Livestock Odor Complaints in Q1 Decrease by 11.2% Compared to Last Year

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Complaints about livestock odor in the first quarter have decreased by more than 10% compared to the first quarter of last year.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that livestock odor complaints in the first quarter of this year totaled 1,438 cases (provisional), down 182 cases (11.2%) from 1,620 cases last year. In particular, the reduction rate of complaints in the 10 livestock odor concern areas was 38.1% higher than the national average. According to the livestock odor inspection results using Information and Communication Technology (ICT), ammonia levels in the first quarter decreased by 29.1% compared to the first quarter of last year.

The ministry explained that the main reason for the reduction in livestock odor was that livestock farms were able to manage livestock manure in appropriate amounts through the implementation of compost maturity inspections. The ministry postponed the implementation of compost maturity inspections for one year and worked with local governments, agricultural cooperatives, and others to supplement maturity management education and compost processing equipment. Analyzing 4,371 compost samples from livestock farms and livestock manure entrusted treatment facilities at agricultural technology centers nationwide over the past month, 4,142 cases (97.9%) met the maturity standards. This indicates that the system is being established. The ministry plans to stabilize specialized compost distribution organizations in the field and expand joint composting facilities at the village level to about 12 sites annually.

Analysis of this odor complaint reduction case showed that even small efforts by farm owners, such as maintaining cleanliness inside livestock barns, using microbial agents, and managing compost, significantly reduced livestock odor.

Meanwhile, to reduce livestock odor during the summer, the ministry has formed nine joint on-site inspection teams (18 members) with the Livestock Environment Management Agency and other livestock-related organizations since the 3rd of this month to focus on inspecting vulnerable farms. Inspections conducted in May and June last year identified poor management of livestock manure and barns, non-compliance with maturity standards, and overbreeding exceeding appropriate breeding standards as the main causes of odor. Support is being provided to help vulnerable farms improve these issues.

Park Beomsu, Director of Livestock Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "As with the compost maturity cases, if livestock farms gain confidence that they can manage on their own and steadily practice feasible methods, the livestock odor problem will soon be resolved."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.