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Technology gives the industry new power to lead on several key fronts.
The livestock industry’s interest in technology is driven by the need to overcome the challenges that play a fundamental role in profitability and sustainability.
Understanding and controlling odour
Today’s livestock producers know reducing odour is vital to the long-term success of their industry. But proven, cost-effective technology is essential to do the job right and keep it manageable.
One of the Livestock Engineering Unit’s key efforts is to concentrate on analysing and measuring odour, and on developing technological solutions to manage and reduce odour emissions. Key technologies being studied include biofilters, oil sprinkling to mask odour, and diet manipulation as ways to reduce odour.
Helping drive these advances is the Odour Control Team, a group of scientists and engineers from AAFRD, the Alberta Research Council and the University of Alberta. This effort and the broader movement toward improved odour reduction technology is a developing area, but already there is significant progress, particularly in evaluating current technology and identifying areas for improvement.
"Odour management today is much more than a simple byproduct of livestock production," says Atkins. "It’s about an industry taking steps to operate and grow, sustainably. The good news is that science-based knowledge and strategies are becoming the basis for providing solutions."
Transforming manure from waste to resource
Canada’s livestock industry produces a significant amount of manure every day. Some view this as an enormous management challenge, but in reality it’s a tremendous opportunity.
"With advances in scientific knowledge, we now have a much better understanding of the value of manure," says Atkins. "Combining this knowledge with improved management practices provides the industry with new options for turning manure from a potential waste into a valuable environmental and economic resource."
One of the best examples of turning manure into a valuable product is composting. Using aerobic decomposition, composting in a windrow not only reduces the total volume, but it breaks down manure into a humus-like product that can be applied as a soil amendment. The compost has less odour than raw manure and producers benefit from agronomic nutrient value.
However, composting is a delicate process with many steps that need to be handled properly. The Livestock Engineering Unit helps guide management strategies by testing different composting technologies and approaches, and providing the results to producers. A key component of this effort is devising systems that meet government regulations for manure management.
Innovative emerging technologies for manure management include new temperature monitoring systems to boost composting efficiency and improved windrow turners that cut labour and increase composting effectiveness.
Boosting efficiency through animal welfare
Animal welfare is not only a growing expectation of society, it is increasingly recognized by the livestock industry as a major opportunity to increase productivity.
"As we learn more about animal behaviour, clear correlations have emerged between good animal welfare practices and healthier, more productive animals," says Atkins.
However, because it’s difficult to measure how an animal "feels," a major challenge for the industry is developing animal production practices that can be measured and fine-tuned. This is where new technology plays a critical role.
The Livestock Engineering Unit works in many areas of animal welfare, with a focus on measurable indicators, standards and management strategies.
Sustainable agricultural management
Underlying all issues is the need for Canada’s agricultural industry to survive and thrive as a profitable, sustainable enterprise. Livestock and crop production are intertwined in this effort, which includes economic, environmental and social components.
"The agricultural industry faces an array of specific challenges that come and go, but the fundamental issues remain the same," |