About

Dr. Cortus and Brian Hetchler are collecting air quality measurements in a pen of black and white cows.


The Livestock Environment Engineering Group is an interdisciplinary team that supports sustainable livestock production in Minnesota and across the nation. The team is led by Dr. Erin Cortus.

Mission

Environmental management of livestock systems requires an integrated and interdisciplinary approach. Through research, we develop innovative extension and education models that promote continual learning in context. Ultimately, these programs build the capacity of livestock producers, students and other stakeholders to serve as environmental leaders. 
 

Focal Areas

Our integrated research and Extension work focuses on environmental management and sustainability across livestock production systems in North America.  

  1. Air quality and ventilation
    Managing air quality in livestock facilities presents opportunities to improve animal and human health. Additionally, gaseous compounds can be associated with nuisances such as odors. Our work measures and models the dynamics of pollutants such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and particulate matter as affected by ventilation systems. 

  2. Greenhouse gas emissions
    Defining measurement and mitigation strategies for greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide is critical to improving the climate impacts of animal production. Our research uses both direct and indirect methods to quantify greenhouse gas emissions at farm scale, with the goal of improving the accuracy and precision of emission inventories.

  3. Manure and nutrient management
    Efficient manure handling and storage systems can promote nutrient and energy circularity in livestock systems and minimize negative environmental impacts. Our work characterizes nutrient flows during manure handling and storage.

  4. Biosecurity
    Livestock farms implement protocols and practices to reduce the risk of transmitting pathogens, pests, and other hazards. Our research focuses especially on the structural and social aspects of biosecurity implementation. For example, we study how procedures (e.g., biosecure entry and exit practices) and plans (e.g., risk management plans) coordinate human behavior.