Project: MLMMI 99-01-27
Objective
1) To quantify the nuisance odour emissions from a range of typical hog operations in Manitoba at various phases of production, times of the year and under varying weather conditions.
2) To correlate measured odour levels of the swine operations.
Performer
Gary Plohman,
Elite Swine Inc.
Details
Status: Completed
Started: 1999-05-05
Completed: 2001-01-05
Funding Partners: who have contributed to MLMMI in support of this project:
ARDI - $15,000
Manitoba Pork Council and industry groups - $15,000
Amount Funded: $30,000.00
Performer Funded: $9,000.00
Total Cost: $39,000.00
Activity
Interim Report received August 26/99.
Final report due Nov. 5, 2000.
Request granted to extend project to November 5/00 from May 5/00.
Future reporting dates changed to February 5/00 August 5/00 & November 5/00.
Interim Report received February 7/00, Aug. 17/00.
Final Report received Jan. 5/01.
Summary
Odour emissions were measured by olfactometer and trained observers on ten hog farms in Manitoba – (five farrow-to-finish operations ranging from 130 to 800 sows); two nursery operations (5,000 and 10,000 hogs); two farrow-nursery operations (2,500 and 3,000 sows); and one grow/finish operation (4,000 hogs). Seven operations were less than 5 years old; the other three were 10, 35 and 40 years old, respectively.
No apparent correlations were found between the odour level and the general farm characteristics, such as the age and type of operation, ventilation system, and manure handling system. There was a positive correlation between the odour level and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) level..
Outdoor temperature had a significant effect on odour levels from barn exhaust but not on odour emission rates Even though odour levels were low at high temperatures, the additional ventilation required at high temperatures resulted in comparable or slightly higher emission rates.
There was no significant correlation between the odour level and barn type but emission rates from farrow and nursery barns were statistically higher than those from dry sow barns. No significant difference was found between farrow and nursery barns.
Eight of the ten farms included in the study had earthen manure storages. The lowest odour level occurred in a lagoon with straw coverage that formed a thick crust on the manure surface. The wind speed had a significant effect on odour level near the manure surface. The higher the wind speed, the higher the odour level.
Injection of manure into soil caused little soil surface odour. The emission rate measured from soil with no manure applied was almost the same as on the manured soil.