Browsing by Person "Gallmann, Eva"

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Adaption and assessment of a UHF-RFID system for livestock management
(2018) Adrion, Felix; Gallmann, Eva
A prerequisite for the implementation of concepts of precision livestock farming is data acquisition on the level of the individual animal, which is only possible on a large scale by applying electronic animal identification. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems in the ultra-high frequency range (UHF, 860 – 960 MHz) offer the possibility of simultaneous detection of transponders and a variably adjustable read range of more than 3 m. Until now, these systems were, however, only insufficiently adapted to the operating conditions in livestock farming. In collaboration with industry partners, passive UHF-RFID transponders for integration into ear tags for cattle and pigs and readers have been developed and tested. The objective of this thesis was the adaption and assessment of this UHF-RFID system for livestock farming. In particular, 1) the construction and test of a static test bench for UHF-RFID ear tags, 2) the development of a method of measuring the influence of ear tissue on the performance of UHF-RFID ear tags, and 3) the application and validation of the UHF-RFID system for monitoring of trough visits of growing-finishing pigs should be carried out. The experiments supported the selection and further development of UHF transponder ear tags and reader antennas for application in livestock farming. A suitable test method for UHF-RFID technology in the fields of research covered was established and applied for the first time. It repeatedly became clear during the experiments that the greatest challenge for the application of UHF transponders in ear tags is the reduction of the sensitivity against ear tissue. In addition to the monitoring of animal health with UHF-RFID, further research could be carried out regarding the positioning of animals for measurement of motion activity, the combination of transponders with sensors, for example, to measure body temperature, and the utilisation of the technology for implementation of the Internet of Things in food supply chains.
Beurteilung von Geruchsimmissionen aus der Tierhaltung
(2011) Gallmann, Eva; Jungbluth, Thomas
Odours from farm animal production can cause significant problems. It is therefore appropriate to develop suitable procedures for their assessment and limitation in the sense of immission control. The challenge comprises the objectification of the odours, bearing in mind that their effect is very individual, subjective and emotion-based. The resultant work offers a contribution towards the classification and further development of procedures for assessment of odours from farm animal production. The latest knowledge of the various aspects of measurement and evaluation of farm animal production odour immissions will be analysed in detail through ongoing literature assessment and from results of own investigations. The perceived nuisance effect relies on multiple stimulus-based variables associated with context and person. Measuring the associated effect can take place through psychometric surveys. Assessment of a significant nuisance effect within a group is conventionally based on the proportion of subjected persons that can be regarded as tolerable. Odours from farm animal production in particular are considered on the basis of investigations and data concerning odour components and their emission, transmission and immission. The extent of available data including results from own odour emission measurements give a high degree of scatter. This scatter is caused by the multiplicity of influences on emissions and also through the imprecision of measurements based on olfactometry. There are limitations on the extent to which reduction measures can be quantified. Dispersion modelling is an important tool for assessing odour immissions, but is also associated with limitations as shown by validation and sensitivity investigations. Particularly decisive are the appropriate illustration of the transmission and the choice and modification of the model structure and input parameters. The modelling of diffuse and varying sources near the ground surface remains a challenge. The consideration of cold air outflows is essential for immission assessment. The common odour threshold distances from pig and cattle production units determined via odour plume measurements are discussed using numerous trial results as examples. The results of own grid measurements at four locations are detailed, also with regard to the effect of a plausibility control, the variation of the odour hour criterion, and compared with dispersion calculations. Grid measurements help in the differentiated measurement of the immission situation. In the interpretation of absolute values, the imprecision area around the real value must be considered. The effect of immission reduction measures is hardly quantifiable nor able to be generalised. The knowledge is based, above all, on flow simulations and on experience. Main points of influence are the dilution of outflow air, the transmission conditions and the location circumstances. The immission hedonics from farm animal production odours were compared and recorded for own investigations and within the framework of a cooperative project “Odour assessment in agriculture“. The hedonic differences were not, however, nuisance-relevant as shown by evaluation of the exposition effect relationships within the same trial framework. The differences regarding type of farm animal are, however, relevant. The results from various epidemiological studies were thoroughly analysed because these were oriented on the assessment procedure for immissions and their effects. The starting point for assessing odour emissions from farm animal production can differ more through source-oriented distance rules or immission regulations for the limitation of odour hour frequency or odour concentration. Both points provide possibilities for recognition of animal type differences via factor weighting of animal mass, animal numbers or key immission figures. The assessment principle for distance standards that apply to all types of farm animals with factor weighting for source, transmission and immission parameters, or as empirical distance model, are explained and assessed based on examples from Switzerland, Austria and Germany. The methods and the establishment of factors are less well able to be appreciated as the degree of differentiation increases. The determinations within the odour immission guideline are compared with the regulations for odour exposition limits in the Netherlands, and in other countries. The suitability of the assessment bases and procedures for assessment are finally evaluated for assessment in practical conditions and recommendations for further developments suggested.
