Daytime Odor Emission Variations from Various Swine Barns

Abstract

The objective of this study was to reveal the daytime variations in odor concentrations and emission rates from different types of swine barns located in Saskatchewan, Canada. Odor emissions from a gestation room, a nursery room, and a finishing room were measured in July, while a farrowing room was measured in September. Each room was measured for two consecutive days from 0600 to 2000 h. Large daytime variations in odor concentrations and emission rates were observed in all four types of rooms. Hence, it is unlikely that a representative odor concentration and emission rate (i.e., a daily mean) can be obtained using a snapshot measurement. Odor and gas concentrations are likely to be high in the early morning and late afternoon, but the odor emission rate did not exhibit a certain pattern. Odor and NH3 concentrations and emissions were affected by animal activities, whereas CO2 concentration was mainly affected by the ventilation rate. However, statistical analysis indicated that there were no significant differences among different periods of the day in odor or NH3 emission rates for each room (P > 0.05). The nursery room had the highest odor concentration and emission rate, followed by the finishing, farrowing, and gestation rooms. No correlation was found between odor or gas concentration or emission rates and room or ambient temperature or ventilation rate, except for the odor emission rate of the farrowing room, which was significantly affected by the ventilation rate (P < 0.05).