Home / Air Filtration in Animal Husbandry: Ensuring Healthy and Productive Livestock
Photo by Annie-Spratt
In the world of animal husbandry, air filtration plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and productivity of livestock.
Good air quality in animal housing facilities is essential for creating a conducive environment that promotes animal well-being and supports optimal growth and performance.
Poor air quality can contain different types of contaminants that lead to various issues, including respiratory problems, increased stress levels, and reduced productivity in livestock.
By prioritizing air filtration, farmers, growers, and animal caretakers can create a clean and healthy environment that supports their animals’ overall welfare and productivity.
How Poor Air Quality Affects Animal Husbandry?
Photo by Purdue University
Animal industry applications include:
1) Livestock farming (cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, etc.)
2)Poultry production (chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc.)
3)Dairy farming (cows, goats, sheep, etc.)
4)Aquaculture (fish, shrimp, shellfish, etc.)
5)Beekeeping and honey production
6)Swine production (pig farming)
7)Horse breeding and equestrian facilities
8)Pet breeding (dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.)
9)Aviculture (bird farming and breeding)
10)Exotic animal breeding and conservation programs
The presence of airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, bacteria, and viruses, can harm animal health and well-being. These contaminants can irritate the respiratory system, leading to respiratory diseases, reduced lung function, and compromised health.
Animals that are constantly exposed to poor air quality may experience a range of respiratory issues, including coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. Additionally, these contaminants can cause animal stress and discomfort, leading to decreased feed intake, reduced growth rates, and compromised immune function.
A research team at the University of Minnesota has discovered the presence of particles of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv) and influenza A (IAv) on used filters from farms with PRRSv negative status at the time of filter removal. PRRSv and IAv are highly contagious viral diseases that can cause a potential financial impact of up to $1 million per barn per outbreak in the swine and poultry industry.
Another team led by Jiqin (JQ) Ni at Purdue University has received a half-million grant from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. In order to document air-quality issues surrounding pork production, the team is collaborating with the National Pork Board to monitor air quality in the swine farm industry.
Air filtration is an important part of ensuring healthy and productive livestock. By filtering out dust, ammonia, and bacteria, air filters can help to create a healthier environment for animals, which can help to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Air filtration can also help to improve the productivity of animals.
The Importance of Air Filtration in Animal Husbandry
Air filters play a critical role in improving air quality by capturing and removing airborne contaminants in animal housing.
High-quality air filters are designed to effectively trap and filter out particles of various sizes, including fine dust, allergens, and pathogens. They are specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of animal housing environments, ensuring efficient and reliable filtration.
By removing these contaminants from the air, air filters contribute to creating a healthier and cleaner environment, ultimately promoting better respiratory health and overall well-being in livestock.
Types of Air Filters Used in Animal Husbandry
In animal husbandry, various types of air filters are commonly used to address specific filtration needs.
Cardboard Frame Filters
This type of filter comes with cardboard-framed housing to reinforce the structure. They can be customized to meet your air filtration requirements from G3-F7. Cardboard-framed filters are most commonly used as coarse or pre-filters, capturing large particles before they enter the next level of filtration.
Pocket Filters (Bag Filters)
Pocket filters feature medium efficiency, high dust-holding capacity, and long filter service life. They are great for secondary air filtration systems. Ranging from F5 to F9, pocket filters can withstand temperatures as high as 100 °C.
HEPA Filters
Mini Pleat HEPA filter is one of the high-efficiency air filters. This filter features low air pressure drop, flame retardant, and air leak-proof. It is an excellent air filter option to remove small particles, bacteria, and viruses.
Air Filter Media
There are other filter media that can meet your filtration requirements.
What to Consider When Implementing Air Filtration?
Photo by Elena-Mozhvilo
Proper system design is essential to ensure effective air filtration throughout the facility. This includes strategically placing air intake and exhaust points, as well as selecting appropriate filter types and sizes based on the specific needs of the animals and the facility.
Consulting with air filtration experts or HVAC professionals can help in designing an efficient and tailored filtration system.
Routine inspections, cleaning of filters, and timely replacement of filters when they become dirty or clogged. Establishing a maintenance schedule and adhering to it will help maintain the efficiency of the filtration system and prolong the lifespan of the filters.
It is also important to consider the replacement schedule for filters and ensure that new filters are readily available when needed.
Conclusion
It is crucial for animal housing facilities to prioritize air quality and recognize the significant benefits that proper air filtration can bring. By investing in suitable air filtration solutions, such as particulate filters, odor filters, or HEPA filters, facility owners can enhance animal health, productivity, and overall welfare.
Clean air can positively impact animal behavior and reduce the need for excessive ventilation or medication, leading to potential cost savings and energy efficiency.
Proper system design is essential to ensure effective air filtration throughout the facility. This includes strategically placing air intake and exhaust points, as well as selecting appropriate filter types and sizes based on the specific needs of the animals and the facility.
