Dust Suppression in Australian Feedlots

We were engaged by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) to review the dust suppression strategies used by Australian feedlots.

Dust generation can be an issue for many Australian feedlots and can adversely impact on livestock, employees, and the community. The main sources of dust are charaterised as manure-related, traffic-related, and feed-related, each requiring different control strategies.

We prepared a detailed literature review which described currently available dust suppression technologies and strategies. The study concluded that potential impacts from dust can be minimised by following the hierarchy of dust hazard control, where elimination is the most effective. It was highlighted that careful dust management should see dust from Australian feedlots not posing a health issue to humans or livestock.