Tag Archives: management

2016–2028 V.C. Oliveira, F.A. Damasceno, C.E.A. Oliveira, P.F.P. Ferraz, G.A.S. Ferraz and J.A.O. Saraz
Compost-bedded pack barns in the state of Minas Gerais: architectural and technological characterization
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Compost-bedded pack barns in the state of Minas Gerais: architectural and technological characterization

V.C. Oliveira¹, F.A. Damasceno¹*, C.E.A. Oliveira¹, P.F.P. Ferraz¹, G.A.S. Ferraz¹ and J.A.O. Saraz²

¹Federal University of Lavras, Engineering Department, BR37200-000, Lavras - Minas Gerais, Brazil
²Univeridad Nacional de Colombia, Agrarians Faculty, Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Carrera 65 # 59A - 110, CO050001 Medellin, Colombia
*Correspondence: flavio.damasceno@ufla.br

Abstract:

Compost 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.

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418–429 G.A.S. Ferraz, P.F.P. Ferraz, F.B. Martins, F.M. Silva, F.A. Damasceno and M. Barbari
Principal components in the study of soil and plant properties in precision coffee farming
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Principal components in the study of soil and plant properties in precision coffee farming

G.A.S. Ferraz¹*, P.F.P. Ferraz¹, F.B. Martins², F.M. Silva¹, F.A. Damasceno¹ and M. Barbari³

¹Federal University of Lavras – UFLA, Departament of Agricultural Engineering, University Campus, BR37200-000 Lavras-MG, Brazil
²Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – UFRRJ, BR-465, Km 7, BR 23.897-000 Seropédica- RJ, Brazil
³Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via San Bonaventura, 13, IT50145 Firenze, Itália
*Correspondence: gabriel.ferraz@ufla.br

Abstract:

In this work, a principal component analysis was performed to evaluate the possibility of discarding obsolete soil and plant variables in a coffee field to eliminate redundant and difficult-to-measure information in precision coffee farming. This work was conducted at Brejão Farm in Três Pontas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in a coffee field planted with 22 ha of Topázio cultivar. The evaluated variables were the yield, plant height, crown diameter, fruit maturation index, degree of fruit maturation, leafing, soil pH, available phosphorus (P), remaining phosphorus (Prem), available potassium (K), exchangeable calcium (Ca2+), exchangeable magnesium (Mg2+), exchangeable acidity (Al3+), potential acidity (H + Al), aluminium saturation (N(Al)), potential CEC (CECp), actual CEC (CECa), sum of bases (SB), base saturation (BS) and organic matter (OM). The data were evaluated by a principal component analysis, which generated 20 components. Of these, 7 representing 88.98% of the data variation were chosen. The variables were discarded based on the preservation of the variables with the greatest coefficients in absolute values corresponding to the first component, followed by the variable with the second highest absolute value corresponding to the second principal component. Based on the results, the variables V, OM, fruit maturity index, plant height, yield, leafing and P were selected. The other variables were discarded.

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530–539 Á.G.F. Rocha and M. Gaworski
Sand losses out the pens in barn with free-stall housing system
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Sand losses out the pens in barn with free-stall housing system

Á.G.F. Rocha¹ and M. Gaworski²*

¹University Federal of Uberlândia, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnology, #1720, Pará Avenue – Campus Umuarama – Uberlândia, MG – ZIP CODE: 38400–902, Brazil
²Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Department of Production Management and Engineering, 164 Nowoursynowska str., PL 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
*Correspondence: marek_gaworski@sggw.pl

Abstract:

Proper sand management can be a critical aspect in the selection and successful use of sand as a bedding material for dairy cows. In many regions and countries, use of sand as a bedding material is considered as a useful alternative solution in dairy farms, where non-organic matter can serve as an equivalent of straw and other organic materials, e.g. sawdust. Assessment of sand management in the barn with dairy cows involves numerous problems, such as sand consumption, frequency of filling in the sand, quality of sand, as well as cows’ response to comfort conditions created by lying stalls covered with sand. This paper presents results of some investigations concerning sand losses in the barn with dairy cows. In practice, sand consumption is a result of natural occurrences, when cows leave lying stalls. Moreover, part of sand, together with faeces, is taken out of the stall when the lying area is handled by persons responsible for cleanliness and hygiene in the stall. This paper indicates, based on the authors’ own observations and investigations, that an improper construction of lying stalls can result in the increased losses of the sand in the barn, which translates into financial losses. In addition, a number of methods of measurement, together with the details of the structure of sand losses in the barn with a free-stall housing system, were presented. The discussion develops the issue of effective use of sand as a bedding material in the barn with dairy cows, including the need to use technical equipment in order to keep the barn floors clean and ensure the cows’ comfort.

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1285-1292 M. Gaworski and Á. Garreth Ferraz Rocha
Method to monitor sand level changes in free-stall lying area for dairy cows
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Method to monitor sand level changes in free-stall lying area for dairy cows

M. Gaworski¹* and Á. Garreth Ferraz Rocha²

¹Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Department of Production Management and Engineering, Nowoursynowska str. 164, PL 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
²University Federal of Uberlândia, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnology, #1720, Pará Avenue – Campus Umuarama – Uberlândia, MG – ZIP 38400–902, Brazil
*Correspondence: marek_gaworski@sggw.pl

Abstract:

Understanding sand properties and proper sand management is critical to the selection and successful use of sand as a dairy bedding material. Use of sand as a bedding material is an alternative solution at many dairy farms instead of straw and other organic materials. In order to successfully use and manage sand as a bedding material for cows, it is necessary to consider monitoring of the sand amount in order to create the highest possible level of lying comfort for animals. The objective of the study was to investigate a modified approach to sand level measurements to find changes in the amount of sand covering the lying area in a barn with the free-stall keeping system. The method to measure sand level changes included use of a timber board (put on the neighbouring partitions at each lying stall) to determine the distance to the bedding surface in two zones of lying stalls. Results of the investigated method of monitoring sand level changes were discussed against the background of other results presented in the specialist literature. The discussion included the problem of measurement accuracy as well as simplicity of the proposed measuring method for practical use by farmers.

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165-176 H. Mikkola and J. Ahokas
Energy Management of Future Farms
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Energy Management of Future Farms

H. Mikkola and J. Ahokas

University of Helsinki, Department of Agrotechnology
POB 28, 00014 University of Helsinki; e-mail: Jukka.Ahokas@helsinki.fi

Abstract:

Energy management in agriculture will be of current interest in the near future. Modern agriculture is run by fossil energy and it is unclear how this energy input will be replaced with renewable energy. The year 2008 gave some foretaste how rapidly and how much energy price can rise. Energy saving and exploiting farm’s own energy resources are ways to reduce dependency on oil. Nitrogen fertilizer is the most significant energy input in plant production because ammonia manufacturing is very energy intensive. Crop rotations including legumes, green fertilization, and better manure management are measures to replace synthetic nitrogen. Traditional work chains can be replaced with more energy efficient operations. Direct drilling and grain preservation methods other than drying are good examples. Animal housing requirements for inside temperature and air quality define the demand for heating and ventilation. Along with milking and milk cooling, they are the most significant energy inputs in animal production. Animal welfare has to be respected always; however, by means of heat recovery and biogas production it is possible to save energy and exploit energy from manure. Energy should not be considered as a separate question; on the contrary, a farm has to be considered as a whole and as a part of the rest of the society. Better energy management and plant nutrient recycling are combined issues and require more comprehensive approach than it has been the case.

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