Management can reduce odors from concentrated animal feeding operations

Good management, maintenance and waste disposal, can greatly reduce odors emitted from swine operations, said one Purdue University expert.

"Producers who own confined animal feeding operations can make their farms more attractive to neighbors by using practical management practices to reduce odor emissions," said Alan Sutton, professor of animal sciences at Purdue.

New operations can begin the management process by using properly designed facilities, and older operations can be upgraded.

"Proper design of the facility is very important," Sutton said. "There are strict Natural Resources Conservation Service standards for the design of manure handling facilities and for the number of animals to be housed in each type of facility."

Odors and gases emitted from these facilities often are caused by the breakdown of manure and spilled feed.

"Proper management of these sources is critical," Sutton said.

In order to reduce manure odors, buildings housing pigs should be kept clean and properly ventilated. Covering stored manure, and keeping proper water dilution and removal levels in lagoons also will help keep odors down.

Land-applying manure as fertilizer also will help reduce on-farm odors. When doing so, farmers should monitor concentration levels per acre and utilize proper procedures to reduce odors, runoff and nutrient losses, Sutton said.

When it comes to wasted feed, producers should be sure to clean up spoiled and spilled feed ingredients. Small amounts can be disposed of by incineration, or placed in a compost pile. Larger amounts can be land-applied.

Producers also should check, adjust and repair feeders often, to minimize spilled feed.

"Producers should always use good housekeeping practices," Sutton said. "This means keeping dust levels down and keeping buildings dry.

"Producers also should make sure they are involved in their communities by keeping appealing operation appearances and by informing neighbors before participating in activities that can raise odor levels."