Environmentally Compatible Fattening Pig Husbandry I - Sensitivity of Emission Measurements
(2000) Gallmann, Eva; Hartung, Eberhard; Jungbluth, Thomas
At the Institute of Agricultural Engineering of the University of Hohen- heim, a swine housing system with fully slatted floor (FSF) and a freely ventilated kennel housing system (KHS) are being compared as part of continuous emission measurements with the goal of assessing the envi- ronmental impact of fattening pig husbandry systems. To secure the re- liability of the data, it is first necessary to examine the quality of the measurement, the methodological approach, and the execution of the tri- al. Subsequently, the criteria for data selection are determined taking the sensitivity of the emission measurements into account before the data are used for a comparison of the emission rates. When measuring the gas concentrations of ammonia (NH3 ) and methane (CH4 ), a water vapour cross sensitivity of the measuring instruments of 0.23 and 0.65 ppm/g H2 O/kg of air respectively must be taken into ac- count. Especially in the case of CH4 , this closely restricts the usability and significance of low concentration values if the water content of the sample air ranges between 10 and 20 g/kg of air. A comparison of the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration at two heights with the background concentration allows currents of leaking air at the air inlet of the natu- rally ventilated housing system to be detected with high temporal reso- lution. For these periods, it is impossible to determine the emission ra- tes. When the course of the gas concentrations in the slurry store is con- sidered, the kennel housing system shows an influence of the inlet air temperature on the air exchange through the slatted floor. The CO 2 con- centrations observed in both systems indicate that, as compared with the animal-specific portion, conversion processes in the excrement are re- sponsible for a larger part of the gas release than previously assumed.
Environmentally Compatible Fattening Pig Husbandry II : Comparison of Emission Rates
(2002) Gallmann, Eva; Hartung, Eberhard; Jungbluth, Thomas
During the course of continuous emission measurements of ammonia (NH3 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and methane (CH4 ) for the evaluation of the environmental impact of housing systems for fattening pigs, a fully slatted floor system with forced ventilation (FSF) and a kennel housing system with natural ventilation (KN) were examined. Through long-term measurements over four consecutive fattening periods from October 1999 until April 2001, enough data from different seasons and fattening stages were gained on the one hand, while on the other hand it was pos- sible to carry out a comprehensive verification of data along with selec- tion based on clear verification criteria. For the comparison of the emis- sion rates on the basis of the daily mean values, approximately 60% of the measuring days and of the data were taken into account. Stocking (in livestock units) and the liquid manure parameters as mar- ginal conditions did not exhibit any significant differences between the housing systems FSF and KN. With increasing fattening duration and liquid manure quantity, an increase in the ammonium-nitrogen content of the liquid manure from approximately 2 to 5 g/kg in the fresh substance was recorded. The air temperature and relative humidity in the interior of the system KN largely followed the outside conditions. In principle and also on warm days, the interior temperatures ranged below the values for the FSF system. However, the opposite was true for relative humidity, which clearly exhibited higher values in the KN system. Due to the differ- ent modes of operation of the ventilation systems, clear differences could also be discerned between the housing systems, especially in the winter when the air flow rates in the KN systems were 2 to 4 times higher as compared with the winter air flow rate of forced ventilation in the FSF system, for example. The gas concentrations in the exhaust air of the FSF system generally exhibited significantly higher values. On all measuring days considered, the daily mean values of the NH3 , CO2 , and CH4 emis- sion rates [(g/d)*LU-1 ] for the KN system were lower by a factor of ap- proximately 1.5 as compared with the FSF system. The comparison of the average emission rates per fattening period between the housing systems showed a very significant difference in favour of the KN housing system. During the four observed fattening periods, the mean value of the NH 3 emission rate for one fattening period varied between 67 and 96 (g/d)*LU-1 in the KN system and between 100 and 149 (g/d)*LU-1 in the FSF system. The CO2 emission rates ranged between 10 to 13 (kg/d)*LU-1 (KN) and 17 to 23 (kg/d)*LU-1 (FSF). In the KN system, the mean values of the CH4 emission rates per fattening period (17 to 36 (g/d)*LU-1 ) were also lower than in the FSF system at 62 to 134 (g/d)*LU-1.
