CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS :

ODOR AND FLIES AT BEEF CATTLE FEEDYARDS Conducting research on odor and flies at 5 commercial beef cattle feedyards in the Texas Panhandle. Project funded by State of Texas ATP grant. A joint project with  Dr. Greta Schuster (WTAMU) and  Mr. Justin Talley  (WTAMU).

OLFACTOMETRY (ODOR) LABORATORY Equipped an odor laboratory at West Texas A&M University to perform research on odor characterization and abatement at concentrated animal feeding operations. A joint project with Texas A&M University-Amarillo Research and Extension Center.
Collaborators include Dr. John Sweeten,  Dr. Brent Auvermann, and  Dr. Jacek Koziel.

BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM LOW-MOISTURE (HIGH SOLIDS) MANURE  Evaluated biogas production from beef cattle feedyard manure removed from the pen surface every six months. The first phase is a laboratory study, where biogas production at wet basis moisture contents of 35, 50, 57.5, 65, 72.5, and 80% is being monitored. The second phase is a field study where manure is placed in a lined landfill cell, and biogas production is monitored for several months. The project is funded by a grant from the Western Regional Biomass Energy Program. Link to WRBEP Report

ALTERNATIVE FORAGES FOR FEEDLOT RUNOFF APPLICATION Completing a greenhouse study to evaluate application of feedyard runoff to alfalfa, sorghum, bromegrass, corn, wheat, bermudagrass, and Jose Tall wheatgrass with two soil types of Pullman Clay Loam and Amarillo Fine Sandy Loam. As a follow-up to the greenhouse study, a field study was recently initiated to evaluate application rates of 0, 6, and 12 inches/year of feedyard effluent to 27 plots (15 ft x 53 ft) of wheat and sorghum. A joint project with Dr. John Sweeten,  (TAMU-Amarillo), Mr. Marty Rhoades, (WTAMU), and Dr. Andy Cole (USDA-Bushland).

REDUCING AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM FEEDLOT SURFACES Working on a project to evaluate different additives (aluminum sulfate, calcium chloride, humates, NBPT, and commercial products) for reducing gaseous emissions from a simulated feedlot surface. A joint project with Dr. Andy Cole (Bushland) and Dr. Brent Auvermann, (Amarillo), partially funded with a grant from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

SOIL CEMENT FEEDLOT SURFACING Conducting a research project to investigate the effects of soil compaction, soil moisture content, and cement content on the shear strength and durability of soil cement exposed to feedlot conditions.

EVAPORATION FROM PLAYAS Assessing evaporation from playas as compared to evaporation of clean water. Results of the project will be helpful in water balance calculations to determine losses from playa lakes due to evaporation and seepage.

PLAYA SEEPAGE. Conducting joint research with Dr. Joel Cahoon (Montana State University) to assess cracking of playa soils with CT scans, and measurement of infiltration into cracked soils in playas. Partially funded with a grant from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

WATER CONSUMPTION/CONSERVATION AT FEEDYARDS Conducted a research project in conjunction with TAMU-Amarillo extension personnel ( Dr. John Sweeten and Mr. Leon New), an independent water treatment company in Amarillo,  Mr. Ben Weinheimer (Texas Cattle Feeders Association), and a large feedyard to evaluate water consumption at feedyards and the possibility of recycling drinking water that currently runs off, evaporates, and is lost. We are currently looking at several options for the overflow water, including treatment and land application.

REMEDIATION OF FORMER MANURE STOCKPILE SITE Working on a cooperative research/extension project with the TAMU Agricultural Research and Extension Center located at the WTAMU dairy. The project involves monitoring runoff from a small watershed formerly used for the storage of manure, and evaluation of various best management practices to prevent runoff of nutrients and sediment from the site into Tierra Blanca Creek.

PLAYA ECOLOGYWorking on a cooperative research project with the USDA Conservation and Production Research Laboratory in Bushland, TX (USDA-Bushland) (Dr. Nolan Clark, Dr. Bill Purdy, Dr. Judy Tolk, Mr. Jerry Thomas). The project, entitled "Water Regime Influences on Ecological Function of Feedlot and Non-Feedlot Playas: Water Quality and Nutrient Loss Mechanisms" covers a broad range of research assessing and identifity water quality, soil sampling, aquatic microorganism sampling, algae identification, and vegetation surveys. Project is partially funded by the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

FEEDLOT AIR QUALITY Working on cooperative research projects with personnel from USDA-Bushland (Dr. Bill Purdy, Mr. Jerry Thomas) and TAMU-Amarillo (Dr. Brent Auvermann) to evaluate air quality at feedlots. The projects include monitoring of dust emissions and biological air quality.

EFFECTS OF DUST EXPOSURES ON ANIMAL HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE Working on a cooperative research project with engineers and animal scientists from USDA-Bushland (Dr. Bill Purdy) and TAMU-Amarillo (Dr. Brent Auvermann) to design a large dust chamber to evaluate animal health affects from exposure to feedlot dust. The dust chamber has been constructed and tested, and experiments are currently being conducted using cattle, sheep, and goats.

THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF FEEDLOT WATER TROUGHS Completed a project to evaluate thermodynamic properties of concrete and plastic beef cattle drinking fountains.

RESPONSE OF AMPHIBIANS TO VARIED CONCENTRATIONS OF FEEDLOT EFFLUENT A joint project with Dr. Anthony Mazeroll (Biology) to evaluate the effects of feedlot effluent on Rana pipiens (Leopard Frog).

Jocie Buchanan
    Working on a MS in Environmental Science at WTAMU
    Thesis Project: Odor abatement at beef cattle feedyards
Tenoch Ramon
    Working on a MS in Environmental Science at WTAMU
    Thesis Project: Odor characterization at beef cattle feedyards
S. Pandrangi
    Working on a MS in Agriculture at WTAMU
    Thesis Project:  Ammonia emissions at beef cattle feedyards
Sean See
     BS Geology
     Working on a MS in Environmental Science at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Odor Measurement at Confined Animal Feeding Operations
Kelly Ellis
     Working on a MS in Biology at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Background total and fecal coliform concentrations in the Texas Panhandle
Zena Perschbacher
    Working on a MS in Agriculture at WTAMU
    Thesis Project: Evaluation of Cattle Performance and Economics of Sprinkling Pens at Beef Cattle Feedyards
Todd Harris
     BS Environmental Science, West Texas A&M University
     Working on a MS in Environmental Science at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Treatability Study for Composting HMX Contaminated Soil
Marty Rhoades (Graduated August, 2001)
     BS Agriculture, West Texas A&M University
     Working on a MS in Agriculture at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Varying Rates of Liquid Feedlot Effluent on Winter Wheat and Forage Sorghum
Jarett Spinhirne (Graduated August, 2001)
     BS Chemistry, West Texas A&M University
     Working on a MS in Chemistry at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Characterization of volatile organic emissions from feedyard surfaces
Sloane Wendell (Graduated August, 2001)
     Working on a MS in Environmental Science at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Characterization of volatile organic emissions from ponds and lagoons
Rick Gibson (Graduated December, 2000)
     BS Geology, West Texas A&M University
     Working on a MS in Environmental Science at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Optimization of the Groundwater Pumping System at Pantex
Shiloh Posey (Graduated August, 2000)
     BS Biology, Minor Chemistry, Wayland Baptist University
     MS in Biology at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Demonstration of Biogas Production Using Low Moisture Content Beef Cattle Manure
Brady Miller (Graduated December, 1999)
     BS Agriculture, West Texas A&M University
     MS in Agriculture at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Land Application of Beef Cattle Feedlot Runoff
Shi Yu (Graduated August, 1999)
     BS Biology, University of Science and Technology of China
     MS in Biology at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Influence of Soil Amendments on Gaseous Emissions From Feedyards
Carla McCullough (Graduated August, 1999)
     BS Biology, Marquette University
     BS Agricultural Engineering, Iowa State University
     MS in Environmental Science at WTAMU
     Thesis Project: Evaluation of Sealing of Earthen Feedyard Surfaces

