Odour Management Technologies for Swine Facilities

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The effect of a fixed or free toy on the growth rate and aggressive behaviour of weaned pigs and the influence of hierarchy on initial investigation of the toys.

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Effect of lairage during 24h of transport on the behavioural and physiological responses of sheep.

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Look How Much Feed is Wasted

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Studies estimate that 10-15% of the feed used in grower-finishing units is never consumed by the pig but rather spilt onto the floor or lost in the manure. An idea has surfaced where adlib fed pigs are encouraged to visit the feeder less often during the day. This results in fewer meals with longer duration and intake. Feeders do tend to be visited far more frequently than is strictly necessary. Feeder design should be studied. A feeder would be loss-limiting if it provided the animal with enough room to lift its head and chew without drawing. Feeders should also have a through-view feature so the animal can see its penmates and be less threatened. Feed is also lost directly when the pig paws or roots it out. Pellets are better than meal and the adjustment of the feeder’s flow rate is vital. An important role will remain for managers in ensuring their feeders are positioned, adjusted and controlled correctly.

Ammonia Emissions from Composting Livestock Manure

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No comments are given on the ammonia emission and the total ammonia emission for liquid manure storage. The impact of composting on the total ammonia emission for this type of manure management is not presented. The experiments were realized in laboratory with small volume reactors and controlled conditions.

Manure Treatment to Reduce Gas Emissions from Large Swine Houses

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No information on the specific additive tested is given probably as further experiments are made. More explanation are needed on the differences in the nutrients concentration in the manure as those concentration are lower for the manure treated with the additives. The only significant difference obtained in the gases emitted are for the ammonia. Testing in more buildings would provide more data to confirm these results.

Economic Implication of Reduced Crude Protein Diets for Pigs to Reduce Ammonia Emissions

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The authors doesn’t explain the difference in costs of the conventional and lower crude protein (CP) diets. For UK conditions, the results obtained in this publication show that the use of CP diets are economically not interesting to producers unless they produce manure in excess to dispose properly on the land that is available for them. Economical incentive would be necessary to integrate such practice. Further data are needed to evaluate pig performance and to assess the true economical situation for the U.K.

Loi sur la protection du territoire et des activites agricoles.

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The law on the protection of the rural territory and agricultural activities is presented in this document. The rural territory in Quebec is protected from non-farming uses. In addition to the law ruling this zoning, right-to-farm provisions have been added to protect from lawsuits accepted farming practices realized in rural territory.

Sleighfoot solves a stinky problem

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The Sleighfoot Manure Applicator (SMA) imported from Holland in 1992 by the Dairy Producers’ Conservation Group (DPCG) has been tested by its members. Field trials made by Dr. Bittman of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada at Agassiz allowed him to conclude that the SMA is “environmentally responsible and economically sensible”.
SMA applies manure at the plant base by its feet riding on the ground surface. The vegetation is being combed and the plants resume their upright position. As the manure is applied at ground level, no splashing occur compared to more conventional manure spreader thus limiting the emissions of gases and odors to the air, no damage is done to the plants by flattening or burning from the manure and the nutrients contained in the manure are more easily available to the roots. Furthermore when SMA is used in growing crops the leaf canopy unfold after the SMA passage limiting considerably the odors and emissions. Manure spreading can be done at any time from April to September and particularly when the crops need it most.
If considering variable cost, the SMA is more interesting than splashplate spreaders because less ammoniac emissions keeping more nitrogen available to the plants. However if considering the capital cost, the SMA is less interesting. Leasing, jointly own or hire custom operators could alternatives that would improve the economics of SMA.

This technology of spreading manure at ground level into crops is very interesting and currently used also in Quebec with spreaders manufactured in the province. It offers a good control on the odors and gas emissions while spreading.

Design of Anaerobic Lagoons for Animal Waste Management

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These standards give the minimum criteria for the design and construction of livestock waste anaerobic lagoons sited in agricultural or rural areas. The standards consider location, odour control, nearby residences, air flow pattern, water supply, soils and foundation. The lagoon size determination is discussed considering loading rates and climatic conditions.