Environmentally Compatible Fattening Pig Husbandry III : Daytime-Related Effects
(2002) Gallmann, Eva; Hartung, Eberhard; Jungbluth, Thomas
As part of continuous emission measurements in the experimental stall for fattening pigs in Hohenheim, a conventional stall with fully slatted floor and forced ventilation (FSF) was compared with a naturally ventilated kennel housing system (KN) during four fattening periods from October 1999 until April 2001. The third contribution to the article series about environmentally compatible fattening pig housing focuses on the description and analysis of daytime-related effects and the course of emissions. The courses of three measuring periods during the second fattening period which were chosen as examples as well as multiple regression analyses were studied to answer the question of what variables mainly determine the different daily courses of NH3 - and CO2 -emission and to what extent emission reduction strategies may influence the daily course. In accordance with the literature, the FSF housing system largely showed a positive correlation between temperature, volume flow, and emission. In the KN housing system, however, a reduction in emissions was observed combined with increasing volume flows, which generally occurred in particular at low temperatures. Animal activity, which was strongly influenced by the feeding times, was reflected by significant peaks of CO 2 concentration and –emission as well as NH3 emission. In the FSF housing system, the percentage of variance in the daily course of the emission rates during the selected measuring periods which can be explained through variables able to be used for practicable stall climate recording and –control and able to be influenced through measures of emission reduction ranged between 12 % and 75 % for NH3 and between 39 % and 47 % for CO2 . In the KN housing system, the percentage of explainable variance is lower at 52 % to 64 % (NH3 ) and 18 % to 28 % (CO2 ).
Gummimatten für den Liege- und Laufbereich in der Gruppenhaltung von Sauen
(2014) Baumann, Stefanie; Gallmann, Eva
This thesis concerns testing the use of rubber mats for lying and movement areas within sow housing. The associated trials were carried out at the Baden-Württemberg Centre for Education and Research, State Institute for Pig Breeding and Production (LSZ), Boxberg, and on a commercial farm. The lying and movement behaviour of sows on rubber mats, as well as related feet health, were analysed based on various indications. Finally, the costs of the rubber mats were compared against the advantages that emerged from their use. Lying behaviour was analysed through observing small static groups of loose-housed pregnant sows. The preferences of the animals themselves indicated, through their free selection, the types of flooring (hard rubber mats, soft rubber mats or bare concrete) most acceptable. Additionally, the frequency and length of time of lying positions, as well as the frequency of position changes when lying, offered information on the comfort of the respective flooring. Sow behaviour was observed with the help of video recordings. The trial involved a total of 18 throughput groups, each group remaining for a period of 3 weeks. The rubber mats were redistributed before the beginning of each new group in a randomised way to help avoid, or prevent, results being influenced by sow preference for certain parts of the compartment. Resulting animal selection of floorings within the trial showed a clear preference amongst the sows for soft, malleable, lying surfaces compared with bare concrete flooring. Soft rubber mats were preferred with 53.6% compared with 38.1% for hard rubber mats. Concrete areas were used only rarely with 8.3%. Differentiating between the lying positions established the side position as most used when lying on soft rubber mats, with 74.1%. The differences of length of time each position was maintained, and frequency of position change on the different flooring, were considered not significant in this case. Walkway analysis involved use of different flooring in the activity area by sows in a large dynamic group system. The sows could choose walkways on concrete slats or on perforated rubber mats, whereby rubber walkways were 60 cm wide. In total, four walkway variations were introduced and tested, each type subject to a throughput of four batches, each batch sojourn lasting three weeks. The first two used as familiarisation periods and the last for the trial period with video recording for behaviour observation. Results showed sows clearly favoured the rubber surfaced walkways for their movements within the activity area. Individual differences in the intensity of utilisation were not noted. With regard to elimination behaviour, the sows also indicated a clear preference for rubber mats. Despite there being more dung and urine left on the rubber mats, only a few animals were observed slipping on the resultant dirty surface. An evaluation of feet health was carried out in all three housing departments of conventional pig production (service centre, pregnant sows area and farrowing pens) whereby the main investigations with different flooring in the lying spaces (concrete floor, concrete slats, hard and soft rubber mats), took place in the service centre. Assessment of feet condition was carried each time the sows entered a new section and when they left each section. The rubber mats used in the service centre lying area showed they had a positive influence on feet health compared with results from sows kept only on concrete slats or on solid concrete flooring. In particular, there was a clear reduction in claw horn wall abrasions and dermis bleeding. Less strongly marked with rubber matting was improvement in feet health in terms of dew claw losses, sole and ball defects, bursitis and horn cracks /splits. Comparison of results from individual housing (farrowing pen) with groups (pregnant sow loose housing) showed that particularly soles and balls were subject to higher wear in the group system. On the other hand, the problem was insufficient horn wear with sows’ feet in individual housing (farrowing pens). Economic assessment of rubber mats was undertaken using additional information from a working farm. The cost of the rubber mats was assessed against the actual advantages offered, arrived at through model calculation. Results show that using rubber mats clearly pays off on farms where feet diseases and lameness cause high economic penalties, although the financial advantages are very hard to quantify currently. Much more quantifiable are the advantages for the pig producer being able to offer animals a welfare-oriented production system through the use of rubber matting while at the same time using the system to strengthen marketing and address new sales possibilities based on a better image for animal production and associated improvement in consumer acceptance.
