Published October 1994. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalogThese principles are relatively few and direct. For odor detection to occur, odorous compounds must be (a) formed,
(b) released to the atmosphere, and
(c) transported to the place of detection. 
When you prevent or inhibit any of these steps, you reduce or remove the odor problem

Moore, James A. (James Allan), 1939-

Oregon State University. Extension Service

Undetermined

These principles are relatively few and direct. For odor detection to occur, odorous compounds must be (a) formed,
(b) released to the atmosphere, and
(c) transported to the place of detection. 
When you prevent or inhibit any of these steps, you reduce or remove the odor problem.Published October 1994. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

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lsFS 282Reprinted October 1994Controlling Odors from Confined AnimaJ.A. Mooreisrsa-eelotnso-eQuality and the Soil and Water Conser-vation Commission for the ConfinedAnimal Feeding Operations project,conducted by Agri-Check, Inc.You probably have good reasons fowanting to minimize the offensive odorreleased from your confined animaloperations. The operation and itssurroundings are more pleasant for youas operator, for your family, and forvisitors or neighbors. Frequentlyoccurring odors can lead to complaintsby neighbors. If you don’t provide reliefvoluntarily, you could face courtlitigation.Neither Oregon nor federal regula-tions limit the amount of nontoxic odorthat can be released to the atmospherefrom an animal operation. Privateregulation occurs indirectly through thenuisance law. Of common-law originand similar in all states, the nuisance lais based on the right held by all land-owners to be free from unreasonableinterference with the enjoyment of theirproperty.Unreasonable interference with suchenjoyment, as might be caused byoffensive odors, is one kind of nuisancHowever, Oregon’s “Right to FarmLaw” protects livestock operations whethey are using commonly acceptedpractices, even if some odor exists.Recommendations for avoidingodor complaintsYou can minimize the probability ofcomplaints or court litigation because oodors from your livestock or poultryoperation by taking these steps:1. Locate new facilities in an areadesignated for agriculture in the land uplan. Avoid sites adjacent to recre-ational, commercial, or residential areaLand next to a public gathering placesuch as a school or church is unaccepable.2. Provide an adequate distancebetween a confinement facility andpoints where the odor could offendothers. The exact distance varies withOREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXrswe.nfses.t-each operation and is influenced by thelevel of management, number ofanimals, system design, topography,frequency of spreading, and windconditions. Plan for this distance for oddissipation in all directions from theodor source, not just in the prevailingwind direction.3. Use manure management practicthat minimize production and release ooffensive odors. This is especiallyimportant if the separation distances arinadequate for normal odor dissipationby natural conditions.4. Maintain a clean and orderlyappearance around the confined animaoperation. Screen or isolate from publicview any unsightliness suggesting thatthe operation could be a source of odoflies, or other possible nuisance. A rowof trees not only serves as a screen bualso causes upward wind deflection anturbulence for odor mixing and dilutionwith a greater air mass.5. Follow regulations concerning thetimely and proper disposal of deadanimals.6. In general, be a good neighbor.Principles for controlling odorfrom manureThese principles are relatively fewand direct. For odor detection to occur,odorous compounds must be (a) forme(b) released to the atmosphere, and(c) transported to the place of detectionWhen you prevent or inhibit any of thessteps, you reduce or remove the odorproblem.Gases, some of which can be odororesult from the natural biologicaldecomposition of organic matter.Decomposition occurs in one or twobasic ways. If oxygen is available,organisms will use it, and this process aerobic decomposition. If there is nooxygen present, the process is anaerobic.TENSION SERVICEoresfelrs,tdd,.eus,Systems that operate aerobically areodor-free. Anaerobic systems that areproperly designed and managed canoperate with an acceptable level of odoin a normal rural setting. Odor problemresult when organically overloadedsystems (through poor design ormanagement) produce foul anaerobicgases.A number of factors influencebiological activity. Among the moreimportant are moisture content, temperture, pH, and oxygen level. Odor can breduced by drying manure, reducing thtemperature, maintaining a high or lowpH, and providing enough oxygen(aerobic conditions).Moisture control inhibitsbacterial activityMoisture control commonly is usedto inhibit bacterial activity. Maintain amanure-covered surface, such as in a or pen, in a relatively dry state (less tha40 percent moisture), and you willreduce biological activity. As themoisture content of manure increases,the pore space is filled with water,which reduces the oxygen available fororganisms. When moisture content goeup, anaerobic decomposition usuallyresults.You can encourage aerobic decompsition of nonliquid manure by addingsufficient bedding or other relatively dryand porous organic material so that airJames A. Moore, Extension bioresourcengineer, Oregon State University.Partial support for research wasprovided by federal funds from theOregon Department of EnvironmentalJuneoeutets.detlessgfil.