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Industry Partners
Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Nutrient Flows for Poultry production in The Netherlands
Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 2000 | No Comments
Government targets for ammonia emission and for N and P loss per hectare (ha) of agricultural land were used to assess carrying capacity for poultry production in The Netherlands with data from 1990. In addition, the effect of alternative management strategies on carrying capacity was determined. Ammonia emission from poultry production in 1990 [20.5 gigagrams (Gg) N] exceeded the target for 2000 (i.e., 6.9 Gg N). Targets defined for 2000 and 2010 (i.e., 4.6 Gg N) can be achieved, however, without reducing poultry numbers, assuming national introduction of measurements studied. Measures that reduced ammonia emission directly, i.e., introduction of low-emission housing or manure application techniques, were most effective. In 1990, N and P losses equalled 215 kg/ha for N and 31 kg/ha for P. The N loss was slightly lower than the target for 2000 (219 kg N/ha) but exceeded the target for 2010 (144 kg N/ha). Reduction of application of artificial N fertilizer, however, reduced N loss effectively from 215 to 22 kg/ha. National P loss in 1990 exceeded the target for 2000 (15.3 kg P/ha). Reduction of application of artificial P fertilizer reduced P loss most effectively from 31 to 14 kg/ha. To achieve the target for 2010 (8.7 kg P/ha), additional reduction in P excretion by poultry is required. This reduction can be achieved by use of phytase in layer and broiler feed and by use of a coarse Ca source in layer feed. Unlike pig production, carrying capacity for poultry production in The Netherlands is not limited by governmental targets for acidification, eutrophication, or drinking water contamination.
Measurement of Odour Emissions from Hog Operations in Manitoba
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Odour emissions were measured by olfactometer and trained observers on ten hog farms in Manitoba a
COMPOSTING DEADSTOCK – A Producera
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Composting is the biological decomposition of organic materials under controlled conditions. Microbes will consume oxygen and organic matter to produce heat, carbon dioxide, water vapour and stabilized organic matter. The Livestock Manure and Mortalities Regulation requires mortalities to be kept in a secure storage location and disposed of within 48 hours after death. Otherwise, mortalities must be continually frozen or refrigerated. No person shall dispose of mortalities except by burial or incineration, composting, or delivery to a rendering plant. The benefits of composting are: sound biosecurity, discreet method for year-round carcass and after-birth disposal, easy disposal of materials (weanlings, afterbirth, even feeder pigs and sows), carcasses can be disposed of immediately, composted materials can be recycled onto farm fields as a value-added soil conditioner. Compost bins should be built on an elevated site that has 24-hour year round access. The site should be able to control any leaching or run-off. When locating a composter consideration should be given to traffic patterns required for moving dead pigs, the required ingredients, and removing the finished compost from the composter. While offensive odours are not usually generated in the composting process, the handling of dead pigs on a daily basis may not be aesthetically pleasing. It is a good idea to build the composter surrounded by trees. The bins may vary in size depending on the type and size of the operation. A 350-500 sow farrow-to-finish operation would require 3 piles, each approximately 15 feet wide and 30 feet deep. Larger operations may choose a more customized system or larger bins in similar proportions (i.e., 25 x 50 ft). It is recommended that the base should be a concrete pad with a 4-6 inch curb or lip to prevent leaching and run-off. A buffer of crushed rock around the compost bin will discourage rodents. It should be noted that using sawdust will control nearly all run-off and leaching. While bin configuration is not critical, bins are often laid out as three-sided enclosures. The open side should be wide enough (at least two feet wider than bucket width) so that the bin contents are easily accessible with a front end or skid-steer loader. A roof is recommended to help control moisture levels. An open compost bin may receive too much rainfall in a given period or too much snow accumulation in winter. Properly finished compost should appear as a dark, nearly black granular material resembling humus or potting soil. It may have a slight musty odor. The pile temperature will have dropped to the ambient (outside air) temperature. Some resistant bones (skull parts, teeth) may be visible, but they should be soft and easily crumbled by hand. The material is now ready for spreading onto an existing land base.
SURFACE SEAL HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY AS AFFECTED BY LIVESTOCK MANURE APPLICATION
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QUALITY CONTROL OF STANDARDIZED REFERENCE SPRAY NOZZLES
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RUNOFF AND SOIL LOSS AS AFFECTED BY THE APPLICATION OF MANURE
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