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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:
Odor Measurements from Manure Storages on Minnesota Pig Farms
Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1997 | No Comments
Investigations on odor and hydrogen sulfide emissions have been done on 30 pig manure storage facilities in Minnesota. A wide range of odor concentration levels and hydrogen sulphide concentrations have been measured during fall weather conditions. A procedure to sample the odor directly over the manure was elaborated in order to eliminate other odor sources. Storage classification was made and the results are presented according to this classification: indoor deep pit, outdoor concrete metal structure, earthen basin and 2nd stage earthen basin. No storage system showed lower concentrations for both parameter measured. The average odor concentration measure for all storage systems was 150 odor units. H2S concentration measurements were higher for non earthen systems than for earthen basins. The H2S concentration were distributed in two blocs with concentrations around lower than 10 ppm or higher than 50 ppm.
The methods used to realize the experiment are well presented and are follow ASTM and European Standards. No trend and no logical physical explanation can justify the large differences in odor dilution threshold and H2S concentrations obtained from the different manure storage systems. Thus not initially expected, the role that management practices may play in odor and gas emissions could probably be accounted for these large differences. As the experiment continue in 1997 more results and investigation will probably help in the determination of the factors affecting odor and gas production such as possible seasonal effects, temperature, animal diets, pumping frequencies, and general storage management.
Odor Control Technologies
Posted in: Environment by admin on | No Comments
Results on different experiments are presented: alkaline by products (fly ash and cement kiln) added to manure, pit additives, organic and inorganic floating covers and land application. Livestock and poultry productions have an impact on air quality. However the density level which is not comparable to the one in some areas of several European Countries and the resulting ammonia emissions does not represent a threat to the vegetative growth as seen in Europe. Dust removal from exhaust ventilation air will reduce odor emissions. Regulations on odorous emissions from livestock production should focus on source reduction issues.
The information presented in this proceeding doesn’t refer to any previous publication. It is difficult to analyze it as not much is given on protocol and test procedures.
Surveying odor nuisance of a plant: purpose and practical guidelines. Case studies of sewage treatment plants.
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A community odor survey can give more specific information about the nuisance coming from specific process operations in waste water plants. This tool can help define the frequency and the spatial distribution of the odor nuisance and by studying the results, links can be made to specific plant operations. Guidelines of the methodology and two case studies are presented. Such a survey has to be accepted and well announce within the community to assure a sufficient participation. The participant registered appreciation of the quality of the odor in the outdoor air (from no nuisance to severe nuisance) on an hourly basis when possible. Those responses were linked to meteorological data to know at least the wind speed and direction to determine the orientation of the odor dispersion.
This is an interesting tool to appreciate the spatial dispersion and the frequency of odor emission. Such a survey could also be linked with dispersion model to add more information and also to evaluate the appreciation of the odor nuisance by the community.
Application of Swine Manure to Clay Soils in Manitoba
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The effect of repeated manure applications on chemical and physical properties of upper horizons in clay soils were verified. Samples were take on the 0 – 120 cm of Osborne, Red River and Marquette clays in 12 locations in the Red River Valley region of Manitoba. Samples were done on soils that had received 5 to 30 manure applications they were compared to similar soils that did not received manure. Changes in the chemical properties were observed in the soils that received manure. The soils that received manure showed a potential for salts accumulation in the surface horizons of clay soils (0-15cm) as average electrical conductivity and chloride concentration were higher. Also for the same soil depth, the pH was lower and the average organic matter was higher for the soil that received manure. For all depth studied, the average nitrate- nitrogen and phosphate- phosphorus and potassium concentration measured were higher where manure was applied. No real evidence of sodification could be observed. The differences measured for higher sodium and exchangeable sodium percentage levels in the 0 – 15 cm depth on the soils that received manure were not statistically significant.
The effect of manure application on clay soils in Manitoba showed changes in the soil properties. The soils’ salinity was not changed significantly for the manure application levels of this experiment. For soils that have high salinity levels, feed rations given to hog should be tested to make sure that the sodium and chloride levels do not exceed the recommended levels. As the manure application levels exceeded the nitrogen requirements of plants on several of the fields nitrate leaching could be observed at 120 cm. Appropriate application rate would reduce nitrate leaching and also lower the salinity potential (lower electrical conductivity and chloride levels in the upper soils’ layers).
Effects of repeated swine building exposures on normal naA?ve subjects
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Effects of floor area allowance and group size
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Six group sizes and three levels of floor area allowance were studied in a 6 x 3 factorial arrangement. Group sizes were 3,5,6,7,10 and 15 pigs per pen. Floor area allowances were 0.030, 0.039 and 0.048 m2 x BW0.667 (body weight to the power of 2/3). Initial weights averaged 25.0 kg, and pigs remained on test for 12 wk. Pigs were weighed, feed intake determined, and size of pens increased at 2-wk intervals. Pen average daily weight gain (ADG) was reduced with increasing group size (899, 851, 868, 872, 857 and 821 g 3, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 15 pigs, respectively, P < 0.05). ADG and ADF (832 g and 2.25 kg, respectively) for the most crowded space allowance were reduced compared with more spacious allowances (ADG and ADF of 875 and 877 g, and 2.35 and 2.36 kg, for 0.039 and 0.048 m2 x BW0.667, respectively; P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that group size and space allowance act independently upon productivity.
Stirring the Pit
Posted in: Energy by admin on | No Comments
This article examines a type of windmill manure lagoon aerator. This windmill is mounted on pontoons anchored in the middle of an Embro farmers 330,000-gallon manure tank. The pits contents are brought to the surface gradually where they are exposed to the air. The Embro area farmers farm became the experimental site not only because he has an interest in keeping odours under control, but also because he has two adjacent manure tanks.
Odour levels were low and manure nutrient levels were not affected by the machine. No maintanance is required and the amount of power needed to spin the windmill depends on the consistency of the liquid. The agitator costs between $3000 and $5000 depending on whether they are wind or electrically driven.