Insight of CO and ethanol emission from maize silage: A case study with real-time identification of aerobic and anaerobic microbial respiration using a multi-sensor-fusion method.

Silage is produced worldwide for both livestock feeding and biogas production. Sustainable silage production requires characterization and mitigation of potential effects on environmental quality, particularly from greenhouse gas emissions during the production cycle. Ex-situ sampling has demonstrated that major emissions are carbon dioxide (CO) and ethanol (EtOH).

Locomotion behavior of dairy cows on traditional summer mountain farms in comparison with modern cubicle housing without access to pasture.

Pasture based systems enable cattle to express their natural behavior and are thus expected to provide better welfare than the majority of confinement systems. The aim of this study was to objectively measure locomotion activity of healthy dairy cattle kept on mountain pastures (n = 44) compared with cows kept in cubicle housing systems (n = 38). Selected cows were equipped with a validated 3D-accelerometer on one hind limb, and locomotion behavior was recorded for 48 hours.

A Multi-Sensor Mini-Bioreactor to Preselect Silage Inoculants by Tracking Metabolic Activity During Fermentation.

The microbiome in silage may vary substantially from the onset to the completion of fermentation. Improved additives and inoculants are being developed to accelerate the ensiling process, to enhance fermentation quality, and to delay spoilage during feed-out. However, current methods for preselecting and characterizing these amendments are time-consuming and costly.

Dual sensor measurement shows that temperature outperforms pH as an early sign of aerobic deterioration in maize silage.

High quality silage containing abundant lactic acid is a critical component of ruminant diets in many parts of the world. Silage deterioration, a result of aerobic metabolism (including utilization of lactic acid) during storage and feed-out, reduces the nutritional quality of the silage, and its acceptance by animals. In this study, we introduce a novel non-disruptive dual-sensor method that provides near real-time information on silage aerobic stability, and demonstrates for the first time that in situ silage temperature (T) and pH are both associated with preservation of lactic acid.

Pig barns ammonia and greenhouse gas emission mitigation by slurry aeration and acid scrubber.

Livestock production is associated with several gaseous pollutant emissions to the environment. These emissions can degrade local and regional air quality, contribute to surface water eutrophication and acid rain, and contribute to the greenhouse gas footprint of the production sector. Modern production systems must balance animal welfare and environmental pollution potential with economic reality, which is a great challenge to maintain as global demand for animal protein increases.

CO production, dissolution and pressure dynamics during silage production: multi-sensor-based insight into parameter interactions.

Silage is a critical global feedstock, but is prone to aerobic deterioration. The dominant mechanism of O transport into silage remains unresolved. Here, multiple sensors tracked O and CO, gas pressure (ΔP) between internal silage and ambient air, pH and silage temperature (T) during the ensilage of maize and ryegrass.

Developing a Penetrometer-Based Mapping System for Visualizing Silage Bulk Density from the Bunker Silo Face.

For silage production, high bulk density (BD) is critical to minimize aerobic deterioration facilitated by oxygen intrusion. To precisely assess packing quality for bunker silos, there is a desire to visualize the BD distribution within the silage. In this study, a penetrometer-based mapping system was developed.

Analysis of the dust emissions from a naturally ventilated turkey house using tracer gas method.

Particulate matter (PM) emissions are becoming increasingly important in licensing procedures for the construction of new livestock houses or for the modernization of existing ones. Emission predictions require reliable data about emission rates. On this account, it is necessary to obtain information about the emission development and the relevant influencing factors in naturally ventilated turkey houses.

Physical properties of particulate matter from animal houses-empirical studies to improve emission modelling.

Maintaining and preserving the environment from pollutants are of utmost importance. Particulate matter (PM) is considered one of the main air pollutants. In addition to the harmful effects of PM in the environment, it has also a negative indoor impact on human and animal health.

An Assessment of Three Different In Situ Oxygen Sensors for Monitoring Silage Production and Storage.

Oxygen (O₂) concentration inside the substrate is an important measurement for silage-research and-practical management. In the laboratory gas chromatography is commonly employed for O₂ measurement. Among sensor-based techniques, accurate and reliable in situ measurement is rare because of high levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated by the introduction of O₂ in the silage.