Tag Archives: cattle housing

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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794-805 L. Leso, L. Conti, G. Rossi and M. Barbari
Criteria of design for deconstruction applied to dairy cows housing: a case study in Italy
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Criteria of design for deconstruction applied to dairy cows housing: a case study in Italy

L. Leso, L. Conti, G. Rossi and M. Barbari*

Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Systems, University of Firenze, Via San Bonaventura, 13, IT50145 Firenze, Italy
*Correspondence: leonardo.conti@unifi.it

Abstract:

This work aims at presenting the design process of a new barn for dairy cows. Project embraces several concepts that are rather new to the dairy industry and will deeply affect its environmental, economic and social sustainability. The barn will be built on a green field site located in Cervasca (CN) in the region of Piedmont. Building has been designed applying the emerging principle of “design for deconstruction” extensively. A series of constructive solutions was developed allowing for complete end-of-life disassembly and reuse of building materials. Structural system will consist of locally sourced timber connected by steel joints. Foundations will be realized by means of chestnut wood piles driven into the ground. The employment of an alternative housing system for dairy cows based entirely on cultivated pack will allow limiting the use of cast-in-place concrete, which is largely employed in conventional dairy barns. The cultivated pack needs a large space per cow leading the building to be particularly extended. The large covered area combined with the high snow load of the building site posed several challenges. Accumulation of snow on the roof would increase dramatically the structural load and therefore construction costs. Therefore, the building will consist of several 12m-large modules with 4m free space between them. Given the unusual shape of the barn and the limited use of concrete for flooring, the development of efficient systems for livestock management required the study of dedicated solutions. A first module, already realized to collect useful information for final design, is described.

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165–176 R. Miljan, J. Miljan and A. Leola
Comparison of the technological and building situation of Estonian cowsheds in 1999 and 2004
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Comparison of the technological and building situation of Estonian cowsheds in 1999 and 2004

R. Miljan¹, J. Miljan² and A. Leola³

¹Institute of Economics and Social Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 64, 51014 Tartu, Estonia; e-mail: Riina.Miljan@emu.ee
²Institute of Forestry and Rural Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, 51014,Tartu, Estonia; e-mail: Jaan.Miljan@emu.ee
³Institute of Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56, 51014 Tartu, Estonia

Abstract:

In 1999 an investigation of the situation of Estonian cowsheds was carried out under the leadership of the Institute of Rural Building of the Estonian Agricultural University. The aim of the research was to determine the dominant building structures of cowsheds and find out what kind of technologies were used there. This research helped to clarify the situation and allowed to make proposals as to which problematic areas should get the attention of help funds of the European Union. In 2004 a similar survey was conducted about Estonian cowsheds. As a result of the research, we will be able to see what kind of changes have taken place during the past five years. It will also help us determine which problems still require the resources of the European Union in order to make the agricultural production more efficient.

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