Low-emission slurry pits for pig houses with straw application. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hansen, Michael J.; Kamp, Jesper N.; Adamsen, Anders Peter S.; Feilberg, Anders
• Is Part Of: Biosystems engineering. Volume 197(2020)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 63
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Pigs -- Slurry -- Ammonia -- Odour -- Emission; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Agricultural engineering -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Génie rural -- Périodiques; Systèmes biologiques -- Périodiques; 631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.06.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-5110

Abstract

Abstract : Application of straw as bedding increases welfare of pigs, but requires a slurry system that can handle slurry with a straw content. A new slurry system has been developed for slurry with straw content, where U-shaped slurry trays were scraped mechanically or flushed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the slurry system on the emission of ammonia and odorants in pig houses for growing-finishing pigs (30–110 kg). Experimental pig houses with two pens of 15 pigs each and with flooring that was 2/3 slatted and 1/3 solid were used. Ammonia was measured during the whole production period (76 days), and odorants were measured over nine days in the middle of the period. The results showed that during the first 2/3 of the production period, the ammonia emission from the pig houses with U-shaped slurry trays with scraping or flushing was ca. 50% lower than that from the control pig houses. During the last 1/3 of the production period, the effect on ammonia emission was less. The overall effect of U-shaped slurry trays with scraping or flushing was ammonia reduction of ca. 35–40%. The odour emission (as odour activity values based on threshold values for individual odorants) from pig houses with U-shaped trays with scraping or flushing was ca. 40% lower than that for the control pig houses. In conclusion, U-shaped slurry trays with flushing or scraping can handle slurry with a high amount of straw and their use can reduce the emissions of ammonia and odour from pig houses. Highlights: Development of a slurry system to handle slurry with straw. The system contained U-shaped slurry pits that were either scraped or flushed. The ammonia reduction was on average ca. 35–40%. The odour reduction was on average ca. 40%.