Premium Standard Farms (PSF) has begun installing barn scraper systems at some of it Missouri hog farms to reduce barn odors as required by a court settlement.

Seven PSF farms in northern Missouri are slated to get the new systems, which are to be completed by July 31, 2012.

“We are moving ahead with an aggressive implementation schedule for this final phase, which represents our company’s commitment as good environmental stewards to reduce odor from our farms,” PSF President Bill Homann said in a statement.

According to PSF, reducing barn odor has been the most difficult part of the process of odor reduction. The barn scrapers and Sustainable Technology System were developed from field testing of at least 13 different technologies.

The Management Advisory Team appointed by the court approved the development of the barn scrapers and the Sustainable Technology System last April.

The state attorney general’s office said earlier in the month that it wouldn’t enforce terms of the settlement until Sept. 1.