Factors affecting Nitrogen Transformations and Related Nitrous Oxide Emissions

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1999 | No Comments

Effectiveness of 3 Manure Pit Additives Document

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The DE content of hull-less barley

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Hull-less barley is used as a source of energy and amino acids in swine rations in Western Canada but is characterized poorly in terms of DE content. Our objective was to determine the DE content of cleaned hull-less barley in relation to barley, wheat, and triticale. Chemical characteristics were analyzed to enable subsequent calculation of prediction equations. The DE content of cleaned hull-less barley was equal to that of wheat. We were able to predict the DE content of hull-less barley accurately by using starch, neutral-detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) analyses.

The influence of different feeding arrangements and food type on competition at feeding in pregnant sows.

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This study looked at aggression in sows when feeding and how it was influenced by the size of partitions and type of food, wet or dry. Six groups of six sows were each put through various combinations of feeder partitions and wet and dry food. Also each sow in groups of sows were ranked 1 to 6 depending on dominance over the other sows in the group. Sows were each given a week to get used to the feeding set up and then were held for 9 days in each system. At 9:00am each sow was fed 2.5kgs of either dry or wet feed ( 1:6 water to feed ratio). The sows were video taped for an hour, fifteen minutes of feeding and then for 45 minutes afterwards. The video tapes were viewed and researchers took note of times sows bit each other and where they were bit ( head, shoulder, vulva). Also it was noted when pigs left the feeder voluntarily or if they were forced to leave by another sow. The results of the compiled data showed that full length body partitions were the most effective in reducing aggression and biting to the head and shoulders, but full body partitions saw increased biting of the vulva. Wet feed reduced aggression compared to dry feed, possibly because portions were larger and sows were full and didn’t have reason to fight, or because all the sows finished eating at the same time there was less competition for feed. The most aggression was found in the fifteen minutes of feeding, aggression was reduced significantly in the 45 minutes following the feeding period. It was found that sows ranked in the 3rd and 4th spot of dominance suffered the most bites and aggression from other sows. Pigs who were ranked 5th and 6th were bitten less but this can be explained because they spent less time at the feeder. Full body partitions were the most effective but lock ins at the back of the stall could be incorporated to reduce vulva biting. Shoulder length partitions along with wet feed were found to be as effective in reducing aggression as full body partitions.

To see this complete article please go to: http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/applan/home

Domestic turkeys are not averse to compact fluorescent lighting.

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Adaptation to tethering in yearling dairy heifers assessed by the used of lying down behaviour.

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The lying down behaviour of 48 dairy heifers was studied while they were tethered for different lengths of time. Heifers were tethered in stalls with concrete flooring either for the entire experimental period (which lasted 24 days), or the last 10 days or the last 3 days of the experiment. In the control treatment, heifers were housed straw-bedded pens. Behavioural observations were recorded for 24 hours at the end of the experiment. Heifers that were tethered for 3 days had longer latencies to lie down, they lied down less and took longer to lie down. The number of lying down interruptions was higher for heifers tethered for 3 and 10 days compared to the control treatment. The heifers tethered for 24 days were in between (did not differ from the control or 3 and 10 day treatments). The results indicate that initial tethering causes the most problems in lying down behaviour for heifers. The results do not indicate that complete adaptation occurs (at least not during the 24 days of this study).

Environmental Control Strategies for Swine Buildings in Cold-Climates

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Use of horizontal and angled perches by broiler chickens

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Since roosting increases the survival of wild relatives of domestic birds, it was expected that chickens would choose to roost on perches, and would prefer upward angled perches over horizontal because angles perches have the characteristics and accessibility of those found in nature. Perches were provided to 16 pens of male broiler birds in one of four ways: 0A

Odor and Gas Emissions from Animal Manure Storage and Buildiings

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Odour and hydrogen sulfide samples were collected from 19 animal storage sites and 26 livestock and poultry buildings in Minnesota throughout 1998. Samples were collected at each one of the locations in spring summer and fall, with the samples be taken from the surface of the manure storage facility and outside the fans on the buildings. These samples were not collected at the property as per Minnesota regulation. H2S and odour building concentration and emission levels varied 22 – 1156 ppb repectively, while odour emission rates ranged from 24 -1515 o.u.. While manure storage concentration and emsission levels ranged from 9 – 1003 ppn for H2S and 39 – 217.2 o.u. for odour. Both odour and H2S levels were found to vary throughout the study, rates were dependant on surface moisture, temperature, wind speed and other factors. H2s and odour concentration levels were found to be more constant over the summer and fall period than other livestock, however these levels were also reported one magnitude higher than dairy levels. The building odour levels show higher values earlier in the year as they did for manure storage units but the magnitude is considerably lower. H2S levels are also lower in magnitude than for pig manure storage units, but do show a similar trend of higher values in the fall compared to those recorded in the spring and summer.

Illinois Extension's Certified Livestock Manager Training Program for Livestock Producers

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In May 1997 the Illinois Livestock Management Facilities act became effective. The act focused on four main areas: facility design standards of lagoon storage, setback distances, facility operator education and waste management plans. Illinois extension under contract to Illinois Department of Agriculture developed the Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) training prgram to accomplish producer education set out under the act. The CLM program is mandatory for operations exceeding 300 animal units, and the workshops provide information regarding environmental stewardship, manure management systems, worker health and safety, manure nutrient management programs odour control and Illinois livestock waste regulations.