BRF reduces ammonia emissions in pig farming

The association of straw and ramial fragmented wood (BRF) has shown promise in reducing harmful emissions from pig farming. At the Crécom experimental station, this combination significantly lowered ammonia emissions, which are a major concern in livestock farming due to their impact on air quality and human health.

Ammonia levels drop significantly

Ammonia emissions from pig bedding using BRF were reduced by nearly five times compared to traditional straw bedding. The new method resulted in emissions of 1.6 to 2.2 grams of ammonia per pig per day, compared to 9.6 grams with straw alone. This improvement in air quality is crucial for both farm workers and the surrounding environment.

Nitrous oxide emissions also decline

Alongside ammonia, nitrous oxide emissions—a potent greenhouse gas—were reduced by half. The new bedding method produced 0.6 to 0.4 grams of nitrous oxide per pig per day, compared to 1.2 grams with straw. This suggests a more stable aeration system, which helps prevent the excessive production of greenhouse gases by limiting the chemical reactions that generate them.

Manure composition changes with BRF

The manure produced using the BRF-straw mixture is drier and richer in carbon than traditional straw-based manure. In winter, the dry matter content reached 376 kg per ton, compared to 308 kg in standard references. Organic matter also increased, while total nitrogen slightly decreased, indicating better nitrogen retention and reduced losses.

Air quality monitoring reveals risks

Although overall air quality improved, short-term exposure peaks to fine particles (PM2.5) were recorded during manure cleaning tasks. These brief spikes exceeded the occupational exposure limit, highlighting the need for protective measures like FFP2 masks or closed cab tractors to safeguard workers' health during these activities.

Working time and cost considerations

The use of BRF initially required substantial labor, with 34 minutes of work per pig in winter. However, by optimizing the bedding protocol in summer, working time was reduced to just seven minutes per pig. Despite this improvement, the cost of BRF remains a challenge, adding about 9.2 euros per animal to the overall expense.

Future potential and local solutions

The project, part of the BâtiPorc C4E initiative, shows that BRF can be an effective and environmentally friendly bedding option. Local sourcing or self-production of BRF could help reduce costs and promote wider adoption in pig farming. The success of this method depends on balancing environmental benefits with practical and economic feasibility.