIC DATA AND ANIMAL ENVIRONMENT The feedlot and field plots used In this study were located on the Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm located in Clay County near Beresford, South Dakota. The topography of the region is flat to gently rolling. THE CLIMATE The climate of Clay County is classed as sub humid and is of the con- tinental type with large contrasts in temperature from summer to win- ter and from day to day. The maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Train) temperatures and the daily precipitation (Pptn) are given in Table 1 for each day during the months of October 1973 through September 1974. The historical highest and lowest recorded temperatures for each month are also given. The historical average number of days with temperatures above 0° C is 153. The average date for the 0° C reading in the spring is May 4 and the first date in the fall is October 5. A summary of monthly precipitation for the period October 1973 through September 1974 is given in Table 2. The actual precipitation is com- pared with the annual average to show a deficit of 18.75 cm during the period of measurement. Winds in this region of South Dakota average about 18 km/hr during the winter with a prevailing direction from the northwest. Winds in the summer average about 16 km/hr with a prevailing direction from south-southwest. This area receives an annual average of 64% of possible sunshine. The greatest amount of possible sunshine, 75%, is received in July, with the least amount, 52%, received during December. The average annual Class A pan evaporation for this region is 137 cm 12 ------- Table 1. TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION RECORDS FOR THE SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA EXPERIMENT FARM Day Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Long-term weather record for the month October 1973 Tmax, Train, Pptn, (°C) <°C) (cm) 20 16 22 16 18 21 22 26 26 25 12 21 16 19 26 19 9 21 23 20 22 24 25 27 22 19 14 6 8 14 11 37 10 7 T 10 T 0 2 6 13 13 17 T 3 1.07 2 0.61 1 0.13 1 3 5 -2 -2 1 2 2 3 7 T 6 7 3 1.19 3 -1 -1 T -5 -4 T 0 -16 November Tmax, Train, <°C) (°C) 11 3 6 3 1 1 5 4 -1 1 6 12 18 19 13 5 5 13 3 8 5 1 8 5 7 4 8 4 4 14 28 -3 -2 -4 -5 -9 -7 -2 -7 -13 -11 -5 -3 4 2 3 -3 -2 -1 -2 -1 -6 -6 -6 -4 -3 -2 -3 -8 -7 -4 -31 1973 December 1973 Pptn, Tmax, Train, Pptn, (cm) (°C) (°C) (cm) T 4 0.08 4 3 T -1 -1 -7 -2 7 12 -4 -5 2 4 -4 1.37 -7 0.05 -8 -7 -2 -4 1.07 -11 1.35 -7 -4 4 T -2 -2 T -4 -3 -3 -7 -9 -21 19 -7 -6 -4 -7 -12 -15 -15 —9 -8 -16 -14 -11 -11 -11 -21 -21 -18 -11 -19 -24 -22 -12 -11 -9 -11 -11 -10 -12 -18 -28 -32 -36 T T T T 0.38 0.08 0.03 T 0.28 0.89 0.13 13 ------- Table 1 Cent. TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION RECORDS FOR THE SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA EXPERIMENT FARM Day Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Long-term weather record for the month January 1974 February 1974 Tmax, Train, Pptn, Tmax Train, Pptn, (°C) CO (cm) CO CO (cm) -21 -14 -12 -11 -9 -13 -14 -14 -14 -17 -14 -20 -14 -7 6 8 10 6 1 2 1 2 2 3 6 9 5 2 6 11 13 19 -35 -33 -25 -22 -26 -23 -30 -28 -33 -33 -29 -32 -28 -20 -12 -9 -3 -3 -15 -13 -6 -7 -12 -12 -12 -4 -9 -9 -8 -4 -17 -39 -8 0.08 -6 -1 -12 -4 0.23 -3 -7 T -4 0.20 -1 3 11 T 15 T 14 -1 -2 4 11 15 7 11 8 0 1 -3 -3 8 14 16 21 -17 -11 T -18 T -19 -16 -11 -18 T -16 T -17 T -17 -7 -12 -7 -7 T -8 T -11 T -7 -2 -8 -4 -1 0.10 -10 -9 -17 -15 -11 -4 -4 -36 March 1974 Tmax, Train, Pptn, CO CO (cm) 5 20 24 12 9 17 18 9 14 11 11 2 10 10 13 1 -1 12 4 4 -6 2 -3 -7 2 12 4 8 14 15 17 33 -6 0 0 — 1 -6 -6 -5 _q -1 -8 -8 -1 _2 -3 -3 -7 -8 -7 -9 -12 -20 -17 -18 -21 -13 -4 -4 -3 -2 -3 -6 -30 T 0.53 0.38 T T T 0.18 1.35 T T T T 14 ------- Table 1 Cont. TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION RECORDS FOR THE SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA EXPERIMENT FARM Day Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Long-term weather record for the month April 1974 Tmax, Train, Pptn, (»C) (°C) (cm) 9 16 14 0 7 11 17 11 16 21 20 13 9 11 13 10 16 22 21 24 21 12 13 16 20 26 27 28 24 24 37 0 0.23 -1 -1 0.30 -6 0.20 -7 -5 0 -4 -2 T 0 6 5 0.71 2 0.08 -2 -1 T -6 T _i 1 2 4 0.08 6 T 1 5 -3 2 11 12 0.05 8 5 -2 -17 May 1974 Tmax, Train, Pptn, CO (°C) (cm) 22 26 26 19 22 22 19 23 14 21 14 18 14 16 11 17 23 23 17 22 30 22 21 19 20 23 23 28 28 25 22 41 4 8 -3 3 8 2 3 4 2 6 6 2 1 4 -2 -1 7 8 8 10 14 9 6 2 6 9 12 14 15 10 4 -6 T T 0.61 T 1.42 1.98 0.05 2.44 T T 0.05 0.69 T 1.40 T 1.19 T June 1974 Tmax, Train, Pptn, CC) CO (cm) 21 21 26 32 31 31 23 24 22 15 22 19 25 28 28 21 21 24 34 33 34 36 26 24 23 26 28 29 32 33 41 7 6 11 16 16 13 8 11 9 8 9 6 12 14 11 6 5 11 13 17 19 15 13 11 11 11 13 16 16 8 2 T T 1.73 1.35 1.88 0.13 0.48 0.10 2.21 15 ------- Table 1 Cont. TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION RECORDS FOR THE SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA EXPERIMENT FARM Day Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Long-term record for the month July 1974 August 1974 September Tmax, Train, Pp.tn, Tmax, Tmin, Pptn, Tmax, Train, (°C) (°C) (cm) (°C) (°C) (cm) (°C) (°C) 31 32 33 26 27 33 35 37 37 29 33 30 38 38 31 31 34 38 37 37 37 37 33 36 36 33 33 31 30 28 29 46 • 16 22 18 13 14 18 18 21 22 19 19 19 20 18 13 14 16 19 21 20 20 16 15 19 15 16 13 13 7 7 12 5 19 27 0.94 22 0.05 23 26 27 27 26 0.56 22 0.05 22 0.86 24 0.10 27 27 0.74 26 31 27 0.15 30 27 32 31 36 26 26 26 0.33 29 T 34 0.69 32 24 25 22 28 44 12 13 7 6 9 9 12 13 16 16 13 13 12 15 16 16 13 11 11 18 17 8 10 12 14 12 10 7 8 8 1 1 1.42 20 0.30 13 T 17 21 25 22 28 31 1.63 31 0.56 28 0.05 32 21 12 25 26 T 24 28 0.91 28 0.43 32 22 0.25 19 21 22 27 27 28 0.69 34 19 16 21 40 2 5 -2 1 6 7 6 9 8 14 10 6 0 3 1 7 9 7 9 5 -2 -1 -2 6 2 3 7 -1 -1 -3 -5 1974 Pptn, (cm) 0.23 0.23 1.93 T 16 ------- Table 2. MONTHLY PRECIPITATION SUMMARY FOR THE SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA EXPERIMENT FARM DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1973 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1974 u. Amount Month October November December January February March April May June July August September Year 1973 1973 1973 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 1974 received, (cm) 3.00 3.91 1.78 0.51 0.10 2.44 1.65 9.83 7.87 4.47 6.25 2.38 (in.) (1.18) (1.54) (0.70) (0.20) (0.04) (0.96) (0.65) (3.87) (3.10) (1.76) (2.46) (0.94) S. Weather Bureau Average for the month, (cm) 3.66 2.41 1.68 1.50 2.41 3.45 5.69 9.07 10.97 7.75 7.54 6.81 (in.) (1.44) (0.95) (0.66) (0.59) (0.95) (1.36) (2.24) (3.57) (4.32) (3.05) (2.97) (2.68) Amount received minus the average, (cm) -0.66 1.50 0.10 -0.99 -2.31 -1.01 -4.04 0.76 -3.10 -3.28 -1.29 -4.43 (in.) (-0.26) ( 0.59) ( 0.04) (-0.39) (-0.91) (-0.40) (-1.59) ( 0.30) (-1.22) (-1.29) (-0.51) (-1.74) Total 44.19 (17.40) 62.94 (24.78) -18.75 (-7.38) with 78% (107 cm) of the evaporation occurring during the period May to October. ANIMAL ENVIRONMENT In order to compare the environment of the covered pens with the environ- ment of the pens in the open, a 13-week period of measurement was con- ducted from January 15, 1974, to April 16, 1974. The temperature of the open pens was taken from the farm weather station and the tempera- ture of the covered pens was measured using a thermograph located cen- trally in the barn. A comparison of dry bulb temperatures of the open and covered pens is shown in Figure 2. Maximum temperature differences occurred in January with the covered pens averaging approximately 5.6° C warmer than the open pens. The relative humidity in the covered pens averaged approximately over the 13-week period which was about 6% higher than the relative humidity of the open pens. 17 ------- 12 D < -6h -12 h -18 /A covered penso- open pens O 2 4 6 8 1O 12 TIME , weeks Figure 2. Temperature variation in open and covered pens 18 ------- SECTION VI MATERIALS AND METHODS BEEF ANIMALS AND RATION In August 1973, sixteen pens with eleven steers in each were established at the Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm. Eight pens with dimen- sions of 7.62 by 4.88 m (25 by 16 ft) were located in an unheated covered environment while eight pens with dimensions of 13.11 by 4.88 m (43 x 16 ft) were located in an open environment. All pens were sur- faced with concrete. Treated wood partitions were placed between each pen to prevent any mixing of waste from one pen to another and at the end of each pen to retain all solids and liquids in the waste. Four different rations were composed by varying the NaCl content in the feed. The four levels of NaCl were 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% NaCl added to the ration by weight on a dry-weight basis. Each NaCl level was fed to four pens of animals, two in the covered environment and two in the open environment, for the duration of the feeding trial. Concrete partitions were built in the feed bunks between each pen to prevent any mixing of rations or animal consumption of the wrong ration. Thus, the feeding phase consisted of four NaCl levels, two environments, and two replications. Beef steers averaging 201.1 kg (443.4 Ib) were delivered to the feedlot on July 27, 1973. The animals were fed baled alfalfa hay until August 6, 1973, at which time they were gradually adjusted to a corn silage, alfal- fa hay, antibiotic, and supplemented-molasses ration. The feeding trial was started on September 4, 1973, with the ration containing corn silage, antibiotic, supplemented-molasses, and ground limestone with the NaCl level varying among treatments. On December 29, 1973, the corn silage in the ration was replaced with chopped alfalfa hay and ground corn. This ration was used until the steers were marketed on May 20, 1974, at an average weight of 447.7 kg (987.2 Ib). The amounts of the ingre- dients in the ration were shifted during the feeding trial to fulfill the nutritional needs of beef steers being finished for market. 