Odours primarily originate from the animal housing facility, manure handling, silage storage, improperly handled deadstock and decaying organic matter. Odour quality is a comparison with a known odour such as rotten eggs or roses. Strength is the amount of fresh air needed to dilute odorous air to the threshold odour level where it can just be detected. Occurrence is the frequency and length of time the odour persists. Spread of Odours Odours can either be broadcast through air as a gas or be absorbed and transported by dust particles.
Odours tend to linger in an area on humid, windless days.
Odours will dissipate on dry, windy days. Neighbours may tolerate frequent or intense odours that are of short duration and do not linger in the air. Offensiveness and sensitivity to odours varies from person to person. Odours are context dependent - a person's experiences, memories, emotions and visual perceptions all combine in determining whether or not an odour is acceptable. A clean, orderly livestock farm with landscaping is effective in creating a non-offensive situation.