No description available.

In-house windrow composting of broiler litter has been studied to reduce microbial populations between flocks. Published time-temperature goals are used to determine the success of the composting process for microbial reductions. Spatial and temporal density of temperature measurement can influence the ability to determine what portion of a windrow pile has achieved specified time-temperature goals. Based on this motivation, an investigation of the heating profile in windrowed litter and the identification of the effects of spatial and temporal sampling densities on the prediction of the heating profile in windrowed broiler litter were executed. Likewise, an investigation of the effects of moisture content on heat generation during composting of broiler litter was conducted. Ultimately, the research projects were designed with the goal of determining the efficacy of windrow composting as a treatment method for reducing microbial populations in broiler litter and to produce recommendations for the implementation of future windrow temperature monitoring investigations. While past investigations have reported success of windrow composting for microbial population reductions, a lack of intense spatial and temporal temperature monitoring has likely mis-represented the pile heating profile and resultant effects on microbial populations.

Gangrenous dermatitis (GD) has become a major health problem among broiler flocks in the United States, resulting in high mortality, carcass condemnations, and trimmed parts. There are large economic losses due to GD. Clostridium septicum, Clostridium perfringens type A, and Staphylococcus aureus are the etiologic agents associated with GD. Gangrenous dermatitis has been associated with birds that have a compromised immune system. It is known that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a crucial role in animal health and performance. The development of a healthy normal microflora in the GI tract benefits the host by improved resistance to pathogens. Our hypothesis is the application of commercial disinfectants, probiotics, vitamins, acidifiers, and windrowing technologies will reduce Clostridium levels in poultry operations. The objective of the first study was to administer probiotics to commercial broilers on three farms periodically throughout the grow-out cycle to conclude if bird health and performance was improved. The objective of the second study was to use commercial disinfectants, vitamins, acidifiers, and windrowing technologies on three farms in multiple houses and determine their effects on broiler production parameters. During grow-out, standard production practices were followed in all experiments and standard production parameters were measured. On all three farms in this study, the probiotic-treated houses had no mortality due to GD and an increase (P </= 0.05) in body weight gain was observed unlike their respective control houses. These experiments indicate that the application of probiotic in this field trial significantly altered the onset of GD by providing the birds with normal GI flora that contributed to their overall health during a commercial field study. When evaluating the different products and field technologies to control GD, our laboratory observed that treatment houses that were windrowed and received added vitamins did break with GD. Houses that were treated with peroxymonosulfates and monoglyceride, peroxymonosulfates, or glutaraldehyde litter disinfectants; acidifiers or vitamins had higher gross and net pounds weight gain at processing than their respective control houses. In conclusion, the significance of this work was to determine if products and technologies can be used by growers in commercial broiler houses to eliminate disease.

No description available.

