Ammonia (NH₃) Mitigation in Intensive Pig Housing via a Novel Feed-Based Intervention: Real-Scale Evidence from High-Frequency Indoor Concentration Monitoring
Reduction of ammonia in intensive pig farming through an innovative dietary intervention.
Chiodini M.E., Aspesi D., Poggianella L., Acutis M. (2026). Atmosphere, 17(5), 462
Modern livestock farming requires solutions that can balance productivity, animal health, workplace environmental quality, and emission reduction. In this context, ammonia is one of the main environmental indicators in intensive farming systems, particularly in pig production.
The study “Ammonia (NH₃) Mitigation in Intensive Pig Housing via a Novel Feed-Based Intervention: Real-Scale Evidence from High-Frequency Indoor Concentration Monitoring” published in Atmosphere in 2026, evaluated the effectiveness of an innovative slurry additive delivered through feed, SOP LAGOON FEED PIG, in reducing indoor ammonia concentrations under real commercial farming conditions.
This research is particularly relevant because it does not rely solely on a controlled experimental model, but measures the effect directly in a real production environment, using high-frequency monitoring and statistical analysis designed to properly interpret the temporal trends of NH₃ concentrations.
Real-scale monitoring and statistical robustness
The study measured indoor ammonia concentrations every 2 hours, generating a high-resolution time series. This approach makes it possible to observe the real evolution of the farming environment and capture variations related to daily cycles, ventilation, manure management, and animal activity.
Data analysis was carried out using the Circular Block Bootstrap, a statistical methodology well suited for time series characterized by cyclicity and autocorrelation. This choice strengthens the reliability of the interpretation, as it respects the dynamic nature of environmental data collected in livestock housing.
Reduction of ammonia in the weaning phase
The most pronounced result was observed in the weaning unit, where the slurry pits had been emptied prior to the start of the trial.
In this phase, the average indoor ammonia concentration decreased from:
7,51 ppm in the baseline period
to
1,37 ppm in the treated period
corresponding to a reduction of:
-81,7%
Reduction of ammonia in the growing phase
A significant reduction in ammonia was also observed in the growing unit, within a more complex management context.
The average NH₃ concentration decreased from:
5,45 ppm in the baseline period
to
4,31 ppm in the treated period
corresponding to a reduction of:
-20,9%
In this phase, slurry was managed using an overflow system. At the start of the SOP additive treatment, pre-existing manure was already present in the system. This result should therefore be correctly interpreted: the intervention demonstrated effectiveness even in an environment where part of the emission pressure originated from material accumulated prior to the application of the treatment and not treated with SOP products.
The difference between the weaning and growing phases provides an interesting scientific perspective. Where the system starts from a cleaner baseline condition, the effect appears much more pronounced; where a pre-existing emission matrix is present, the reduction remains significant and suggests further potential for optimization through integrated management protocols.
Environmental and livestock significance
Ammonia is a key parameter in the sustainability of intensive livestock farming systems.
The results indicate that in both housing units, the use of SOP LAGOON FEED PIG improved air quality within the farm, keeping values below the optimal threshold of 7.5 ppm. Its reduction contributes to better indoor air quality, protection of workers, improved animal welfare, and a lower overall environmental impact.
The value of the study also lies in the nature of its approach: a feed-based intervention, integrable into the animals’ standard nutritional regimen, SOP LAGOON FEED PIG, capable of acting upstream in the emission process.
Conclusions
The results of the study indicate that the tested slurry additive, integrated into the feed, can significantly contribute to reducing indoor ammonia concentrations in intensive pig farming systems.
The 81.7% reduction in the weaning phase highlights a very pronounced effect under conditions of fresh manure and an initially clean environment. The 20.9% reduction in the growing phase confirms a significant effect even in the presence of pre-existing untreated slurry, while keeping values below 7.5 ppm, a threshold considered optimal for the welfare of animals and operators.
Taken together, the data point to a technology with strong applied value: a feed-integrated slurry additive, tested under real-world conditions, supported by high-frequency monitoring and robust statistical analysis, capable of contributing to air quality improvement, environmental sustainability, and the evolution of livestock farming toward more efficient and regenerative models.