Improvement of the acceptance of a solid lying area by fattening pigs and rearing piglets
(2022) Opderbeck, Svenja; Gallmann, Eva
Society’s demands for more and better animal welfare in Germany have increased in recent years which has been promoted by the introduction of a lot of animal welfare labels and legislative changes. Therefore, housing systems with fully slatted floors, a minimum space allowance and a few employment opportunities are no longer state of the art. However, the implementation of more animal welfare confronts farmers with a large number of challenges. Among other things, there are still many problems with the integration of a solid lying area, due to the high risk of fouling and the resulting poor indoor climate. Functionally reliable solutions were to be found in the project “Label-Fit” for the integration of a solid lying area into existing conventional housing systems for rearing piglets and fattening pigs. Based on literature research and expert discussions, the influencing factors group size, pen structure, type of perforated floor, light intensity, a cooled/heated lying area and a cover over the lying area were examined. These factors were investigated in four fattening and two rearing compartments over three years (five fattening periods with a total of 2200 pigs; six rearing periods with a total of 1152 piglets) in the Bildungs- und Wissenszentrum Boxberg (LSZ). The lying behavior, the fouling of the pens and animals and various climate parameters were recorded and evaluated to assess the acceptance of the lying area. In order to examine the influence of the light intensity, spotlights were located over the slatted area in fattening pens to make this area unattractive for lying and influence the lying behavior and the soiling of the lying surface positively. This increased light intensity leads to significantly more pigs lying on the solid lying area, but it did not affect the fouling. Furthermore, the effect of a cooled lying area on fattening pigs was tested. The cooling of the lying area leads to significantly more animals on the lying area even at higher temperatures, and the fouling of the animals was reduced significantly. The fouling of the lying area was not affected; however, the fouling was very low in this examination. The temperature requirements in the rearing of piglets change greatly during the rearing period, consequently, two heating systems and a floor cooling system were examined in two rearing compartments. There was no difference between the two heating systems on the lying behavior. However, significantly more piglets lay on the cooled lying area compared with the control pen during the last weeks. The fouling of the pens and animals was very low but not affected by the cooling or heating systems. Two of the fattening compartments were converted with pens for 18 pigs and two compartments with pens for 28 pigs. The two group sizes could only be compared descriptively due to structural and temporal differences. The acceptance and the cleanliness of the lying area in the groups with 28 animals were better than in the smaller groups. Furthermore, two different arrangements of the perforated area on one side or two sides of the lying area were tested, but only descriptively. It was shown that more animals were lying on the lying area in the pen with the slatted area on one side, but the solid lying area was dirtier. The position of the feeding can also influence the acceptance of the designated functional area. Therefore, two feeder positions were examined descriptively: In the middle and at the edge of the lying area. The results showed that more pigs were lying on the solid lying area when the feeding was placed at the edge. In addition, the fouling of the lying area and partly also of the animals was reduced in pens with feeding at the edge. The attractiveness of lying in the designated elimination area can be decreased by the type of floor. Therefore, a concrete slatted area was compared with a triangular grid area. Significantly more pigs lay on the solid lying area in pens with a triangular grid, especially when the temperature was low. Finally, the influence of the heated lying area and a cover over a part of the lying area was compared. The results showed that a cover over the lying area seems to lead to more pigs lying on the solid lying area, which was also fouled less than in pens with heated lying areas (no significant differences). Based on the results of this study and the results of other studies, recommendations for an optimized pen structure with a solid lying area are summarized in a decision aid for the structuring of a pen for fattening pigs or rearing piglets. In addition, as part of this dissertation, an optimized pen for fattening pigs with a solid lying area was designed. The results of the dissertation show that there are many ways to implement a solid lying area. A combination of several of these approaches has the potential to improve the acceptance of a solid lying area in conventional pig housing systems.
