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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:
Ammonia and Mineral Losses on Dutch Organic Farms with Pregnant Sows
Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 2006 | No Comments
The main objective of this study was to quantify ammonia emissions from organically raised pregnant sows and to compare them with emissions from conventional pig production. A second objective was to quantify the nutrients deposited in the paddock in organic pig grazing systems. Measurements were carried out on three Dutch farms on 1 day in each of two measuring seasons (spring/summer and autumn). Ammonia emissions were measured by the ventilated chamber technique at different locations inside the building and on the paved outside yard. The nutrient loads of N, P and K were calculated according to their content in urine and faeces, average weight of urine and faeces per excretion, and number of urinations and defecations in the paddock. Ammonia emission per m2 did not differ statistically significantly between seasons and between inside and outside the building. Fouling of the floor with urine and faeces had a strong effect on ammonia emission (probability Po0001). Emissions varied greatly between farms. When emissions were calculated per kg per pig place per year, on one farm they far exceeded the Dutch standard for regular pig farming. On the other two farms they slightly exceeded the standard. The main reason seems to be that pregnant sows on organic farms have outside yards, which are an additional source of ammonia emission. The nitrogen and phosphorus loads on the paddock varied greatly between the farms, statistically significant for N ðPo001Þ; not significant for P and significant for K ðPo005Þ: The total amount of nutrients on one of the farms (4075kg ha1 yr1 for N and 113 kg ha1 yr1 for P) far exceeded the permitted levels (170 kg ha1 yr1 for N and 44 kg ha1 yr1 for P)
Benefits of Long-Term Application of Manure
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Repeated applications of manure to agricultural lands can significantly influence the quality of the soil as a medium for plant growth and as an environmental filter or buffer. There are many soil chemical, biological, and physical properties that can be measured as indicators of soil quality and its potential impact on plant production and the environment. The simple soil properties that are measured in field research trials and reported on in this paper can also be employed by producers as tools for monitoring the effects of manure application on their own land base. Additions of manure nutrient to soil at an agronomic rate that matches the crop nutrient requirement and removal over time is expected to have a positive impact on soil and environmental quality. This approach will maintain or improve soil fertility while avoiding nutrient overloading. The benefit of increased soil organic matter is perhaps the most significant factor, as organic matter plays a major role as a long-term storehouse of carbon and nutrients, and promotes microbial activity, soil structure, water relations and chemical buffering. However, salinity impacts and overloading of both functional and non-functional elements can negate these benefits when hog manure is over applied or applied to soils with limitations in drainage and buffering capabilities.
Co-composting solid swine manure with pine sawdust as organic substrate
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The effect of calcium on the anaerobic digestion treating swine wastewater
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Analysis of Pig Meat Production With Respect to Different Housing Systems of Pigs
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Exploring zeolite, a natural feed additive, as a means of reducing the environmental impact of manure
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This study examined the profitability of zeolite, a clay used as a feed additive, for improving the feed conversion rate, carcass quality and intestinal absorption of N, P, K and S by grower-finisher pigs, while reducing the release of these nutrients in the environment and that of odours and gases in the barn. The results show that zeolite did not have an important impact on feed conversion, average daily gain and carcass quality. However, adding zeolite to the diet reduced odours emissions by up to 45% and reduced the volume of slurry by up to 18%. Moreover, zeolite showed some potential in reducing nitrogen and phosphorous in the slurry. The searchers also observed that zeolite remains stable in the pig’s stomach and that very few heavy metals are released, when energy and protein levels are well adjusted. Parallely, the searchers have determined a few handling recommendations. Firstly, one should request from the zeolite supplier a proof that this clay steadily contains at least 75% clinoptilolite (a type of zeolite). Secondly, the granulometry of the zeolite must stand between 0,25mm and 0,50mm: finer particles hinders absorption and coarser particles have a reduced impact on palatability. Moreover, the rough surface offered by particles of ground clinoptilolite could necessitate vibration during handling (like at the outlet of a conical silo). At the mine, clinoptilolite must be handled under dry conditions: if exposed to moisture, it readily agglomerates. Further research is required before receiving the certification of the Canadian food inspection agency.