South Africa produces an average of 154 million broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) annually, arising to an estimated 886 million kg of broiler litter. The largest population of broilers are reared in the North West province. Various applications for this largely underexploited resource have been published, including forming part of ruminant diets and direct land application. This however has several disadvantages, as it could lead to eutrophication of fresh water sources and faecal contamination of produce. Windrow composting of broiler litter has previously been studied, and found to deliver a stabilized product free of pathogenic and phytotoxic effects, therefore making it an excellent soil conditioner. This study aimed to characterize the microbial community present during the windrow composting of broiler litter. Four different formulations of substrate were tested; these being broiler litter (Windrow 1), Windrow 1 with previously composted material (Windrow 2), Windrow 2 amended with woodchips (Windrow 3) and Windrow 3 with an additional 12.5% (w/w) zeolite (Windrow 4). Broiler litter used in this experiment had a C:N ration of 10.3:1, whilst the blue gum woodchips added as an amendment had a C:N ratio of 172:1. Windrow and environmental temperatures were monitored on a regular basis. Windrow 1 largely mimicked environmental temperature, and could not sustain a true thermophilic phase during the experimental period. Windrow 2 did achieve a short lived thermophilic phase during the first few days of the composting process, however could not sustain its temperature over the whole period. In contrast Windrows 3 and 4 sustained temperature above 40°C for the largest part of the experimental period, regardless of environmental temperature. No significant difference (p < 0.05) could be observed between average moisture levels in the 4 windrows. Internal moisture profiles were however found to differ significantly, especially on the surface of the windrows. Moisture was also lost faster in Windrows 1 and 2 compared to Windrows 3 and 4. Chemical analysis showed differences between the four windrows constructed. A higher amount of nitrogen was lost in Windrows 1 and 2, mostly due to a sub-optimal initial C:N ratio in these windrows. Windrow 2 contained the highest values for plant nutrients P, Mg, Ca, Mn and Cu. Microbial population dynamics were observed using PCR-DGGE of samples collected throughout the composting of various treatments. Various commercial DNA extraction kits where tested in a previous study for their ability to remove PCR inhibitory substances, such as humic acids. The Machery-Nagel Soil DNA isolation kit was used as it gave amplifiable DNA from all samples. Samples were amplified using a nested PCR approach primer sets 27f-1492r \ 341f(GC)-907r and EF3-EF4 \ EF4(GC)-fung5 (where “GC” indicates a GC-rich clamp) for prokaryotic and eukaryotic species respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and equal amounts of product were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bands obtained from these polyacrylamide gels where then re-amplified using the same secondary primer sets (without the GC-clamp), and sequenced. A total of 454 prokaryotic bands in 55 distinct rf-positions were observed. Seven distinct rf-positions were observed in eukaryotic DGGE profiles. Prokaryotic profiles were aligned and the microbial diversity was analyzed by means of Ward’s clustering algorithm and the dice coefficient of similarity, as well as Simpson’s reciprocal, Shannon-Weaver and Species richness indices. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was also performed on both the banding patterns as well as the bands present, together with the physico-chemical results obtained. Several bands were successfully identified as being influenced by physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, C:N ratio, ash, and moisture showed a correlation on CCA bi-plots. Sixteen bands were sequence identified. These sequences were compared to two different databases. The 16S rRNA database for Bacteria and Archaea gave identities to genus level, however maximum identity scores were low. Of the 16 sequences, 12 sequences were identified as uncultured bacteria when compared to the nucleotide collection database. In comparing the sequences with sequences collected in the nucleotide collection database, 12 were either first described in composts and soils, or animal manures. Results indicated mostly members of the genus Bacillus and Paenibacillus. The addition of a carbon source greatly affected the microbial metabolism, resulting in a thermophilic phase being achieved in amended windrows. As no thermophilic phase was observed in windrows that were not amended with woodchips, it could be concluded that the use of a carbon source is irremissible when composting broiler litter. A zeolite amendment is also strongly advised, as this further increased temperatures within the windrow. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

