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Weathering of Accumulated Wastes in Unroofed and Unpaved Confined Livestock Operations¹

ABSTRACT

Two unpaved outdoor livestock confinement units in southern California were sampled to determine the weathering and accumulation pattern of wastes on the ground surface after 2 months of waste accumulation. The result indicated that animal waste tended to accumulate in certain parts of the confinement area. It was found approximately 50% of the total waste produced was concentrated in 25% of the surface area. During the period of accumulation, waste underwent a 10–15% reduction of total solids apparently due to biological decomposition. The prevailing dry climate in the region has also limited the problem of waste accumulation to essentially that of odors and dusts. However, the samples collected indicated the accumulating waste was unstable and would undergo further decomposition at a suitable environmental condition. Moisture content, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and chloride content of the waste samples were also determined. There appeared to be little difference in the weathering of accumulated wastes because of management operations at the two confinement units.

Key Words: dairy cattle • beef feedlots • waste decomposition

¹ Contribution from the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Riverside, Calif. 92502.

² Assistant Agricultural Engineer and Postdoctoral Fellow, respectively, Univ. of California, Riverside. (Junior author is now Assistant Professor, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. 48223).

Received for publication March 7, 1974.