Synthetic covers are one of the most effective and affordable technologies to reduce odor from livestock operations.
Synthetic covers reduce odors by providing a physical barrier between liquid manure and the air.
To be effective, the covers must be attached to prevent the wind from catching and whipping them, and they must cover as much of the storage structure as possible. Floating covers are the most popular, although it is possible to use a cover supported by cables above the stored liquid. Researchers conducted scentometer evaluations on a pit before and after a synthetic cover was installed. In that evaluation, the cover greatly reduced the odor from the pit, Figure 1. Synthetic covers, unlike biocovers, should last for several years.