Odor Control for Liquid Manure Storage Practices - Impermeable Covers

Covering a manure storage area with an impermeable cover prevents the release of odorous gases from manure storage into the atmosphere, and eliminates the effects of wind and radiation on emission rates. Odor reduction efficiencies of 70-85 percent have occurred, with reductions as great as 90 percent, when surfaces are completely covered by impermeable covers. Polyethylene cover typically range in price from $1.00 to $1.40 per square foot, installed. Wind and snow-load damage present the greatest challenges with respect to implementation of the extended use of impermeable covers. Damage due to weather alters the life of the cover, impacting the capital investment required over time. Many manufacturers list a useful life of 10 years if the storage area is constructed to prevent snow accumulation on the cover, but no guarantee against wind damage is provided.

Extension Publications

• PM 1970a Practices to Reduce Odor from Livestock Operations (pdf)
• PM 1970b Practices to Reduce Odor From Livestock Operations Flowchart (pdf)
• EDC 162h Air Quality and Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1936 Air Quality Resources for Iowa Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1935 Gaseous Emissions from Animal Agriculture (pdf)
• PM 1963a The Science of Smell Part 1: Odor perception and Physiological Response (pdf)
• PM 1963b The Science of Smell Part 2: Odor Chemistry (pdf)
• PM 1963c The Science of Smell Part 3: Odor detection and measurement (pdf)
• PM 1963d The Science of Smell Part 4: Principles of Odor Control (pdf)
• PM 1964 Odor Control Methods Used by Iowa Pork Producers (pdf)
• PM-1754a Iowa Odor Control Demonstration Project Synthetic Covers (pdf)
• FS925-A Understanding Livestock Odors (pdf)
• FS925-D Covers for Manure Storage Units (pdf)
• AEN 84 Using Covers to Minimize Odor and Gas Emissions from Manure Storages (pdf)

Abstracts, Conference Proceedings, Presentations and Reports

• Odor Rating System Demonstration Project U of MN
• Final Report Economic Evaluation of Manure Storage Covers (pdf)
• Final Report 1997 Evaluation of Various Swine Waste Storage Covers for Odor Control
• Final Report 1997 Monitoring and Evaluating Covers for Odor Control

Journal Articles

Newsletter Articles

• Geotextile covers for liquid manure storages
• Reducing Odor, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Ammonia Emissions from Manure with Straw and Geotextile Covers

Other Links

• Section 3 Outdoor Air Quality (MWPS-18)
• Minimizing Odor Generation, LPES Curriculum Lesson 41 (pdf)
• U of MN Frequently Asked Questions about Covers