Odor and Animal Agriculture

A working dairy operation will always have some level of odor, but that doesn’t mean we can just throw up our hands and ignore the issue. There are a number of solutions available to reduce farm odors. The first step towards reducing on-farm odors is to evaluate the farm for sources of odor. The barn yard, all housing facilities, manure storage, manure handling and field application systems should all be evaluated for their contribution to the total farm odor. Keeping barns and dry lots clean, installing wind blocks around manure storage areas, and injecting or incorporating manure soon after application are some simple and relatively inexpensive strategies that can be used to reduce on-farm odors. Perhaps one of the most overlooked ways to deal with odor on the farm is to improve communications with neighbors and be considerate about spreading manure. From the neighbor’s perspective, just the fact that you consulted them and are aware of their concerns may stave off many complaints. For example, meet with neighbors before spreading manure to make sure they don’t have any big events planned, try to spread on a week day morning when neighbors are less likely to be around, and apply on days when little wind is forecasted. Taking a few simple steps each day to keep barns and barnyards clean and maintaining, or opening, lines of communication with neighbors open can go a long way to preventing odor complaints.