Ten diets were formulated to contain a variety of feedstuffs that were expected to alter swine manure characteristics and therefore odor emissions. Odour characteristics of manure were assessed by means of a human odour panel. Diets containing fishmeal and high levels of sulfur had the most unpleasant odours, while high fiber and purified diets had the least unpleasant. Manure samples from swine fed the diets containing 1% garlic powder and fishmeal were perceived as most irritating while high fiber and purified diets were again the least irritating.
Results from this preliminary study illustrate that altering diet composition has potential as an odour abatement strategy. However, more quantitative research pertaining to the effect of diet composition on odour-specific microbes inhabiting the intestinal tract of swine is needed to determine the extent of its practical application.