19 ------- A second feeding trial was initiated on September 11, 1974. The feedlot arrangement was similar to the first feeding trial except an improved ventilation system was installed in the barn. The average initial weight of the steers for the second feeding trial was 232.8 kg (513.3 lb). The formulation of the ration and NaCl levels was unchanged for the second feeding trial except that soybean oil meal was used for the supplement in place of the molasses. The second feeding trial will continue until the steers reach market weight. WASTE HANDLING, SAMPLING, AND ANALYSES The wastes were removed from the feedlot pens and spread directly on the field plots except during periods of snow cover and frozen soils. When the weather did not permit spreading the wastes on the land, the pens were cleaned and the waste stored in open enclosures built on concrete pads or on plastic-covered earth pads. The wastes were hauled and spread in the field using conventional manure spreaders except for a period of time in the spring when the high liquid content required the use of a tank spreader. Near the time of spreading, wastes were incorporated into the soil using a chisel plow. After the wastes were incorporated, ridges were established around the plots to control runoff. Waste incorporation and plot preparation are illus- trated in Figure 3. All wastes were weighed on a commercial-type scale at the time of hauling to the field. At the same time, samples were collected for chemical and water content analyses in the laboratory. From the waste weight, water content, and chemical analyses, accurate rates of application could be determined. The water content of the waste was determined from a sample that was freeze-dried for other analyses. An extract for cation determination was obtained by ashing a sample at 450° C, extraction with 6N HC1 twice, and dilution of the extract to 100 ml with distilled water as described by Chapman and Pratt (1961). The cations — Ca, Mg, K, and Na — were determined from the extract by atomic adsorption. The pH and electrical conductivity of waste samples was determined by instrument on a 1:20 dilution sample based on dry weight. Total N was determined by the Kjeldahl procedure as described in the EPA Manual, Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Analytical Quality Control Laboratory (1971). Nitrate nitrogen was determined by a steam distillation procedure as described by Bremner and Keeney (1966). The cellulose content of the waste was determined by the Crampton- Maynard Method (1938). 20 ------- Figure 3. Waste incorporation and plot preparation 21 ------- Bacteriological analyses were made on five sets of samples for Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform and Fecal Streptococcus bacteria. The Most Probable Number Index Method using five fermentation tubes per sample was used as described in Section 400 of the Standard Methods for the Analysis of Water and Waste Water, American Public Health Association et al (1971). LAND DISPOSAL PLOTS, SOIL SAMPLING, AND ANALYSES Field plots with dimensions of 36.6 by 6.1 m (120 by 20 ft) were estab- lished on Egan silty clay loam soil at the Southeast South Dakota Experiment Farm. The soils map and topography map for the plot area are given in Figures 4 and 5. A detailed description of the soil is given in Table 3. The field design was a randomized complete block with treatments consisting of four waste rates, 44.8, 134.4, and 179.2 MT/ha. (20, 40, 60, and 80 t/a.) dry matter, and two types of waste. One type was a combination of the waste from the pens receiving 0.00% and 0.25% NaCl (low salt) in the ration and the other type was a combination of the waste from the pens receiving 0.50% and 0.75% NaCl (high salt) in the ration. Since the animals were housed in an open environment and a covered environment, nearly equal amounts of waste from each environment were applied to each plot. The design contained four replications with one check plot in each replication. Therefore, the experiment consisted of four replications, four waste rates, two types of waste, and four check plots for a total of 36 plots. In October 1973, soil samples were taken from all plots using a Giddings soil sampler with a 3.3 cm (1.3 in.) diameter probe. Three sub-samples collected in each plot were pooled to form one sample. Samples were collected at depth increments of 0 to 30.5 cm, (0 to 12 in.), 30.5 to 61.0 cm (12 to 24 in.), 61.0 to 91.4 cm (24 to 36 in.), and 91.4 to 152.4 cm (36 to 60 in.). In September, 1974, all 36 plots were again sampled in the manner described above which is illustrated in Figure 6. Soil samples taken in October 1973 and September 1974 were analyzed for pH and for both extractable and water soluble Ca, Mg, Na, and K. Water soluble Ca, Mg, Na, and K were obtained from analysis of the saturated extract (Bower and Wilcox, 1965) by atomic adsorption (Isaac and Kerber, 1971). Extractable Ca, Mg, Na, and K were determined by an atomic adsorption analysis (Isaac and Kerber, 1971) of an NltyAc extract (U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff, 1954). Electrical conductivity was determined using the saturated extract. Soil pH determinations were made on the soil's saturated paste. Chlorides were obtained by analysis of the saturated extract (American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation, 1971). Soil analyses were also made for available P (NH^F extractable), organic matter, and total N (Jackson, 1958). 22 ------- 90 105 120 135 / / I// KEY TO PLOTS 37-72 Plot number 20 H High NaCl treatment 40 L Low NaCl treatment 60 C Check 80 RO Runoff devices -15- Relative elevations in 15 cm intervals 44.8 MT/ha. 89.6 MT/ha. 134 MT/ha. 179.2 MT/ha. Figure 4. Field plots showing relative elevations 23 ------- 55 H -, " H ; 57 H 60 * 58 L 20 59 L 60 / 60 H 60 X 61 H 4px RO 62 C RO r / 40 RO 64 H 80 RO 65 H 40 RO 66 L 20 67 L 40 / 68 L 80, RO 69 L y t 70 80 RO k H 80 RO 72 C E2A E2A 37 H ?0 38 L 20 39 C 40 H 60 41 H 20 42 H 40 RO 43 H 80 RO 44 H 80 RO 45 L 80 RO 46 L 60 \ \ L 20 48 \ 80 RO 49 L 40 RO 50 L 4> RO 51 H «U 52 H 40 N RO 53 L 60 N 54 C KEY TO SOILS E1A Egan silty clay loam, 0-2% slopes (deep ABC II profiles) E2A Egan sllty clay loam, 0-2% slopes (deep AB II profiles) E2A* Egan silty clay loam, 0-2% slopes (deep AB II profiles), carbonates at 20 to 38 cm - not typical for the series. Figure 5. Soils map of plot area 24 ------- Table 3. DETAILED PROFILE DESCRIPTION OF THE EGAN SILTY CLAY LOAM SOIL3 Location: Southeast Agricultural Experiment Farm, Centerville, South Dakota. Classification: Typic Haplustoll; fine silty, mixed mesic. Parent Material: Loess over glacial till. Physiography: Nearly level plain with low broad ridges. Salt or Alkali: None. Land Use: Cropland. Stoniness: None above 68.6 cm (27 in.). Erosion: Slight. Slope: 1% convex. Permeability: Moderate. Drainage: Well drained. Ground Water: Deep. Horizon Ap B21 Depth, cm (in.) 0-17.8 (0-7) 17.8-38.1 (7-15) Description Dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) silty clay loam, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) moist; weak fine granular structure; soft, very friable, slightly sticky; slightly acid; abrupt smooth boundary. Brown (10YR 5/3) silty clay loam, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) moist, crushing to dark brown (10YR 3/3), moist, weak medium prismatic structure; parting to weak coarse and medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable slightly sticky; neutral; gradual wavy boundary. aThis is an approved soil series description from the State Soil Scientist's office. 25 ------- Table 3 Cont. DETAILED PROFILE DESCRIPTION OF THE EGAN SILTY CLAY LOAM SOIL Horizon Depth, cm (in.) Description B22 B3ca IIC1 38.1-61.0 (15-24) 61.0-78.7 (24-31) 78.7-106.7 (31-42) IIC2 106.7-152.4 (42-60) Grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) silty clay loam, dark grayish brown (2.5Y 4/2) moist; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to weak coarse and medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky; neutral, clear smooth boundary. Light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) silty clay loam, grayish brown (2.5Y 5/2) moist; common fine distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles, weak coarse subangular blocky structure, hard, friable, slightly sticky; common fine distinct accumulations; many medium soft lime segregations; strong effervescence; moderately alkaline; grad- ual wavy boundary. Light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) clay loam, olive brown (2.5Y 4/4) moist; common fine distinct strong brown (7.SYR 5/8) mottles; moderate coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate coarse subangular blocky struc- ture; hard, firm, slightly sticky; common fine brown accumulations; many fine soft lime segregations; strong effervescence; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary. Light brownish gray (2.5Y 6/2) clay loam, dark grayish brown (2.5Y 4/2) moist; many fine distinct strong brown (7.SYR 5/8) and yellowish red (SYR 4/8) mottles; moderate coarse subangular blocky structure; hard, firm, slightly sticky; common fine and medium brown accumulations; common lime segregations; strong effervescence; strongly alkaline. 