Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1294

Studies conducted by the University of Manitoba show bio-filtration can reduce swine barn emissions of hydrogen sulfide, one of the major odor causing gases, by about 80 percent. The University of Manitoba, in partnership with the Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative, will unveil new odor reducing bio-filter technology later this month on a farm near Niverville.

The technology, developed by the university's Department of Bio-systems Engineering, uses a combination of wood chips and compost to harbor a natural population of microorganisms which use the odorous molecules as a food source.

Assistant Professor Dr. Danny Mann says these microorganisms ultimately naturally purify the air.

"We actually have two units that are being tested simultaneously. We've got a pilot scale bio-filter that is operating at the University of Manitoba Research Farm at Glenlea.

That one was operational last summer and it is again operational this summer. We are collecting data on the effectiveness of this horizontal air flow configuration. The second unit is a full scale bio-filter near Niverville, Manitoba. The evaluations that have been done at the Glenlea site were looking at hydrogen sulfide concentrations.

Hydrogen sulfide is one of the gases that is known to be one of the primary odor causers. What we saw in some of our tests from last year is that we were getting approximately 80 percent reduction in the hydrogen sulfide. "

Dr. Mann says the effectiveness obtained from one gas, such as hydrogen sulfide, would typically suggest similar types of reduction would be obtained on the other odor causing compounds.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.