1. ATB – Use of Calcium cyanamide as an additive to reduce the NH3 and GHG emissions from naturally ventilated dairy brans

Short Description of the technology

ATB-Potsdam leads the development of the innovative technology “Use of calcium cyanamide to reduce the emissions from naturally ventilated dairy barns”. This technology is part of the WP4 which focuses on nature-based technologies reducing GHG and NH₃ emissions. Calcium cyanamide is being evaluated as a manure additive for its effectiveness in reducing emissions from naturally ventilated dairy barns. This compound leverages natural processes by creating alkaline conditions that suppress the growth of anaerobic microbes, such as methanogens, and inhibit the activity of enzymes responsible for breaking down volatile fatty acids. Over time, calcium cyanamide further helps reduce the pH of slurry during manure storage, thereby limiting microbial activity and slowing down the degradation of volatile fatty acids. These combined effects make it a promising solution for emission control in agricultural settings. ATB shall implement this technology in a commercial-scale naturally ventilated dairy barn.

Innovative features

• So far, the research related to calcium cyanamide has been done at laboratory scale; Econutri will bring the research forward by assessing the effect of Calcium cyanamide at a commercial naturally ventilated dairy barn.
• In contrast to other manure additives calcium cyanamide has a dual inhibitory effect e.g., at the initial stage by increasing the pH and at later stages in the manure management chain by reducing the pH.
• Easy to apply in the animal barns and storage facilities with the help of automatic applicator with dose control system installed on the manure pits inside the barns.
• It poses no threat to humans, animals, or the environment as it does not come into direct contact with any living beings during application. Additionally, by its nature, it does not have any harmful effects on living organisms.

Type of contribution

Calcium cyanamide shall reduce GHG and NH₃ emissions from manure by inhibiting the growth and activity of CH4 producing microbes and enzymes such as urease. Furthermore, it shall help conserve nutrients in the manure by reducing losses.

Benefits for farmers, the industry, and the environment

Calcium cyanamide shall contribute to a better environment by helping to tackle the issue of climate change and air pollution which then results in environmental, social, and economic benefits. It shall reduce the biodiversity loss and improve the ecosystem services by reducing the deposition of nitrogen. It shall also benefit farmers economically by reducing the per area nutrient input in crops.

2. ILVO – Microbial manure additive utilization in pig barns

Short Description of the technology

Most pig barns are equipped with a manure pit underneath the pigs that is used to store the manure for a longer period of time. This manure, however, is the source of a lot of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Adding microbial additives to the manure can decrease the emissions from the manure. An additive with lactic acid bacteria and bacillus subtilis will colonize the slurry and guides towards “positive” fermentations. The bacteria that produce NH3 and H2S are reduced which should lead to lower emissions of those gases.

Innovative features

• There is few quantitative information available about the potential of additives to reduce NH3 and GHG in barns. A case-control test is being conducted with a biological additive during a full fattening pig cycle in the ILVO pig barn where emissions can be monitored.

• The biologic additive consists of bacteria complexes with few support ingredients and no harmful ingredients.

• Easy application by spraying on the floor.

Type of contribution

Reduction of NH3 emissions from manure in fattening pig barns.

Benefits for farmers, the industry, and the environment

• Adding additives to the manure can decrease the emissions from the barn.

• Reduced concentrations of noxious gases in the barn result in increased pig health and less odour.

• Slurry is more homogenic and liquid

• More nutrients are staying in the manure. This is beneficial for crops.

3. ARI – Use of biochar to reduce NH₃ and GHG emissions from naturally ventilated dairy brans

Short Description of the technology

The Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) leads the development of the technology “Reducing NH3 and GHG emissions from barns through additives”. As part of WP4, this technology was tested under real farm conditions in Cyprus, to support its integration into local agricultural practices.

The proposed technology involves reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions from livestock manure by applying biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from biomass pyrolysis directly in barns. In an on-farm experiment, biochar was applied to manure, followed by ten days of consecutive sampling. Manure samples were placed in polystyrene boxes for GHG emissions monitoring. Simultaneously, daily sampling assessed changes in physicochemical properties and microbial parameters, providing insights into biochar’s effectiveness under real conditions in Cyprus. The trial will be repeated in summer to evaluate biochar’s performance under different climatic conditions.

Innovative features

• Farm-scale application of biochar as a manure additive for reducing GHG and NH₃ emissions under real barn conditions in Cyprus.

• High-resolution, real-time gas monitoring using eosAC-LT/LO chambers and a CRDS analyzer for precise emission measurements.

Type of contribution

This technology reduces GHG (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O) and NH₃ emissions from barns, contributing to climate change mitigation and improved air quality in livestock rural areas.

Benefits for farmers, the industry, and the environment

For farmers, biochar provides a natural, affordable solution to reduce harmful emissions by applying it directly to manure surfaces within the barn. For the livestock industry, it offers a simple, scalable method to lower emissions and promote sustainable operations. Environmentally, it contributes to climate change mitigation and enhances soil quality when the biochar-manure mixture is used as a soil amendment.