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Inclusion of antibiotics in feed alters greenhouse gas emissions from feedlot manure during composting

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Abstract

In this study, the effects of dietary inclusion of antibiotics on emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG: CO2, CH4 and N2O) from cattle manure during composting were investigated. Manure was collected at the end of two feeding trials in 2005 and 2006 in which feedlot cattle were assigned to one of five dietary groups: (1) Control: no antibiotics added; (2) TYL11: tylosin at 11 mg kg−1 feed; (3) CTC11: chlortetracycline at 11 mg kg−1 feed; (4) CTC44: chlortetracycline at 44 mg kg−1 feed; and CTC44SMZ44: chlortetracycline and sulfamethazine, each at 44 mg kg−1 feed. Open windrows were constructed and the rate of GHG emission was measured periodically. In both years, CO2 surface emissions were higher (P < 0.05) for treatments CTC11 and CTC44SMZ44 than for the Control. The CO2 emission rates in 2005 were lower (P < 0.05) than in 2006, reflecting lower total carbon (TC) content in the manure in 2005 (138 ± 2 g kg−1) than in 2006 (245 ± 2 g kg−1). The rate of CH4 emission varied from 0.006 to 0.232 g C m−2 day−1. Average values from all four antibiotic treatments were similar (P > 0.05) to the Control in both years. The N2O emission rates were higher (P > 0.05) with CTC44SMZ44 (2005), TYL11 (2006) and CTC11 (2006) than with Control. While antibiotics do alter GHG emissions from composted feedlot manure, the mechanisms responsible are not clear and warrant further investigation.

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Abbreviations

CTC:

Chlortetracycline

GHG:

Greenhouse gases

SMZ:

Sulfamethazine

TYL:

Tylosin

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the AAFC Environmental Technology Assessment for Agriculture (ETAA) program. Technical assistance was provided by G. Travis, B. Hill, P. Caffyn, J. Hoffman, A. Olson, P. DeMaere and W. Smart. This is Lethbridge Research Centre contribution number 38710013.

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Author notes

  1. A. J. Cessna

    Present address: National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3H5, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 5403-1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada

    X. Hao, S. Xu, F. J. Larney & T. A. McAllister

  2. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, 5401-1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4V6, Canada

    K. Stanford

  3. Saskatoon Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    A. J. Cessna

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  1. X. Hao
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  2. S. Xu
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  5. A. J. Cessna
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  6. T. A. McAllister
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Correspondence to X. Hao.

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Hao, X., Xu, S., Larney, F.J. et al. Inclusion of antibiotics in feed alters greenhouse gas emissions from feedlot manure during composting. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 89, 257–267 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-010-9391-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-010-9391-3

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