Intensive pig production and manure management in Beijing, North China Plain
(2014) Mendoza Huaitalla, Roxana; Gallmann, Eva
China, at the forefront of the livestock revolution, has experienced a more industrialized change, with an increment of the large livestock farms and of the decoupling between the livestock and arable land. Meat production in China is dominated by pork, which comprises approximately 50% of worldwide pig production. The description of the pig husbandry and manure management systems in the large animal operations of the NCP is not widely available. In order to describe the status quo of the pig production and manurial management systems in the NCP, a large-size pig farm with a dimension of 10 ha and an annual stock of 12,000 breeding swine and 20,000 market pigs or porkers was selected. An intensive sampling plan as far as feasible of pig manure, wastewater, drinking water, and feed, the main pig farm inputs and outputs, was started in 2009. The manurial system identified in the farm was denominated as “gan qing fen” or “cleaning the manure dryly”. In this system, the pig manure (faeces with some remains of urine) was collected manually by scraping the mainly non-slatted floors of the pigsties twice a day, and the floors were then flushed with water. The results showed that the pig manure was characterized by high nutrient and heavy metal contents that might be due to the solid fraction separation from the liquid fraction under the gan qing fen manurial management system. The piggery wastewater was characterized by very low concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals as a result of their dilution with flushing water, mainly used for cleaning the pigsties. Manure and wastewater samples from weaning pigs contained the highest concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals; that could be due to the high supplementation rates of these minerals in the weaner diets. In general, it seems that the manual daily collection of pig manure in the gan qing fen system is an efficient practice in order to maintain nutrient contents in pig manure, but the use of flushing water should be reduced as it can lead to further environmental pollution. China has issued a range of environmental standards in recent years. The Chinese national standards are adoptions of international standards and are consistent across all of China. Chinese and German recommendations were compiled in order to compare them with the results obtained in this study. Based on the comparisons, it is stated that pig drinking water sourced from groundwater wells was of optimum quality as it is used for both pigs and humans. Trace minerals in pig feeds, such as lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd), were found to be within the range of values given by the Chinese and German feeding recommendations. However, high mineral concentrations of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and arsenic (As), mainly found in the weaning feed samples, surpassed the given thresholds by almost ten times. Pig manure was compared with the German and Chinese standard for biowaste due to the nonexistence of a specific standard for animal manure in both countries. It was observed that maximum Cd, Cu and Zn concentration values surpassed the thresholds established in those recommendations. Similarly, trace mineral concentrations in the piggery wastewater were compared with the Chinese standard for irrigation water, however, it was not compared with any German standard due to the different nature of the effluent generated from the Chinese gan qing fen manurial management system, and it was found that Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn did not comply with the irrigation water quotes. Furthermore, there is a need to re-evaluate the current Chinese standards and to strengthen the recommendations focused on the disposal, reuse and recycling of manure and wastewater of livestock origin in general. In order to evaluate the air pollutants produced in the pig farm, i.e. gas concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3), and particulate matter, were measured making use of four different measurement devices. High dust concentrations were identified in the pig barns, especially during the feeding and manure cleaning events inside the farrowing and weaning barns with slatted floors. The highest NH3 concentration was recorded in the weaning barn during the summer season, while the highest CO2 concentration was reported in the gestation barn during the winter season. To conclude, using the example of an intensive pig farm near Beijing, it was identified that the main issues were the decoupling between the cropland and the pig farm, the existence of nutrient surpluses in the pig manure originating from the uncontrolled nutrient supply into the pig feeds, the manure mismanagement (open manure storage), a lack of infrastructure (broken curtains, windows, inoperative fans), aerial pollutants (high indoor concentrations of CO2, NH3 and PM1-10), extensive hand labour, and obsolete know-how with respect to resource conservation, among the most significant.
Umweltgerechte Mastschweinehaltung I - Sensitivität der Emissionsmessungen
(2000) Gallmann, Eva; Hartung, Eberhard; Jungbluth, Thomas
Mit der Zielsetzung, die Umweltwirkung von Mastschweinehaltungssystemen zu beurteilen, werden am Institut für Agrartechnik der Universität Hohenheim im Rahmen von kontinuierlichen Emissionsmessungen ein Vollspaltenstall (VSP) mit einem frei belüfteten Haltungssystem mit getrennten Klimabereichen (GK) miteinander verglichen. Zur Sicherung der Zuverlässigkeit der Daten ist zunächst eine Prüfung der Qualität der Messung, der methodischen Vorgehensweise und Versuchsdurchführung notwendig. Schließlich werden Kriterien für eine Datenselektion unter Berücksichtigung der Sensitivität der Emissionsmessungen festgelegt, bevor die Daten für einen Vergleich der Emissionsraten herangezogen werden. Bei der Bestimmung der Gaskonzentrationen von Ammoniak (NH3) und Methan (CH4) muß eine Wasserdampfquerempfindlichkeit der Meßgeräte von 0,23 bzw. 0,65 ppm/g H2O/kg Luft berücksichtigt werden. Dies schränkt vor allem bei CH4 die Verwendbarkeit und Aussagekraft von geringen Konzentrationswerten bei Wassergehalten in der Probenluft von 10 bis 20 g/kg Luft stark ein. Der Nachweis von Leckluftströmen an der Zuluftöffnung des frei belüfteten Haltungssystems mit einer hohen zeitlichen Auflösung gelingt durch einen Vergleich der Kohlendioxidkonzentration (CO2) in zwei Höhen mit der Hintergrundkonzentration. Für diese Zeiträume ist keine Emissionsratenbestimmung möglich. Bei der Betrachtung des Verlaufs der Gaskonzentrationen im Flüssigmistkeller zeigt sich beim System GK ein Einfluß der Zulufttemperatur auf den Luftaustausch durch den Spaltenboden. Die bei beiden Systemen beobachteten CO2-Konzentrationen weisen darauf hin, daß Umsetzungsprozesse in den Exkrementen im Vergleich zum tierspezifischen Anteil an der Gasfreisetzung stärker beteiligt sind, als bisher vermutet.
