Conveyers Move Manure Cut Odor, Improve Gain

Conveyers Move Manure Cut Odor, Improve Gain MANURE HANDLING Equipment 29-1-29 A new idea developed at North Carolina State University (NCSU) may help solve big problems for hog farmers. A conveyer belt moves manure out of the barn throughout the day. It also separates the solids from the urine and reduces ammonia levels in the barn by as much as 75 percent. This appears to have an impact on feed conversion as well. "It has worked really well capturing ammonia from the liquids," says Jeanne Koger, researcher, NCSU. "Just reducing emissions is a real benefit. We also get better feed-to-gain ratios with the belt system, so there is potential for feed savings, too." A belt runs the length of the barn beneath the slatted portion of the pens. The belt is tilted at a 4? angle, which causes the urine to run into a channel along the lower side of the belt. A 1? slope in the belt lengthwise keeps the urine flowing to a filtration unit at the end of the barn. The belt itself is made from polypropylene. It slowly runs over a series of stationary metal bars attached to a frame under the floor. At the end of the belt, a bar scrapes the manure solids from the belt. Koger gives credit to much of the design to Preston Burnette, a mechanical engineer. "He did a lot of work designing the belt and building it," says Koger. "One system has already been installed in a two story hog barn in the Netherlands, and they report improved hog health," says Koger, who hopes to get a system installed in a U.S. commercial hog barn soon. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jeanne Koger, Dept. of Animal Science, 325 Polk Hall, Box 7621, Raleigh, N.C. 27695-7621 (ph 919 515-3319; email: jeanne_koger @ncsu.edu).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.