ECONOMICS OF CONTROLLING AMMONIA EMISSION FROM COMMERCIAL LAYER FARMS

This article presents a model to calculate the level of ammonia emissi on from commercial layer houses. The first part of the model calculate s nitrogen excretion; the second part gives the total ammonia emission from layer houses, manure storage, and manure application. The result s show that improved application methods can reduce the ammonia emissi on in a region at a lower cost than low-nitrogen feed or manure belt d rying systems. Results of the separate measures for reducing ammonia e mission are not additive. As there are no direct revenues from lowerin g ammonia emission, governmental regulations requiring such measures, as implemented in the Netherlands, will increase cost for U.S. poultry producers.