A Floating Chamber for estimating Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Farm Scale Treatment Units for Livestock Wastes

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

A floating rectangular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) open bottom chamber coupled with a molecular sieve trap was designed to measure the amounts of nitrous oxide gas (N2O) emitted during aerobic treatment or storage of liquid animal slurries. A number of outdoor calibration trials, using water and a standard gas mixture, resulted in an averageN2O recovery of 79$8%. Further experiments carried out on a farm scale aerobic treatment unit confirmed the reliability and ease of use of the method.

Composted and Noncomposted Manure Application to Conventional and No-Tillage Systems: Corn Yield and Nitrogen Uptake

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Focus on the Future Conference 2000 Highlights

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Effect of increasing group size on grower finisher pigs

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There is a growing interest in the use of larger group housing for grower-finisher pigs. Since most research has typically been done with smaller group sizes, there is a need to better understand the effects of increasing group sizes. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 10, 20, 40 and 80 pigs/pen evaluated on their production and health. A total of four, twelve week trials revealed similar injury scores among group sizes. A significant difference in gain was noticed during the first six weeks with no consistent pattern. Overall, ADG was similar among groups. It was concluded that if adequate amounts of space are provided for grower/finisher pigs, the use of larger group sizes is not detrimental to the health and productivity of pigs, nor significantly different compared to smaller group sizes.

The effect of cow-calf separation in dairy cattle on animal behaviour.

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Foot lesions in finishing pigs and their associations with the type of floor.

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Physiological responses of sheep during long road journeys involving ferry crossings.

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Danger to pigs due to crushing can be reduced by the use of a simulated udder.

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Sows that lie on their young, pig ‘crushing’, is a significant cause of pig mortality in current production systems. Although mortality rates of pigs in farrowing crates are lower than mortality rates of pigs in pens, loss due to crushing is still estimated to be between 4.8 and 18%. During the first few days after parturition, pigs are highly attracted to the odor of their dam’s udder. Thus, this research was designed to move the pigs away from the sow by competing with the sow’s udder using a ‘simulated’ udder. Fifteen Yorkshire x Landrace sows and their litters (average 11.4 pigs per litter) were assigned to either a control or an experimental group. The control group had access to a heat lamp, whereas the experimental group had a simulated udder in the crate. Data were collected using video cameras for a 3-d duration at the initiation of farrowing. When a sow stood, data were recorded by 1-min scan samples to record the number of pigs using either the heat lamp or the simulated udder. In addition, stillborn pigs, pig crushing, and death by other means also were recorded. Results indicated that from 12 to 72 h postpartum, excluding 24 to 36 h postpartum, the estimated probability that pigs were in a safe area (simulated udder or heat lamp) was higher for the experimental group than for the control group. During 24 to 36-h period, it was more probable to find pigs on a simulated udder than under only a heat lamp. Stillborn pigs, pig crushing, and death by other means were not different between treatments. The simulated udder drew pigs away from the sow’s udder better than heat lamps alone. Considering these findings, mortality of pigs due to crushing may be decreased substantially using a simulated udder. These results are promising, but further refinement should be done, including improved udder design and investigation of the attractiveness of various stimuli.

Performance Records and Their Use in Genetic Improvement

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Recording performance data is common place within many swine businesses in the United States. Information such as sow farrowing and weaning data and changes in feed and pig inventories are used regularly for both tactical and strategic planning. Animal performance data within the commercial pork industry is primarily used to monitor production system dynamics and to pinpoint strengths and
weaknesses within each phase of production. A secondary use, chiefly for sows and boars, is evaluation of past performance of individual animals within the system.
Within seedstock farms, animal records are used primarily to monitor the performance of individuals for the prediction of genetic breeding values. Monitoring production system status is of secondary nature. All pigs within purebred or nucleus systems are uniquely identified whereas in commercial
systems, individual identification occurs primarily for sows and boars.
Seedstock programs implement unique production protocols to standardize conditions so individuals within a group experience similar production and environmental circumstances. Differences
in genetic merit between animals are more notable when individuals compared are exposed to similar
environmental challenges. The comparison of differences in performance records between individuals
is a key element in identifying genetically superior individuals. To accomplish this objective, data collection must follow specific protocols so that differences observed between individuals more accurately reflect their differences in genetic merit versus differences due to non-genetic factors.

Characteristics of Hydorgen Sulfide Concentration in Mechanically Ventilated Swine Buildings

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Hydrogen sulfide levels were measured in two mechanically ventilated 1,000 pig finsihing buildings. The study set out to measure seasonal variation in hydrogen sulfide levels and factors that impact these variations, evaluate daily hydrogen sulfide variation and distinguish different patterns and examine spatial hydrogen sulfide concentration levels at three sampling locations.

Average daily mean building concentrations in both facilities were 3180 +/- 16 ppb and 232 +/- 39 ppb, the difference between the mean concentration in the two buildings was not statistically significant. Seasonal concentration patterns were saddle-shaped, with lowest concentration levels reported in early June and highest concentrations in April and September. Hydroegn sulfide concnetration levels were inversely correlated to building ventilation rate, which varied according to seasonal temperatures. The highest daily mean hydrogen sulfide rate corresposnded to th day airflow rates were the lowest.

Daily hydorgen sulfide concentration rates are influenced by ambient temperature followed by the building ventilation variation. Four daily concentration patterns were identified, 92% of the time hydrogen sulfide concentrations varied indirectly with building airflow followed by the outside air temperature. Spatial variations were very evident throughout the study. Barn 3b had a range of 271 ppb between the end wall and pit chimney, while Barn 4B had a range of 265 ppb ebtween the end wall and pit head space. Therefore it is very important in determing the appropriate the proper location of measurement, that which will be determined by the objectives set out in the experiment.