Umweltgerechte Mastschweinehaltung II - Emissionsratenvergleich
(2002) Gallmann, Eva; Hartung, Eberhard; Jungbluth, Thomas
Im Rahmen von kontinuierlichen Emissionsmessungen von Ammoniak (NH3), Kohlendioxid (CO2) und Methan (CH4) zur Beurteilung der Umweltwirkung von Mastschweinehaltungssystemen wurden ein Vollspaltenstall mit Zwangslüftung (VSP) und ein frei belüftetes Haltungssystem mit getrennten Klimabereichen (GK) untersucht. Durch die Langzeitmessung über vier aufeinanderfolgende Mastdurchgänge von Oktober 1999 bis April 2001 wurden einerseits ausreichend Daten für verschiedene Jahreszeiten und Mastabschnitte gewonnen und andererseits konnte eine umfassende Datenprüfung und Selektion gemäß eindeutiger Prüfkriterien vorgenommen werden. Für den Vergleich der Emissionsraten auf Basis der Tagesmittelwerte wurden durchschnittlich 60 % der Messtage bzw. Daten berücksichtigt. Die Randbedingungen Stallbelegung in Großvieheinheiten und Flüssigmistparameter unterschieden sich in den Haltungssystemen VSP und GK nicht wesentlich. Ein Anstieg des Ammonium-Stickstoff-Gehalts im Flüssigmist mit zunehmender Mastdauer und Flüssigmistmenge von etwa 2 auf 5 g/kg in der Frischsubstanz war zu verzeichnen. Die Lufttemperatur und rel. Luftfeuchte im Innenraum des Systems GK folgte weitgehend den Außenbedingungen. Die Innenraumtemperaturen lagen grundsätzlich und auch an warmen Tagen unterhalb der Werte für das System VSP. Für die rel. Luftfeuchte hingegen galt das Gegenteil mit eindeutig höheren Werten für das System GK. Klare Unterschiede waren ebenso zwischen den Haltungssystemen durch die unterschiedliche Funktionsweise der Lüftungssysteme zu erkennen mit v.a. im Winter 2 bis 4-fach höheren Volumenströmen im System GK im Vergleich zur z.B. Winterluftrate der Zwangslüftung im System VSP. Die Gaskonzentrationen in der Abluft des Systems VSP wiesen meist deutlich höhere Werte auf. Die Tagesmittelwerte der NH3, CO2 und CH4-Emissionsraten [(g/d)*GV-1] schließlich waren bei allen berücksichtigten Messtagen für das System GK etwa um den Faktor 1,5 geringer als im System VSP. Der Vergleich der mittleren Emissionsraten pro Mastdurchgang zwischen den Haltungssystemen ergab einen höchst signifikanten Unterschied zugunsten des Haltungssystems GK. Der Mittelwert der Emissionsrate für einen Mastdurchgang lag bei den vier beobachteten Mastdurchgängen für NH3 im System GK zwischen 67 bis 96 (g/d)*GV-1und im System VSP zwischen 100 bis 149 (g/d)*GV-1. Die CO2-Emissionsraten rangierten zwischen 10 bis 13 (kg/d)*GV-1 (GK) bzw. 17 bis 23 (kg/d)*GV-1 (VSP). Ebenfalls waren die Mittelwerte pro Mastdurchgang der CH4-Emissionsraten im System GK mit 17 bis 36 (g/d)*GV-1 geringer als im System VSP mit 62 bis 134 (g/d)*GV-1.
Umweltgerechte Mastschweinehaltung III - Tageszeitliche Effekte
(2002) Gallmann, Eva; Hartung, Eberhard; Jungbluth, Thomas
Im Rahmen von kontinuierlichen Emissionsmessungen im Hohenheimer Versuchsstall für Mastschweine wurde ein konventioneller Vollspaltenstall mit Zwangslüftung (VSP) mit einem frei belüfteten Haltungssystem mit getrennten Klimabereichen (GK) über vier Mastdurchgänge von Oktober 1999 bis April 2001 verglichen. Die Beschreibung und Analyse von tageszeitlichen Effekten und des Emissionsverlaufs ist Schwerpunkt des dritten Beitrages der Artikelreihe zur Umweltgerechten Mastschweinehaltung. Anhand der Verläufe von drei beispielhaft ausgewählten Messzeiträumendes zweiten Mastdurchganges sowie multiplen Regressionsanalysen wurde untersucht, durch welche Variablen die verschiedenen Tagesverläufe der NH3- und CO2-Emission hauptsächlich bestimmt wurden und inwieweit Ansatzpunkte zur Beeinflussung des Tagesverlaufs im Rahmen von Emissionsminderungsstrategien bestehen. Im Haltungssystem VSP zeigten sich in ?oebereinstimmung mit der Literatur vorwiegend positive Zusammenhänge zwischen Temperatur, Volumenstrom und Emission. Im Haltungssystem GK hingegen wurde eine Abnahme der Emission bei steigenden Volumenströmen, die in der Regel besonders bei geringeren Temperaturen auftraten, beobachtet. Die durch die Fütterungszeiten stark beeinflusste Tieraktivität spiegelte sich in deutlichen Spitzen derCO2-Konzentration und -emission sowie auch der NH3-Emission wieder. Der Anteil der erklärbaren Varianz des Tagesverlaufs der Emissionsraten für die ausgewählten Messzeiträume durch Variablen, die praktikabel in einer Stallklimaaufzeichnung und -steuerung genutzt und gegebenenfalls im Rahmen von Emissionsminderungsmaßnahmen beeinflussbar wären, lag im Haltungssystem VSP für NH3 zwischen 12 % und 75 % und CO2 bei 39 % bis 47 %. Im Haltungssystem GK ist der Anteil der erklärbaren Varianz geringer mit 52 % bis 64 % (NH3) bzw. 18 % bis 28 % (CO2).
