Odor Research Ongoing
by Nancy Carver Singleton
Texas researchers seek a silver bullet in their search
for a product to substantially reduce feedlot odors.
People have worked on minimizing livestock odors since the 1970s and
on odor reduction itself for probably hundreds of years, said David
Parker, associate professor of agricultural engineering at West Texas
A&M University. "But the problem is not solved yet. It is
not going to be an easy solution," he said
Parker oversees a project that tests odor control products or chemicals
to alleviate odors in feedlots. Of approximately 15 substances tested
since the project began in spring of 2002, only two show slight promise.
These two, alum (aluminum sulfate) and humate (a mineral), did not
reduce odors during all trials or at all application rates.
Among the substances tested were some commercial odor control products
with strong chemical scents that relieve - or mask - odors to make
the smells more pleasant, Parker said. But the smells, detection thresholds
and intensities remained the same.
"You can mask a bad odor with a good odor so it is not so unpleasant.
The ideal chemical amendment will reduce the intensity and increase
the hedonic tone to make it more pleasant. We just don't know if such
a thing is out there," he said.
Due to increased concerns about human health, the Agriculture Department
and the Environmental Protection Agency formed a joint committee to
look at farm air pollution.
Although there are odor labs working with dairy and swine manure,
this is the only research Parker is aware of on beef feedlot odors.
West Texas A&M researchers have several grants and anticipate
funding will continue for a few years.
"If it was an easy solution, we'd have it solved so far. But
it's not, so we'll continue to work on it," Parker said.
Feedlots who are interested in results thus far can contact Parker
at dparker@mail.wtamu.edu.
He is also looking for substances to test. Feedyards can request a
sample from sales people for Parker's group to analyze.
"We encourage feedyards to give us a call before they buy p roducts.
We will test them at no charge," he said. ©