26 ------- Figure 6. Soil sampling ------- The initial soil analyses revealed extremely high values for extract- able Ca and Mg for most plots below 30.5 cm (12 in.) and for some plots at the 0- to 30.5-cm (0 to 12 in.) depth. The soils on which the plots are located have free CaC03 and related salts in the profile. Thus, it was concluded that the free CaC03 and related salts were responsible for the high and erroneous values for extractable Ca and Mg. When free CaC03 is present in the soil profile, analysis for Ca using NH^Ac results in measurement of Ca activity above the true activity in the soil (Heald, 1965). Cation exchange capacity (U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff, 1954) was determined for selected plots which were representative of the particu- lar soil area and which may have a varying cation exchange capacity due to the large amount of added waste. Statistical analyses included several analyses of variance of a fac- torial experiment in a randomized complete block design. Also, mul- tiple regression analyses were used to isolate the specific effects of NaCl level and waste rates on yield, exchangeable Na, exchangeable K, and EC. After waste hauling and moldboard plowing were finished, all plots were disked and harrowed to establish a seedbed. The plots were planted on May 24, 1974, to corn (Zea mays L.'Funks G-4252') at about 47,000 plants per hectare (19,000 plants per acre). A recommended herbicide was applied in bands over the corn for weed control. Due to poor ger- mination related to seedbed quality and low rainfall, seven plots were replanted by hand on June 19, 1974. PLANT SAMPLING, CORN YIELDS, AND ANALYSES Leaf samples to be used for chemical analysis were collected from all plots during the final week of July, 1974. The leaves sampled were taken from opposite and below ears which had white silks showing. Samples were dried at 100° C, ground through a stainless steel screen, and analyzed for Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Mn, Fe, B, Cu, Zn, Al, Sr, and Mo by spark-emission spectroscopy according to the analytical procedures of the Ohio Plant Analysis Laboratory, Wooster, Ohio. Samples were analyzed for N by the Kjeldahl Method and for S by the Spectrophoto- metric Method using BaCl2- The corn from each plot was harvested as silage on September 9, 1974, by removing all the forage from two rows with a spacing of 76.2-cm (30 in.) and a length of 9.14 m (30 ft). The silage was weighed and subsamples for moisture analysis were taken by removing grab samples of the forage after it passed through the chopper. The dry matter yields were calculated from the total forage weight and moisture analysis of the subsamples. From these subsamples smaller subsamples were col- lected, dried at 70° C, and analyzed for N03~N. 28 ------- On September 18, 1974, ear corn yields were obtained by picking the ears from two rows with a spacing of 76.2-cm (30 in.) and a length of 9.14 m (30 ft). All ears were weighed and the centers of 12 ears were removed to obtain the moisture content. All forage was removed from the plots on September 26, 1974, in order that waste hauling could begin. RUNOFF Seventeen plots as identified in the plot diagram, Figure 4, were instrumented for measuring the quantity of runoff and for collecting samples for water quality analyses. The runoff plots slope gently in a northwesterly direction. An earth ridge was formed around each plot to divert runoff waters to a collection point. A Type H flume with a stilling well was installed in the ridge at the collection point. A horizontal drum water-stage recorder with float-activated clock was installed to measure runoff waters passing through the flume. A water collection reservoir was installed on the exit side of the flume to provide a pick-up volume for the automatic water sampler. The water sampler consisted of a pick-up tube, collection bottles, and a tripping mechanism that was activated by the stage recorder. Water was drawn into the collection bottles by a 20 psi vacuum created in the bottles. Figure 7 illustrates the runoff measuring instruments in the field installation. Water collected during a runoff event was transported within a few hours to the Water Quality Laboratory on the South Dakota State Uni- versity campus for analysis. 29 ------- Figure 7. Runoff field installation 30 ------- SECTION VII RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ANIMAL PERFORMANCE Animal performance data during two periods of approximately three months each are given in Table 4. Although feed consumption and rates of gain were different during the two periods, salt levels and pen environment appeared to have little effect on the results. The data show a trend toward higher rates of gain and slightly higher feed efficiencies for cattle housed in the open pens. The cattle fed a ration low in salt (0.25%) tended to gain as well as the cattle receiving a high salt (0.75%) ration. It should be emphasized that cattle receiving another ration or using a different source of water might perform differently. WASTE CHARACTERISTICS Waste Production The average amount of dry matter produced per animal per day during the first feeding cycle is shown in Table 5. The values reflect the change in ration in January, 1974, from a high roughage to a low rough- age content with a reduction in the amount of waste produced. The variability in waste production within environment and salt-level treatments appears as great as between treatments. Water Content and Handling Characteristics The water content of the waste samples ranged from a low of 57% to a high or 87% depending upon weather conditions prior to handling. Waste that exceeded approximately 85% water content were too fluid to handle with a conventional spreader and were hauled with a tank spreader. Although little difference could be observed in water con- tent, wastes from the pens receiving the two highest levels of NaCl in the ration were more fluid in handling characteristics. The wastes from the high salt rations contained more Na and apparently tended to 31 ------- Table 4. ANIMAL PERFORMANCE Added salt Covered Pens Daily Feed gain, amount (kg/day) (kg/day) Open Pens Daily Feed gain, amount (kg/day) (kg/day) Overall Average Daily Feed gain, amount (kg/day) (kg/day) Period I January 1, 1974 to April 16, 1974 0.00% 0.25% 0.50% 0.75% 0.68 0.89 0.68 0.88 6.02 4.69 7.48 5.33 0.93 0.83 0.77 0.91 5.41 5.66 5.22 5.28 0.80 0.86 0.72 0.90 5.72 5.18 6.35 5.31 Period II September 11, 1974 to December 5, 1974 0.00% 0.25% 0.50% 0.75% 0.96 1.03 0.99 1.00 3.59 3.37 3.51 3.47 1.06 1.14 1.09 1.08 3.42 3.18 3.31 3.36 1.01 1.08 1.04 1.03 3.50 3.27 3.41 3.41 be more dispersed. Since no bedding was added to the wastes, the handling characteristics were directly related to water content and degree of dispersion. Analyses Waste analysis data are summarized in Table 6. Additional detailed analysis data are given in Appendix A. The composition of the waste reflects the salt (NaCl) content of the ration in Cl, Na, and EC. The amounts of K, P, N (total), and cellulose present in the waste are influenced by the roughage content and type. Differences in waste composition due to the covered or open environment are small to negligible. However, the waste from the two environments were handled or stored in the same manner for the equivalent time periods. Waste Application Rates on Field Plots The amounts of waste applied to field plots from pens receiving the low salt ration are shown in Table 7. Rates of waste applied to plots from pens receiving the high salt ration are shown in Table 8. Although the proposed rates were not completely achieved due to a lower-than-predicted waste production, the rates achieved do give separate treatments that approach the proposed rates. 32 ------- Table 5. DRY MATTER WASTE PRODUCTION3 1973 Added salt %b 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 Envi- onment C C 0 0 C C 0 0 C C 0 0 C C 0 0 Pen number 4 9 6 13 1 12 7 16 2 10 8 15 3 11 5 14 Sept. and Oct. , (kg) 2.54 2.42 2.84 2.34 2.61 2.41 2.14 2.22 2.56 2.58 2.13 2.43 2.77 2.67 2.49 2.57 Oct. and Nov. , (kg) 2.98 2.78 — 2.76 2.87 2.60 — — 2.73 2.62 — — 2.82 2.78 2.95 3.91 1974 Feb. and Mar., (kg) 1.36 2.00 1.81 1.86 2.22 1.45 2.09 1.95 1.45 1.72 2.09 2.00 1.32 1.68 2.22 2.09 Mar. and Apr., (kg) 1.61 1.51 — 1.96 1.66 1.76 — 2.09 1.39 1.45 1.71 1.72 1.60 1.67 1.97 2.20 Based on average waste produced per head per day ^Percent of dry matter in total ration Bacteriological Characteristics The most probable number (MPN) Index for the intestinal bacteria—total coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci—found in the waste on five sampling dates is shown in Table 9. As expected, the MPN for fecal streptococci exceeded the estimate for total coliform and fecal coliform on all sampling dates. Over the range of salt levels used in the ration, the NaCl content of the feed produced no observable effect upon the MPN for any of the bacterial estimates made. If an effect of salt were to be noted, it would have been expected to be observed in the numbers of total coliform or fecal coliform. The MPN Indexes for most of the first sampling estimates (10-17-73) are lower than the Indexes on other sampling dates. The low values may have 33 ------- Table 6. WASTE ANALYSES PERIOD I HIGH ROUGHAGE RATION B Ca K Mg Na N-Total P Cellulose Units No salt ppm 0.19 % 0.94 % 3.24 % 0.74 % 0.30 % 3.00 % 0.61 % 26.50 0.25% 0.17 0.96 3.34 0.74 0.60 3.07 0.62 25.90 0.50% 0.18 0.96 3.45 0.74 0.93 3.11 0.63 25.60 0.75% 0.17 0.91 3.40 0.73 1.24 3.00 0.63 25.60 Avg. 0.18 0.94 3.36 0.74 0.77 3.05 0.62 25.90 PERIOD II LOW ROUGHAGE RATION B Ca K Mg Na N-Total P Cellulose Units No salt ppm 0 . 