Scientists Study Pig Diets to End Manure Odor

August 9, 2006 — 

Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) National Soil Tilth Research Laboratory in Ames, IA are taking a unique approach to controlling swine manure odor by examining what the pigs eat.

A research team led by animal nutritionist Brian Kerr at the Swine Odor and Manure Management Research Unit are evaluating how nutrition, microbial ecology, zoonotic pathogens, and other factors affect how pigs excrete nutrients and produce bad-smelling compounds. Kerr says research has shown that for each 1-percent reduction in dietary crude protein, ammonia emissions are reduced by 8 to 10 percent.

Another focus of the research is the fiber type and quantity included in swine diets. Kerr indicates that fiber metabolism increases the production of volatile fatty acids which lower manure pH and help keep ammonia from being released. The effect on odor generation, however, has not been adequately studied.

Source:
Agricultural Research magazine, August, 2006