Untersuchungen zum Emissionsgeschehen von Ammoniak und Methan in der Mastschweinehaltung
(2017) Gronow-Schubert, Stephanie; Gallmann, Eva
The growing of feed crops, the production of farm livestock and the processing of livestock products, along with the associated use of farmland for this entire production chain, all engender greenhouse gases on a worldwide scale. In this respect, ammonia and methane emissions are directly associated with livestock farming including the feeding of pigs for slaughter. The main aim of the work presented in this thesis was investigation of emissions produced in this way, and into selected strategies applied for reducing ammonia and methane release, particularly in management of liquid manure inside a fattening unit. In this context, the paper focusses on the three approaches – measuring, analysing and modelling - which are accordingly established as the following part-targets: • Applying emission reduction strategies as part of liquid manure management in a conventional fattening unit and comparing the resultant emissions with those from a reference system where no emission reduction actions had been taken. The selected emission reduction strategies should be practicable and sustainably applicable in existing livestock housing systems. • Analysing the main factors of influence on emissions throughout the fattening period during different seasons of the year, with special consideration of time series effects and regressions. • Examining the possibilities of substance flow modelling, application to own measurement data rather or for assessing the potential of emission reduction methods as well as evaluation of the selected approach for substance flow modelling. In-barn liquid manure management with fattening pigs markedly influences ammonia and methane emissions whereby the concrete reduction potentials are not yet sufficiently clarified. Within this study, a first work package compares, through a case control approach, the liquid manure management strategies - weekly emptying of the liquid manure channel as well as covering of the underfloor stored liquid manure surface as well as the addition of Effective Microorganisms to the liquid manure – with the strategies tested for emission reduction potential and compared over a feeding cycle in each case with the stored manure method as reference. The pig housing used in the trial was divided into two compartments (experimental and reference compartment) each holding 50 animals. In quasi-continuous measurement, incoming air, compartment and exhaust air ammonia and methane concentrations, temperatures of incoming air, compartment and exhaust air, and the temperature and pH of the liquid manure, were all recorded. Additionally, liquid manure samples were analysed in 14-day rhythm and the level of liquid manure measured as well as the degree of dirtiness of pen floors. Also recorded were pig weights and performance or feeding data. No further differences in terms of feeding, ventilation or management existed between trial and reference compartments. The applied reduction strategies were able to partially reduce ammonia and methane emissions (weekly emptying of liquid manure channel: methane emission rates reduced by 39 % based on emission rate in grams per day and livestock unit; liquid manure cover: 13.8 % ammonia emission rates reduction in grams per day and livestock unit), had in part no effect, or even a negative influence on the emissions (weekly emptying of the liquid manure channel: no effect on ammonia emissions; liquid manure cover: 119.9 % rise in methane emission rates in terms of grams per day and livestock unit). The selected interval of one week between emptying the liquid manure channel was not sufficient as a reduction strategy. With covering of the liquid manure surface underfloor, it is important to consider that the almost airtight sealing of the liquid manure surface delivered favourable conditions for methanogenesis. The influence of the addition of Effective Microorganisms to the liquid manure on the emissions of ammonia and methane was marginal. The emissions of ammonia increased of 8.3 % and the emissions of methane of 5.9 %. The evaluations (time series and regression analyses) of the data from the reference compartments from a total of four feeding cycles (two summer and two winter cycles) comprised the second work package. The time series analysis enabled insight into the relationships between the ammonia and methane emissions in terms of time, and insights into the influential factors affecting release and transport of the gases. For example, the time-related influences of high temperatures on the system “fattening unit” and on the release of emissions, could be graphically shown. The time series analysis gave indications as to how dynamic, or how stable, climatic conditions can be in pig housing. The regression analyses clearly showed that the emission process, with ammonia as well as with methane, is influenced particularly through the amount of liquid manure involved, the temperature and the air volume flow. In the same way, the distance between the liquid manure surface and the slatted flooring (‘headspace’) was found to have direct influence on the release of ammonia and methane from the liquid manure. A larger ‘headspace‘ correlated with reduced emissions and vice versa. Following recording and statistical evaluation of the emission data, the contribution that can be made through substance flow modelling of ammonia emissions towards increasing knowledge on the emission process and on methods for its reduction within pig housing was examined as a third work package. This involved the transfer of selected recorded data into the substance flow model. Serving as basis was the model from CORTUS et al. (2010a) adapted in three steps to take account of the conditions in the pig housing being used. The constructional outline of the trial livestock housing served as system limit. Berkeley Madonna 8.3.18 software was used for numerical integration of the differential equation system. Own data was applied for calibration and validation, in each case taken from the reference compartment of two different feeding cycles. In principle, the adapted model was capable of modelling ammonia concentrations and emissions. In addition, the influence of the liquid manure temperature and pH value of the liquid manure could be depicted. However, the model generally reacted sensitively to temperature and pH values. Because of this, the model underestimated and overestimated recorded values, in part substantially. An important influence on the model accuracy appeared to be related to the submodel considering urine puddles. For the purposes of own modelling, this submodel was cut out of the main model during its adaptation according to the recorded data. Compared to recordings, modelling of gas concentrations and emissions offers the advantage of cost-efficient and time-saving estimations of emission potential for different housing systems, e.g. for feeding pig production. Calibration and validation, as well as adaptation to suit the type of application requires, however, particular care and expertise. Through the various methods for measurement, analysis and modelling that were applied, the work reported here contributes to better understanding of the emission process and the reduction of emissions, particularly in the case of liquid manure management in feeding pig production.
