Effect of hot weather on microclimatic parameters in stable for sows

Abstract. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of hot summer weather on microclimatic parameters in the stable for mated and pregnant sows without and with using of evaporative cooling. Sows were housed in strawless gestation crates. Exhaust cross-ventilation was used in the stable. The high-pressure system was used for evaporative cooling. Pipeline with nozzles were installed outside the building on the wall above the inlet openings. Cooling effect was evaluated by comparing the measured parameters of the microclimate in the section with cooling (C) and without cooling (N) and in the outdoor environment. Evaporative cooling system was activated since noon to 6.00 p.m. Measurements were carried out from 1.00 to 6.00 p.m. Universal device ALMEMO 2290-4 and anemometer Testo 435 were used for recording of measured parameters. Basic statistic parameters were calculated, data were analysed by One-Way AOV by the STATISTIX, version 9.0. During the evaluated summer period (48 h), the outdoor air temperature ranged from 21.5 to 34.8°C and relative air humidity ranged from 32.2 to 84.2%. Indoor air temperature in the section N ranged from 23.4 to 33.3°C and in the section C from 24.0 to 31.1°C. The relative humidity ranged from 35.7 to 76.4% and from 56.0 to 74.4% in sections N and C. The temperatures 32°C and higher were registered only in the section without cooling. At an average outdoor air temperature 31.54°C (during the application of water spraying), the temperature of air in the section C (29.96°C) was lower by 2.92°C than in the section N (32.88°C, P<0.001) and lower by 1.58°C than the outdoor temperature (P<0.001). Relative air humidity in section C was higher by 18.52% than in section N (67.17% vs. 48.65%, P<0.001). The average air flow velocity in animal zone in section N was 0.113 m/s and in section C it was 0.175 m/s (P>0.05). The average outdoor wind speed was higher (1.226 m/s, P<0.001). Efficiency of evaluated evaporative cooling system was moderate, because the nozzles were placed outdoors and only part of the humidified and cooled air was drawn into the building through inlet openings, and also because the indoor air flow velocity was low

INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF MANURE REMOVAL FREQUENCY ON THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCED POLLUTANTS IN CATTLE HOUSING

The aim of the experiment was to determine the concentrations of harmful gases production in the dairy housing and to compare the difference of measured data in terms of frequency of manure removal. Measuring the concentration of ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide was carried out in summer in three-day cycles when produced excrements were removed every day at 19:00 o\u27clock, and in three-day cycles when removing of excreta was carried out twice a day, in the morning and evening at 5:00 and 19:00 o\u27clock. Microclimatic conditions during the experiment were at a comparable level, ambient temperature was maintained at about 29 °C and relative humidity was 64 %. By comparing the obtained values of production in terms of frequency of waste removal, it has been shown that for removing twice a day, the production of ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane was higher than under manure removal only once a day

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COOLING SYSTEMS ON LYING TIME OF DAIRY COWS IN CUBICLES WITH SEPARATED MANURE SOLIDS BEDDING

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of lying time and other behaviour manifestations of dairy cows during usage of different cooling systems of animals. Alternative hypothesis was presumption, that the lying time of cows in lying cubicles with applied two different cooling systems are indifferent. The sprinkling system was used to animal cooling in group S in summer time. In group SV was disposable sprinkling system and diagonally rotated ventilators. Activities and the rest of animals were evaluated in 10 minute intervals using a camera system for 24 hours. Data obtained was tested by nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA and multiple comparison test for detecting of significant differences in the behaviors between groups of cows. There was found positive effect of animal enhanced cooling using sprinkling system with increased air movement by ventilators. It reflected in significant prolongation of whole lying time and shortening of time, when animals were standing. It resulted from final values of investigated behaviour manifestations of dairy cattle within 24 hour period that animals in group SV with sprinklers and ventilators lay in stalls longer than in group S with sprinklers, but without ventilators (10.76 h*d-1*cow-1 vs. 7.71 h*d-1*cow-1, P0.001). The total time spent by lying in stalls and in alley represented in group SV 11.31 h*d-1*cow-1, and in group S 10.22 h*d-1*cow-1. Animals, from group S without ventilators, which were less cooled, were significantly more lying down in alleys (2.52 h*d-1*cow-1 vs. 0.56 h*d-1*cow-1, P0.001)

INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF MANURE REMOVAL FREQUENCY ON THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCED POLLUTANTS IN CATTLE HOUSING

The aim of the experiment was to determine the concentrations of harmful gases production in the dairy housing and to compare the difference of measured data in terms of frequency of manure removal. Measuring the concentration of ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide was carried out in summer in three-day cycles when produced excrements were removed every day at 19:00 o\u27clock, and in three-day cycles when removing of excreta was carried out twice a day, in the morning and evening at 5:00 and 19:00 o\u27clock. Microclimatic conditions during the experiment were at a comparable level, ambient temperature was maintained at about 29 °C and relative humidity was 64 %. By comparing the obtained values of production in terms of frequency of waste removal, it has been shown that for removing twice a day, the production of ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane was higher than under manure removal only once a day

Design of Artificial Lighting in Broiler Housing

The work aim is to propose lighting system designs that would satisfy the broiler welfare in terms of intensity; wavelength; switching interval; and energy savings, and would help farmers to reduce the unit costs. BuildingDesign software with Wils 7.0.342 module was used to design suitable lighting, calculate and visualize it. By optimizing the required parameters and energy performance of system, four final designs were prepared with the appropriate evaluation with respect to the acquisition price and return on investment. The original lighting system included a combination of 68 pcs. of tungsten and fluorescent lamps with consumption of 2.17 kWh and a minimum illumination intensity of 7.02 lx. Measurements were conducted at 212 points of the control grid. Artificial lighting is the only light source in an environment of eco-friendly controlled farm. Based on the research analyses, there were proposed four lighting system alternatives with various light intensity; wavelength; switch-on interval; and energy savings. In terms of light intensity, all four designs meet the animal welfare requirements. The most advantageous alternative in the long term is design no. 4 with consumption of 0.734 kWh per one cycle (with energy savings of 66.17% in contrast to the original lighting), in which the intermittent switching mode showed a power savings of 56% and lighting intensity regulation of 40% while maintaining a minimum lighting intensity of 20 lx (total savings for switching and regulation reached up to 73.7%). By utilizing modern approaches, appropriate light colour and lighting quality suitable for broiler breeding were achieved

Risk Assessment Using Expanded Point Method in Civil Engineering

Nowadays, there are increasing discussions concerning an extensive area of occupational safety and health, whether is it within the territory of the Slovak Republic or in other Member States of the European Union. Every organization prepares independently its own policy of occupational safety and health using applicable legislation. The objective of this work was to minimize the errors resulting not only from the human factor but also from incorrect working procedures, from failing to observe legal requirements, and from an incorrect use of personal protective equipment. After evaluating the risk level in working activities of employees on site, we have proposed measures to reduce the risk by means of defining correct working procedures and using personal protective equipment. That enables reducing occupational injuries, which will directly improve the overall level of occupational safety and health on a selected site

Risk Assessment Using Expanded Point Method in Civil Engineering

Nowadays, there are increasing discussions concerning an extensive area of occupational safety and health, whether is it within the territory of the Slovak Republic or in other Member States of the European Union. Every organization prepares independently its own policy of occupational safety and health using applicable legislation. The objective of this work was to minimize the errors resulting not only from the human factor but also from incorrect working procedures, from failing to observe legal requirements, and from an incorrect use of personal protective equipment. After evaluating the risk level in working activities of employees on site, we have proposed measures to reduce the risk by means of defining correct working procedures and using personal protective equipment. That enables reducing occupational injuries, which will directly improve the overall level of occupational safety and health on a selected site

Verification of Thermo-Technical Characteristics of Selected Floor Constructions for Dairy Cows (Pilot Study)

