Ammonia, Methane, and Carbon Dioxide Concentrations and Emissions of a Hoop Grower-Finisher Swine Barn

Abstract

Hoop structures have been used quite widely for animal production in the U.S. due to their lower capital costs and multi-purpose versatility. Hoop barns for grower-finisher (G-F) swine production have attracted attention in China as an alternative, environmentally friendly, and water-saving production system. This study was conducted to assess concentrations and emissions of ammonia (NH3) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) for a hoop G-F pig barn at a commercial pig operation in suburban Beijing, China. The NH3 and GHG concentrations and emissions of the facility were measured for three consecutive days during spring and summer seasons. The results revealed the following hourly gaseous concentrations (mean ±SD, mg m-3): 5.9 ±2.7 NH3, 2,183 ±1,376 CO2, and 4.0 ±2.5 CH4 in spring, and 6.8 ±3.4 NH3, 1,530 ±364 CO2, and 5.0 ±2.3 CH4 in summer. The estimated gaseous emissions averaged, in g pig-1 d-1, 22.7 NH3, 2,003 CO2, and 6.7 CH4, or in g AU-1 d-1 (AU = 500 kg), 124 NH3, 11,264 CO2, and 36.2 CH4. The emission values from this study, while being generally comparable with those reported in the literature, add new information concerning emissions from alternative swine housing system.