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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:
Effects of composted swine manure on weed seedbank
Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 2005 | No Comments
Dynamic Simulation Model of Nitrogen Fluxes in Pig Housing and Outdoor Storage Facilities
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Many factors in pig production, including genetics, feeding efficiency, feed composition, feed distribution method, environmental control, and waste management, affect the nitrogen content of pig slurry. However, estimating the global impact of these factors on the nitrogen (N) content of daily fresh manure and stored slurry is not easy. Mathematical modelling of certain N fluxes in pig production systems have shown good potential for predicting the impact of some of the aforementioned characteristics on either pig excretion or ammonia volatilisation in buildings and outdoor storage facilities. However, none considered both excretion and ammonia volatilisation over the entire production site. To do this, equations from the literature were used to construct a dynamic simulation model of N fluxes in both batch and continuous production systems. The resulting model allows for prediction of daily concentrations and quantities of N in buildings and storage facilities. Total N concentration in outside slurry tanks can be accurately predicted within an error range of 64% forthe growing–finishing site and 93% for the reproduction site.
Manure management practices in Lombardy (Italy)
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
Concrete Manure Storage Structures: Specifications and Standards in Canada
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Concrete is a practical, economical and durable material for storage structures for manure. Manure storage structures must be designed for strength, durability and water tightness. This requires evaluation, design, quality concrete, reinforcement, finishing, and curing for strength. There are 7 categories of structures for manure storage systems, each with pros and cons. Two general approaches are taken in regards to regulatory processes for manure storage facilities in Canada. These two approaches include provinces that require compliance of farm structures with the building code and provinces where farm buildings are exempt from building codes. A professional engineer will be required for some components in the process. The components of manure storage systems include functional design (correct volume, connections, safety, etc.) and structural design (leak control, loads, reinforcement, concrete, etc.). In 2003-2004 the National Building Code made changes to the specified loads section. This section now includes liquid loads, ice loads, soil and backfill loads, exterior walls below grade, frost loads, temperature stress, wind loads, vehicular loads, and other live loads. The engineer must ensure that Soil Bearing Capacity and Uniformity of Base are appropriate through sub-grade preparation and structural design. There are generally 2 significantly different applications for wall design for concrete manure storages: shallow storages and large volume, freestanding storage structures. Joints in the walls are sites to be identified as they are subject to leakage. Join construction requires a mechanical water stop, a 10 mm full-length joint, and a strip of expanding caulking in the middle of the wall. Concrete used must be durable, low permeability, resistant to corrosion, and must meet a specified strength. Concrete mix design must be based on the factors that include water-cementing materials ratio, air entrainment, type of cement, additives, aggregate type and size, and class of exposure. Good construction techniques must be followed in order to ensure a long lasting, leak-free, high quality structure. This requires proper placement, finishing, curing, reinforcement and jointing. Proper documentation and quality control is recommended.