Determination of setback distances for livestock operations using a new livestock odor dispersion model (LODM)

Setback distance has been used as an effective tool to avoid odor nuisance from livestock operations. Many setback distances were guidelines that were determined by empirical methods that are considered to be lack of science base. Air dispersion models have been used to determine setback distances; however, these models do not consider the short-time fluctuations of odor. A livestock odor dispersion model (LODM) was developed to consider the short-time variations of odor and predict occurrence frequency for certain levels of odor. In this study, this model was used to predict the occurrence frequency for various levels of odor in the vicinity (10 km) of a swine farm. Using selected odor criteria, setback distances between the swine farm and nearby communities were defined. Results indicate that the LODM can be used as an effective tool to determine setback distances.