Do hog operations smell?
A. The human nose is capable of detecting numerous compounds that may be produced from manure handling or storage systems on pork operations. These compounds include ammonia and other nitrogen compounds generated by microbial decomposition. Odorous compounds vary with location, production practices, season, temperature, humidity, time of day, and wind speed and direction. All compounds, however, represent elements and nutrients that occur naturally in the environment. For example, throughout the world, naturally occurring wetlands produce more methane than all agricultural land combined. Natural wetlands also produce hydrogen sulfide and other gases typical of anaerobic treatment processes used in pork production. In general, odors from manure operations are generated by three sources: (1) buildings and holding facilities, (2) manure storage and treatment, and (3) land application. Odors generated by buildings and holding facilities are reduced most easily by keeping areas clean and we
