Ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from a straw flow system for fattening pigs

The straw flow system is an animal friendly housing system for fattening pigs. The pen is separated into a lying area, where straw is used, and an excretion area. The pigs keep the lying area dry and clean and excrete on slats in the rear of the pen. The system can be operated economically efficient on commercial farms. It was to be investigated, if this animal friendly housing system emitted less NH3 and GHG than a conventional fully slatted floor system. Emissions of NH3, N2O, and CH4 were measured at a commercial farm for 10 months. Measurements covered all seasons and all stages of fattening. Emissions from the straw flow system were always lower than default values for fully slatted floor systems.