Emerging Technologies and Facilities

Emerging Technologies and Facilities provide animal comfort and express the genetic potential of the herd to produce milk at a profit. The range of project investments is large. One farm may need to remodel a building for calves while another farm needs a new barn and parlor.

 

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Emerging Technologies
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A farmer stands in a field of wheat holding a flying drone above head level.
Embracing Technology in Farming
(UW-Madison Extension Farm Management Program) ↗️

 


Visit the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine’s: Dairyland Initiative
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Articles

▶️ Watch: Manure processing technologies

In this video Rebecca Larson, Professor and Extension Specialist in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will talk about manure processing systems.

Ventilation in Dairy Buildings

Ventilation is an important part of managing a dairy barn for maintaining air quality, removing heat and moisture, and providing a comfortable environment for dairy cattle. There are typically three types of ventilation systems used in dairy buildings: natural, mechanical, or a combination of the two.

Treating manure to produce clean water

Manure can be used in a sustainable manner by returning nutrients to the soil to grow crops that feed animals. However, on many livestock farms, manure poses operational, economic, and environmental constraints. Managing manure every day requires labor and money. Losses of manure constituents from the system result in negative environmental impacts such as degrading water and air quality.

Struvite recovery from manure

Phosphorus is an important mineral added to animals’ diets and is critical to their development and growth. However, much of the phosphorus is excreted and ends up in manure. For many crops, if manure is applied at the rate needed for nitrogen, too much phosphorus is applied, which may lead to a buildup of excess phosphorus in soils. Phosphorus buildup can lead to increased phosphorus loss and the resulting environmental consequences. If manure is applied to meet crop phosphorus needs, supplemental nitrogen application is required.

Systems approach to managing manure using coordinated markets

Livestock produce high protein sources of food, but they also produce manure. When used effectively, manure can provide a sustainable source of fertilizers, energy, and other valuable products. However, when not managed effectively, manure components including nutrients, organic matter, and pathogens can be lost to the environment causing negative environmental impacts.

Sources and Impacts of Ammonia Emissions (A4192-010)

Ammonia emissions are predominantly released from human activities. Agricultural activities are the major contributor to ammonia emissions, particularly from livestock manure and fertilizer application. Ammonia can affect human health or form other substances, such as particulate matter, that have negative health and environmental impacts.

Composting Animal Manure

Publication ID: A4192-005/AG-919-05 Composting Animal Manure (A4192-005/AG-919-05) Introduction Technology Basics Performance Cost Environmental Benefits and Trade-Offs Return to Top Introduction Composting is the process in which microorganisms degrade organic feedstocks in a controlled manner to produce a high quality, stable product that can be used as fertilizer. Composting is a process that can be implemented […]

Biochar Production through Slow Pyrolysis of Animal Manure

Discover how biochar transforms agricultural waste into “black gold.” This carbon-rich soil amendment boosts crop yields, sequesters carbon, and slashes greenhouse gas emissions—all while protecting groundwater from harmful leaching. Learn why biochar is the ultimate tool for sustainable soil health.