RESEARCH GRANTS FUNDED

• Reducing Odors and Flies at Texas Cattle Feedyards State of Texas Advanced Technology Program (ATP) (David Parker and Greta Schuster, co-PIs), 2002, $148,369
• Conservation of Nitrogen and Phosphurus in Open-Lot Cattle Feedyards State of Texas Advanced Technology Program (ATP) (Wayne Greene PI, David Parker co-PI), 2002, $99,500
• Monitoring and identification of flying insects at feedyards on the Texas High Plains Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Grant (Greta Schuster PI, David Parker co-PI), 2001, $7,000
• Fecal coliform bacteria in feedyard and agricultural watersheds Killgore Research Grant (David Parker, PI), 2001, $3,880
• Odor Panel for Dynamic, Forced-Choice Triangle Olfactometer Agricultural Air Quality Initiative, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, 2001, $23,000
• Air Pollutant Emissions from Animal Confinement Buildings USDA Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems, Multi-state consortium proposal. Project Total $2.7 million; TAMU System part $305,000 (to be split between TAMU-Amarillo, TAMU-College Station and WTAMU.
• Improving N Movement Through Beef Cattle Feedlots  USDA Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems, Consortium proposal with TAMU, Texas Tech, USDA-ARS, and NMSU. Project Total $439,159, WTAMU's part $70,900
• Odor Emissions at Beef Cattle Feedyards in the Texas High Plains  Killgore Research Grant (David Parker, PI; Greta Schuster, co-PI),2001, $4,320
• Odor Panel for Dynamic, Forced-Choice Triangle Olfactometer Agricultural Air Quality Initiative, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (David Parker, Brent Auvermann, John Sweeten), 2000, $37,922
• Development of an Internet Database for the North Plains Potential Evapotranspiration Project  Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (David Parker, Thomas Marek, Don Dusek), 2000, $30,000
• Control of Flying Insect Pests in Beef Cattle Operations in the Texas High Plains  Texas Cattle Feeders Association (Greta Schuster, PI; David Parker, Joey Mehlhorn, ) 2000, $4,300
• Ammonia and Other Gaseous Emissions From Beef Cattle Feedyards Texas Cattle Feeders Association (with Andy Cole and Rick Todd, USDA) 2000, $15,550
• Documentation of Rapid Sealing of Cracked Playa Soils Texas Cattle Feeders Association, David Parker PI; Joel Cahoon (Montana State University) and Jim Rogers co-PIs, 1999, $3,000
• Purge and Trap Concentrator for Air Quality and Odor Research at Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, USDA National Research Initiative, David Parker PI; Darren Williams, Andy Cole and Brent Auvermann co-PIs, 1999, $24,822
• Control of Flying Insect Pests in Beef Cattle and Equine Operations in the Texas High Plains, Kilgore Research Grant, David Parker, PI; Greta Schuster and John Pipkin co-PIs, 1999, $3,250
• An Assessment of the Net Economic Benefits of Solid Set Sprinklers for Feedyard Dust Control and Microclimate Modification, Kilgore Research Grant, Joey Mehlhorn, PI; Brent Auvermann and David Parker co-PIs, 1999, $3,000
• Demonstration of Biogas Production Using Low Moisture Content Beef Cattle Manure Western Regional Biomass Energy Program, David Parker PI; Darren Williams, Brent Auvermann, and Andy Cole co-PIs, 1998, $66,200
• Optimization of the Groundwater Pumping System at Pantex National Resource Center for Plutonium, Amarillo, Texas. David Parker PI; David Barners co-PI, 1997, $41,319
• Thermodynamic Evaluation of Ritchie Drinking Fountains Ritchie Industries, Conrad, Iowa, David Parker PI; Brent Auvermann and Louis Perino co-PIs, 1997, $1,900
• Influence of Soil Amendments on Gaseous Emissions of Nitrogen, Carbon and Sulfur from Feedyards Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Andy Cole PI; David Parker co-PI, 1997, $10,010
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Research Grants - In Review or Not Funded

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