Characteristics of wastes from southwestern cattle feedlots

Research was conducted on experimental feedlots in Lubbock, Texas, to determine the characteristics of wastes from Southwestern cattle feedlots. The feedlots were generally operated in a manner conforming to normal commercial practice in the area. They were provided with collection pits that allowed the quantity of runoff to be measured accurately. Samples of runoff were collected routinely both during rainstorms and from the collection pits. Manure samples were also collected routinely for analysis. The quantity of runoff per unit area of concrete-surfaced lots is substantially greater than the quantity per unit area of dirt-surfaced lots. Concentrations of pollutants in concrete-lot runoff are substantially higher than corresponding concentrations in runoff from dirt-surfaced lots. Agronomic studies indicate that runoff can be used for irrigation of crops, but extreme caution is required in the application of runoff to crops to prevent damage to them.