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Odor Control for Dry Manure Storage Practices - Composting
Composting can control odors because it maintains an aerobic environment in the manure. Disadvantages of composting include the high levels of management required to keep the process timely: minimal management leads to slow decomposition whereas intensive management can lead to quick decomposition. Another disadvantage is the need to bring in a bulking agent (newspaper, straw, wood chips) to maintain a balance of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) during the decomposition process. Loss of N to the atmosphere, primarily as ammonia, is a problem that needs to be weighed carefully when considering this option, particularly when controlling ammonia emissions is also an objective.
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Facilities should be covered to prevent runoff due to precipitation,
and if built on a compacted area, it will prevent leaching of nutrients.
Odor reduction benefits are not will documented, despite conventional
thought that composting can be an effective control practice for
odor. Cost include construction of the site with a compacted floor
and roof, and continuous maintenance of the compost, which involves
equipment of appropriate size to turn (aerate) the pile. For example,
a 4-foot x 6-foot x 3-foot deep pile may be turned more properly
with a small skid loader whereas a considerably large pile would
be better handled with a front-end loader.