19 % 1.39 % 2.98 % 0.75 % 0.51 % 3.95 % 1.08 % 12.13 0.25% 0.19 1.38 2.91 0.76 0.89 3.99 1.09 11.71 0.50% 0.18 1.42 2.97 0.77 1.20 3.93 1.09 11.62 0.75% 0.18 1.34 2.99 0.73 1.58 4.02 1.08 11.23 Avg. 0.19 1.38 2.96 0.75 1.05 3.97 1.09 11.68 34 ------- Table 7. WASTE RATES FROM THE LOW NaCl RATION APPLIED TO FIELD PLOTS Proposed rate, MT/ha Replication Total waste, MT/ha 44.8 89.6 134.4 179.2 I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV Average Average Average Average 96.86 96.47 99.05 113.46 139.37 129.37 147.08 124.99 165.70 176.26 169.03 167.22 38.52 101.46 135.20 169.55 been due to the initiation of the project in a clean feedlot with less than favorable conditions for bacterial population buildup. CROP RESPONSE Corn Leaf Analyses Summary data for analyses of corn leaf samples taken from the waste treatment plots are shown in Table 10. More complete leaf analysis data are given in Appendix Tables A8 and A9. According to Jones (1967) the Ca values shown in Table 10 are in the sufficient-to-high range, while all the K values are in the excessive range. The N values increased, as expected, with increased waste rates and the Mg content 35 ------- Table 8. WASTE RATES FROM THE HIGH NaCl RATION APPLIED TO FIELD PLOTS Proposed rate, MT/ha Replication Total waste, MT/ha 44.8 89.6 134.4 179.2 I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV Average Average Average 44.38 18.26 26.54 18.52 100.69 72.20 80.55 88.66 124.81 114.07 120.68 119.24 166.59 155.97 169.48 198.73 Average 26.92 85,32 119.70 172.69 of the leaves decreased with increasing waste rates. Although the Mg contents reported are considered sufficient, if the Mg content of total forage shows the same trend in other grasses, the possibility of hypomagnesemia exists for cattle grazing on the forage. Although the N content of the leaves increased with waste rate, a nitrate analysis of whole plants removed for silage showed no evidence of nitrate accumulations in the plant due to the drought conditions. Corn Silage and Grain Yields The average yields of silage and ear corn harvested from the waste treatment plots are given in Table 11. Complete yield data are given in Appendix Table A10. The silage and ear corn yields were variable. 36 ------- Table 9. BACTERIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BEEF WASTES Salt level of ration 0% 0.25% 0.50% 0.75% Average all salt levels MPN/lOOml x 106 Sampling dates 10-17-73 54 32 55 61 51 10-30-73 TOTAL 33 71 179 185 142 12-17-73 COLIFORM 332 219 117 196 216 3-6-74 62 68 80 359 142 4-16-74 194 182 128 162 167 Average all dates 155 114 112 193 FECAL STREPTOCOCCUS 0% 0.25% 0.50% 0.75% Average all salt levels 0% 0.25% 0.50% 0.75% Average all salt levels 1077 409 727 874 772 37 23 162 35 64 1609 1609 1609 1436 1566 FECAL 91 66 34 175 92 1610 620 1258 2488 1494 COLIFORM 148 80 81 134 111 1020 1573 3338 810 1685 49 67 67 184 92 2213 3815 2810 2040 2720 194 214 128 130 167 1506 1605 1948 1530 104 90 94 132 37 ------- Table 10. LEAF ANALYSES OF CORN PLANTS HARVESTED AT SILKING FROM PLOTS RECEIVING THE INDICATED AMOUNTS OF WASTE8 Waste rate, (MT/ha.) Check 38.5 26.9 101.5 85.3 135.2 119.7 169.6 172.7 Salt level Low High Low High Low High Low High Nb 2.70 2.97 2.80 3.05 3.06 3.18 3.08 3.25 3.12 P 0.27 0.35 0.34 0.35 0.35 0.36 0.36 0.35 0.35 K 2.61 2.61 2.59 2.58 2.68 2.61 2.65 2.69 2.52 % Ca 0.55 0.53 0.55 0.51 0.53 0.48 0.52 0.47 0.46 Mg 0.54 0.39 0.44 0.36 0.34 0.32 0.30 0.32 0.26 aAll Na analyses were less than 0.01% bN was determined by Kjeldahl The silage yields for the waste treatments are not significantly dif- ferent. Although the ear corn yields are significantly different at the 5% level, a multiple regression analysis using ear corn yield as the dependent variable and waste rate and amount of applied Na as inde- pendent variables established an equation which explained only 16% of the variation. The early season corn growth appeared to favor the plots receiving the lower waste rates. However, as the corn roots grew deeper and the corn reached maturity, visible early-season differences disappeared. The randomness of yields indicated that other factors, such as weather and time of waste application, were influencing results. Closer examina- tion of the data could not establish the causes of the variable yields. 38 ------- Table 11. YIELD OF EAR CORN AND SILAGE FROM PLOTS RECEIVING FOUR RATES OF APPLIED BEEF WASTE Waste rate, (MT/ha.) Check 38.5 26.9 101.5 85.3 135.2 119.7 169.6 172.7 Salt treatment Low High Low High Low High Low High Ear corn yield (15.5% water), (hl/ha.) (bu/a.) 39.22 55.19 35.27 62.32 54.50 52.77 61.00 62.19 53.89 45.08 63.43 40.54 71.64 62.65 60.65 70.11 71.48 61.94 Silage yield (Dry weight) , (MT/ha.) (t/a.) 5.67 8.47 6.72 7.54 7.86 5.98 6.68 7.68 6.37 2.53 3.78 3.00 3.37 3.51 2.67 2.98 3.43 2.85 SOIL EFFECTS The results reported here will concentrate on the changes which occurred in the soil as a result of the first year of waste application to the field plots. The Fall 1973 soils data represent the beginning of the waste treatment phase of the project and the Fall 1974 data represent the completion of one year of study. As can be seen in Tables 12 and 13, the effects of the applied wastes are evident in the changes which occurred in the surface layer, 0- to 30-cm depth. The chlorides (Cl) and the electrical conductivity (EC) showed manyfold increases. The increase in EC is of special signifi- cance due to the already high EC values below the 60-cm depth in the profile. Also, to be noted from Table 13 is the lack of movement of waste constituents into the underlying layers. The rainfall deficit of approximately 19 cm resulted in little or no leaching water. Since the effects of the waste treatments are restricted to the surface layer, discussions of analyses and statistical treatments will be con- fined to results in the surface layer. 39 ------- Table 12. SOIL ANALYSES: CHLORIDES, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY AND pH£ Applied waste, (MT/ha.) Check 38.52 L 26.92 H 101.46 L 85.32 H 135.20 L 119.70 H 169.55 L 172.69 H Soil depth, (cm) 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 0-30 30-61 61-91 91-152 Clb, (ppm) 37.5 29.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 33.4 20.3 22.9 43.8 25.0 25.0 25.0 35.4 36.1 35.4 25.0 33.3 29.2 27.8 25.0 31.2 30.6 38.9 25.0 37.5 33.3 33.3 29.2 32.3 31.9 18.8 25.0 37.5 32.3 35.4 16.7 Fall 1973 EC, (pmhos/cm) 630b 2889b 2480b 4768b 682 1124 3364 6090 461 747 3018 5045 724 2044 3941 5464 713 1247 3434 7828 684 1784 5437 5704 738 949 2518 5067 923 2802 6309 5837 830 1840 4748 6076 PH 6.96b 7.62b 7.81b 7.67b 6.47 7.39 7.58 7.59 6.54 7.61 7.47 7.65 6.43 7.36 7.62 7.59 6.51 7.24 7.42 7.66 6.22 7.24 7.51 7.55 6.44 7.25 7.30 7.63 6.14 7.48 7.66 7.51 6.27 7.40 7.68 7.64 Cl, (ppm) 10.4 18.8 9.4 9.4 208.3 21.9 21.9 16.7 176.1 35.5 31.3 33.3 328.1 37.5 12.5 4.2 422.9 37.5 16.7 11.5 552.1 66.6 29.2 15.7 689.6 49.0 36.5 6.3 469.8 51.1 18.8 6.3 824.1 132.3 27.1 15.6 Fall 1974 EC, (ymhos/cm) 1116 2451 4007 5506 2418 1284 3653 5678 1929 636 4474 5917 4873 1584 4892 6152 3947 1409 4082 5360 5886 1513 4952 5852 5456 1711 4196 5725 5020 2289 4954 6308 6017 1899 4573 5782 PH 6.47 7.14 7.46 7.46 6.16 7.21 7.37 7.40 6.22 7.05 7.21 7.41 6.18 7.22 7.32 7.45 6.28 7.16 7.38 7.42 5.98 7.09 7.36 7.37 6.28 7.18 7.25 7.37 6.27 7.07 7.39 7.53 6.13 7.01 7.29 7.50 aAverage of four replications bLess than four replications 40 ------- Table 13. SOIL ANALYSES: NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS Applied waste, (MT/ha.) Check 38.52 L 26.92 H 101.46 L 85.32 H 135.20 L 119.70 H 169.55 L 172.69 H Soil depth, (cm) 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 0-30.5 30.5-61.0 61.0-91.4 91.4-152.4 Fall Total N, (%) 0.20b 0.08b 0.05b 0.03b 0.20 0.09 0.06 0.04 0.20 0.10 0.06 0.04 0.21 0.10 0.04 0.03 0.21 0.11 0.05 0.03 0.20 0.11 0.05 0.03 0.21 0.10 0.06 0.04 0.21 0.09 0.05 0.05 0.19 0.10 0.04 0.03 1973 NH4FP, (ppm) 4.0b 1.5b 1.8b 2.0b 7.3 3.0 4.1 5.9 6.6 2.8 2.1 1.9 6.1 2.5 2.6 2.6 6.5 2.3 1.8 2.1 7.9 3.0 3.1 4.0 7.0 3.6 4.9 6.4 8.8 2.9 2.4 2.8 8.6 2.4 2.3 2.5 Fall Total N, (%) 0.20 0.09 0.22 0.10 0.21 0.10 0.26 0.09 0.24 0.09 0.27 0.11 0.25 0.10 0.25 0.11 0.25 0.10 1974 NHAFP, (ppm) 4.5 1.3 22.5 1.4 17.8 2.3 >70 1.8 48.8 1.6 >70 2.6 38.3 1.6 >70 2.1 >70 2.6 aAverage of four replications bLess than four replications 41 ------- Table 14. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE INDICATED AMOUNTS OF WASTE Waste rate, (MT/ha.) 38.5 26.9 101.5 85.3 135.2 119.7 169.6 172.7 Fall 1973 Salt level Low High Low High Low High Low High Na, K, (meq/lOOg) 0.25 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.10 0.06 0.08 0.06 0.48 0.46 0.82 0.76 0.80 0.77 0.84 0.71 Fall 1974 EC, Na, K, (iamhos/cm) (meq/lOOg) 682 460 724 713 683 745 923 830 0.15 0.18 0.27 0.36 0.38 0.54 0.33 0.56 0.85 0.88 1.86 1.47 2.46 1.76 2.18 1.93 EC, (ymhos/cm) 2418 1928 4873 3956 5886 5456 4903 6016 Exchangeable Na, Exchangeable K, and EC in Soil Samples Table 14 lists the mean values for exchangeable Na, exchangeable K, and EC for the waste treatments applied during the year. The increase in exchangeable Na within plots receiving high salt waste and high rates can be readily observed. The results from the analysis of variance for exchangeable Na are given in Table 15. The results show that the main effects of waste rate and NaCl treatment are nonsignificant. However, since the seasonal change, Fall 1973 to Fall 1974, represents the change in soil condi- tions due to the application of waste, the variable of season is needed in the main effect or interaction. The significance of the season main effect, the season by waste rate interaction, and the season by NaCl treatment interaction suggest that a real difference exists for ex- changeable Na with varying rates of waste. The mean values given in Table 16 for the significant tests show a larger increase in exchange- able Na for higher waste rates and high salt treatments. After determining the significance of the various effects by the analysis of variance, a multiple regression analysis was performed 42 ------- Table 15. ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE FOR EXCHANGEABLE Na IN SOIL Source Season (S) Waste rate (W) Salt treatment (N) Replication (R) S x W S x N W x N S x W x N S x R W x R S x W x R N x R S x N x R W x N x R Error df 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 9 9 3 3 9 9 Mean square 1.0686b 0.4576 NS 0.1723 NS 0.0126 0.1281b 0.1434a 0.0211 NS 0.0043 NS 0.0162 0.0186 0.0083 0.0186 0.0076 0.0137 0.0112 Significant at the .05 level bSignificant at the .01 level NS nonsignificant at the .05 level 43 ------- Table 16. THE MEAN VALUES FOR EXCHANGEABLE Na (meq/lOOg) FOR THE MAIN EFFECTS AND INTERACTIONS WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT Season x waste rate Proposed rate , MT/ha. (t/a.) Fall 1973a Fall 1974° 44.8 (20) 0.16 0.16 89.6 (40) 0.05 0.32 134.4 (60) 0.08 0.46 179.2 (80) 0.07 0.45 Season x salt treatment Salt treatment Fall 1973 Fall 1974 Low 0.12 0.28 High 0.06 0.41 aSeason mean value = 0.09 "Season mean value =0.35 to predict the change in exchangeable Na. The dependent variable was defined as the change in exchangeable Na from the Fall 1973 sam- pling to the Fall 1974 sampling, while the independent variables were defined as the actual amount of applied waste and the amount of applied Na. The results of the multiple regression analysis are given in Table 17. The antount of applied Na was more strongly related to the change in exchangeable Na than was waste rate. The addition of waste rate to the equation failed to increase the precision of the equation. This is a logical result since the amount of applied Na is not inde- pendent of the waste rate; however, by using the multiple regression analysis the independent variable which best predicts the change in exchangeable Na was determined. 44 ------- Table 17. EQUATIONS DEVELOPED FOR EXCHANGEABLE Na FROM THE MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EQUATIONS Percent of variation Equation Y = Y = Y = Y = 0. 0. 0. 0. 05044 05007 05062 05008 + + + + 0 0 0 0 explained by equation rz .00024 Zx - 0.00001 Z2 NS .00024 Z-f .00027 XL - 0.00003 X2 NS .00026 Xia 70. 70. 70. 70. 0 0 0 0 .69 .69 Y is the change in exchangeable Na (meq/lOOg) Z^ is the kilograms of applied Na (kg/ha.) 2.2 is the waste rate (MT/ha.) X1 is the pounds of applied Na (Ib/a.) X is the waste rate (t/a.) Significant at the .01 level NS nonsignificant at the .05 level The multiple regression analysis indicates that the simple linear regression equation using the weight of applied Na to predict the change in exchangeable Na is significant and explains a large part of the variation. Using this equation it is possible to predict the potential for dispersion of soil based on chemical analyses of the soil and waste. It is also necessary to make some assumptions con- cerning the type of clay present in the soil before predicting the possibility of soil dispersion. The critical value of 15% exchange- able Na for classification as a sodic soil may be beyond the dispersion point. Some soil scientists believe that the critical value for dis- persion varies with the type of clay that is present in the soil and with the presence of other ions. 45 ------- Table 18. ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE RESULTS FOR EXCHANGEABLE K IN SOIL Source Season (S) Waste rate (W) Salt treatment (N) Replication (R) S x W S x N W x N S x W x N S x R W x R S x W x R N x R S x N x R W x N x R Error df 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 9 9 3 3 9 9 Mean square 14.9286a 2.0893a 0.6064 NS 0.0958 0.7536 NS 0.2876 NS 0.0945 NS 0.0958 NS 0.1701 0.1442 0.2010 0.1164 0.1655 0.0824 0.0408 aSignifleant at the .01 level NS nonsignificant at the .05 level The results from the analysis of variance for exchangeable K are given in Table 18 and the means for the significant main effects are given in Table 19. The waste rate is the variable which influences the amount of K added to the soil and, thus, affects any change in exchangeable K. However, since the application of K is directly related to season, the season variable needs to be present in the effect. Thus, the important effect is the season by waste rate interaction which is nonsignificant for exchangeable K. 46 ------- Table 19. THE MEAN VALUES FOR EXCHANGEABLE K (meq/lOOg) FOR THE MAIN EFFECTS WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT AT THE .01 LEVEL. Season Year 1973 1974 Mean value meq/lOOg 0.71 1.67 Waste Proposed rate, MT/ha. (t/a.) 44.8 (20) 89.6 (40) 134.4 (60) 179.2 (80) rate Mean value meq/lOOg 0.67 1.23 1.45 1.41 The multiple regression analysis with the change in exchangeable K from the Fall 1973 sampling to the Fall 1974 sampling as the dependent variable and waste rate and the amount of applied K as the independent variables was performed. The results in Table 20 show waste rate as the best single parameter for predicting the change in exchangeable K. Even though the simple linear regression equation is significant at the .01 level it explains very little of the variation making the equation unsuitable for prediction in the field. The inability of the data to detect a significant change in exchangeable K for the season by waste rate interaction may be related to the presence of large amounts of illite in South Dakota soils. The illitic type clays make it difficult to accurately measure exchangeable K. The analysis of variance results for EC are given in Table 21. The significance of the season by waste rate interaction shows that there is a significant difference among the waste rate treatments with the change in season. The mean values given in Table 22 show the EC seasonal change is greater for the higher waste rates. 47 ------- Table 20. EQUATIONS DEVELOPED FOR EXCHANGEABLE K FROM THE MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EQUATIONS Percent of variation Equation explained by equation Y * Y - Y - Y = 0. 0. 0. 0. 22394 H 19782 ^ 22331 H 19777 H h 0 h 0 h 0 h 0 .02423 .00723 .05422 .01620 Z Z X X 1 ~ a 1 1 ~ a 0.00055 Z2 NS 0.00061 X2 NS 40. 38. 40. 38. 0 3 0 3 .38 .38 Y is the change in exchangeable K (meq/lOOg) Zj is the waste rate (MT/ha.) Z2 is the kilograms of applied K (kg/ha.) X, is the waste rate (t/a.) X2 is the pounds of applied K (Ib/a.) Significant at the .01 level NS nonsignificant at the .05 level The nonsignificance of the season by salt treatment interaction indi- cates that even though the variation in the total cation contents of waste is influenced by the Na content (Appendix Table A7), the change due to the Na content is small when compared to the total cations. With the significance of the season by waste rate interaction, a mul- tiple regression analysis (Table 23) was performed to develop a regres- sion equation for predicting the change in EC. The analysis included the change in EC, based on the change in EC from the Fall 1973 sampling to the Fall 1974 sampling, as the dependent variable and waste rate and amount of total cations applied as the independent variables. The waste rate was found to be a better parameter for predicting a change in EC than amount of total cations applied. 48 ------- Table 21. ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE RESULTS FOR EC IN SOIL Source Season (S) Waste rate (W) Salt treatment (N) Replication (R) S x W S x N W x N S x W x N S x R W x R S x W x R N x R S x N x R W x N x R Error df 1 3 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 9 9 3 3 9 9 Mean square 2.2016 x 108S 1.1624 x 10?a 2.4292 x 105 NS 1.4291 x 106 9.0130 x lO6* 5.2498 x 104 NS 7.6699 x 105 NS 8.4562 x 105 NS 1.1470 x 106 1.0773 x 106 7.1483 x 105 4.4046 x 105 4.2689 x 105 3.9206 x 105 3.8936 x 105 Significant at the .01 level NS nonsignificant at the .05 level Although the simple linear regression equation for predicting a change in EC by using the waste rate is significant at the .01 level, it is able to only explain approximately one-half of the variation. Thus, the equation is unacceptable for making field predictions for a change in EC due to a waste application. ------- Table 22. THE MEAN VALUES FOR EC (ymhos/cm) FOR THE MAIN EFFECTS AND INTERACTIONS WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANT Waste rate Proposed rate MT/ha. (t/a.) 44.8 (20) 89.6 (40) 134.4 (60) 179.2 (80) (ymhos/cm) 1372 2566 3193 3168 Season Fall 1973 y mhos /cm 571 718 714 877 x waste rate Fall 1974 y mhos /cm 2173 4415 5671 5460 Table 23. THE EQUATIONS DEVELOPED FOR EC FROM THE MULTIPLE REGRES- SION ANALYSIS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EQUATIONS Equation Percent of variation explained by equation Y - 1220.38 x 14.74 Z{ + 0.14 Z2 NS Y - 1219.26 + 23.44 Z]_a Y = 1220.19 + 32.76 Xx + 0.16 X2 NS Y - 1218.90 + 52.50 X]8 53.2 53.0 53.2 53.0 .53 .53 Y is the change in EC (ymhos/cm) Z-L is the waste rate (MT/ha.) Z2 is the kilograms of applied cations (kg/ha.) X-j^ is the waste rate (t/a.) X2 is the pounds of applied cations (Ib/a.) Significant at the .01 level NS nonsignificant at the .05 level 50 ------- After a single year of waste disposal, the salinity of the surface 30 cm of soil within plots receiving high rates of waste has increased to a level normally expected to cause reduced growth for many crops. Since the soil below 60 cm in this area is naturally saline, the plots where the heavy waste applications have been made are saline through- out most of the crop rooting zone. The corn production data for the first year are variable. The less than normal rainfall resulted in reduced water for crop growth and almost no water for leaching. Seasons with higher rainfall could be expected to result in more leaching of salts deeper into the soil pro- file and could be expected to give quite different crop production results. However, the precipitation patterns of the sub-humid Plains are naturally variable and variable leaching or runoff patterns can be expected. RUNOFF Although the runoff sampling and measuring instruments were maintained during the non-frozen soil cycle, precipitation amounts and patterns were such that no runoff occurred during the investigation period. 