The purpose of this study was to theoretically and practically investigate the thermo-technical properties of two bedding surface materials under real farm conditions during the hot summer period. The study was focused on the research of cubicles with water mattresses and straw bedding for dairy cows. The results of thermal-technical calculations showed that straw belongs to the category of warm floors, the thermal effusivity value of cubicle with straw is b = 173.55 W·s1/2·m−2·K−1; the heat transfer coefficient is U = 0.36 W·m−2·K−1. Water mattress belongs to the category of cold floors with the thermal effusivity value b = 572.46 W·s1/2·m−2·K−1 and the heat transfer coefficient U = 4.504 W·m−2·K−1. On the basis of calculations, the results showed that U was 12.5 higher for water mattresses than for straw, and b was 3.3 times higher for water mattresses than for straw. Based on thermographic measurements under field conditions of dairy farm, it was observed that the surface temperature of the water mattresses after one hour of lying was lower by 4.95 ±1.88 °C in comparison to chopped straw. In practice, suitability of the material structure of water mattresses was verified on the basis of physical properties for summer period

Effect of Climatic Conditions on Differences in Thermo-Technical Properties of Organic Bedding in Laboratory Testing

The aim of this experiment was to analyse the influence of climatic factors on the thermal performance of separated liquid manure. The samples of organic bedding were collected from the lying area of dairy housing and preparatory store. The measurement of properties of recycled manure solids (RMS) was carried out in laboratory conditions. Samples were examined with determining the temperature effect on the thermal conductivity λ of ’dry‘ separated liquid manure (with a dry matter content of 60%) and ’wet‘ liquid manure (with a dry matter content of 26%), in air temperatures ranging from 0 °C to 40 °C. Subsequently, the thermal resistance of three selected types of cows lying structures was calculated for winter and summer boundary values. Based on the results of thermal conductivity and thermal resistance, it was observed that dry separated liquid manure as an alternative bedding has, in low temperature (up to 5 °C), the most suitable thermal performance if it is maintained in a dry condition (with a dry matter content of 60%). With increasing temperature (above 20 °C) and increasing humidity of bedding (below 26%), thermo-technical properties get worse; however, when comparing the thermal resistance of the cow bed structure with sandwich mattresses with a 50 mm layer of organic bedding and the deep cubicle filled with 200 mm of organic bedding, the thermal resistance of floor structure decreases by 7.6% or 18.4%, respectively. With a proper handling of the recycled organic bedding, it is possible to use its economic advantages

Mortality of Broiler Chickens During Summer Fattening Periods Affected by Microclimatic Conditions

Mortality of chickens during two summer fattening periods L1 and L2 in commonly used halls for chicken fattening in Slovakia have been evaluated in this paper. Effect of microclimatic conditions in housing area on recorded mortality has been analysed. Mortality was assessed in six halls, microclimate parameters and surface temperatures were continually measured only in one of the middle halls. It was documented that high mortality occurred during summer in the last phase (P3) of fattening period due to sudden hot weather waves. Daily mortality rate varied up to 447 birds in evaluated hall 3. During the last third of both fattening periods, it was significantly higher than during the first two phases (PL1 = 0.0036; PL2 = 1.4·10−6). Differences among halls were insignificant (PL1 = 0.614; PL2 = 0.413). In L1, average daily temperatures went beyond the recommended temperatures from 21st to 31st day. During L2, it was from 29th to 31st day and from 36th to 38th. The extra high mortality occurred in L1 on 31st day (447 birds) and during L2 on 36th day (88 birds), 37th day (96 birds) and 38th day (155 birds). High differential temperatures have been recorded and uninterrupted time periods (6 hours or more) with temperature higher than 30 °C and/or the relative humidity (RH) exceeding 70% were occurred during these days. In order to eliminate effect of sudden hot weather waves, modern digitally controlled microclimate regulation technologies (heat pumps, floor cooling, etc.) can be used, supported by data obtained from detailed microclimate analysis documented in this paper