Assessment of Odour and Ammonia Impacts for a Novel Fattening Piggery Tailored for Animal Welfare and Low Emission Rates

Abstract

According to the European Commission, Austria is obliged to reduce ammonia emissions by 12% between 2005 and 2030. Agriculture, in particular livestock buildings and the spreading of manure, is the predominant source of ammonia in most countries, calling for stringent mitigation measures in this area. This study investigated a combination of measures implemented in a newly constructed fattening piggery in Styria (Austria) for reducing ammonia, particulate matter (not subject of this publication), and odour emissions. Additionally, the livestock building should meet standards to enhance animal welfare as well. Based on observed ammonia concentrations at several locations in the vicinity of the farm as well as field inspections for odour according to EN 16841-1, corresponding emission factors were derived using the Lagrangian particle model GRAL and in situ measurements of meteorology. The resulting emission factor for ammonia was found to be 80% lower compared to the standard emission factor of 3.64 kg a−1 for fattening piggeries according to the German guideline VDI 3894-1. Moreover, the emission factor for odour was 95% lower than the standard factor of 0.180 ouE kg−1 s−1 used in Styria for conventional fattening piggeries without any reduction techniques.