51 ------- SECTION VIII LITERATURE CITED Aldrich, S. R. 1973. Determining application rates of livestock wastes to the land. Proceedings of 1973 Livestock Waste Manage- ment Conference. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Pollution Control Federation. 1971. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water. American Public Health Association, New York. 874 p. Analytical Quality Control Laboratory. 1971. Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, 1971. U.S. Environmental Pro- tection Agency, Cincinnati, Ohio. EPA-16020 07/71. Anderson, F. N. and G. A. Peterson. 1973. Effects of continuous corn (Zea mays L.), manuring, and nitrogen fertilization on yield and protein content of the grain and on soil nitrogen content. Agronomy Journal 65:697-700. Ayers, A. D. and H. E. Hayward. 1948. A method for measuring the effects of soil salinity on seed germination with observations on several crop plants. Soil Science Society of America Pro- ceedings 13:224-226. Bower, C. A. and L. V. Wilcox. 1965. Soluble salts, p. 933-951. In; C. A. Black (ed.) Methods of Soil Analysis. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin. Bremner, J. M. and D. R. Keeney. 1966. Determination and isotope- ration analysis of different forms of nitrogen in soils: 3. Exchangeable ammonium, nitrate, and nitrite by extraction- distillation methods. Soil Science Society of America Pro- ceedings 30:577-582. Chapman, H. D. and P. F. Pratt. 1961. Methods of Analysis for Soils, Plants and Waters. University of California, Division of Agri- cultural Sciences, Riverside. 52 ------- Crampton, E. W. and L. A. Maynard. 1938. The relationship of cellu- lose and lignin content to the nutritive value of animal feeds. Journal of Nutrition 15:383. Cross, 0. E., A. P. Mazurak, and L. Chesnin. 1971. Animal waste utilization for pollution abatement. Transactions of the Ameri- can Society of Agricultural Engineers 16:160-163. Evans, S. D., P. R. Goodrich, and R. C. Hunter. 1972. Effect of heavy applications of animal manure on corn growth and yield and on soil properties. Division A-5. Presented at the Winter Meeting of the American Society of Agronomy, Miami Beach, Florida. Frye, A. L., R. W. Hansen, M. G. Petit, R. P. Martin, J. K. Matsushima, S. M. Morrison, B. R. Sabey, J. L. Smith, J. C. Ward, and R. C. Ward. 1972. Animal waste management with pollution control. Annual Report of Colorado Contributing Project to NC 93. Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Gilbertson, C. B., T. M. McCalla, J. R. Ellis, and W. R. Woods. 1971. Characteristics of manure accumulations removed from outdoor, unpaved beef cattle feedlots. pp. 56-59. In; Proceedings, International Symposium on Livestock Wastes. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan. Heald, W. R. 1965. Calcium and magnesium, pp. 999-1010. In; C. A. Black (ed.) Methods of Soil Analysis. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, Wisconsin. Issac, R. A. and J. D. Kerber. 1971. Atomic absorption and flame photometry: Techniques and uses in soil, plant, and water analysis. pp. 17-37. In; L. M. Walsh (ed.) Instrumental Methods for Analysis of Soils and Plant Tissue. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin. Jackson, M. L. 1958. Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Jones, J. B. 1967. Interpretation of plant analysis for several agronomic crops, pp. 49-58. In; Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Part II. Soil Science Society of America, Madison, Wisconsin. Martin, N. P. 1970. Soil as an animal waste disposal medium. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 25:43. Mathers, A. C. and B. A. Stewart. 1974. Corn silage yield and soil chemical properties as affected by cattle feedlot manure. Journal of Environmental Quality 3:143-147. 53 ------- Mathers, A. C., B. A. Stewart, J. D. Thomas, and B. J. Blair. 1972. Effects of cattle feedlot manure on crop yields and soil con- ditions. Texas A & M University, Agricultural Experiment Station Research Center, College Station. Technical Report No. 11. Murphy, L. S., G. W. Wallingford, W. L. Powers, and H. L. Manges. 1972. Effects of solid beef feedlot wastes on soil conditions and plant growth, pp. 449-464. In: Waste Management Research, Proceedings of the 1972 Cornell Agricultural Waste Management Conference. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Powers, W. L., G. W. Wallingford, L. S. Murphy, D. A. Whitney, H. L. Manges, and H. E. Jones. 1974. Guidelines for applying beef feedlot manure to fields. Kansas State University. Manhattan. Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin C-502. Reddell, D. L., R. C. Egg, and V. L. Smith. 1974. Chemical changes in soils used for beef manure disposal. Paper No. 74-4060. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Agri- cultural Engineers, Chicago, Illinois. Salter, R. M. and C. J. Schollenberger. 1939. Farm manure. Ohio State University, Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster. Bulletin No. 605. U.S. Salinity Laboratory. 1954. Methods for soil characterization. pp. 83-126. In: L. A. Richards (ed.) Agricultural Handbook No. 60. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, B.C. Vitosh, M. L., J. F. Davis, and B. D. Knezek. 1972. Long-term effects of fertilizer, manure, and plowing depth on corn. Michigan State University, Agricultural Experiment Station, Lansing. Research Report No. 198. 54 ------- SECTION IX GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS Al - Chemical symbol for aluminum B - Chemical symbol for boron bu/a - Bushels per acre C - Symbol for centigrade temperature Ca - Chemical symbol for calcium Cl - Chemical symbol for chlorine cm - Centimeter Cu - Chemical symbol for copper EC - Electrical conductivity expressed in micromhos/cm ft - Foot or feet g - Gram H - High as used to indicate salt level (0.50% - 0.75%) hl/ha - Hectoliters per hectare in - Inch K - Chemical symbol for potassium kg - kilograms km/hr - Kilometers per hour L - Low as used to indicate salt level (0.0% - 0.25%) 55 ------- Ib - Pound m - Meter meq - Milliequivalents Mg - Chemical symbol for magnesium Mn - Chemical symbol for manganese Mo - Chemical symbol for molybdenum MPN - Most probable number MT/ha - Metric tons per hectare N - Chemical symbol for nitrogen Na - Chemical symbol for sodium OM - Organic matter P - Chemical symbol for phosphorus ppm - Parts per million S - Chemical symbol for sulfur Sr - Chemical symbol for strontium T - Trace t/a - Tons per acre ymhos - Micromhos WS - Water soluble Zn - Chemical symbol for zinc 56 ------- SECTION X APPENDIX 57 ------- Table Al. WASTE ANALYSES FOR SEPTEMBER 1973 Salt added to the ration % 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 Environment Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Pen No. 4 9 6 13 1 12 7 16 2 10 8 15 3 11 5 14 Ca 1.23 1.23 1.31 1.28 1.35 1.29 1.16 1.26 1.43 1.42 1.43 1.19 1.26 1.15 1.27 1.20 Mg 0.75 0.72 0.65 0.68 0.74 0.69 0.72 0.68 0.77 0.75 0.79 0.65 0.70 0.73 0.70 0.67 Na %. 0.51 0.48 0.41 0.40 0.80 0.83 0.80 0.76 1.15 1.52 1.19 1.10 1.81 1.63 1.44 1.57 K 2.83 3.02 2.27 2.61 2.68 2.50 2.68 2.61 2.84 3.08 2.73 2.45 2.84 2.91 2.63 2.75 Total of cations 5.32 5.45 4.64 4.97 5.57 5.31 5.36 5.31 6.19 6.77 6.14 5.39 6.61 6.42 6.04 6.19 58 ------- Table A2. WASTE ANALYSES FOR OCTOBER 1973 Salt added to the ration % 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 Environment Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Pen No. 4 9 6 13 1 12 7 16 2 10 8 15 3 11 5 14 Ca 0.76 0.79 0.76 0.91 0.98 0.86 1.00 0.86 0.82 0.84 0.81 0.77 0.92 0.81 0.76 0.80 Mg 0.72 0.66 0.77 0.89 0.80 0.77 0.88 0.74 0.77 0.75 0.79 0.73 0.79 0.72 0.74 0.76 Na 0.30 0.18 0.24 0.20 0.51 0.64 0.42 0.39 0.82 0.70 0.69 0.55 0.96 0.88 0.84 0.78 Total of K cations 3.44 2.62 3.76 3.37 3.75 3.84 4.08 3.66 4.02 3.86 3.73 3.05 3.46 3.39 3.30 3.79 5.22 4.25 5.53 5.37 6.04 6.11 6.38 5.65 6.43 6.15 6.02 5.10 6.13 5,80 5.64 6.13 59 ------- Table A3. WASTE ANALYSES FOR DECEMBER 1973 Salt added to the ration % 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 Environment Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Pen No. 4 9 6 13 1 12 7 16 2 10 8 15 3 11 5 14 Ca 0.77 0.82 0.74 0.66 0.75 0.72 0.66 0.62 0.75 0.79 0.61 0.65 0.76 0.71 0.63 0.61 Mg 0.72 0.79 0.79 0.75 0.74 0.73 0.67 0.71 0.72 0.78 0.72 0.70 0.73 0.76 0.70 0.73 Na %_ 0.25 0.25 0.23 0.15 0.44 0.75 0.32 0.50 0.93 1.08 0.68 0.73 1.55 1.56 0.70 1.21 K 3.62 3.87 4.01 3.43 3.43 3.98 3.47 3.44 3.67 4.06 4.39 3.47 3.98 4.27 3.32 4.19 Total of cations 5.36 5.73 5.77 4.99 5.36 6.18 5.12 5.27 6.07 6.71 6.40 5.55 7.02 7.30 5.35 6.74 60 ------- Table A4. WASTE ANALYSES FOR FEBRUARY 1974 Salt added to the ration % 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 Environment Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Pen No. 4 9 6 13 1 12 7 16 2 10 8 15 3 11 5 14 Ca 1.45 1.37 1.42 1.34 1.44 1.64 1.24 1.36 1.49 1.49 1.55 1.25 1.27 1.62 1.35 1.25 Mg 0.77 0.76 0.68 