Researchers from the University of Minnesota have developed a groundbreaking model to evaluate heat stress in lactating cows, which can cause various health issues and financial challenges for dairy farmers. The new model, considered the most advanced of its kind, provides a comprehensive solution to this problem.
The researchers improved an existing heat transfer model by combining past research findings and introducing two new empirical relationships for cow features. This revised model effectively explains how breastfeeding cows exchange heat with their surroundings, taking into account aspects including respiration, air movement, sweating, and radiation.
It aids in determining how body mass, milk yield, solar load, air temperature, dew-point temperature, and air velocity affect heat exchange rates, cow respiration rate, and body temperature.
Validation experiments revealed that the model's outputs closely matched published data on heat-stressed breastfeeding cows' respiration rates and body temperatures. Using this model, researchers may identify significant characteristics that contribute to heat stress and evaluate mitigation options.
Kevin Janni, an Extension engineer and professor at the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, emphasized the model's superiority over simpler equations, allowing engineers to better examine alternative cooling schemes.
These advancements in cooling systems can alleviate heat stress-related issues, such as reduced milk production, pregnancy rates, disease susceptibility, calf birth weights, and immune function impairment.
Researchers plan to use the modified model to evaluate different cow cooling designs and compare the costs associated with various cooling systems. By optimizing cow well-being and dairy productivity, this innovative tool holds immense potential for the industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-r-j-seymour
Categories: Minnesota, Livestock, Dairy Cattle