Spatial distribution of bed variables, animal welfare indicators, and milk production in a closed compost-bedded pack barn with a negative tunnel ventilation system

Rafaella Resende Andrade; Ilda de Fátima Ferreira Tinôco; Flávio Alves Damasceno; Gabriel Araújo E Silva Ferraz; Letícia Cibele da Silva Ramos Freitas; Cecília de Fátima Souza Ferreira; Matteo Barbari; Fátima de Jesus Folgôa Baptista; Diogo José de Rezende Coelho

doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.103111

Spatial distribution of bed variables, animal welfare indicators, and milk production in a closed compost-bedded pack barn with a negative tunnel ventilation system

J Therm Biol. 2022 Apr:105:103111. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.103111. Epub 2021 Oct 23.

Authors

Rafaella Resende Andrade¹, Ilda de Fátima Ferreira Tinôco², Flávio Alves Damasceno³, Gabriel Araújo E Silva Ferraz³, Letícia Cibele da Silva Ramos Freitas⁴, Cecília de Fátima Souza Ferreira², Matteo Barbari⁵, Fátima de Jesus Folgôa Baptista⁶, Diogo José de Rezende Coelho²

Affiliations

¹ Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, Campus University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: rafaella.andrade@ufv.br.
² Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, Campus University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
³ Federal University of Lavras, Department of Engineering, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
⁴ State University of Maringá, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Campus do Arenito, Cidade Gaúcha, Paraná, Brazil.
⁵ University of Florence, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, Via San Bonaventura, Firenze, Italy.
⁶ Universidade de Évora, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Departamento de Engenharia Rural, MED - Instituto Mediterrâneo para a Agricultura, Ambiente e Desenvolvimento, Évora, Portugal.

PMID: 35393038
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.103111

Abstract

This research aimed to characterize, evaluate and compare the spatial distribution of the leading bed variables, animal welfare indicators, and milk production in a closed compost-bedded pack barn (CBP) with a negative tunnel ventilation system, for summer and winter periods. The study was carried out in a CBP located in the Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The geostatistical modeling technique evaluated the variables of temperature, moisture content, and pH (on the surface and depth of 0.20m) across the length of the bed. Bed samples were characterized for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and C:N ratio. Cows housed in the CBP were assessed for locomotion and hygiene scores and average milk production. To evaluate the thermoregulation of the cows, the respiratory rate (RR) and surface temperature (ST) were measured. Geostatistical analysis showed spatial dependence and the non-uniformity of the spatial distribution of bed variables. The worst levels of bed temperature and moisture were found in the regions close to the evaporative cooling plate, surrounding the feeding alley, and in the region with the highest cow stocking. The C:N ratio, obtained in both climatic seasons of the year, remained outside the recommended range for ideal composting. During the summer and winter, the bed variables' values suggest that the material was below levels for optimal composting; however, the aerated inner layer was biologically active. The high animal density significantly impacted the worsening of the bed moisture content and internal temperature. In general, dairy cows showed adequate hygiene (score of 1 and 2) and locomotion (score of 0 and 1) scores for the two climatic seasons evaluated, indicating good welfare conditions. In relation to RR and ST, the summer period presented less favorable environmental conditions. During winter, the average milk production was 28.1 ± 7.2 kg day^-1, and during summer, it was 26.9 ± 6.7 kg day^-1.

Keywords: Animal welfare; Compost barn; Dairy cattle; Model-based geostatistics; Spatial variability; Udder hygiene.

MeSH terms

Animal Welfare
Animals
Cattle
Composting*
Dairying* / methods
Female
Housing, Animal
Lactation
Milk