Vergleich von zwei Haltungssystemen für Mastschweine mit unterschiedlichen Lüftungsprinzipien - Stallklima und Emissionen
(2003) Gallmann, Eva; Jungbluth, Thomas
The main goal of this work was to carry out a system comparison of two different housing systems for fattening pigs with regard to indoor climate and the gas emission and to derive a corresponding data basis in the frame of long-term measurements with a high temporal resolution. The housing systems to be compared were a conventional stable with fully slatted floor and a conversion solution designed as a kennel housing system with natural ventilation. The system comparison of the two different housing systems for fattening pigs was carried out in two spatially separated compartments of the experimental pig facility for fattening pigs in Hohenheim. During the investigations the conventional practical housing system served as reference system and featured fully slatted floor, six small groups with nine pigs each, forced ventilation with underfloor extraction. As comparison system a conversion solution for forced ventilated pig houses was developed and realized. It was designed as a kennel housing system with separate climatic areas and with natural ventilation. The kennel housing system consisted of two larger animal groups with 24 pigs each, it showed slatted floor at the activity area and a level concrete covered lying area for resting. The natural ventilation system in the kennel housing system was designed as a gravity shaft system with an additional, solar-powered fan in one chimney for optional supporting ventilation. No differences between the housing systems existed concerning feeding (sensor liquid feeding, four-phases nutrient adjusted feeding), occupation, demanuring, stocking management (all in - all out) and the animals origin. The relevant measuring parameters for evaluating the indoor climate and gas emissions as temperature, humidity, ventilation rate, gas concentrations (NH3, CO2, CH4), animal activity, wind speed and wind direction were registered with a high temporal resolution. In addition at regular intervals also manure samples were analysed, dust concentration measurements were carried out as well as data concerning the floor soiling, the animal weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were documented. Between the housing systems "fully slatted floor, forced ventilation (FSF)" and "kennel housing, natural ventilation (KN)" a clear difference existed concerning the indoor climate mainly due to the different ventilation systems. At both housing systems the indoor concentrations of NH3, CO2 and CH4 were acceptable, but at the same time lower at system KN than at system FSF, so it can be concluded, that the air exchange in the animals area was sufficient. Inside the kennels of the system KN the air quality was strongly dependent on the soiling with animals´ droppings, especially during warm days, when the pigs tend to switch the functional areas. Depending on the temperature and given the lower resting area requirements of the younger animals, some of the covered resting areas were heavily soiled. The indoor dust concentrations (PM 10; PM 2,5; PM 1,0) were during all measurements about two third lower at system KN than at system FSF. For all data sets a negative correlation between dust concentration and air flow rate per livestock unit LU (500 kg live weight) was determined. At both housing systems the dust concentrations during feeding were due to the increased animal activity two to six times higher than between the feeding times. Comparing the mean emission rates of NH3, CO2 und CH4, significant differences between the housing systems with entirely lower emission rates of the natural ventilated system KN were found during all four fattening periods under investigation. Due to manifold dynamic interrelations between the different influencing factors on the emissions at such complex systems as animal houses, also significant differences between the fattening periods within one housing systems were found. Therefore a seasonal effect on the emissions could not be proven on basis of the gained data sets. Considering both the daily mean values and typical daily courses of the gas emissions, different relationships between air flow rate, exhaust air concentration and emission were found between the two housing systems. At the forced ventilated housing system FSF as a result of increasing air flow rates the exhaust air concentrations were lowered (diluting effect) but the emissions raised up. At the natural ventilated housing system KN the relations were not always clear or opposite effects were observed. Increasing air flow rates resulted partly in just as increased exhaust air concentrations but following lower emissions. At both housing systems short emissions peaks of NH3 and CO2 can be explained by an increased animal activity during feeding.