Spatio-Thermal Variability and Behaviour as Bio-Thermal Indicators of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows in a Compost Barn: A Case Study

Spatio-Thermal Variability and Behaviour as Bio-Thermal Indicators of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows in a Compost Barn: A Case Study

The spatial variability and behavioural aspects of compost-bedded pack barns remain unknown in subtropical regions. In this study, we investigated whether spatial variability occurs in the thermal environment of a compost barn and how the behaviour of dairy cows with different numbers of lactations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Animals (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 5; p. 1197
Main Authors: Vieira, Frederico Márcio Corrêa, Soares, Allessandro Augusto, Herbut, Piotr, Vismara, Edgar de Souza, Godyń, Dorota, Dos Santos, Aline Cristina Zambiasi, Lambertes, Tainara da Silva, Caetano, Wellington Felipe
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21-04-2021
MDPI
Subjects:
Air temperature
Animal lactation
Animals
Barns
Bedding
biometeorology
Composting
Composts
crossbred cows
Dairy cattle
Environmental control
Environmental management
geostatistics
Heat
Heat stress
Heat tolerance
Humidity
Relative humidity
Sampling designs
Spatial distribution
Sustainability
Temperature
Thermal environments
Thermal stress
Variability
Ventilation
Water intake
Water intakes
Wind
Wind speed
Brazil
geostatistics
biometeorology
crossbred cows
thermal stress
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Summary:The spatial variability and behavioural aspects of compost-bedded pack barns remain unknown in subtropical regions. In this study, we investigated whether spatial variability occurs in the thermal environment of a compost barn and how the behaviour of dairy cows with different numbers of lactations differs in this system. The spatial sampling design comprised a grid of 108 locations inside the facility. At each location, we measured air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and bed temperature at 9:00, 12:00, and 15:00. We performed 24-h behavioural observations. Regarding spatial variability, the north face showed high air temperature values, and the distribution of relative humidity varied from the north to the south face. Kriging maps revealed a high bedding temperature trend, indicating heterogeneous ventilation management. Primiparous cows visited the water trough during the hottest hours of the day, whereas multiparous cows displayed a higher probability of walking during these periods. In conclusion, we observed a heterogeneous management of ventilation through the spatial distribution of the thermal environment inside the compost-bedded pack barn, with multiparous cows exhibiting dominance over primiparous cows seeking environmental resources.
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ISSN:2076-2615
2076-2615
DOI:10.3390/ani11051197