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Farming '91, 1991-03-20, Page 21FARMING ’91, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991. A21. Farming ’91 Liquid manure gas one of deadliest farm hazards The gases produced by the decomposition of animal manure may be a serious hazard when liquid manure systems are incor­ porated into the barn construction. Hydrogen sulphide (manure gas) has been responsible for many animal deaths as well as the occasional human death. The decomposition process be­ gins as soon as manure is excreted. Micro-organisms utilize the man­ ure to synthesize new cellular material and to furnish energy for synthesis. The process takes place with or without oxygen. However, the type of microbes and the type of gases produced are dependent on the type of environment in which degradation takes place. In condi­ tions without oxygen, (typical of most liquid manure systems) hy­ drogen sulphide will be given off. Hydrogen sulphide is produced continuously in all un-aerated man­ ure storage systems, including shallow barn gutters, underground storage tanks or outside manure holding ponds or lagoons. Depend­ ing on temperatures and other factors the rate of release of the gas is slow in undisturbed storage. Hydrogen sulphide is a clear, colourless gas that can be recog­ nized in low concentrations by a characteristic “rotten-egg” smell. The odour will increase as the gas become more concentrated, howe- ever, when concentrations get very high, the ability to detect the gas is affected by temporary paralysis of the olefactory nerves in the nose. Because of this unique property, relying solely on the sense of smell to detect the gas, can be extremely dangerous. In high concentrations the ability to smell the gas is lost instantaneously, so the disappear­ ance of the smell could actually mean the gas concentration has increased. Classified as highly toxic chemi­ cal, hydrogen sulphide in high concentrations will lead to almost instant poisoning and death. High concentrations will result in the complete arrest of respiration so a person overcome by this gas should be promptly removed from the contaminated area and given im­ mediate artificial respiration. Exposure to lower concentrations may result in nausea, stomach distress, belching and coughing. Moderate concentrations may re­ sult in eye irritations. Because the gas is heavier than air it has a tendency to accumulate on the surface of the manure. Over a period of time, the undisturbed accumulation, along with a rising level of liquid manure in the storage system may force the gas above floor level. When this hap­ pens animals are usually doomed. The greatest danger of exposure exists during agitation and pump­ ing. Clean out during the fall months after several months of warm temperature storage speeds up gas production, as does clean out after a prolonged period of time. During agitation, hydrogen sulphide is released from the manure in the same manner as carbon dioxide is liberated after shaking a carbonated soft drink. The following precautions are essential to the safe management of a liquid manure system located in a livestock barn: •Under no circumstances should anyone enter a liquid manure pit without wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, even if the pit is empty. Use a life line that is connected to someone outside the danger area. •Never allow the manure pit to fill completely. Allow one to two feet of air space for the concentra­ tions of gas. •If possible, lower the level of liquid manure in the storage facility before commencing agitation. This will further reduce the possibility of gas being forced above floor level. •Keep the agitator below the liquid surface. Gas will be released in greater volume if vigorous surface agitation occurs. •Provide strong ventilation dur­ ing pumping and agitation. The building interior should be off limits to people and if possible animals should be evacuated. •Because of the dangers presen­ ted by the agitation and pumping operations, these procedures should involve two people, connec­ ted by a life line with one person always outside the danger area. •Consult your physician if you have been exposed to hydrogen sulphide in concentrations severe enough to cause irritation to the respiratory tract. When considering the incorpora­ tion of a liquid manure system into a new building you should take certain factors into consideration. All manure pit pump-out openings should be located outside the building, thereby eliminating the danger of working in a confined area. Liquid manure storage should be separated from the livestock buildings. Connecting drains, gut­ ters and channels should be fitted with gas traps or some other means to prevent gases from re-entering the building. In-barn liquid manure collection pits should be kept to a minimum volume and divided into small compartments to eliminate the need for agitation. Agriculture Canada forecasts 23% drop in farm incomes Agriculture Canada economists, in consultation with provincial ministries of agriculture and Statis­ tics Canada, have released their agriculture outlook for 1991. These estimates are developed on a quarterly basis and were calculated prior to the announce­ ment of a new safety-net package for grain and oilseed producers. In 1991, incomes will benefit significantly from the implementa­ tion of the Gross Revenue Insur­ ance Plan (GRIP) and Net Income Stabilization Account (NISA) safety-net programs. GRIP and NISA program pay­ ments in 1991-92 are expected to reach approximately $3-billion. Without taking GRIP and NISA into account, 1991 realized net income is forecast to decline 23 per cent to $2.31-billion. Lower crop receipts and payments from tradi­ tional support programs are cited as the major factors in the decline. Forecast lower grain prices, especially wheat, will result in significant income declines in the prairies for 1991, without the incorporation of the new safety-net programs. Forecast declines in realized net incomes are less severe for other provinces. Lower grain and hog prices are expected to reduce in comes in Ontario and Quebec. In Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, a sharp reduction in hog production and lower potato prices in 1991 contribute to the forecast income declines, compar­ ed to strong incomes last year. Realized net income is forecast to increase significantly for British Columbia in 1991, due to expected growth in poultry production and a return to normal levels of vegetable production. Income gains are fore­ cast for Nova Scotia and Newfound­ land. The continuing weak income prospects for the grain sector underline the importance of the new GRIP and NISA safety-net programs, the ongoing farm policy review which is examining the immediate and longer-term pro­ blems in the industry, and a positive outcome to the GATT talks. Federal and provincial ministers are continuing to work with indus­ try to develop a process for dealing with the farm income situation, as well as other concerns including farm debt, input costs, and diversi­ fication. HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF ONTARIO Improving your odds against Canada's #2 killer Mother Was Right! Don’t Forget Your Fibre! Insoluble Dietary Fibre Insoluble fibre, once called roughage, helps prevent and control bowel problems and may be important in the prevention of certain cancers. ' Good sources of insoluble fibre are: * wheat bran and wheat bran cereals * whole grain foods like whole wheat bread * fruit and vegetables, including the skins and seeds when practical. For more information on heart healthy eating, contact your local chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. At BURKE ELECTRIC WE ...INSTALL ...SERVICE ...STOCK ...GUARANTEE ...FREEESTIMATES ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS HOME - FARM - COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL •Barn Exhaust Fans and Controls •Electric Heating •Air Conditioning •Central Vacuum Systems •Energy Saving Devices •Heat Pumps Over 40 years of quality & service BURKE Electric ELECTRICALCONTRACTORS Open 6 days ■ — LTD. Wingham 357-2450 A • FEED*FERTILIZERS»SEED*CHE MICALS Z3g\ PIONEER.L X SEED CORN ONE-STOP AT YOUR FARMING HEADQUARTERS TOPNOTCH FEEDS LTD. Brussels. Ont. Branch Don JohnsonManager 887-6011 IT WORKS BECAUSE IT HURTS! That hurts! Right through your jeans. You've just backed into a hot wire on a fence thousands of feet from the barn. A GALLACHER system works not just around the barn, but right out to where you need the power. Safe, reliable and strong. Costs a lot less too. It's time you tried GALLAGHER. You'll love the difference. *Financial Assistance Programs Available. *Easy to Install or Book Now for Installation. *Clad to Assist in Planning and Layout. *On-Farm Consultation.