Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T23:13:30.787Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Optimal barn characteristics for high-yielding Holstein cows as derived by a new heat-stress model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 May 2012

E. Shoshani*
Affiliation:
Extension Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, PO Box 28, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
A. Hetzroni
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Get access

Abstract

Meticulous planning is required to minimize heat-stress conditions in barns. The objective of this study was to determine optimum barn characteristics for high-yielding dairy cows under Israeli (Mediterranean) summer ambient conditions, by using a new stress model that takes ambient temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity into account. During the summers of 2004 and 2005, three meteorological stations were alternately installed in 39 barns: two stations inside the barn at the prevailing downwind direction, and a third station outside the upwind end of the barn. Ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction were measured and recorded every 10 min for 3 to 5 consecutive days at each barn in turn. The data were collected at different geographical and climatic conditions. Therefore, the data collected by an outside station were used as covariates. A heat-stress model was used to determine the threshold temperature (THRT) at which a cow begins to increase its respiratory rate; THRT was the response variable in the statistical model. The THRT model takes in account assumed values of a cow's physiological characteristics: daily milk yield of 45 kg, containing 3.5% fat, and 3 mm fur depth. The independent variables were: orientation, barn type, roof slope, roof ridge, marginal height, roof type (fixed or sliding) and barn width. Results showed that the optimal barn for high-yielding cows is the loose-housing type, oriented with its long axis perpendicular to the prevailing wind direction. Advantageous to the design would be an open ridge or pagoda with marginal height of over 4.7 m for north-south orientation and over 5 m for east-west orientation, roof slope over 11%, and barn width between 43 and 51 m for north-south orientation but lower than 42 m for east-west orientation. A sliding roof was also found to be an excellent solution when outside yards are banned by environmental regulations.

Type
Behaviour, welfare and health
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Armstrong, DV, Hillman, PE, Meyer, MJ, Smith, JF, Stockes, SR, Harner, JP 1999. Heat stress management in free stall barns in the western U.S. Conference at the Western Dairy Management, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, pp. 88–89.Google Scholar
Barrington, S, Zemanchik, N, Cheiniere, Y 1994. Orienting livestock shelters to optimize natural summer ventilation. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineering 37, 251255.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berman, A 2005. Estimates of heat stress relief for Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science 83, 13771384.Google Scholar
Bray, DR, Beede, DK, Delorenzo, MA, Wolfenson, D, Gresig, RG, Bucklin, RA, Means, S 1990. Environmental modifications update. Conference at the 27th Annual Florida Dairy Production Conference, pp. 100–109.Google Scholar
Buffington, DE, Collier, RJ, Canton, GH 1983. Shade management systems to reduce heat stress in hot, humid climates. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineering 26, 17981802.Google Scholar
Flamenbaum, I, Wolfenson, D, Mamen, M, Berman, A 1986. Cooling dairy cattle by a combination of sprinkling and forced ventilation and its implementation in the shelter system. Journal of Dairy Science 69, 31403147.Google Scholar
Flamenbaum, I, Wolfenson, D, Kunz, PL, Maman, M, Berman, A 1995. Interactions between body condition at calving and cooling of dairy cows during lactation in summer. Journal of Dairy Science 78, 22212229.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hahn, GL 1983. Management and housing of farm animals in hot environments. In Stress physiology in livestock (ed. MK Yousef), vol. II: Ungulates, pp. 151173. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA.Google Scholar
Her, E, Wolfenson, D, Flamenbaum, I, Folman, Y, Kaim, M, Berman, A 1988. Thermal, productive, and reproductive responses of high producing cows exposed to short-term cooling in summer. Journal of Dairy Science 71, 10851092.Google Scholar
Janni, KA, Allen, DM 2001. Thermal environmental conditions in curtain-sided naturally ventilated dairy freestall barns. In Livestock Environment VI Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium. ASAE Publication No. 701P020 (ed. RR Stowell, R Bucklin and RW Bottcher), pp. 367–376. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Louisville, KY, USA.Google Scholar
Kadzere, CT, Murphy, MR, Silanikove, N, Maltz, E 2002. Heat stress in lactating dairy cows: a review. Livestock Production Science 77, 5991.Google Scholar
SAS Institute 1992. SAS/STAT user's guide. SAS Institute, Cary, NC.Google Scholar
Stamov, C, Cendov, C, Nachef, N, Markov, A, Stoichkov, N, Kyrili, A, Kyrov, D, Karlson, V 1990. Guide to heating and ventilation and acclimatization (ed. C Stamov), pp. 6263. Jusautor, Sofia (In Bulgarian).Google Scholar
Stowell, RR, Bickert, WG 1994. Environmental variation in naturally ventilated free stall barns during the warm season. In Dairy Systems for the 21st Century Proceedings of the Third International Dairy Housing Conference (ed. R Bucklin), pp. 569–578. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI, USA.Google Scholar
Stowell, RR, Bickert, WG, Nurnberger, FU 1998. Radiant heating and thermal environment of metal-roofed dairy barns. Conference at the 4th International Dairy Housing, pp. 193–200.Google Scholar
Stowell, R, Gooch, C, Inglis, S 2001a. Environmental conditions within tunnel-ventilated and naturally ventilated dairy freestall facilities. Special Circular 182, pp. 61–69. Ohio Agricultural R&D Center, USA.Google Scholar
Stowell, R, Gooch, C, Inglis, S 2001b. Performance of tunnel ventilation for freestall dairy facilities as compared to natural ventilation with supplemental cooling fans. In Livestock Environment, Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium. ASAE Publication Number 701P0201 (ed. RR Stowell, R Bucklin and RW Bottche), pp. 29–40. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Louisville, KY, USA.Google Scholar
West, JW 2003. Effects of heat stress on production in cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 21312144.Google Scholar
Wolfenson, D, Flamenbaum, I, Berman, A 1988a. Dry period heat stress relief effects on prepartum progesterone, calf birth, weight, and milk production. Journal of Dairy Science 71, 809818.Google Scholar
Wolfenson, D, Flamenbaum, I, Berman, A 1988b. Hyperthermia and body energy store effects on estrous behavior, conception rate, and corpus luteum function in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 71, 34973504.Google Scholar
Zappavigna, P, Liberti, P 2002. Thermal behavior of animal houses in hot climate: experimental approaches to the theoretical approach. Conference of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers ASAE Paper 024110, 13 pp.Google Scholar