ABSTRACT
The accumulated information will be used as the basis for defining the threshold value for atmospheric ammonia above which health problems develop in cattle and sheep during live export. As in other intensive animal housing systems, the conditions onboard live export vessels are conducive to the accumulation of noxious gases, due to the high stocking densities of animals and feces and urine accumulation. For livestock export, the major factors influencing levels of atmospheric ammonia include ventilation efficiency, stocking density, prior diet, shipboard diet, manure characteristics deck washing on-ship, and other environmental conditions. Atmospheric ammonia has been shown to be detrimental to the health and performance of animals. Most research about the effects of atmospheric ammonia on livestock has focused on pigs and poultry. Production indices adversely affected by ammonia exposure in different animal species include feed intake, average daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency.
