Tag Archives: compost-bedded pack barn

788-796 B. Fagundes, F.A. Damasceno, R.R. Andrade, J.A.O. Saraz, M. Barbari, F.A.O. Vega and J.AC. Nascimento
Comparison of airflow homogeneity in Compost Dairy Barns with different ventilation systems using the CFD model
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Comparison of airflow homogeneity in Compost Dairy Barns with different ventilation systems using the CFD model

B. Fagundes¹, F.A. Damasceno²*, R.R. Andrade³, J.A.O. Saraz⁴, M. Barbari⁵, F.A.O. Vega⁴ and J.AC. Nascimento²

¹Professional Faculty, Department of Climatization Engineering, Porto Alegre, Tocantins Street, 937, n. 8, BR91.540.420 Porto Alegre, Brazil
²Federal University of Lavras, Department of Engineering, BR37200-000 Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
³Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n Campus University of Viçosa, BR36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
⁴Univeridad Nacional de Colombia, Agrarian Faculty, Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Carrera 65 n. 59A – 110, Bloque 14 - Oficina 430, Medellin, Colombia
⁵University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, Via San Bonaventura, 13, IT50145 Firenze, Italy
*Correspondence: flavio.damasceno@ufla.br

Abstract:

In the pursuit of high milk productivity, producers are using confinement systems in order to improve performance and animal welfare. Among the housing systems, the Compost bedded-pack barns (CBP) stand out. In these barns a bedding area is provided inside, where cows move freely. Generally this area is covered with carbon source material (such as sawdust or fine dry wood shavings) which together with manure, thanks a regular mechanically stirring, ensures the aerobic composting process. The ventilation in these facilities has the function of dehumidifying the air, improving the air quality, drying the bedding, improving the thermal comfort conditions of the confined animals. This work aimed at validating a computational model using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to determine the best homogeneity of airflows generated by different forced ventilation systems used in CBP barns. Two CBP barns were compared with different ventilation systems: high volume low speed (HVLS) and low volume high-speed (LVHS) fans. The results showed that the proposed model was satisfactory to predict the flows generated by both types of fans. It was concluded that the use of HVLS fans produced a more homogeneous airflow when compared to LVHS fans. The use of mechanical ventilation in tropical conditions is necessary for the proper functioning of the system. In this study, the systems used promoted the increase in air speed to levels close to adequate.

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1213–1219 F.A. Damasceno, J.L. Monge, J.A.C. Nascimento, R.R. Andrade, M. Barbari, J.A.O. Saraz and G.A.S. Ferraz
Estimate of manure present in compost dairy barn systems for sizing of manure storage
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Estimate of manure present in compost dairy barn systems for sizing of manure storage

F.A. Damasceno¹*, J.L. Monge², J.A.C. Nascimento¹, R.R. Andrade³, M. Barbari⁴, J.A.O. Saraz⁵ and G.A.S. Ferraz¹

¹Federal University of Lavras, Department of Engineering, BR37200-000 Lavras -Minas Gerais, Brazil
²Univeridad Nacional de Villa María, Institute of Basic and Applied Sciences, Agronomic Engineering, Córdoba, Argentina
³Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Agricultural Engineering, BR36570-000 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
⁴University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, Via San Bonaventura, 13, IT50145 Firenze, Italy
⁵Univeridad Nacional de Colombia, Agrarians Faculty, Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Medellin, Colombia
*Correspondence: flavio.damasceno@ufla.br

Abstract:

Milk production is increasingly modernized as a result of the growing demand for food around the world. Improvements in livestock facilities are observed, with a large increase in the use of feedlot systems such as the Compost Dairy Barn. Increasing milk production in confinement systems has also raised concerns such as the management of wastes (water, faeces and urine) from the system, which has become one of the most important issues in the intensive dairy farms. The aim of this work was to estimate the amount of manure present in compost dairy barn systems in order to size the manure storage. The study was conducted at four compost dairy barns in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. These compost barns had different bedding materials and dimensions. In each farm, data on milk yield and quality (daily production, fat and protein content), animal weight and amount of feed ingested by the animals were collected. Total-day manure delivered by the cows in the feeding alley and milking parlour was piled up together and weighed. Based on the results, it was observed that, in the compost dairy barns, only part of the total manure produced per day was delivered in the milking parlour (1.6 and 2.0%) and in the feed alley (27.6 to 49.3%). These results are very important for designers for the proper manure management system design of the dairy farms.

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689–698 R.R. Andrade, I.F.F. Tinôco, F.A. Damasceno, M. Barbari, D.A. Valente, M.O. Vilela, C.F. Souza, L. Conti and G. Rossi
Lighting and noise levels in compost dairy barns with natural and forced ventilation
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Lighting and noise levels in compost dairy barns with natural and forced ventilation

R.R. Andrade¹*, I.F.F. Tinôco¹, F.A. Damasceno², M. Barbari³*, D.A. Valente¹, M.O. Vilela¹, C.F. Souza¹, L. Conti³ and G. Rossi³

¹Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n Campus University of Viçosa, BR 36570-900, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
²Federal University of Lavras, Department of Engineering, BR37200-000 Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
³University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, Via San Bonaventura, 13, 50145 Firenze, Italy
*Correspondence: matteo.barbari@unifi.it, rafaella.andrade@ufv.br

Abstract:

The housing system, called compost barn, is attracting the interest of several farmers. It allows dairy cows to remain in free movement inside a shed without any containment partitions like those used in freestall barns. In Brazil the compost barns with open sides are very common, but recently some closed barns with climatic control systems have been implemented. The objective of this work was to evaluate and compare lighting and noise levels in an open compost barn with natural ventilation and in a closed compost barn with a climate control system. The latter one is based on tunnel ventilation: inlet of air trough evaporative cellulose panels and exit through fans placed on the opposite wall. Through analysis of the collected data it was observed that the sound pressure recorded inside both analysed buildings did not exceed the ranges of noise discomfort recommended for the rearing of animals. However, the sound pressure amplitude inside the barn with climate control system was greater than in the open barn. The light intensity was significantly lower in the closed barn when compared to the open barn (84.96 and 1,413.58 lx, respectively). The artificial lighting system distributed throughout the closed barn was not sufficient to maintain brightness within the recommended range for lactating cows. In addition, it was found that in the closed building with forced ventilation, the highest brightness values are located near the exhaust fans.

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1547–1555 D.A. Valente, C.F. Souza, R.R. Andrade, I.F.F. Tinôco, F.C. Sousa and G. Rossi
Comparative analysis of performance by cows confined in different typologies of compost barns
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Comparative analysis of performance by cows confined in different typologies of compost barns

D.A. Valente¹*, C.F. Souza¹, R.R. Andrade¹, I.F.F. Tinôco¹, F.C. Sousa¹ and G. Rossi²*

¹University of Viçosa, Department of Agricultural Engineering of Federal, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n Campus University of Viçosa, CEP: 36570-900, Viçosa, Brazil
²University of Firenze, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, Via San Bonaventura, 13. IT50145 Firenze, Italy
*Correspondence: desiree.valente@ufv.br; giuseppe.rossi@unifi.it

Abstract:

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 cow-1 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.

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