25 research outputs found
Compost-bedded pack barns in the state of Minas Gerais: architectural and technological characterization
ArticleCompost bedding pack (CBP) barns have been receiving increased attention as an
alternative housing system for dairy cattle. Thus, a systematic investigation of the primary
management practices of dairy cattle in CBP barns in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil) has proven
to be of environmental and economic relevance. The aim of this research was to summarize the
compost bed data, barn dimension data and to determine the major interactive factors in the
success of bed composting from qualitative and quantitative methods. Data for this study was
collected from 16 CBP barns, distributed throughout the southern state of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
between March 2017 and July 2018. These data were used to describe the building layouts and
dimensions, to identify barn management practices, and to characterize the compost bedding
material concerning moisture content. The majority of these barns had feed alleys and driveways;
overshot ridges with frequent orientation from NE to SW; bedding process and aeration using
mechanical tillage. The average bedding moisture content was found to be 36.9 ± 5.2% (w.b.).
Based on the information found, it is possible to evaluate that there is still no defined construction
pattern, with a high variation of size and technologies employed
Spatial distribution of thermal variables, acoustics and lighting in compost dairy barn with climate control system
ArticleThe main objective of this research was to evaluate the spatial distribution of the
thermal variables, acoustics and lighting in climate controlled compost dairy barn. The
experiment was conducted in October 2017, in a farm located in the west of Minas Gerais state,
Brazil. For the study, the interior of the animal facility was divided into 120 meshes equidistant
points, in which air temperature (tdb), relative humidity (RH), noise, illuminance, and air speed
(Vair) were manually collected. The technique of geostatistics was used to evaluate the distribution
and spatial dependence of variables. Spatial distribution maps showed the occurrence of high
variability of attributes and content within the animal facility. Thermal environment variables
showed alert situations throughout practically the entire facility. The noise and luminance levels
were within the recommended values
Analysis of environmental conditions in two different Compost Bedded Pack Barn systems for dairy cattle
Received: February 1st, 2023 ; Accepted: April 27th, 2023 ; Published: May 10th, 2023 ; Correspondence: [email protected], [email protected] objective of this study was to analyse and compare the thermal environment of
dairy cattle facilities in an open compost bedded pack barn (CBP) with natural ventilation and
closed CBP (without thermal insulation) and climate control system. The research was conducted
in a property located in Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais, Brazil. During the summer and for different
periods of the day, the following average environmental variables observed inside the facilities
were measured: dry bulb temperature, relative humidity and Temperature and Humidity Index
(THI). The results were submitted to an analysis of variance to determine the significance of the
variables in the different treatments. It was found that the closed and climate control system CBP
promoted greater control of the facility's internal microclimate, registering smaller thermal
amplitudes and a greater reduction in the animals' exposure time to stressful thermal conditions,
compared to the CBP with natural ventilation. However, during summer afternoons, comfort
indices indicated moderate stress. It is concluded that the closed CBP, regarding the analysed
variables, indicated potential use, provided that a careful study of the climate of the region is
carried out before implementation, the factors related to the ambient conditioning and better
insulation of the construction are adjusted. The climatic variables inside the open CBP indicated
a high stress condition for the animals, suggesting the placement of positive pressure fans and
sprinklers properly distributed in the feed alley, to guarantee benefits to the entire area of the
animal housing