Processed through a treatment plant Agreement on the proposal was never reached, however, and the various campus entities found separate solutions to their manure challenges. Meyer notes that the campus dairy is the only dairy in the state that processes its manure through a sewage treatment plant, along with waste from the primate center and hog barns. In addition to her educational work, Meyer also maintains an active research program. Currently she's evaluating mechanical manure separators and settling basins for liquid manure. She's also quantifying how much atmospheric ammonia is emitted by the solid and liquid manure from cows.
Atmospheric ammonia reacts with the gases produced by car exhaust and forms particulate nitrate.
They are one of six groups of compounds we have to be concerned about in valley air pollution. Meyer's job requires that she be fluent in everything from animal nutrition to atmospheric science, soil science and even a bit of chemistry and engineering. She notes that she relies heavily on campus air and soil scientists, irrigation specialists and particularly on the campus air-quality group. Much of her research is done on private commercial dairy farms. Although appreciative that producers allow her access to their dairies, Meyer finds it challenging to work her research activities into the daily operation of the dairy.