South Africa produces an average of 154 million broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) annually, arising to an estimated 886 million kg of broiler litter. The largest population of broilers are reared in the North West province. Various applications for this largely underexploited resource have been published, including forming part of ruminant diets and direct land application. This however has several disadvantages, as it could lead to eutrophication of fresh water sources and faecal contamination of produce. Windrow composting of broiler litter has previously been studied, and found to deliver a stabilized product free of pathogenic and phytotoxic effects, therefore making it an excellent soil conditioner. This study aimed to characterize the microbial community present during the windrow composting of broiler litter. Four different formulations of substrate were tested; these being broiler litter (Windrow 1), Windrow 1 with previously composted material (Windrow 2), Windrow 2 amended with woodchips (Windrow 3) and Windrow 3 with an additional 12.5% (w/w) zeolite (Windrow 4). Broiler litter used in this experiment had a C:N ration of 10.3:1, whilst the blue gum woodchips added as an amendment had a C:N ratio of 172:1. Windrow and environmental temperatures were monitored on a regular basis. Windrow 1 largely mimicked environmental temperature, and could not sustain a true thermophilic phase during the experimental period. Windrow 2 did achieve a short lived thermophilic phase during the first few days of the composting process, however could not sustain its temperature over the whole period. In contrast Windrows 3 and 4 sustained temperature above 40°C for the largest part of the experimental period, regardless of environmental temperature. No significant difference (p < 0.05) could be observed between average moisture levels in the 4 windrows. Internal moisture profiles were however found to differ significantly, especially on the surface of the windrows. Moisture was also lost faster in Windrows 1 and 2 compared to Windrows 3 and 4. Chemical analysis showed differences between the four windrows constructed. A higher amount of nitrogen was lost in Windrows 1 and 2, mostly due to a sub-optimal initial C:N ratio in these windrows. Windrow 2 contained the highest values for plant nutrients P, Mg, Ca, Mn and Cu. Microbial population dynamics were observed using PCR-DGGE of samples collected throughout the composting of various treatments. Various commercial DNA extraction kits where tested in a previous study for their ability to remove PCR inhibitory substances, such as humic acids. The Machery-Nagel Soil DNA isolation kit was used as it gave amplifiable DNA from all samples. Samples were amplified using a nested PCR approach primer sets 27f-1492r \ 341f(GC)-907r and EF3-EF4 \ EF4(GC)-fung5 (where “GC” indicates a GC-rich clamp) for prokaryotic and eukaryotic species respectively. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, and equal amounts of product were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Bands obtained from these polyacrylamide gels where then re-amplified using the same secondary primer sets (without the GC-clamp), and sequenced. A total of 454 prokaryotic bands in 55 distinct rf-positions were observed. Seven distinct rf-positions were observed in eukaryotic DGGE profiles. Prokaryotic profiles were aligned and the microbial diversity was analyzed by means of Ward’s clustering algorithm and the dice coefficient of similarity, as well as Simpson’s reciprocal, Shannon-Weaver and Species richness indices. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was also performed on both the banding patterns as well as the bands present, together with the physico-chemical results obtained. Several bands were successfully identified as being influenced by physico-chemical parameters. Temperature, C:N ratio, ash, and moisture showed a correlation on CCA bi-plots. Sixteen bands were sequence identified. These sequences were compared to two different databases. The 16S rRNA database for Bacteria and Archaea gave identities to genus level, however maximum identity scores were low. Of the 16 sequences, 12 sequences were identified as uncultured bacteria when compared to the nucleotide collection database. In comparing the sequences with sequences collected in the nucleotide collection database, 12 were either first described in composts and soils, or animal manures. Results indicated mostly members of the genus Bacillus and Paenibacillus. The addition of a carbon source greatly affected the microbial metabolism, resulting in a thermophilic phase being achieved in amended windrows. As no thermophilic phase was observed in windrows that were not amended with woodchips, it could be concluded that the use of a carbon source is irremissible when composting broiler litter. A zeolite amendment is also strongly advised, as this further increased temperatures within the windrow. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

