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Measurement of Hydrogen Sulfide in Beef Cattle Feedlots on the Texas High Plains

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  Paper number  034108,  2003 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.14108) @2003
Authors:   Marty B. Rhoades, David B. Parker, Bobby Dye
Keywords:   Hydrogen Sulfide, beef cattle, open lot, feedyard, feedlot, Jerome Meter

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) is a product of anaerobic breakdown of organic materials. In enclosed facilities, this can be potentially deadly both to livestock and to human workers. Little is known about H2S emissions from open lot feedyards. Three commercial feedyards in the Texas High Plains were selected for a one-year trial. These were well isolated from other facilities, and were categorized as small, medium, and large based on capacity. Total Reduced Sulfur (TRS) was measured once per week at each feedyard using a 631X Jerome Meter. Measurements were taken upwind, downwind of the pens, and downwind of the retention pond. Four readings were taken at each location at a height of 1 meter, and averaged. Mean concentrations upwind of the yard were 5, 5, and 6 ppb (smallest to largest yard resp.). Mean concentrations downwind of the pens were 20, 19, and 25 ppb (smallest to largest yard resp.). Mean concentrations downwind of the retention ponds were 13, 10, and 96 ppb (smallest to largest yard resp.).

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