Lesson 41: Air Quality Issues in Animal Housing

Environmental Stewardship Assessment:

The goal of this assessment is to help you confidentially evaluate environmental issues that relate to outdoor air quality. For each issue listed in the left column of the worksheet, read across to the right and circle the statement that best describes conditions on your farm. If any categories do not apply, leave them blank.

Name of Operation:
Date:

Potential Odor Risk

1. Manure is handled as a . . .
Slurry or liquid Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Solid with limited dry organic matter (bedding) additions
Solid with substantial dry organic matter (bedding) additions

Cleanliness of indoor confinement

Rate (by checking appropriate response) the cleanliness of your animal housing.

2. Cleanliness of animals.
Seldom cleaned Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Cleaned occasionally
Cleaned frequently and thoroughly

3. Manure and feed accumulation on floors and walkways.
Seldom cleaned Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Cleaned occasionally
Cleaned frequently and thoroughly

4. Manure buildup on the floor.

Seldom cleaned

 Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Cleaned occasionally
Cleaned frequently and thoroughly

5. Feed spillage (outdoors).
Seldom cleaned Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Cleaned occasionally
Cleaned frequently and thoroughly

6. Manure or contaminated water around outside of facility.
Seldom cleaned Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Cleaned occasionally
Cleaned frequently and thoroughly

7. Weed growth, debris, and accumulation around facility.
Seldom cleaned Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Cleaned occasionally
Cleaned frequently and thoroughly

Drainage around indoor confinement

8. Rate the drainage around your animal housing relative to that of other similar production facilities.
Not as clean as other facilities Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
At least as clean as typical facilities
As dry or drier than all other facilities

9. Is manure controlled and collected?
Some manure regularly pools or accumulates in areas around the animal housing. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Some manure occasionally pools or accumulates in areas around the animal housing.
All manure is contained within housing and not allowed to collect around animal housing.

10. Frequency of manure and waste feed removal?
Less than once per week Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Manure is removed every two to seven days.
Manure is flushed or scraped from a facility at least once a day.
OR
Animals are heavily bedded to maintain dry conditions.

11. Recharge water for filling shallow pits after they are emptied?
No recharge water is used after draining a pit. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Shallow pits are recharged with at least 4 inches of recycled lagoon or storage water.
Shallow pits are recharged with at least 4 inches of fresh water.

12. Dust minimization in confined facilities?
Few efforts have been made to control dust. Corresponding magnitude of risk
 
Housing facilities use some “low-risk” dust control practices.
Three or more of the following are implemented:
  • Diet contains significant amounts of fat or oil (e.g., 50 lb per ton or more added fat).
  • Liquid feeding systems
  • Drop tubes on all augers
  • Housing sprayed with vegetable oil daily

 
Net Survey Score:
Magnitude of risk:

Back to National Curriculum