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A field study on downwind odor transport from swine facilities
Summary
Swine buildings are significant odor sources, requiring diligent cleaning as a best management practice. Odor strength significantly decreases with distance, with buildings showing a 50% reduction at 250 meters.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Agricultural Engineering
- Atmospheric Science
Background:
- Odor dispersion from swine facilities is a significant environmental concern.
- Understanding downwind odor transport patterns is crucial for mitigating nuisance.
- Swine buildings and manure storage are primary odor sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize downwind odor dispersion from swine facilities.
- To identify major odor sources within swine operations.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different manure management systems on odor reduction.
Main Methods:
- Field data collection from eight swine facilities.
- Application of power functions to model odor dispersion patterns.
- Quantification of odor strength reduction at varying distances.
Main Results:
- Power functions accurately described downwind odor transport (R²=0.75-0.87).
- Swine buildings were identified as potentially greater odor generators than manure lagoons or tanks.
- Odor strength reduced by 80% at 250m from earthen basins and 50% from swine buildings.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining building cleanliness is a critical best management practice for swine producers.
- Lagoons and manure tanks showed no significant odor reduction advantage over concrete/steel tanks.
- Land application of manure did not result in persistent downwind odor issues.