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last update:Aug 22, 2006
Reducing pig odour by changing feed
Five scientists from Ames, Iowa, US, are trying to tackle swine-manure odour
by reformulating pig diets.
The scientists' research leader, animal nutritionist
Brian Kerr, said the
Agricultural Research Service Swine Odor and Manure Management
Research Unit is hoping to devise pig feed that will reduce odour-causing
ingredients. It is evaluated how factors like nutrition, microbial ecology and
pathogens affect pig excretion and how they produce stinking waste.
The researchers, managed to control nitrogen-containing compounds such as
ammonia by reducing the pigs' protein intake by giving them less soybean meal
and balancing their diet with crystalline amino acids.
Kerr said the
research showed that for every 1% reduction in dietary crude protein intake,
ammonia emissions dropped by 8 to 10%.
Another tactic being examined is changing the type and amount of fibre being
fed to pigs. Kerr explained that swine do not digest all of their dietary fibre.
Unit studies found that metabolising of this fibre leads to more production of
volatile fatty acids that help keep ammonia from being released.
In addition, the unit is trying to understand how sulfur-containing elements
could be changed to less stinking smells.
Editor PigProgress
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