Project: MLMMI 99-01-28
Objective
Field quantification of the water consumption and waste production during different growth stages of hog operations. The objective further includes a comparison of water consumption rates with some of the major physical/management issues of hog operations such as size of the operation, sprinkler type, cleaning procedure etc. All growth stages will be considered. The water consumption will be separated wherever possible into three components: 1) sprinkler water for cooling, 2) washing water and 3) drinking water.
Performer
Doug Small
Details
Status: Completed
Started: 1999-05-06
Completed: 2001-11-08
Funding Partners: who have contributed to MLMMI in support of this project:
ARDI - $27,331
Manitoba Pork Council and industry groups - $27,331
Amount Funded: $54,662.00
Performer Funded: $0.00
Total Cost: $54,662.00
Activity
Interim Reports received August 12/99, November 4/99, February 10/00, and May 9, 2000.
Final report due May 6, 2000.
Request for extension to Jan 31/01 granted.
Interim report required for Sep 30/00, received Oct 24/00.
Received and granted request for extension to Sept. 1/01.
Received and granted request for extension to Oct. 1/01.
Final Report Received Nov. 8/01
Summary
This study was initiated to quantify and update values used by the swine industry and regulatory authorities for water consumption and waste production for swine operations using modern management practices. A second objective was to apportion total water usage and total waste production into components according to stage of production and function.
Nine swine operations of similar design and management practices, but representing a cross section of herd sizes were selected and monitored for approximately 18 months. The following conclusions were drawn from the data collected:
- Total water use for all production phases and functions averages 89.5 litres/sow/day.
- Eighty percent of total water use was for animal drinking, with the remainder used for animal cooling (10 – 15%), washing (5 – 10%), and domestic use (1%).
- The grow/finish production stage accounted for the highest portion of total herd use (64%), followed by gestation (16%), nursery (11%), and farrowing (9%).
- Total daily water requirements were similar to published standards for gestating sows, but were significantly higher for farrowing sows, nursery, and grow/finish pigs.
- Daily waste production rates in each production stage were very similar to daily drinking water usage rates, but were significantly less than total water usage rates.
- The grow/finish production stage accounted for the highest portion of total herd waste production (66%), followed by gestation (15%), nursery (11%), and farrowing (8%).
- Average daily waste production rates in each phase were generally higher than those stated in published guidelines or codes.
- Opportunities exist to reduce total water usage by up to 50 percent in Manitoba swine operations. Most of this reduction could be achieved in the grow/finish and gestation production stages by altering management practices and focussing on water-saving drinking equipment.
- There is a need for a targeted research and extension effort to adopt altered management practices and equipment choices. Such an effort could realize immediate and substantial water usage and waste production savings.