H2S Control
for Animal Housing Systems with Dry Manure - Diet Manipulation
| Pro |
Con |
| Source control strategy |
Limited to strategies that can maintain performance |
| Potentially less costly than post-excretion strategies |
Relatively new research field |
An alternative to filtration of emissions, as they leave housing
facilities, is the reduction of the concentration of precursors
to emissions. These precursors are produced upon anaerobic decomposition
of the manure. Therefore, manipulation of livestock diets to alter
excretion composition, and thus emission potential, may be effective
in housing areas. Swine studies have identified trends towards
reducing hydrogen sulfide concentration by reducing crude protein
concentration and mineral sources that contain sulfur. For example,
calcium oxide instead of calcium sulfate should be used, where
possible, to reduce sulfur content in excretions. Nonetheless,
research to quantify reductions is limited. However, some results
suggest a reduction of as much as 40 percent in hydrogen sulfide
concentration when pigs are fed only the required amount of sulfur.
Long-term storage effects on hydrogen sulfide emissions from manure
are not currently available.
Producers also need to consider the sulfur content of the water
supply. In some regions, water consumption means considerable sulfur
intake by animals. To avoid overfeeding of sulfur, test the water
supply and subtract the mass of sulfur consumed via water intake
from the total daily sulfur needs. Excess sulfur will ultimately
be excreted. Dietary manipulation can reduce manure sulfur content
not only prior to excretion but also during manure storage, when
anaerobic decomposition is taking place and reduced sulfur compounds
are being formed. A limited amount of research is currently available
to indicate which diet regimens or ingredients lead to the reduction
of hydrogen sulfide.
Extension Publications
Abstracts, Conference Proceedings, Presentations and Reports
Journal Articles
Newsletter Articles
Other Links
|