0.72 0.73 0.76 0.73 0.71 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.67 0.69 0.77 0.69 0.67 Na 0.51 0.47 0.43 0.39 0.81 0.96 0.78 0.76 1.18 0.47 1.19 1.11 1.59 1.54 1.37 1.50 Total of K cations 2.96 3.03 2.50 2.67 2.72 2.84 2.81 2.65 2.90 3.03 2.78 2.54 2.78 2.81 3.64 2.75 5.69 5.63 5.03 5.12 5.70 6.20 5.56 5.48 6.33 5.75 6.28 5.57 6.33 6.74 7.05 6.17 61 ------- Table A5. WASTE ANALYSES FOR MARCH 1974 Salt added to the ration % 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 Environment Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Pen No. 4 9 6 13 1 12 7 16 2 10 8 15 3 11 5 14 Ca 1.30 1.26 1.39 1.38 1.41 1.32 1.24 1.34 1.37 1.58 1.48 1.19 1.26 1.14 1.22 1.24 Mg 0.79 0.74 0.69 0.74 0.77 0.71 0.77 0.72 0.73 0.83 0.81 0.65 0.71 0.72 0.70 0.69 Na %_ 0.54 0.49 0.43 0.43 0.83 0.85 0.86 0.80 1.10 1.69 1.23 1.10 1.81 1.62 1.39 1.62 K 2.99 3.10 2.42 2.81 2.81 2.57 2.86 2.77 2.70 3.44 2.82 2.46 2.84 2.90 2.54 2.85 Total of cations 5.62 5.59 4.93 5.36 5.82 5.45 5.73 5.63 5.90 7.54 6.34 5.40 6.62 6.38 5.85 6.40 62 ------- Table A6. WASTE ANALYSES FOR APRIL 1974 Salt added to the ration % 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 Environment Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Pen No. 4 9 6 13 1 12 7 16 2 10 8 15 3 11 5 14 Ca 1.65 1.49 1.32 1.29 1.57 1.57 1.25 1.18 1.46 1.64 1.29 1.20 1.56 1.49 1.42 1.23 Mg 0.80 0.83 0.71 0.77 0.84 0.85 0.78 0.76 0.81 0.87 0.78 0.75 0.81 0.80 0.74 0.72 Na °L 0.80 0.60 0.55 0.51 1.00 1.00 0.72 1.26 1.40 1.46 1.25 1.21 1.75 1.69 1.56 1.50 Total of K cations 3.49 3.48 3.12 3.22 3.47 3.16 3.05 3.19 3.40 3.28 3.20 3.12 3.31 3.09 3.22 3.12 6.74 6.40 5.70 5.79 6.88 6.58 5,80 6.39 7.07 7.25 6.52 6.28 7.43 7.07 6.94 6.57 63 ------- Table A7. AVERAGE WASTE ANALYSES FOR ALL SIX COLLECTION DATES Salt added to the ration % 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 Environment Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Covered Covered Open Open Pen No. 4 9 6 13 1 12 7 16 2 10 8 15 3 11 5 14 Ca 1.19 1.16 1.16 1.14 1.25 1.23 1.09 1.10 1.22 1.29 1.20 1.04 1.17 1.15 1.11 1.06 Mg 0.76 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.77 0.75 0.76 0.72 0.76 0.79 0.78 0.69 0.74 0.75 0.71 0.71 Na 7 0.49 0.41 0.38 0.35 0.73 0.84 0.65 0.75 1.10 1.15 1.04 0.97 1.58 1.49 1.22 1.36 K 3.22 3.19 3.01 3.02 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.05 3.26 3.46 3.28 2.85 3.20 3.23 3.11 3.24 Total of cations 5.66 5.51 5.31 5.27 5.89 5.97 5.66 5.62 6.34 6.69 6.30 5.55 6.69 6.62 6.15 6.37 64 ------- Table A8. LEAF ANALYSIS RESULTS FOR LEAVES SAMPLED AT SILKING3 Proposed rate, (MT/ha.) Salt (t/a.) treatment Check 44.8 Low (20) High 89.6 Low (40) High 134 . 4 Low (60) High Replicatioi I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV N 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 2. 3. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 2. 3. 3. 3. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. b 37 69 86 87 86 05 93 05 71 82 77 91 16 88 06 11 02 99 08 13 38 22 17 95 76 20 32 03 P 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 29 28 26 24 33 34 37 35 34 35 39 29 34 39 35 31 36 39 27 36 37 39 35 32 29 39 37 37 K 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 2. Ca »/ 49 82 59 54 56 35 74 77 47 81 60 46 67 99 30 37 77 87 59 48 54 78 54 56 39 70 17 32 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 71 57 47 43 54 49 51 58 44 63 54 60 48 48 51 57 46 58 43 65 53 52 41 45 60 52 47 50 Mg 0.54 0.62 0.42 0.56 0.45 0.39 0.34 0.36 0.53 0.41 0.42 0.39 0.39 0.40 0.29 0.36 0.26 0.38 0.33 0.38 0.34 0.32 0.27 0.34 0.28 0.33 0.28 0.32 Sb 0.098 0.170 0.153 0.205 0.115 0.133 0.133 0.133 0.115 0.123 0.140 0.140 0.140 0.133 0.145 0.145 0.125 0.145 0.125 0.140 0.150 0.150 0.160 0.140 0.113 0.150 0.160 0.153 65 ------- Table A8 (continued). LEAF ANALYSES RESULTS FOR LEAVES SAMPLED AT SILKING3 Proposed rate, (MT/ha.) Salt (t/a.) treatment Replication Nb K Ca Mg 179.2 Low (80) High I II III IV I II III IV 3. 3. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 28 31 90 50 01 17 06 24 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 29 37 37 35 35 37 33 35 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 .74 .73 .70 .59 .71 .50 .52 .34 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 0. 36 49 54 49 42 41 54 46 0.25 0.30 0.39 0.33 0.26 0.25 0.25 0.26 0.140 0.160 0.153 0.173 0.145 0.140 0.160 0.173 aAll Na analyses were less than 0.01% bThe tests for these elements were performed by the Soil Testing Laboratory at South Dakota State University 66 ------- Table A9. LEAF ANALYSIS RESULTS FOR LEAVES SAMPLED AT SILKING Proposed rate, (MT/ha.) (t/a.) Salt treatment Mn Fe T» -i j *_ j Replication B Cu Zn Al Sr Mo PP Check I 75 223 21 11 30 213 35 1.00 II 67 242 25 12 26 231 39 0.97 III 47 233 23 13 27 207 36 0.48 IV 66 188 26 11 25 165 34 0.83 44.8 Low I 152 218 21 11 31 196 34 0.81 (20) II 210 250 29 12 35 188 34 0.82 III 167 245 25 11 39 221 36 0.46 IV 104 237 24 11 24 216 32 0.55 High I 129 216 25 11 26 200 35 1.15 II 104 233 21 11 29 212 33 0.59 III 74 258 29 11 26 235 31 0.44 IV 150 218 23 11 33 179 34 0.44 89-6 LOW I 127 232 21 11 32 193 36 0.49 II 97 236 22 11 30 212 35 0.53 III 118 250 29 11 30 216 33 0.62 IV 140 229 25 10 30 206 34 0.38 Hi8h I 189 246 26 11 37 196 31 0.38 II 137 267 24 11 33 219 36 0.52 III 91 174 29 9 23 138 36 0.42 IV 112 253 25 11 26 251 34 0.82 134.4 Low i 304 280 37 12 48 222 35 0.54 II 202 250 27 11 41 193 35 0.57 III 183 234 38 12 34 167 36 0.47 IV 112 252 25 11 27 244 31 0.47 High I 119 194 21 11 34 175 29 0.40 II 224 270 30 11 47 226 34 0.50 III 337 252 30 11 50 196 34 0.38 IV 263 282 47 12 41 205 37 0.48 67 ------- Table A9 (continued). LEAF ANALYSIS RESULTS FOR LEAVES SAMPLED AT SILKING Proposed rate, (MT/ha.) (t/a.) 179.2 (80) Salt treatment Low Replication I II Mn Fe B Cu Zn Al Sr Mo Ft"" 202 225 195 264 28 33 10 12 31 47 142 204 32 34 0.33 0.65 III 146 250 26 11 32 214 36 0.77 IV 141 282 25 9 35 279 32 0.42 High I 334 245 30 10 51 214 31 0.37 II 290 264 40 12 48 204 32 0.55 III 143 281 33 12 31 277 29 0.42 IV 340 248 36 8 47 208 31 0.49 68 ------- Table A10. SILAGE AND EAR CORN YIELDS FROM WASTE DISPOSAL PLOTS Proposed rate, (MT/ha.) Salt (t/a.) treatment Check 44.8 Low (20) High 89 . 6 Low (40) High 134.4 Low (60) High 15.5% moisture Ear corn yield, Replication (hl/ha.) (bu/a.) I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV 28.22 37.10 45.88 45.66 56.88 71.93 38.51 53.42 30.24 60.06 18.58 32.20 66.48 55.00 70.96 56.84 67.71 52.84 48.68 48.76 61.50 55.04 44.46 50.06 61.90 82.68 46.38 53.02 32.44 42.65 52.73 52.48 65.38 82.68 44.26 61.40 34.76 69.03 21.36 37.01 76.42 63.22 81.56 65.34 77.83 60.74 55.96 56.05 70.69 63.27 51.11 57.54 71.15 95.04 53.31 60.94 0.0% moisture Silage, Yield, (MT/ha.) (t/a.) 3.99 3.76 9.27 5.64 7.77 9.16 8.18 8.78 6.81 6.52 5.87 7.68 7.39 7.46 11.36 3.94 6.54 8.02 8.31 8.58 7.97 8.09 4.41 3.45 6.18 7.75 6.52 6.27 1.78 1.68 4.14 2.52 3.47 4.09 3.65 3.92 3.04 2.91 2.62 3.43 3.30 3.33 5.07 1.76 2.92 3.58 3.71 3.83 3.56 3.61 1.97 1.54 2.76 3.46 2.91 2.80 69 ------- Table A10 (continued). SILAGE AND EAR CORN YIELDS FROM WASTE DISPOSAL PLOTS Proposed rate, 15.5% moisture 0,0% moisture (MT/ha.) Salt Ear corn yield, Silage, Yield, (t/a.) treatment Replication (hl/ha.) (bu/a.) (MT/ha.) (t/a.) 179.2 Low I 69.41 79.78 8.47 3.78 (80) II 63.78 73.31 7.06 3.15 III 56.12 64.51 7.71 3.44 IV 59.45 68.33 7.48 3.34 High I 52.33 60.15 6.18 2.76 II 69.16 79.49 7.14 3.19 III 70.60 81.15 5.76 2.57 IV 23.46 26.96 6.41 2.86 70 ------- Table All. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE LOW SALT WASTE AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 38.52 MT/ha. (17.25 t/a.). Depth, (cm) Season (ft) Replication Fall 1973 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Fall 1974 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV Na K, (meq/lOOg) 0.13 0.77 0.05 0.04 0.10 0.18 0.24 0.12 1.29 0.32 0.56 0.33 0.39 0.50 0.60 0.36 0.09 0.21 0.14 0.15 1.02 0.22 0.30 0.23 0.62 0.33 0.62 0.49 0.85 0.73 0.60 0.57 0.19 0.47 0.68 0.58 0.41 0.59 0.50 0.34 0.33 0.43 0.68 0.32 0.37 0.42 0.52 0.38 0.40 1.23 0.72 1.06 0.35 0.55 0.66 0.46 0.46 0.44 0.69 0.39 0.31 0.29 0.52 0.42 EC, (y mhos /cm) 772 650 547 760 457 1333 1134 1571 633 3304 4577 4942 4708 5946 7060 6647 2322 3532 558 3261 642 900 1953 1632 469 3994 5644 4505 5316 4843 6551 6001 71 ------- Table A12. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE HIGH SALT WASTE AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 26.92 MT/ha. (12.02 t/a.) Depth, (cm) Season (ft) Fall 1973 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Fall 1974 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Na K, Replication (meq/100g) I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV 0.09 0.07 0.10 0.05 0.03 0.47 0.13 0.12 0.93 0.58 0.25 0.28 0.43 0.50 0.18 0.40 0.16 0.18 0.14 0.25 0.14 0.23 0.17 0.25 0.55 0.48 0.34 0.55 0.69 0.47 0.43 0.71 0.20 0.25 0.63 0.77 0.35 0.37 0.54 0.60 0.42 0.34 0.44 0.51 0.52 0.34 0.33 0.37 0.86 0.98 0.71 0.95 0.47 0.43 0.49 0.55 0.33 0.30 0.35 0.71 0.83 0.26 0.29 0.48 EC, (ymhos/cm) 568 536 61 677 551 1021 542 875 1645 4584 3022 2822 4826 8399 2083 4873 1545 2208 651 3310 535 931 634 444 4735 4557 3810 4793 4808 7898 4768 6194 72 ------- Table A13. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE LOW SALT WASTE AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 101.46 MT/ha. (45.30 t/a.) Depth, (cm) Season (ft) Fall 1973 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Fall 1974 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Replication I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV Na K, (meq/100g) 0.07 0.05 0.03 0.07 0.22 0.22 0.08 0.16 0.35 0.41 0.24 0.29 0.50 0.43 0.30 0.40 0.26 0.24 0.22 0.37 0.38 0.29 0.21 0.22 0.62 0.70 0.28 0.43 0.76 0.70 0.15 0.45 0.94 1.05 0.59 0.71 0.59 0.60 0.38 0.42 0.42 0.48 0.35 0.37 0.32 0.41 0.41 0.35 1.57 1.65 1.20 2.92 0.46 0.52 0.44 0.47 0.36 0.44 0.35 0.36 0.29 0.41 0.35 0.37 EC, (umhos/cm) 785 541 819 749 2393 2374 1625 1782 4534 4086 2947 4195 5736 5627 5010 5484 4804 3283 3910 7496 2176 1565 1268 1328 5349 5228 4824 4166 7332 6758 4245 6274 73 ------- Table A14. