N-Loc
For maximum odor reduction. Addresses odor-producing compounds in the system rather than masking them.
N-Loc helps reduce manure odor by addressing odor-producing compounds in the system rather than masking them. When it comes to odor, producers can often notice a significant change within the first week, with continued improvement through the second and third weeks and into the first month.
The problem it solves
Odor from a manure pit is not one smell. It is a mix of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, volatile fatty acids, and skatoles, and each one comes from organic matter breaking down badly. In a pit that is digesting properly, those compounds release steadily in small amounts and disperse. In a pit that has stalled, they build up under a crust and come out in slugs — worst at agitation, worst on a still humid evening, worst when a neighbor has company over.
Most odor products work on the air above the pit. Masking agents add a scent. Oxidizers knock down what is already airborne. Neither touches the material generating the gas, so the moment you stop applying, the smell comes back at full strength. You are renting relief by the month.
The operational cost is real even when the pit is otherwise functioning. Odor complaints strain relationships with neighbors, draw attention from county boards, and can complicate permits and expansion. For an operation looking at another barn, an odor record is a liability on paper.
How it works
N-Loc is formulated for odor. It addresses the odor-producing compounds in the manure system itself rather than covering them with a scent in the air above it.
Not every PitCharger product uses the same ingredients or works the same way. Each is formulated for a specific manure-management problem, and N-Loc is the one selected when odor is the problem being treated.
What results look like
When it comes to odor, producers can often notice a significant change within the first week, with continued improvement through the second and third weeks and into the first month. Some producers have noticed a substantial change within the first 24 hours.
A year-long Iowa State/Farmland study, as reported by PitCharger, showed approximately a 50% reduction in hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and overall odor compared with untreated buildings.
Odor responds much faster than the rest of the manure system. The six-month timeframe PitCharger talks about refers to broader changes in the system, not odor reduction. Monthly treatment holds the result.
Specifications
| Form | Liquid concentrate |
|---|---|
| Targets | Odor-producing compounds, including hydrogen sulfide and ammonia |
| Container sizes | 3-gallon and 5-gallon buckets |
| Shipping | UPS, Spee-Dee Delivery, or LTL freight |
| Typical rate | Hog: ~1 gallon per month per 1,000 head. Cattle and dairy: ~1 gallon per 75 animals |
| Odor response | Often noticeable within the first week |
| Auto-Ship | Available — scheduled monthly delivery |
| Safety | Safe around cattle, horses, pets, children, and vegetation |
| On market since | 1998 |
Where it applies
- Deep pit hog barns under slats
- Pull plug and shallow pit systems
- Earthen lagoons and holding ponds
- Cattle underground pits and pumping stations
- Poultry houses with liquid handling
- Any operation facing neighbor odor complaints or permit pressure
Dosing and shipping
PitCharger dosing is based on the number of animals and the type of manure system being treated. For hog operations, a common starting point is about one gallon per month per 1,000 head, so a 4,000-head finishing barn runs about four gallons a month. A common monthly rate for cattle and dairy is about one gallon per 75 animals. Rates are adjusted for pit design, loading, storage conditions, and the problem being treated, and lagoon rates may be adjusted based on the manure already in the lagoon and the amount expected to be added each month. That is why every program starts with a conversation rather than a shopping cart.
PitCharger ships by UPS, Spee-Dee Delivery, and LTL freight, depending on the size and destination of the order. Auto-Ship is available for customers who want scheduled monthly delivery. Most producers notice a difference within the first month; significant results are normally measured after about six months.
N-Loc questions
How is this different from a masking agent?
A masking agent adds a scent on top of the odor and does nothing to the manure. N-Loc addresses the odor-producing compounds in the system, so you are treating the source instead of covering it up.
How fast will I notice a difference?
Producers can often notice a significant change in odor within the first week, with continued improvement through the second and third weeks and into the first month. Some producers have noticed a substantial change within the first 24 hours. A year-long Iowa State/Farmland study, as reported by PitCharger, showed approximately a 50% reduction in hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and overall odor compared with untreated buildings.
Is it safe to use with animals in the barn?
Yes. The product is described as safe around cattle, horses, pets, children, and vegetation. There is no need to move animals out to treat a pit.
Will it still work if my pit is already crusted over?
Yes, though a heavily crusted pit usually calls for LTC-E alongside N-Loc. We sort out the right combination and rate on the call.
Do I have to keep dosing forever?
To hold results, monthly treatment is what keeps odor down. Most customers use Auto-Ship so the monthly delivery arrives without anyone tracking reorder dates.
Related
Products
- Manure Digester: PitCharger's flagship product for monthly manure treatment. Contains up to 51 strains of bacteria
- LTC-E: Liquid treatment for higher-fiber manure and crusting, monthly or as an amendment when a crust needs extra help
- Feed Digester: For feed spills and concentrated organic material, including heavy grain buildup and feed islands