2002 Annual Report
Extension and Outreach
Livestock and Poultry Housing Systems
Larry Jacobson, Professor and Extension
Engineer
David Schmidt, Assistant Extension Engineer
Kevin Janni, Professor, Head, and Extension Engineer
Jun Zhu, Assistant Professor, Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca,
MN
Objective
To provide educational programs and materials related to livestock and
poultry housing systems that allow for the efficient and profitable production
of meat and milk in an environmentally sound, economically viable manner.
Program Description
Workshops, seminars, and educational materials have been provided for
livestock producers, industry representatives, and consultants. Topics
of emphasis over 2002 were: control of odor from livestock production
systems; planning collection, storage, and utilization systems for livestock
manure and wastewater; manure management practices; mechanical and natural
ventilation of livestock and poultry buildings; managing indoor air quality
in swine, poultry, and dairy housing systems, alternative low-cost swine
and dairy production units; and design of animal production facilities.
Outcomes
Dairy, swine, and poultry production units continue to operate in the state maintaining national market share in all three animal species. Minnesota livestock producers are continuing to find ways to be more productive and cost efficient in the production of food and fiber. Some producers are turning to alternative and transitional dairy and swine production systems that help reduce costs of production but remain profitable. Many producers are adopting environmentally sound techniques for collection, storage, and utilization of livestock manure and wastewater, with continued concern over odors generated from these systems. Some of the intensive livestock producers are constructing long-term manure storage structures that allow them to apply manure at rates based on crop needs and to minimize pollution of surface water and groundwater. Other alternative livestock producers are turning to solid instead of liquid manure management systems that may have a smaller impact on air and water quality.