October 23, 2003

 

Three-Year Fly Ash Study Near Completion

Mud in feedlot situations can cut animal performance and producer profit, according to Vern Anderson, animal scientist at the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center.

A team of scientists from the coal power industry, the University of North Dakota and NDSU has looked to the potential of using fly ash to stabilize soil in livestock pens. Known for its cement-like properties, fly ash was incorporated into the soil to reduce mud and limit the size and depth of wet areas, therefore improving animal performance.

After three years of study at the Carrington Research Extension Center, Anderson notes positive results. Bison bull calves in pens treated with fly ash showed an advantage over control calves in April, May and June, when spring thaw and summer rains took their toll. Gains in the fly ash-treated pens were 1.88 pounds per head per day compared to 1.53 pounds in pens that did not receive fly ash

Feed efficiency also increased beginning in April with 13.09 pounds of feed per pound of gain required in untreated pens vs. 10.40 pounds in pens treated with fly ash. The combined improvement in gain and feed efficiency resulted in a reduced feed cost of 13 cents per pound of gain during the muddy period and 6 cents per pound throughout the whole feeding trial, January through June.

"The results suggest that fly ash pens will provide for improved production from dryer conditions," says Anderson. "Longevity of the surface is still under investigation but after three years of use, surface wear appears to be minimal."

About four to six inches of soil were removed in the pens without fly ash due to hoof penetration and mixing of manure into the soil. Approximately two to three times more volume of manure/soil mix was removed from these pens than the treated pens.

"Economic returns using fly ash are highly positive," says Anderson. "The magnitude of the improvement for bison is significant, but we could expect possibly greater improvements in performance of beef cattle. The expected difference relates to the potential of cattle to gain more pounds per day than bison. Making cattle more comfortable could accentuate this potential."

Anderson notes that the abundant supply, competitive pricing and multiple locations for obtaining fly ash make its use very practical. Yet another advantage is that the product can be incorporated into new or existing livestock pens with common farm equipment.

For more information about the use of fly ash in livestock pens, contact Anderson at (701) 652-2951.

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Source: Vern Anderson, (701) 652-2951, vanderso@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 231-8371, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu