Efficiency in Livestock Production #3 Flashcards
For most production, animals feed is typically provided __ __________
Ad libitum
What does “ad libitum” mean?
Allowed to eat to gut fill
How are pigs and chickens fed?
Feed is run into feeders multiple times per day
How are feeders for pigs and chickens usually controlled?
Electronically, but can be done manually
Animal management things to consider
How often to feed, ventilation/lighting, animal sorting, frequency of disturbance/interaction, cleaning practices, pasture rotation, animal care (vet visits, hoof trimming, shearing)
How to manage temperature control?
Can’t have fully climate-controlled environment, need heat for chicks, need to cool the house when hot, need to maintain air quality,
What does ventilation do for broilers?
Large effect on broiler performance, aid in temp control, and clearing ammonia
Which animal is extremely photo sensitive to light?
Chickens
_____ and _____ of light affect chickens
Duration; intensity
Duration and intensity of light affect what in chickens
Effect behavior, feed intake
Digitial advancements for feeding management
Modern production houses are controlled by computer systems (can control from smart phone), digital heard and flock programs help track performance, and automated litter robots
Is manure an issue to address
Yes
How much manure is made?
1.4 billion tons
What is an area of extreme regulatory attention? Like what?
Manure management; permitting and IDEM
Is manure management expensive? What is needed?
Yes. Required significant infrastructure and equipment
Two categories of manure management
Collection and storage
Collection of manure includes what
Mechanical, manual, flushing/pits
Storage of manure includes what
Pits, lagoons, tanks
Manure must be collected ____ to maintain a _____ environment. Why?
Frequently; clean. Could cause issues with animal health
Can this be a significant part of a farmer’s job? Is there anything to help?
Yes, but many technologies to make this process easier
Farms are required to have the capacity to store how much year’s manure?
One year’s worth
The manure storage options will depend on the _______ and type of _______ you have
Animal; farm
What do we do with all this manure?
Use as fertilizer
Manure is a great source of what? Which are what?
N, P, and K which are primary nutrients provided by commercial fertilizers
What else does fertilizer provide?
Organic matter and soil drainage improvement
How many acres of crops are fertilized by manure? What is the % of US farm land?
15 million; 5%
Problems with manure
Not well balanced for N and P, high variability, expensive to transport, issues with staging and smell
Specifics on imbalance of N and P in manure?
Overapplication of P is a huge problem
Why is manure expensive to transport?
High moisture content and weight
________ digestion results in production of _____ and other _______ gases
Anaerobic; methane; flammable
These gases are captured and compressed and can be used to produce ____, _______, and to ______ _______
Heat, electricity, power farm equipment
Remaining solids are ____ quality and _______ fertilizer
High; concentrated
