Tag Archives: manure storage

2126–2133 J. Šimon, J. Vegricht and J. Bradna
The effect of bedding amount on gas emissions from manure during storage
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The effect of bedding amount on gas emissions from manure during storage

J. Šimon*, J. Vegricht and J. Bradna

Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Drnovská 507, CZ161 01 Prague 6, Czech Republic
*Correspondence: josef.simon@vuzt.cz

Abstract:

One of the major agricultural pollutants of environment is manure from livestock. We focused on dairy cows kept in the barns with straw bedding commonly used in the Czech Republic. We tested the hypothesis that the amount of bedding used daily relative to the number and size of animals kept has a significant effect on the emissions of gases from manure stored in a manure pile. In the experiment, a group of 10 dairy cows of Holstein and Czech Red Pied breed was housed in a stable bedded with various amounts of wheat straw (4–10 kg/livestock unit per day). The manure was removed from the stable after 48 h and mixed was stored in cubic containers with drain floor allowing measurement of manure leachate release. For 50 days we measured weight, volume, weight of manure leachate and manure temperature. Decreasing stored manure weight can be attributed to release of manure leachate and emissions of gases, primarily water vapor, as a result of microbial activity and increased temperature in the manure during storage. Using the calculated model, we found that daily production of emissions of water vapor and other gases was related to bedding amount in a statistically significant manner (P < 0.001). The cumulative amount of gas emissions grew rapidly in all treatments. Also total amount of emissions was related to bedding amount in a statistically significant manner (P = 0.004). We also found the relationship between internal manure temperature and the logarithm of the amount of emissions produced to be statistically significant (P < 0.001).

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165–176 R. Miljan, J. Miljan and A. Leola
Comparison of the technological and building situation of Estonian cowsheds in 1999 and 2004
Abstract |

Comparison of the technological and building situation of Estonian cowsheds in 1999 and 2004

R. Miljan¹, J. Miljan² and A. Leola³

¹Institute of Economics and Social Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 64, 51014 Tartu, Estonia; e-mail: Riina.Miljan@emu.ee
²Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014,Tartu, Estonia; e-mail: Jaan.Miljan@emu.ee
³Institute of Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56, 51014 Tartu, Estonia

Abstract:

In 1999 an investigation of the situation of Estonian cowsheds was carried out under the leadership of the Institute of Rural Building of the Estonian Agricultural University. The aim of the research was to determine the dominant building structures of cowsheds and find out what kind of technologies were used there. This research helped to clarify the situation and allowed to make proposals as to which problematic areas should get the attention of help funds of the European Union. In 2004 a similar survey was conducted about Estonian cowsheds. As a result of the research, we will be able to see what kind of changes have taken place during the past five years. It will also help us determine which problems still require the resources of the European Union in order to make the agricultural production more efficient.

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