Efficacy of Vermifiltration to Treat Liquid Cattle Manure to Mitigate Carbon and Nitrogen Emissions.

The article focuses on two studies related to cattle management and environmental impact. The first study evaluates the efficacy of a vermifiltration system in treating liquid cattle manure to reduce methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3) emissions, as well as alter nutrient composition. Results indicate significant reductions in nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen and a decrease in methane emissions, but no consistent reduction in nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions across different temperatures. The second study assesses post-transit growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot heifers sourced and finished in different U.S. regions, finding that transportation affected body temperature and clinical signs of respiratory disease, while most growth and carcass traits varied significantly by origin and finishing location except for initial body weight, shrink percentage, average daily gain, dressing percent, ribeye area, and liver abscess severity.