More than 250 researchers,
business people, industry officials and producers gathered in Des
Moines, Iowa, last week to discuss different techniques for controlling
air emissions from animal feeding operations.
More than 250 researchers, business people, industry officials and producers gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, last week to discuss different techniques for controlling air emissions from animal feeding operations.
During the three-day conference – coordinated by Iowa State University – technologies ranging from siting and environmental barriers; diet manipulation; bedding amendments; waste storage additives, covers and treatments; manure land application methods, and biofilters were described and discussed in detail by experts from across the U.S. plus parts of Canada and Europe.
The event was a unique opportunity for researchers and emissions experts to gather with livestock operators and industry representatives to discuss and exchange practical information about the different mitigation technologies available and/or being developed.
The message was fairly clear – there’s no silver bullet out there for the industry to control 100 percent of air emissions from all livestock operations.
“There’s no magic filter you can put at the end of the pipe,” said Kevin Igli, senior vice president and chief environmental, health and safety officer with Tyson Foods Inc .
One thing is clear – pressure is building from both government and consumers to do something about emissions and air quality standards on livestock operations.
“We need to look at mitigation now,” said Kraig Westerbeek, director of environmental compliance for Murphy-Brown, LLC . “In my opinion, any future federal or state emission regulations will include animal feeding operations as sources to be regulated.”
He added that despite the findings of the current National Air Emissions Monitoring Study (NAEMS) , “it’s going to lead to further regulations.”
“It’s coming,” echoed federal government lobbyist Tom Hebert, senior vice president of Ogilvy Government Relations. “Producers are going to need the technologies you’re discussing this week.”
Manure Manager will be featuring some of the presentations from the Mitigating Air Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations conference in the coming months.
