Synopsis:
Preliminary research and observations made by farmers suggest that shelterbelts placed around livestock production facilities may effectively reduce movement of odors emitted by manure to neighbouring properties. Essentially, trees can be 'put to work' to reduce the movement of livestock production odors off-site.
An odor-emitting source can include a livestock production barn, manure storage or a farm field where manure is being spread. Shelterbelts have the ability to reduce odor concentrations significantly at or very near the source, which greatly improves the effectiveness of separation distances. There are five ways that treed windbreaks and shelterbelts can reduce the effects of livestock odor and improve visual perception of production buildings:
· Dilution and dispersion of gas concentrations of odor by a mixing effect created by shelterbelts
· Deposition of odorous dusts and other aerosols (like snow fencing) to the windward and leeward sides of windbreaks
· Collection and storage (sinks) within tree wood of the chemical constituents of odor pollution
· Physical interception of odor particles (dust and aerosols)
· Aesthetic appearance
· Trees create a visual barrier to livestock barns
· Trees can make cropped fields and pastures more pleasing to look at
· Trees represent an 'environmental statement' to neighbors that the producer is making every effort to resolve odor problems in as many ways as possible
Conclusions:
Shelterbelts placed around livestock production facilities may effectively reduce movement of odours emitted by manure to neighbouring properties.
Thresholds/Learnings:
