D4—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 17,1981 Beware of toxic confinement gases in hog NEWARK, Del. - Liquid manure in hog confinement facilities often is stored in un derground pits or tanks. This practice reduces -labor requirements, but it introduces serious probleqis for people and livestock from toxic gases generated by manure decom position. Manure gases have caused a multitude of hog deaths and a tragic number of human deaths. Since the gases are normally suspended in the liquid manure, the most dangerous situation occurs when the manure is being agitated to mix settled solids with the liquid for pump removal. Four main gases are produced as manure decomposes, all of which are colorless, explains Ron Jester, Extension safety specialist at the University of Delaware. These gases are ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and methane. Ammonia is released from both fresh and decomposing manure. It has a strong, pungent odor and is irritating to eyes and noses. This odor is most frequently associated with confined livestock operations. Ammonia does not present an immediate human health hazard although, in high concentration, it may set off or aggravate respiratory problems. Carbon dioxide is an odorless gas that is always present in buildings to some extent. Agitation of stored manure can release large amounts of carbon dioxide. When ven tilation equipment is functioning properly this is not likely to be a Load gravel <3irt manure with J4-ton bucket Prepai seed t 32" rol 1 5% OFF REGULAR MICE MODEL 241414 H.P. . Hyd. lift, 3 pt. hitch, lug tires MODEL 1614 14 H.P. . 3 pt. hitch, lug tires MODEL 161616 H.P. . Hyd. lift, 3 pt. hitch, lug tires. MODEL 241818 H.P. . Hyd. lift, 3 pt. hitch, lug tires direct problem. However, its presence may cause more rapid breathing which can compound the effects of other toxic gases. Hydrogen sulfide .is an ex tremely toxic gas produced by manure decomposition. This gas is usually responsible for human deaths associated with liquid manure. Like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and most of the gas will stay. suspended in the manure until it is agitated. Moderate ' concentrations of hydrogen sulfide cause dizziness, headaches and nausea.. High concentrations, which may occur during manure agitation, can cause immediate unconsciousness and death through respiratory paralysis. Even though hydrogen sulfide has a rotten egg odor, this does not give adequate warning since high concentrations can deaden the sense of smell. Methane is not a toxic gas but in high concentrations it can have an asphyxiating effect similar to carbon dioxide. Another hazardous property of methane is its ex plosiveness. While a few isolated explosions in hog buildings have been attributed to methane, it would be unusual for the methane concentration in manure pits to reach an explosive level, says Jester. Methane is an odorless gas. The chance of tragedy occurring can be reduced greatly by proper design and operation of the ven tilation system. A system designed to adequately remove odor and moisture from the building also will keep gas levels within the Puts power in your hands like no other compact tractorvou've ever seen. Power to do big jobs ..more kinds of iobs. You can mow up to 3 acres an hour. PlowB"deep. Front load with 'A- ton bucket loads Till, cultivate, bulldoze, blow snow, split wood .. get your tough jobs done fast and easy l Power King's energy efficient, too Rugged ve type, all-gear drive delivers nearly ;ast iron engine's power to big, ground- Inve wheels. squeezes more work iry drop of fuel Ground clearance up > you cultivate tall crops, work in tund igti, American made Power King in 18 hp models, with over 20 man-sized mts Come in and see Power King today! OFFER EXTENDED TO NOV. 14. 1981 .Sale Sale . Sale .Sale acceptable range during normal operation. He suggests installation of a good pit ventilation system that remains in operation during agitation and pump-out. “This is when pit ventilation is needed most,” he says. When agitating in a pit un derneath a building, the specialist advises removing animals if possible. S»"oe this nsualJv is not NEWARK, Del. Gratified with their successful results with no-till corn production, many local growers are now anxious to try no till wheat and barley. They’ll need a special grain drill, says Delaware Extension agronomist Frank Webb, but these growers feel that the long-term energy savings will offset the cost of the machinery. For the last two years, Webb has been working with no-till wheat and barley at the University of Delaware’s Georgetown Sub station. While this is not long enough to draw final conclusions about *2.931. Reg. $3,44' *2.489. Reg. $2,929 *2.923. Reg. $3,439 *3.100. Reg. $3,64! Fact sheet explains no-till possible, the next best alternative is to turn all ventilation fans to maximum capacity and 1 adjust inlet baffles to assure that fresh air reaches the pigs. If it’s necessary to enter a manure pit. Jester says to go in only using ,a self-contained breathing apparatus and an at tached rope and harness with two people standing by. occurrence, or insect problems, preliminary results for both grains look promising. Both years the no tillage wheat and barley yields have been about the same as conventional grain yields. Webb has prepared a fact sheet that explains the procedures that must be followed for no-till wheat and barley production. He discusses yield results; how to choose a drill; fertility and top dressing; liming; seeding date and variety selection; and weed control. The fact sheet is available free of charge from all Extension offices in Delaware. houses “The cost of safety equipment is small in relation to the csst of the confinement building. It’s significant in relation to toe value of a human life,” Jester slays. Neighbors can buy the equipment together and share it, he adds. Moore family (Continued from Page D3> Get of Sire 1 Moore. 2 Miller, 3 Burger, 4 Harpster, 5 Runkle Pair Yearling Ewes 1 Miller. 2 Burger. 3 Laudenslager. 4 Moore, 5 Runkle RAMBOUILLET Veering Rem 1 & 2 Moore, 2 Emil Mellott. 4 George Mellott Ram Lamb 1 &3 Moore. 2 & 4 Miller. 5 Mellott Champ Ram- Moore Pair of Ram Lambs 1 Moore, 2 Miller, 3 E. Mellott, 4 G Mellott Yearling Ewes 1 & 2 Moore, 3 Miller, 4 E Mellott, 5 G Mellott Ewe Lambs I & 2 Moore, 3 & 4 Miller, 5 E Mellott Champion Ewe- Moore Pair Ewe Lambs 1 Moore, 2 Miller; 3 E. Mellott, 4 G Mellott Pen ol lambs -1 Moore. 2 Miller; 3 E Mellott. 4 G Mellott Breeders Young Flack 1 Moore, 2 £ Mellott. 3 Miller, 4 G Mellott Flock 1 Moore, 2 Miller; 3 E Mellott, 4 G Mellott Get of Sire 1 Moore. 2 E Mellott, 3 Miller. 4 G Mellott Pair Yearling Ewe 1 Moore, 2 E Mellott. 3 Miller. 4 G Mellott
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