Farms.com Home   News

Measuring manure depth in the PEDv era

The Porcine Endemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) continues to impact the U.S. pork industry. Farms that have avoided the virus continue to implement intensive precautions to keep PEDv out of their herd. Farms that have already experienced the ravages of the virus are taking steps to prevent reinfection. PEDv is spread through oral fecal contact and requires exposure to only a small amount of fecal material to cause infection. Adding to the complications of preventing PEDv reinfections is the virus’s ability to stay viable in stored manure. Research conducted by Goyal at the University of Minnesota and reported by the National Pork Board has confirmed PED virus may stay viable in manure stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Centigrade) greater than 28 days. Therefore, stored manure with viable virus, if brought to the floor surface could re-infect susceptible pigs with PEDv.

In Michigan, large livestock farms (CAFOs), who are covered under the MI Department of Environmental Quality (M-DEQ) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, are required to monitor and weekly record manure depth in each of the farm’s manure storage structures. In addition all livestock farms, regardless of size, should record the amount of manure removed when spreading manure. Prior to PEDv, using a stick to measure manure depth in deep pitted barns, was of small risk to infect pigs with a virus or bacteria. Currently, in this era of PEDv, there is a risk the small amount of manure brought up on the measuring stick may re-infect the pigs.

One option to avoid recontamination in a barn previously infected with PEDv, is to stick and measure manure depth outside of the barn using the manure pump out ports. However, there remains the risk of contaminating the periphery of the site and vectors such as personnel or rodents tracking manure virus particles back into the barn and exposing the pigs.

As any 8 year old boy will attest, a better alternative to the stick is a laser. By aiming the laser’s beam down through the slat opening, a laser measure will determine the freeboard between the manure surface and the top of the slats. Dependable laser measures can be purchased for $80 to $125 either online or at local hardware stores. A quick field trial using the laser method demonstrated it was easier than the stick and accurate despite the presence of dust and cobwebs.
A laser measure is an excellent device for all sizes of swine farms to use when calculating the manure application rate needed as part of the record keeping requirements when hauling manure. Simply measure the depth of the manure before starting to haul then measure again when done. Once the depth of manure removed is known it is easy to determine the number of gallons removed and the manure application rate per acre. To calculate gallons per acre convert all dimension to feet (pit length, pit width and depth of manure removed) then multiply length x width x depth which equals cubic feet of manure removed; cubic feet of manure removed x gallons per cubic foot (7.48) = total gallons removed; total gallons remove ÷ number of acres spread = gallons per acre.

Many farms that have experienced PEDv outbreaks are continuously implementing intensified biosecurity measures to help protect their herd from infection. Until more is understood concerning the virus’s extended viability, Michigan State University Extension advises using precaution and assuming the viable virus remains in the manure. On these sites it is best to avoid exposing pigs to stored manure as a step to prevent reinfection. In the PEDv era, the stick and measure method may be obsolete.

Source: MSUE


Trending Video

Lambs Are Taking Over The Farm!

Video: Lambs Are Taking Over The Farm!

In today's exciting episode of our daily sheep farming vlog at Ewetopia Farms, we witness the lambs taking over the lambing barn as it rapidly fills up. Join us as we embark on a thrilling day of managing lambs as we work on emptying lambing jugs to accommodate the lambs that just keep on coming!

We begin by providing updates on the events of the previous night and share the progress of all the lambs. Throughout the day, we engage in various tasks such as tagging, vaccinating, docking, and recording the lambs as they demonstrate their readiness to leave the lambing jugs and join the group pen. As lambs are moved in and out of the jugs, we ensure each pen is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with lime before welcoming the next ewe and her lambs. Along the way, we encounter and resolve a few challenges related to lambing, including unplugging a ewe's teat to facilitate milk flow for her lamb's nourishment and addressing a bleeding umbilical cord on a newborn Dorset lamb. We remain hopeful for the lamb's full recovery and will keep you updated on its progress in future videos.

To conclude the day, we take a moment to relax in the group pen, reflecting on our busy day of sheep farming and cherishing the rewards of our hard work. Join us in this well-deserved break and immerse yourself in the joys of sheep farming and caring for these adorable lambs