Intensive livestock environmental research projects
Undertaken by the DPI&F's Environmental Scientists, Engineers and Extension Officers.
Our work helps to ensure that Queensland's food and fibre is produced in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Current projects
Adapting electronic nose technology to agricultural applications
We are developing electronic nose (EN)expertise to evaluate and monitor environmental odours objectively and cost-effectively.
Assessing the medium term impact of permeable pond covers on pond performance and odour management
This
APL funded research project further investigates permeable pond covers
for odour reduction.
Determination of dust composition from a beef cattle feedlot on the Darling Downs
DPI&F is involved in a project measuring the dust
levels in and around a beef cattle feedlot on
the darling downs.
Development and application of biofilter systems to intensive livestock operations to minimise odour emissions and nuisance potential
This collaborative project involves laboratory, pilot- and field scale trials of biofilter equipment.
Development of odour performance criteria for the feedlot industry: provision of odour sampling and olfactometry services
On behalf of FSA Environmental, DPI&F's intensive livestock environmental management officers are undertaking research activities related to the collection of samples and determination of odour concentrations and emission rates.
Efficacy of windbreak walls for odour reduction
Our research will evaluate the dispersion characteristics associated with windbreak walls located at a Queensland meat chicken farm. 
Integrated management of nuisance fly populations on cattle feedlots
This project builds on the recommendations from the first feedlot fly project (Management of nuisance fly populations on cattle feedlots) within an integrated pest management (IPM) framework.
Intensive
livestock environmental management air quality research
An
overview of research into air quality issues for intensive livestock industries, including odour,
gaseous emissions and particulates. Also, find out more about our
commercial odour measurement service.
Less expensive, more
effective monitoring for land application of effluent
A three year national project being undertaken by DPI&F's intensive livestock environmental management officers. It involves the
investigation of alternative environmental monitoring methods to make it easier
and less expensive for Australia's pig producers to monitor effluent application
areas for environmental impacts.
Completed projects
Best
practice waste disposal to prevent organic phosphorus mobilisation to water
resources
This DPI&F project investigated the occurrence of soluble
organic phosphorus in effluent and sludge reuse areas, and assessed how readily
effluent-P could be mobilised to water resources.
Case
studies of the effects of piggery effluent and solids application to land
DPI&F has conducted a number of case studies to investigate the impact of long-term piggery effluent application to soil.
Co-composting timber residues
and feedlot manure
The aim of the co-composting project was to determine the practical aspects
of composting cattle feedlot manure using timber sawmill wastes as carbonaceous
amendments.
Development and implementation of an algal
management strategy for the Queensland section of the Murray-Darling basin
DPI&F was involved in a project to determine nutrient reduction targets and develop
implementation strategies for algal management in the Queensland section of
the Murray-Darling basin.
Efficacy
of supported straw covers for odour reduction in piggery effluent ponds
Supported straw and
permeable polypropylene covers reduce odour emissions from anaerobic ponds by up
to 90%, according to this recently completed DPI&F project.
Establishing guidelines for safe use of piggery waste
This DPI&F project lead to solid scientific knowledge that ccould form the basis of risk-assessment based guidelines to ensure that piggery waste products are safely and effectively re-used.
Improving
calculation of appropriate piggery effluent application rates to control phosphorus
availability
This project involved comparing the storage and availability behaviour of inorganic and effluent phosphorus sources in soil in order to establish application management strategies that are appropriate for organic phosphorus.
Management of nuisance fly populations on cattle feedlots
DPI&F experts joined forces with a USDA entomologist to combat the growing issue of nuisance fly populations in feedlots.
Survey of potential
of manure for meeting crop nutrient needs with integrated nutrient management
in Madhya Pradesh, India
This collaborative project examined why feedlot manure is not being fully utilised in India and Australia, despite a decline in soil fertility in both areas.
The
effect of loading rate and spatial variability on pond odour emission
This project involved investigating the factors affecting odour emission rates from piggery treatment ponds.
Validation of AUSPIG and PIGBAL models for
predicting effluent output and reducing feed waste (DPI&F component)
The aim of this project was to validate Dry Matter Digestibility Approximation
of Manure Production (DMDAMP) theory and mass balance principles for predicting
the amount of solids and nutrients produced from intensive piggeries.
Last updated 20 January 2006
