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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:
Technological Windows in Manure Treatment Systems for Quebec
Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1999 | No Comments
Manure and subsequent odours generated from intensive livestock operations is growing in public concern. To aid in promoting new manure treatment technologies the Quebec Ministery of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food established “Technological windows in manure treatment systems” (TW). These TW’s were established to better inform livestock producers and the public about new, or enhanced manure management technologies. The type and relative success of manure treatment and odour reduction of 1) anaerobic air ambient temperature, bisor biofiltration, bio-fert, Ppurin Par and Fan separator are outlined.
Effects of Organic Cover Biofilters on Odors from Liquid Manure Storage
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
Odour complaints are the single largest source of complaints with respect to intensive livestock operations. One method of odour reduction is the use of a biofilter. These low-cost filtration systems have been succssful in reducing hydrogen sulfide and odour emission levels from livestock operations.
This study set out to examine the impact of a manure-soaked straw cover, water-soaked straw cover and a dry-straw cover on the odour and hydrogen sulfide emissions generated from a manure storage unit. Two trails were completed to evaluate the biofilters, the first trail lasted from April 1 – May 4, 1998 and the second trial lasted from June 4 – July 23, 1998. All samples were analyzed for hydrogen sulfide and odour threshold levels.
Hydrogen sulfide levels were influenced by two factors: difussion of the odour through the biofilter and dilution by the fresh air flowing acress the surface of the biofilter. The average hydrogen sulfide reduction for the first trial (April 1 – May4) from the straw soaked with manure was 95% and the straw soaked with water realized a 91% reduction. During the second phase of the trial the dry straw cover was compared with the water-soaked straw cover. Average hydrogen sulfide concentrations at the surface ranged from 1,145 – 2,037 ppb at the manure surface and 110 – 115 at the outlet for the dry straw cover. Representing a 92% H2S reduction rate. The wet straw cover averaged 573 – 847 ppb at the manure surface and 101 – 153 ppb at the outlets, representing a 81% reduction in concentration levels. The average H2S reduction of the control, no straw cover was 50% between the manure surface and the outlet.
Odour reduction with the wet straw was 55% while the straw soaked with manure was 45%. The manure soaked cover odour reduction was not as high because the manure in the straw contributed to emitting odours. Odour reduction levels were reduced 59% with the dry straw cover. The hydrogen sulfide and odour concentrations were not as high in the second study. This can be explained by the summer testing period, in which the higher temperature would increase microbial activity and therefore increase the amount of hydrogen sulfide and odour being emitted from the manure.
Yield and Nitrate Concentration in Sunsurface Drainage Water as a Function of N-Fertilizer Rate
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Drainage watrer quality and quantity and crop yield in a 22 ha field were measured since 1986. The field was in a corn-soybean rotation with N-fertilizer applied to the corn in spring. The data showed that even at the low N-fertilizer rate, nitrate-N concentrations were greater than the maximum contamination level (MCL) for drinking water in corn years and in all years for the M (9.81b Mg ha-1) and H (9.78b Mg ha-1) N-fertilzer treatments. Optium corn yields occurred between the l and M treatment in 1996 abd the M and H treatment in 1998. Therefore, maximum corn yield cannot be sustained in this particular field without producing drainage water that exceeds th MCL standrad set out by the EPA.
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Mechanistic Models of Ammonia Release from Liquid Manure: a Review
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
Mechanistic models of ammonia (NH3) release from liquid manure in 30 available publications are reviewed. They include models of NH3 release in animal houses, from slurry applied fields, from constructed manure stores, from an anaerobic lagoon and from flooded rice and soil systems. The models are decomposed and their general structure is synthesized as a core model combined with some submodels. The theoretical bases of the models are compared. The general model structure, core model and diA
PSC Elstow Feed Grain Utilization
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Performance and carcass quality of growing-finishing pigs submitted to reduced nocturnal temperature
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Summer months bring elevated temperatures, which can reduce pig growth rate by decreasing feed intake. It has been suggested that a reduced temperature setpoint during summer months could sustain pig performance by perhaps modifying pig eating behavior and stimulating the average daily feed intake. Both a pilot study and a large scale experiment were conducted to evaluate the impact of a reduced nocturnal temperature strategy on the performance and carcass quality of growing-finishing pigs over summer months. The reduced temperature setpoint was set 6A?A?C lower than typical commercial barn temperature setpoints. The rooms with reduced temperature setpoints resulted in a lowered nocturnal room temperature, 1.6A?A?C cooler at night, but no effect on daytime room temperature. The average daily temperature fluctuation in the reduced nocturnal temperature (RNT) rooms was increased by 2.1A?A?C. In the large scale trial, feed intake and ADG was higher than in the control rooms. These results were not found to be statistically significant; however, reducing temperature setpoint could provide a net return of 0.80 CAN$/pig sold raised during summer months in Saskatchewan.
Psychobiological consequences of two different weaning methods in sheep.
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