ORDOR from manure is a common concern, especially when farms are located near residential areas.
Fortunately, there are four main strategies farmers can use to reduce manure smells: prevention, alteration, capture, and dispersion.
According to www.umass.edu, prevention is the most effective approach.
Since bacteria cause odors as they break down manure, limiting bacterial growth helps reduce smell.
This can be done by keeping manure dry, adding lime to raise its pH, or using disinfectants to reduce bacteria.
Quickly removing manure from animal housing areas, such as by flushing it away, also prevents odors from building up.
Adjusting animal diets can further reduce odor.
Lowering nitrogen and sulfur levels in feed decreases the production of strong-smelling compounds in manure.
Alteration focuses on changing strong odors into less intense ones.
In manure lagoons, one group of bacteria breaks down raw manure and produces strong odors, while another group can convert these odorous substances into less harmful, odorless gases.
Encouraging beneficial bacterial activity can therefore improve odor conditions.
Simply masking odors with fragrances is not effective, as it only combines smells rather than reducing them.
Capture involves trapping odors before they escape.
For example, hydrogen sulfide, a strong-smelling gas, can be removed by passing air through iron-based filters.
Biofilters, which use organic material and bacteria to trap and break down odors, are also highly effective and long-lasting.
Lastly, dispersion uses natural airflow to dilute odors.
Maintaining distance between farms and homes and planting trees can help spread and reduce odor concentration.
Anare Sikoa demonstrates green manure planning during the adopting best management practice for sugarcane farming information day at Nadrau, Ba. Picture: BALJEET SINGH
In manure lagoons, one group of bacteria breaks down raw manure and produces strong odors, while another group can convert these odorous substances into less harmful, odorless gases.
Picture: AZOLIFESCIENCES
