Laboratory Analysis of Manure

Posted in: Production by admin on January 1, 1995 | No Comments

To make efficient use of fertilizer nutrients in manure,
nutrient levels must be determined by laboratory analysis.
This publication outlines methods for obtaining and
interpreting laboratory analyses of manure.

Mise au point et evaluation de la faisabilite d'un procede naturel de traitement du lisier de porcs pas le sol

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In the Plouvorn site, a 4 years study is realized on a pilot scale pig manure treatment system using a natural soil process. The experiment is done under field conditions. The treatment is done in 3 stages: a managed field (3280 m2) from which all the leachate water that percolate through the soil can be recovered, a storage pump reactor system (160, 350 and 450 m3 capacity) where the denitrification process occur and to complete the treatment, a non-managed field. The manure treatment follows these operations: 1) over application is done to the managed field with manure, 2) the nitrate leachate is then collected and treated, 3) and the leachate that has been denitrified is irrigated over the fields. The objective of this project is to evaluated the performances of such systems for manure treatment, considering the nitrogen removal efficiency for the soil/water system used. From 1991 and 1994, and average of 980 m3 per year have been applied to the managed field for a total of 3919 m3 of raw manure per ha. The manure spreading was done in individual spreadings of 157 m3/ha from March-April through October of each year for a total nitrogen load of 756 kg total N per hectare. The leachate coming from the managed field contained high nitrates concentrations (concentrations ranging from 440 to 828 mg/L, measured during the last season) which show that the nitrification process was in the soil. The leachate was subsequently denitrified at and average rate of 0.5 to 1 kg N per day for a retention time in the reactor of 10 to 60 days. The results obtained show that this treatment process is a promising method for nitrogen removal.

No information is given on the expected life time of such soil filter and also on the other nutrients in the manure. No mention is done of the potential leaching of other nutrients as build up in the soils occurs with applications that go on. The increase in the concentration of some nutrients could also lead to toxicity levels for the growth of the vegetal cover that are meant to uptake those nutrients.

Managing Odors from Swine, Part 2 and Part 3

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This is a general overview of current method to reduce swine manure odors.

Areas discussed are buildings and facilities, outside storage systems (lagoons and covers,), and land applications (spreading and injection).

Respiratory Dysfunction in Swine Production Facility Workers: Dose-Response Relationships of Environmental Exposures and Pulmonary Function

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How animal handling influences animal behaviour

Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on | No Comments

Animal handling is a part of all animal production systems and can have a large effect on the welfare of the animals. Among production systems there are various methods of handling animals as well as purpose. This review discusses some of the features of animal handling and handling systems. The goal of handling, facilities and equipment used as well as personnel all make a difference in the behaviour of the animal during handling and the effectiveness of the handling. Benefits of any handling procedure must be weighed against its costs. Economic costs include labour, facilities, equipment and productivity losses. There is also the ethical component of handling related to the stressfulness of the procedure. Producers should be willing to make changes in order to reduce stressfulness.
Understanding the behaviour of the animals plays a major role in successful animal handling. Being aware of signals is part of the process of turning stockmanship from an art into a science. One of the greatest challenges is to avoid fearful reactions, as it is much harder to calm an animal once it has been startled. Handling is an important part of any livestock operation. The cost of poor handling remains unknown as there is little work directed to this topic. Understanding the reaction of animals to their surroundings is an important step in improving handling facilities. Efforts in this area will yield economic rewards as well as improve the welfare of the animals.

Effects of cushioned flooring on piglet leg injuries.

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Influence of a conspecific agemate on distress bleating by lambs.

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Analysis and design of an aero-deduster for livestock buildings.

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A particle separation theory for the uniflow aero-deduster was developed and a prototype of the aero-deduster was designed and tested based on the analysis of the particle separation theory. Theoretically, all sizes of particles can be separated and dust particle separation efficiency increases as the particle size increases. The factors affecting the dust separation efficiency includes the aero-deduster configuration, particle size and the air flow condition in the deduster. For example, dust separation efficiency of the deduster was 10% to 20% for particles of 2 um and 30% for particles of 5 um.

Environmental Policy and Swine Manure Management: Waste not or Want Not

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Effects of ground flaxseed in swine diets on pig performance and on physical and sensory characteristics and omega-3 fatty acid content of pork: I. Dietary level of flaxseed

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Because of conflicting reports appearing daily
regarding fat in the human diet, opportunities exist
for animal scientists to improve the nutritional value
of fat that animals produce.The objectives of this study were 1) to
determine the effect of feeding three levels ( 5 , 10, or
15%) of ground flaxseed to pigs for 25 d before
slaughter on growth and carcass composition, 2) to
determine omega-3 fatty acid content of various pork
tissues following feeding of flaxseed, and 3) to
determine the effects of dietary flaxseed on processing
and cooking capabilities and consumer acceptability of
pork. It was found that increasing levels (0, 5, 10, and 15%) of ground
flaxseed in a swine diet for the final 25 d before
slaughter did increase the content of healthful omega-3
fatty acids in bacon and loin chops. The 15% flaxseed
diet caused the greatest increase, but consumers were
able to identify bacon from the higher levels in
triangle tests. Thus, 15% dietary flaxseed is probably
the highest level that should be used with finishing
hogs.