(oxygen) permeates the manure andbedding: Moisture control and periodicturning or fluffing are necessary toprevent compaction and resulting loss the porosity necessary to permit air topass through the mass of organic mattThis process is called aerobic com-posting.Moisture control methods applicableto lots and pens without a roof includethe following:• Good lot-surface drainage• Concrete surfacing of the lot• Southern exposure to enhanceevaporation and surface drying• Maintenance of waterers tominimize overflow and spillage• Diversion of runoff from adjacentland• Gutters on building roofsWhen animals are confined under aroof, rain is no problem, but moisturethat the animals exhale requires atten-tion. Ventilate animal confinementbuildings to move moisture out of thebuilding. You may need insulation andspace heating to raise the air temperat(and, consequently, the moisture-carrying capacity of the exhausted air).Adequate insulation on the underside othe roof or ceiling will prevent moisturecondensation, which may run down theside walls or drip onto the floor.Other techniques to achieve a drierfloor (and less moisture in the manure)include the following:• Use of pea rock or a plastic sheeunder a concrete floor to preventupward movement of soil moistur• Proper placement and maintenanof waterers to prevent spillage• Installation of floor-heatingequipment• Use of bedding or litter to absorbmoistureManure management aidsodor controlOdor control within an animalconfinement facility starts with frequenremoval of manure from the pens. Cleaanimals result from pens with cleanfloors. Clean animals and floors causeless odor than manure-coated animalsfr.refcenand floors. Daily or more frequentscraping of manure, bedding, slatted oother perforated floors, and manure-lushing systems are useful techniquesFrequent application of manure toland reduces odors. Manure undergoeanaerobic decomposition during storagand odorous gases are produced. Anymanure that has undergone anaerobicdecomposition during storage willrelease these gases when it is removefrom storage and applied to the landsurface.Several techniques help minimizeoff-site odors—and the resultingcomplaints. These include dilution withirrigation water, soil incorporationduring or immediately following landapplication, and selection of the mostappropriate time and place for application.To minimize opportunities foroff-site odors, apply manure duringperiods when wind will not transportodors toward the closer or more sensitive neighbors and when air temperatuand humidity conditions will encouragerapid drying of manure and rising aircurrents during the warmer period of thyear. Off-site odor detection is a greathazard during warm weather than duricold weather.Aeration inhibits odor productionMechanical devices are commerciaavailable that provide oxygen andmaintain a partial or complete aerobicenvironment within liquid manure. Thisoxygen encourages aerobic organismsthat do not produce odorous gases.Types of aerated systems includeoxidation ditches, fixed or floatingsurface aerators, and lagoons. Regardless of the system you use, the sameprinciple applies—atmospheric air(oxygen) is mixed with the liquidmanure to encourage aerobic bacteriaactivity and to discourage decomposi-tion by anaerobic bacteria.Chemicals to control, modify,or mask odorsYou can control odor production,concentration, and quality by usingvarious chemicals. A number ofodor-control chemicals are widelyr.se,d--reeernglly-lavailable. There are three generalcategories: masking agents, odorcounteractants, and enzymatic productLittle data exist concerning the effec-tiveness of most of these materials, anresults are difficult to predict. Somehave proved to be effective underspecial conditions; others have beendisappointing. Since most of thesechemicals are expensive, it’s wise toconduct a trial before purchasing a largquantity.Masking agents have a stronger and(in theory) more pleasant odor than theone you want to mask. Use themintermittently and only when you expecsevere odor problems. Otherwise, themasking agent odor could become asoffensive as the odor from the manure.Counteractants are formulated tochemically interact with odors to canceor reduce their intensity. Because of thchemical complexity of manure odor,counteractants have had limited succein reducing it.Enzymatic products are designed toalter the biological pathways of manuredecomposition. Limited data haveshown erratic results. Additionalresearch and development may revealmore extensive application of thistechnique.Odor removal techniquesYou can collect air exhausted fromcovered manure storage and animalconfinement buildings and treat it toremove odorous gases. Check out theinvestment, maintenance, and operatincosts for your situation to determine thepracticality of these techniques.Scrubbing the exhausted air throughcontact with water or a dilute solution opotassium permanganate is oneapproach. Another is to filter the airthrough activated carbon or through soYou also can burn natural gas toeliminate odorous gases.Limited laboratory and field trialsindicate that some zeolites (natural orsynthesized silicates used for watersoftening and as absorbents) haveodor-absorption properties. Thistechnique seems promising, but furthertesting is needed.t ofct ofThis publication was produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and 30, 1914. Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. DepartmenAgriculture, and Oregon counties.Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials—without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status,disability, and disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status—as required by Title VI of the Civil RightsAct of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation A1973. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Controlling odors from confined animals

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Controlling odors from confined animals

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