Tarleton State University

Concentrated Dairy Operations Are Implicated in Lake and Stream Eutrophication as Well as in the Formation of Ocean Dead Zones. Cost-effective Methods for Producing Biochars That Can Enhance Bioremediation of Phosphorous-saturated Soils Can Simultaneously Increase the Environmental and Economic Sustainability of Dairy Operations. We Propose to Conduct an Integrated, Multidisciplinary Program for the Student-focused Development, Testing, and Promotion of Phosphorus-remediating Biochars. While Biochar Is Increasingly Being Promoted to Enhance Carbon Sequestration, Stimulate Plant Growth, and Remediate Soils, Its Use Is Currently Limited Due to the High Production Costs. Preliminary Research Has Demonstrated That Biochars Produced From a Blend of Manure and Waste Dairy Hay Have Lower Production Costs Due to Reduced Moisture While Demonstrating Enhanced Phosphorus Remediation Properties. Our Multi-agency Team, Consisting of Texas A&m Agrilife Research, and Tarleton State University Is Ideally Poised to Further Investigate These Findings by Combining Research, Teaching, and Extension Expertise From Environmental Engineering, Dairy Management, Agronomy, Soil Science, Genomics, and Economics. Cost-effective Biochar Production Will Provide Dairy Farmers With a Viable Method for Off-farm Removal of Excess Manure Nutrients Through Biochar Sale to Farming, Gardening, and Bioswale Operations. It Will Also Help Them Protect Water Quality by Enhancing the Removal of Legacy Soil Phosphorus. This PROJECT'S Integration of Basic and Applied Research With Outreach Activities Will Enhance Collaboration Among Investigators While Providing Students With the Combined Technical and Practical Science Expertise They Will Need to Address "wicked" Problems Facing Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.