Comparative analysis of performance by cows confined in different typologies of compost barns
Laen...
Kuupäev
2020
Kättesaadav alates
Autorid
Valente, D.A.
Souza, C.F.
Andrade, R.R.
Tinôco, I.F.F.
Sousa, F.C.
Rossi, G.
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Abstrakt
The compost barn system was designed to be a sustainable alternative housing system
for dairy cows. In order to help producers in the region to choose the best type of facility from
the point of view of the milk production of the animals, this study compared the productivity of
cows confined in an open composting barn with natural ventilation and in a closed composting
barn with negative pressure ventilation and evaporative cooling panels. The temperature and
relative humidity of the air were monitored, as well as the milk production of the animals housed
in the facilities, and THI (Temperature and Humidity Index) were calculated. During the trials,
the maximum daily temperatures of the air reached values around 27 °C and the THI remained
within the normal range of up to 70. The average productivity remained in the general pattern
described in the literature from 23 to 44 kg of milk cow1 day-1
, with lower rates obtained in the
closed house. As the variation of the index used to describe the internal environment was not
significant, it can be inferred that climatic elements as temperature and air humidity, under the
conditions analyzed were not the main factors influencing the productivity rates of dairy cattle.
In conclusion, under the analysed conditions the use of a closed barn with negative pressure
ventilation is hardly justified as a plant that favoured the productivity of the confined cows.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
compost-bedded pack barn, dairy cows, cattle housing, thermal comfort, articles