ABSTRACT<p> Canada is currently the world leader in red lentil exports, a crop of significant economic importance to Western Canadian producers. It is important for the maintenance and growth of foreign markets that our growers are able to provide a consistent product. In the past few years, our exported red lentils have had variable quality, largely due variable weather conditions. A study was conducted to determine the effect of various preharvest treatments on the milling quality of our current red lentil cultivars. These cultivars, listed in order of increasing seed size, were CDC Robin, CDC Imperial CL, CDC Rosetown, CDC Blaze, CDC Impact CL, CDC Rouleau, CDC Redberry and CDC Red Rider. Replicated plots of each variety were grown in the summers of 2005 and 2006 at Floral, SK and Rouleau, SK. These were chosen with the intent of maximizing environmental differential between locations, especially in terms of soil texture and moisture availability. All locations were laid out using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Replicated plots of each cultivar were subjected to preharvest treatments of desiccation with Diquat or swathing at early, recommended and late stages of maturity. The milling quality of the harvested lentils was determined for all treatment and cultivar combinations.<p> Before preharvest treatments were applied, each plot was assigned a maturity rating based on a 1 (immature) 9 (very mature) scale. Plants exhibiting pods with a buckskin colour and texture on the bottom third of the plant were considered to be at early maturity and assigned a rating of 3. Similarly, when pods of buckskin colour and texture were found in the middle third of the plant, a maturity rating of 6 was assigned while a value of 9 would be assessed when the entire plant had all brown, rattling pods except for a small portion of buckskin pods in the top third of the canopy.<p> Based on this 1-9 scale, a total of six different harvest treatments were carried out: swathing or chemical desiccation at early, intermediate or late stages of maturity. Swathed plots were cut using a gas-powered sickle-mower, then covered with bird mesh which was staked to the ground until harvest to prevent wind damage. Desiccated plots were sprayed with Reglone (diquat) using a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer. They were left standing until harvest. Following mechanical harvest, seed from each plot was placed in mesh bags and forced-air-dried to approximately 13% moisture, then placed in a controlled storage chamber held at 5oC.<p> Seed samples of two complete sets of replicated treatments were cleaned, then sized by passing them over round, then slotted sieves using the forty-shakes method. The two most frequent seed diameter and thickness fractions from each plot were set aside for milling. Samples were hydrated to 12.5% moisture which is the ideal moisture content for high milling quality according to research conducted by Dr. Ning Wang at the Grain Research Laboratory in Winnipeg, MB. The samples were then milled using either a Satake or a Turkish table top pulse dehuller. Following milling, samples were passed through a Carter dockage tester (Simon-Day Ltd., Winnipeg, MB) to separate whole and split seeds from broken or damaged seeds and hull material. Each sample was assessed for: 1) milling efficiency (percent split and unsplit cotyledons recovered from the total sample); 2) football recovery (percent dehulled lentils with unsplit cotyledons); and 3) dehulling efficiency (percent of cotyledons with over 98% of the seed coat removed. Dehulling efficiency values were assessed using a DuPont AcurumTM seed scanner (DuPont Canada, Toronto, ON).<p> Under favorable harvest conditions, preharvest treatments had no effect on milling efficiency, percent football recovery or dehulling efficiency. However, plots subjected to cool, wet harvest conditions produced lentil samples of highly variable milling quality. Early desiccation significantly reduced milling efficiency to below 70%, whereas early swathing resulted in milling efficiency above 85%. CDC Robin and CDC Imperial CL had the highest milling efficiencies. Similarly, cool wet harvest conditions caused percent football recovery to drop from approximately 80% to around 50%. Early swathing was the most effective for producing footballs, with smaller-seeded varieties producing the most. Cool, wet harvest caused dehulling efficiency to drop from the 97.3 99.9% range to 91.5 98.7%. Early desiccation had the most negative effect on dehulling efficiency, whereas early swathing produced the highest values. Under these conditions, smaller-seeded varieties had the lowest dehulling efficiencies.<p> The results of this study will be valuable for developing agronomic practices specific to red lentil and for improving the quality of Canadas exported product.

ABSTRACT<p> Canada is currently the world leader in red lentil exports, a crop of significant economic importance to Western Canadian producers. It is important for the maintenance and growth of foreign markets that our growers are able to provide a consistent product. In the past few years, our exported red lentils have had variable quality, largely due variable weather conditions. A study was conducted to determine the effect of various preharvest treatments on the milling quality of our current red lentil cultivars. These cultivars, listed in order of increasing seed size, were CDC Robin, CDC Imperial CL, CDC Rosetown, CDC Blaze, CDC Impact CL, CDC Rouleau, CDC Redberry and CDC Red Rider. Replicated plots of each variety were grown in the summers of 2005 and 2006 at Floral, SK and Rouleau, SK. These were chosen with the intent of maximizing environmental differential between locations, especially in terms of soil texture and moisture availability. All locations were laid out using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Replicated plots of each cultivar were subjected to preharvest treatments of desiccation with Diquat or swathing at early, recommended and late stages of maturity. The milling quality of the harvested lentils was determined for all treatment and cultivar combinations.<p> Before preharvest treatments were applied, each plot was assigned a maturity rating based on a 1 (immature) 9 (very mature) scale. Plants exhibiting pods with a buckskin colour and texture on the bottom third of the plant were considered to be at early maturity and assigned a rating of 3. Similarly, when pods of buckskin colour and texture were found in the middle third of the plant, a maturity rating of 6 was assigned while a value of 9 would be assessed when the entire plant had all brown, rattling pods except for a small portion of buckskin pods in the top third of the canopy.<p> Based on this 1-9 scale, a total of six different harvest treatments were carried out: swathing or chemical desiccation at early, intermediate or late stages of maturity. Swathed plots were cut using a gas-powered sickle-mower, then covered with bird mesh which was staked to the ground until harvest to prevent wind damage. Desiccated plots were sprayed with Reglone (diquat) using a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer. They were left standing until harvest. Following mechanical harvest, seed from each plot was placed in mesh bags and forced-air-dried to approximately 13% moisture, then placed in a controlled storage chamber held at 5oC.<p> Seed samples of two complete sets of replicated treatments were cleaned, then sized by passing them over round, then slotted sieves using the forty-shakes method. The two most frequent seed diameter and thickness fractions from each plot were set aside for milling. Samples were hydrated to 12.5% moisture which is the ideal moisture content for high milling quality according to research conducted by Dr. Ning Wang at the Grain Research Laboratory in Winnipeg, MB. The samples were then milled using either a Satake or a Turkish table top pulse dehuller. Following milling, samples were passed through a Carter dockage tester (Simon-Day Ltd., Winnipeg, MB) to separate whole and split seeds from broken or damaged seeds and hull material. Each sample was assessed for: 1) milling efficiency (percent split and unsplit cotyledons recovered from the total sample); 2) football recovery (percent dehulled lentils with unsplit cotyledons); and 3) dehulling efficiency (percent of cotyledons with over 98% of the seed coat removed. Dehulling efficiency values were assessed using a DuPont AcurumTM seed scanner (DuPont Canada, Toronto, ON).<p> Under favorable harvest conditions, preharvest treatments had no effect on milling efficiency, percent football recovery or dehulling efficiency. However, plots subjected to cool, wet harvest conditions produced lentil samples of highly variable milling quality. Early desiccation significantly reduced milling efficiency to below 70%, whereas early swathing resulted in milling efficiency above 85%. CDC Robin and CDC Imperial CL had the highest milling efficiencies. Similarly, cool wet harvest conditions caused percent football recovery to drop from approximately 80% to around 50%. Early swathing was the most effective for producing footballs, with smaller-seeded varieties producing the most. Cool, wet harvest caused dehulling efficiency to drop from the 97.3 99.9% range to 91.5 98.7%. Early desiccation had the most negative effect on dehulling efficiency, whereas early swathing produced the highest values. Under these conditions, smaller-seeded varieties had the lowest dehulling efficiencies.<p> The results of this study will be valuable for developing agronomic practices specific to red lentil and for improving the quality of Canadas exported product.

Aqueous ammonia treatment of organic material to increase enzymatic digestibility is a growing area of research for animal fodder and biofuel production. The application of this treatment in the municipal composting process has not previously been investigated. Litterbags were used to investigate the effects of an aqueous ammonia treatment prior to composting on source-separated organic waste. The treatment consisted of soaking organic material in aqueous ammonia prior to introducing the material back into the composting process. Dry mass, ash content, ash-free dry mass, and water-solubility were measured. Three experiments were performed: one in the laboratory, one in an in-vessel system, and one in windrows. The aqueous ammonia treatment removed more dry mass compared to controls; however, the results indicate that the majority of the loss occurred during the soak. This treatment may be of interest for compost facilities if the leachate produced can be used in an economically beneficial way. / Ontario Centres of Excellence

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:28:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 4583937 bytes, checksum: 1a468cd29ffe0a374735416f7a0a678b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-01-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The reutilization of poultry litter is an alternative way that producers found to deal with the high cost of the materials used to cover the floor on their farms. To reuse this poultry litter, it has to suffer changes on its physical, chemical and biological characteristics, perhaps compromising the process of chicken growth. To make it safe, is required that the producer treats this material; for example reducing the biological load and promoting ammonia to be released. With this present work, as the main focus, it s pursued the evaluation of the composed material as a methodology for treating the poultry litter beyond its reutilization. All the experiments were conducted at Laboratório de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental , regarding to the Civil Engineering Department, at Universidade Federal de Viçosa. It was made in four experiments. Experiment 1 was done by assembling a windrow of poultry litter, aerated, with fans cycles. During experiment 2, was compared the efficiency of different methods of composed materials applied at the treatment of the poultry litter in order to reutilize it, using one windrow poultry litter and two overturning cells; was also evaluated its influence on the substratum maker of the poultry litter on this process. On experiment 3, was evaluated the decay of nitrogen, on its normal and ammoniac forms, still using the windrow system. On experiment 4, was possible to determine the amount of volatile ammonia from the process of composed and the treated poultry litter. During the processes, temperature, water contamination, pH, solid contamination, organic carbon contamination, nitrogen and fecal contamination organisms were submitted to tests. The results show that, long cycles of aeration at the windrow system, make it harder to get the composed material done, because it make the material dry faster; the overturning cells show better efficiency reducing the biological load and releasing ammonia when it s compared to the windrow system. Summing up, the composed material obtained from the aerated windrow system, presents good efficiency in order to reduce the total and ammoniac nitrogen from the poultry litter. / A reutilização da cama de frango é uma alternativa encontrada pelos produtores como solução ao alto custo de aquisição de material para cobertura do piso. No reuso, a cama de frango sofre alterações em suas características físicas, químicas e biológicas, podendo comprometer o processo de criação de frangos. Para que o reuso seja seguro, é necessário que se faça um tratamento, a fim melhorar as características do resíduo, como reduzir a carga biológica e promover a liberação de amônia. Com a realização deste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a compostagem como metodologia para o tratamento da cama de frango visando sua reutilização. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental, do Departamento de Engenharia Civil, da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Foram montados quatro experimentos. O Experimento 1 consistiu na montagem de uma leira estática de cama de frango, aerada com diferentes ciclos de funcionamento do ventilador. Durante o Experimento 2, comparou-se a eficiência de diferentes métodos de compostagem aplicados no tratamento da cama de frango visando sua reutilização, com a montagem de 1 leira estática aerada e 2 pilhas por reviramento, avaliou-se também a influência do substrato formador da cama de frango no processo. No Experimento 3, avaliou-se o decaimento do nitrogênio, em sua forma total e amoniacal, da cama de frango submetida ao processo de compostagem por leira aerada estática. No Experimento 4, determinou-se a quantidade de amônia volatilizada da cama de frango durante o processo de compostagem e da cama tratada. Durante os tratamentos, foram realizadas análises de temperatura, teor de água, pH, teor de sólidos, teor de carbono orgânico total, nitrogênio e de organismos indicadores de contaminação fecal. Os resultados mostraram que ciclos de aeração muito prolongados realizados em leiras estáticas aeradas dificultam a realização da compostagem, pois ressecam rapidamente o material; a compostagem realizada em pilhas reviradas apresenta melhor eficiência na redução da carga biológica e na promoção da liberação de amônia se comparada ao método de leiras estáticas aeradas; a compostagem realizada em leiras estáticas aeradas apresenta boa eficiência na redução de nitrogênio total e amoniacal da cama de frango.