Collaboration takes place in inter-institutional working groups in the sector of climate-relevant gases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.
Emissions, the resulting immissions, and their reduction are a central issue when it comes to the acceptance of livestock farming. There are numerous ways to reduce agricultural emissions, which not only facilitate coexistence between farming and non-farming communities but also lead to cost savings for farms. One example is protein-adjusted or protein-reduced feeding of fattening pigs. In the pig research barn of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, protein-reduced feed formulations (some including feed additives) have been used in recent years, and their reduction potential with regard to odor and ammonia has been investigated.
Crucially, research focuses on practical measures that farmers can implement without significant technical or financial investment. In cooperation with Department 15 of the Styrian Provincial Government, several key research topics have been and are being investigated: the efficiency and economic aspects of using exhaust air purification systems for dust, odor, and ammonia in pig fattening; the comparison of computer-aided odor immission calculations with odor surveys in the vicinity of a fattening pig barn; and the analysis of odor samples from commercial pig and poultry farms to derive emission factors for dispersion models.
This project was completed in 2023 and formed the basis for the revision of the Styrian Odor Emission Guideline (https://app.luis.steiermark.at/berichte/Download/Fachberichte/ABT15_Lu-04-2023_Emissionsfaktoren.pdf). Furthermore, in an EIP project led by the Institute for Animal, Technology and Environment at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, valuable insights were gained in recent years through the investigation of a low-emission, animal-welfare-oriented barn for fattening pigs. The new barn concept combines improved animal welfare (e.g., more space allows for the creation of functional areas, provision of straw, and constant access to a covered outdoor run) with various emission reduction measures. By combining feces-urine separation with a reduction of emitting surfaces, a protein-reduced diet, and supply air cooling, a reduction in ammonia and odor was demonstrated, comparable to that otherwise only achievable through exhaust air purification systems (https://app.luis.steiermark.at/berichte/Download/Fachberichte/ABT15_Lu_02_2022_Projekt_SaLuT.pdf).
In addition to the pig research barn, the Institute for Animal, Technology and Environment operates a barn for investigating gaseous emissions (ammonia, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and odor) from poultry farming. In two identical, completely separate compartments, different feeding strategies can be studied with regard to emissions and their impact on the animals' biological performance.
After more than 10 years of scientific research in the broiler poultry sector, the compartments were adapted for laying hen husbandry in 2024 – to date, there is little data on emissions in this area. The research questions are being addressed in close coordination with the Austrian poultry industry, feed production, and animal nutrition experts.
Upon request, on-site surveys are conducted, and agricultural businesses are supported in matters relating to emissions. This includes acceptance testing and legally mandated, recurring measurements to verify the effectiveness of exhaust air purification systems, monitoring the discharge velocity of exhaust air volume flows, and providing support in resolving disputes with local residents concerning dust, odor, and noise emissions. On behalf of courts and authorities, emissions assessments and expert opinions are prepared as part of official assistance, thus making a valuable professional contribution to civil and administrative legal proceedings.
