PSII-B-20 - Altering the Particle Size of Supplemental Zeolite (clinoptilolite) in Finishing Cattle Diets: Manure Characteristics and Ammonia Emissions

Abstract: A potential strategy to limit ammonia (NH₃) emissions from feedlots is the feeding of supplemental clinoptilolite (CLN), which has a high affinity for ammonium (NH₄⁺). The particle size of CLN could influence its efficacy in binding NH₄⁺ in the rumen and manure. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effects of feeding CLN (2% of diet DM) of two different particle sizes (30 and 40 µm) on manure N profile and NH₃ emissions. Six beef heifers were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 21 d periods. Dietary treatments were: 1) finishing ration with no supplement (CON), 2) CON + 30-µm CLN (CL-30), and 3) CON + 40-µm CLN (CL-40). Grab fecal and spot urine samples were collected (d 19 to 21) for analysis. To determine NH₃ emissions, six rectangular vented, non-steady state, closed chambers interfaced with a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analyzer were used. Soil was added to chambers to a depth of 10 cm before addition of manure and incubated over a 7-d period. Data were analyzed using SAS. There was no diet effect (P ≥ 0.78) on urinary total nitrogen (N) and urea-N concentrations. However, urinary NH₃-N concentration, which was less (P = 0.03) for CON than CL-40 heifers did not differ between CON and CL-30 heifers. Fecal N concentration, which tended to greater (P = 0.07) for CL-30 than CL-40 heifers did not differ between CON and CL-40 heifers. However, there was no diet effect (P = 0.25) on fecal NH₃-N concentration. Ammonia emissions, which were less (P = 0.02) for manure from CL-40 than CL-30 heifers, did not differ between CON and CL-30 heifers during the first 48 h of incubation. In summary, feeding CL with different particle sizes resulted in changes in the manure N profile and NH₃ emissions.