By Blake Jackson
Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is helping New York dairy farmers improve manure management practices through the development of manure mesocosms.
These mesocosms mimic real-world manure storage conditions, allowing scientists to assess the impact of various additives on manure properties before field application.
“The intention is to build over the next few years a library of sorts of information on the performance of various products and strategies, so our farmers have a resource to evaluate these products,” said Jason Oliver, Ph.D., Dairy Environmental Systems engineer.
The initial focus is on evaluating existing manure additives used on New York farms, ensuring immediate applicability of the results. However, researchers are also exploring new alternatives to identify the most effective treatments.
This project aligns with the U.S. dairy industry’s commitment to greenhouse gas reduction. The data will be compiled into a resource to empower farmers to make informed decisions regarding manure additives.
Industry input is crucial for the project's success. Farmers and advisors are encouraged to contact Joel Tinoco (jt932@cornell.edu) or Jason Oliver (jpo53@cornell.edu) with suggestions for additives to be evaluated.
Photo Credit: cornell-university
Categories: New York, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle