Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: Due to the importance of dairy production in Brazil and the losses that occur during hot weather conditions this study aimed to evaluate the thermal preference of dairy cows housed under two different evaporative cooling systems: sprinkler and fogging, associated with forced ventilation.The study was carried out in a commercial dairy farm located in São Pedro County, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.The trial had two groups of 10 Holstein cows each in the same stage of milk production, and took place for six consecutive days starting on November 2003.Relative humidity and dry bulb and black globe temperatures were recorded in intervals of 15 min during all the experimental period.The behavioral pattern of the animals was used to evaluate their thermal preference.The area occupied by the cows (drinker, feeder, bedding close to cooling systems, bedding in the opposite side to cooling system, alley near the cooling system, and alley away from the cooling system) as well as their activities inside the building (eating, drinking, ruminating, idle, standing and lying) were monitored using video cameras between 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.The mean dry bulb temperature was 27.3°C while mean relative humidity was 60% during the trial.In both treatments Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) did not differ statistically and did not reach thermoneutral zone parameters.The cows generally spent more time were there was sprinkling systems, especially near the feeding area.From results it was not possible to select a specific type of cooling system because there are more variables influencing cow's behavior than the ones studied.Further studies need to be implemented in this field of knowledge under hot weather conditions.
Source: eCommons (Cornell University)
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W20217527