The impact of differently solved machine lines and work procedures of feeding and bedding on dust concentration in stables for dairy cows
Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Drnovská 507, CZ 161 01 Prague 6, Czech Republic; *Correspondence: jiri.vegricht@vuzt.cz
Abstract:
The measurements were aimed at the impact of differently solved feeding and bedding systems on dust concentration in stables for dairy cows. Dust particles can be found in the environment in which the animals are housed and can affect their welfare and health, and can also negatively affect equipment in livestock buildings. Measurements of dust aerosol on 7 different farms for dairy cows in 9 stables in total were carried out. We focused on the impact of differently solved machine lines and work procedures of feeding and bedding, especially feeding with a mixer feeder wagon, bedding with a bedding wagon (equipped with a floor conveyor, a milling cylinder and a transversal conveyor), bedding with a straw blower, laying of deep litter with a wagon equipped with a hydraulic arm and manual distribution. Technical systems are especially affected by the presence of dust particles larger than 10 μm, which fall down very quickly and easily settle on the animals and surfaces in the stable. So, we measured the concentration of dust aerosol with an aerosol monitor by means of a 10 μm filter.
Key words:
dairy farm, dust concentration, feeding and bedding operations