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE HIGH SALT WASTE AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 85.32 MT/ha. (38.09 t/a.) Depth, (cm) Season (ft) Fall 1973 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Fall 1974 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Na K, Replication (meq/lOOg) I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.14 0.16 0.27 0.09 1.75 0.39 0.10 0.23 0.28 0.40 0.18 0.26 0.49 0.23 0.36 0.35 0.23 0.26 0.23 0.17 0.62 0.45 0.36 0.32 0.80 0.53 0.38 0.44 0.88 0.90 0.68 0.60 0.48 0.69 0.50 0.38 0.37 0.49 0.33 0.33 0.35 0.39 0.39 0.34 2.00 1.30 1.27 1.30 0.71 0.52 0.44 0.40 0.51 0.35 0.46 0.35 0.47 0.34 0.39 0.35 EC, (ymhos/cm) 785 541 819 749 2393 2374 1625 1782 4534 4086 2947 4195 5736 5627 5010 5484 4804 3283 3910 7496 2176 1565 1268 1328 5349 5228 4824 4166 7332 6758 4245 6274 74 ------- Table A15. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE LOW SALT WASTE AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 135.20 MT/ha. (60.38 t/a.) Depth, (cm) Season (ft) Replication Fall 1973 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Fall 1974 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV Na K, (meq/lOOg) 0.17 0.06 0.04 0.11 1.31 0.36 0.27 0.27 0.39 0.43 0.46 0.44 0.43 0.36 0.43 0.61 0.37 0.21 0.36 0.59 0.31 0.22 0.22 0.25 0.52 0.53 0.30 0.40 0.74 0.60 0.42 0.46 0.69 1.04 0.72 0.77 0.39 0.62 0.58 0.55 0.42 0.56 0.60 0.37 0.33 0.32 0.49 0.41 3.02 1.49 2.26 3.09 0.68 0.71 0.56 0.48 0.42 0.49 0.41 0.33 0.31 0.29 0.33 0.41 EC, (umhos/cm) 438 879 618 800 1034 1629 1388 3085 5339 4881 5802 5724 6218 3149 6982 6467 7551 3953 5535 6503 1360 896 1489 2305 4665 5397 4656 5088 6238 5708 5617 5845 75 ------- Table A16. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE HIGH SALT WASTE AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 119.70 MT/ha. (53.44 t/a.) Depth, (cm) Season (ft) Fall 1973 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Fall 1974 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Na K, Replication (meq/100g) I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.07 0.14 0.58 0.14 0.12 0.21 0.20 0.35 0.24 0.51 0.46 0.50 0.31 0.59 0.52 0.57 0.48 0.11 0.21 0.25 0.18 0.34 0.64 0.45 0.24 0.78 0.70 0.81 0.33 0.55 1.12 0.68 0.73 0.29 0.47 0.61 0.56 0.37 0.41 0.69 0.46 0.31 0.51 0.54 0.31 2.07 1.41 1.79 1.76 0.38 0.47 0.58 0.47 0.37 0.29 0.75 0.32 0.36 0.29 0.76 0.35 EC, (pmhos/cm) 514 625 764 1050 456 955 615 1769 783 2392 1846 5049 3606 5438 5122 6103 5357 5302 5466 5700 773 3324 768 1978 2516 5420 4559 4290 4689 7359 5851 4999 76 ------- Table A17. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE LOW SALT WASTE AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 169.55 MT/ha. (75.70 t/a.) Depth, (cm) Season (ft) Replication Fall 1973 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Fall 1974 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV Na K, (meq/lOOg) 0.05 0.09 0.10 0.09 0.11 0.41 0.26 0.55 0.28 0.57 0.33 0.47 0.51 1.22 0.43 0.39 0.31 0.43 0.36 0.23 0.24 0.33 0.45 0.34 0.36 0.49 0.48 0.38 0.60 1.68 0.60 0.18 0.93 0.92 0.77 0.74 0.66 0.64 0.52 0.58 0.52 0.37 0.32 0.42 0.36 0.35 0.31 0.41 2.38 2.53 1.90 1.89 0.80 0.50 0.55 0.47 0.53 0.39 0.33 0.30 0.38 0.30 0.38 0.30 EC, (ymhos/cm) 549 1472 613 1058 1000 4955 2229 3024 4491 6261 6180 8305 6567 3366 5839 7574 3830 5414 4871 5496 1111 2459 2414 3170 4172 5072 4726 5845 6328 6224 6095 6585 77 ------- Table A18. SOIL ANALYSES FOR PLOTS RECEIVING THE HIGH SALT WASTE AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 172.69 MT/ha. (77.10 t/a.) Depth, (cm) Season (ft) Fall 1973 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Fall 1974 0-30.5 (0-1) 30.5-61.0 (1-2) 61.0-91.4 (2-3) 91.4-152.4 (3-5) Na K, Replication (meq/lOOg) I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV I II III IV 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.25 0.16 0.22 0.27 0.68 0.49 0.25 0.29 0.57 0.48 0.33 0.30 0.58 0.48 0.74 0.46 0.31 0.27 0.20 0.28 0.59 0.35 0.34 0.44 0.62 0.45 0.40 0.34 0.76 0.79 0.58 0.70 0.48 0.68 0.33 0.49 0.72 0.36 0.34 0.26 0.37 0.33 0.36 0.32 2.15 1.99 2.09 1.50 0.78 0.83 0.37 0.54 0.61 0.54 0.37 0.36 0.38 0.42 0.34 0.35 EC, (pmhos/cm) 547 461 1688 625 1024 1580 2398 2358 4897 5028 3157 5908 8334 6045 4142 5783 5855 6511 6517 5183 1288 1288 1782 3238 4925 4446 3137 5785 7086 4966 4408 6666 78 ------- Table A19. MEAN VALUES FOR EXCHANGEABLE Na, K, AND EC FOR THE MAIN EFFECTS Season Fall 1973 Fall 1974 Na, (meq/lOOg) 0.09 0.35 K, (meq/lOOg) 0.71 1.67 EC (ymhos/cm) 720 4430 Waste rate Proposed rate, (MT/ha.)(t/a.) 44.8 (20) 89.6 (40) 134.4 (60) 179.2 (80) Fall 1973 Fall 1974 Na (meq/lOOg) 0.16 0.18 0.27 0.26 Salt Na (meq/lOOg) 0.20 0.23 K (meq/100) 0.67 1.23 1.45 1.41 treatment K (meq/lOOg) 1.29 1.09 EC (ymhos/cm) 1372 2566 3193 3168 EC (ymhos/cm) 2636 2513 79 ------- Table A20. MEAN VALUES FOR EXCHANGEABLE Na, EXCHANGEABLE K AND EC FOR THE SEASON BY WASTE RATE INTERACTION Proposed ~~ ~~ rate, (MT/ha.) Na, K, EC, (t/a.) Season (meq/lOOg) (meq/lOOg) (ymhos/cm) 44.8 Fall 1973 0.16 0.47 571 (20) Fall 1974 0.16 0.86 2173 89.6 Fall 1973 0.05 0.79 718 (40) Fall 1974 0.32 1.66 4415 134.3 Fall 1973 0.07 0.79 714 (60) Fall 1974 0.46 2.11 5671 179.2 Fall 1973 0.07 0.77 877 (80) Fall 1974 0.45 2.05 5460 80 ------- Table 21. MEAN VALUES FOR EXCHANGEABLE Na, EXCHANGEABLE K, AND EC FOR THE SEASON BY SALT TREATMENT INTERACTION Salt Na, K, EC, Season treatment (meq/lOOg) (meq/lOOg) (ymhos/cm) Fall 1973 Low 0.12 0.74 753 High 0.06 0.68 687 Fall 1974 Low 0.28 1.84 4520 High 0.41 1.51 4339 81 ------- Table A22. MEAN VALUES FOR EXCHANGEABLE Na, EXCHANGEABLE K, AND EC FOR THE WASTE RATE BY SALT TREATMENT INTERACTION Proposed rate, (MT/ha.) Salt Na, K, EC, (t/a.) treatment (meq/lOOg) (meq/lOOg) (ymhos/cm) 44.8 Low 0.20 0.67 1550 (20) High 0.13 0.67 1194 89.6 Low 0.16 1.34 2798 (40) High 0.20 1.12 2335 134.4 Low 0.24 1.64 3285 (60) High 0.30 1.26 3101 179.2 Low 0.21 1.51 2913 (80) High 0.31 1.32 3423 82 ------- Table A23. MEAN VALUES FOR EXCHANGEABLE Na, EXCHANGEABLE K AND EC FOR THE SEASON BY WASTE RATE BY SALT TREATMENT INTERACTION Proposed rate, (MT/ha.) (t/a.) Fall 1973 Fall 1974 Salt treatment Na K EC, (meq/lOOg) (ymhos/cm) Na K, EC, (meq/lOOg) (ymhos/cm) 44.8 (20) 89.6 (40) 134.4 (60) 179.2 (80) Low High Low High Low High Low High 0.25 0.48 0.08 0.46 0.06 0.82 0.04 0.76 0.10 0.80 0.06 0.77 0.08 0.84 0.06 0.71 682 460 724 713 683 745 923 830 0.15 0.85 0.18 0.88 0.27 1.86 0.36 1.47 0.38 2.46 0.54 1.76 0.33 2.18 0.56 1.93 2418 1928 4873 3956 5886 5456 4903 6016 83 ------- TECHNICAL REPORT DATA {/'lease read Instructions on the reverse before completing) 1. REPORT NO. EPA-600/2-76-188 I 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Animal Waste Management in the Northern Great Plains 7. AUTHOR(S) Maurice L. Horton John L. Wiersma James L. Halbeisen 3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO. 5. REPORT DATE September 1976 (Issuing Date) 6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS Water Resources Institute South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota 57006 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO. 1BB039 11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO. S-802532 12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ada, Oklahoma 74820 13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED Final 14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE EPA-ORD 15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 16. ABSTRACT The effect of salt level of the ration for beef steers upon salinity of the waste and the effects of the applied waste upon the soil and upon crop production was in- vestigated. In addition, the study was conducted in both covered and open feedlot pens to study the effect of shelter in a northern climate upon animal performance and waste characteristics. The field portion of the study included four rates of waste up to 179 MT/ha. applied to plots 0.02 ha. in size. Detailed soil analyses were made which included salinity, nutrients, cations, and the dispersion hazard as indicated by the level of exchange- able sodium. The levels of salt used in the ration appeared to have little or no effect on animal performance; however, the salinity and sodium levels of the waste were directly af- fected. The salinity level of the surface 30 cm of soil where high rates of waste were applied was sufficiently high to affect the growth of corn. The lack of leach- ing water caused a maximum effect of the applied waste in the surface layer. 7. KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS DESCRIPTORS b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS c. COS AT I Field/Group Soil analysis Disposal Wastes Saline soil Soil properties Soil disposal fields Application rates Waste composition Corn yields Climatic factors Crop production 2A 8. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT Release unlimited 19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report) UNCLASSIFIED 21. NO. OF PAGES 94 20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage) UNCLASSIFIED 22. PRICE EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73) 84 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1975-657-695/6)17 Region No. 5-|| ------- |