Document type: Pig Progress article
Author: Vivi Aarestrup Moustsen
Preview: Achieving both high sow welfare and low emissions at the same time, is that possible? Danish researchers have recently embarked on a project to investigate how to answer that question. […]
The Sowemis project aims to address that issue. It is short for 'Systems for Sows with high animal Welfare and low Emissions' and partners in the project include Aarhus University, Space Systems, Jyden and SEGES Danish Pig Research Centre. This ensures diversity in the project group from engineers, experts in plastic and materials, in emissions, in pen designs and in pigs.
It allows both to address the material used in the slurry 'channels' so as little manure and urine as possible will be in contact with air, to address the ventilation system and to address pen design and pig behaviour. By combining the elements in one design and by ensuring a dry and clean solid floor compared to a fully slatted floor, it is hoped emissions can be reduced from 1.3 to 0.66 kg NH3/m2/year.
