Progress 10/01/98 to 09/30/03
Outputs
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate currently available control systems; develop computer models to simulate alternative control strategies for dairy housing; evaluate alternatives in commercial housing systems. APPROACH: Use mixture of computer simulation modeling, commercial field evaluation with leading dairy producers-- to develop appropriate control systems and environmental management strategies to maximize economic productivity. NARRATIVE. The project generally focused on environmental control systems and their economic impact on dairy farm cash flow. Additional financial support for this project has been obtained through the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSEDA). A general simulation analysis model was constructed that can be used to determine effects of daily weather variation including the effects of solar radiation and diurnal variation in temperature. A new time dependent control method of time-integrated-variable (TIV) was evaluated on commercial
dairies. The TIV controller was shown to improve cow comfort and that it addresses the effects of cumulative heat stress that occur in conventionally operated barns using simple on-off thermostats. Data was collected for multiple summers from dairy barns using tunnel and non-tunnel ventilation methods. The tunnel facilities included high and low ceiling barns. Use of deflector curtains were evaluated in the high ceiling operations. Lack of air velocity in the cow area is a problem and ways of increasing velocity in cow area are needed. Some farms experimenting with introduction of low volumes of inlet air through curtain sidewall in the downstream half of the barn (closer to the exhaust fans). Efforts must be made by farmers to prevent air entering the barn from manure pits in the tunnel negative ventilation system. Further information is needed on impacts of air environment on cow productivity. The use of sand as a dairy bedding material was evaluated. The advantage of sand bedding
is that cow comfort and health is increased substantially. The problem is managing the manure, particularly through the manure management system, i.e. the sand collects and retards gravity flow of manure through the entire system. A simple example is that the sand will start to fill up the gravity manure lagoons. We are currently focusing on methods to retrieve and separate the sand prior to entering the manure lagoons. Large scale dairies are also candidates to use methane digestion as a means to treat manure and to gain economic value from the raw manure. Sand collection in methane digestion systems is a severe problem and we are looking at ways to address this issue as well.
Impacts
Dairy is the number one industry in NY State and is becoming increasingly concentrated in large farms with more than 1,000 cows. Effective management of the manure generated is probably the number one constraint on industry sustainability in NY State. Current dairy cows with much higher milk production levels than 20 years ago require improved environmental control. This project has provided research information and field evaluations towards an improved economical environment for dairy cows.
Publications
- Lee, Po-ching. 2003. Comparison of two methods for estimating pesticide volatilization from turf; Characterizing a pulsed limestone bed reactor to treat high acidity water; and Thermal analysis model of zero water exchange indoor shrimp farming systems. PhD Thesis. Cornell University.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Use mixture of computer simulation modeling, commercial field evaluation with leading dairy producers-- to develop appropriate control systems and environmental management strategies to maximize economic productivity. A new effort was initiated to address the use of sand as a dairy bedding material. The advantage of sand bedding is that cow comfort and health is increased substantially. The problem is managing the manure, particularly through the manure management system, i.e. the sand collects and retards gravity flow of manure through the entire system. A simple example is that the sand will start to fill up the gravity manure lagoons. We are currently focusing on methods to retrieve and separate the sand prior to entering the manure lagoons. Large scale dairies are also candidates to use methane digestion as a means to treat manure and to gain economic value from the raw manure. Sand collection in methane digestion systems is a severe problem and we are looking at
ways to address this issue as well.
Impacts
Dairy is the number one industry in NY State and is becoming increasingly concentrated in large farms with more than 1,000 cows. Effective management of the manure generated is probably the number one constraint on industry sustainability in NY State.
Publications
- Gooch, C.A. and M.B. Timmons. 2002. Cow-Cooling System Controllers. Cornell Cooperative Extension Agricultural News. Vol. 30, No. 7. pp. 18.
- Gooch, C.A. and M.B. Timmons. 2002. Technology takes heat stress into account. May, 2002. Northeast Dairy Business. P.O. Box 299, 5923 South Main Street, Sandy Creek, NY 13145. June, 2002.
- Gooch, C.A. and D.C. Ludington. 2002. Lighting System Considerations and Design Options for Application of Photoperiod Management for Freestall and Tie Stall Barns. Presented at the 2002 ASAE Annual International Mtg./CIGR XVth World Congress, July 28-31, 2002. ASAE Paper No. 02-4205. ASAE, 2950 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MO 49085-9659.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate currently available control systems; develop computer models to simulate alternative control strategies for dairy housing; evaluate alternatives in commercial housing systems. APPROACH: Use mixture of computer simulation modeling, commercial field evaluation with leading dairy producers-- to develop appropriate control systems and environmental management strategies to maximize economic productivity. PROGRESS. Data collected during summer of 2000 and 2001 using tunnel and non-tunnel ventilated dairy facilities. The tunnel facilities included high and low ceiling barns. Lack of air velocity in the cow area is a problem and ways of increasing velocity in cow area are needed. Computer modeling was primary effort during 2001 to develop a predictive model of the impact of environmental control upon cow performance.
Impacts
Dairy is the number one industry in NY State and is becoming increasingly concentrated in large farms with more than 1,000 cows. These cows are high producers that are more subject to heat stress and reduced milk production. The project will contribute towards identifying appropriate environmental management techniques that are economically viable and or reduce cow stress.
Publications
- Stowe, R.R., Gooch, C.A., Inglis, S., 2001. Environmental conditions within tunnel-ventilated and naturally ventilated dairy freestall facilities. ASAE paper 014099, presented ASAE Summer Annual Meeting, July 29-August 1, Sacramento, CA.
- Stowe, R.R., Gooch, C.A., St. Pierre, N., Gaulton, D., Inglis, S., 2001. Cow activity and performance within tunnel-ventilated and naturally ventilated dairy freestall facilities. ASAE paper 014101, presented ASAE Summer Annual Meeting, July 29-August 1, Sacramento, CA.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Data collected during summer of 1999 and continued in 2000 using tunnel and non-tunnel ventilated dairy facilities. The tunnel facilities included high and low ceiling barns. Lack of air velocity in the cow area is a problem and ways of increasing velocity in cow area are needed. Computer modeling was primary effort during 2000 to develop a predictive model of the impact of environmental control upon cow performance.
Impacts
Dairy is the number one industry in NY State and is becoming increasingly concentrated in large farms with more than 1,000 cows. These cows are high producers that are more subject to heat stress and reduced milk production. The project will contribute towards identifying appropriate environmental management techniques that are economically viable and or reduce cow stress.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Data collected during summer of 1999 using tunnel and non-tunnel ventilated dairy facilities. The tunnel facilities included high and low ceiling barns. Use of deflector curtains employed during summer of 1999 in the high ceiling operations. Lack of air velocity in the cow area is a problem and ways of increasing velocity in cow area are needed. Some farms experimenting with introduction of low volumes of inlet air through curtain sidewall in downstream half of the barn (closer to the exhaust fans). Efforts must be made by farmers to prevent air entering the barn from manure pits in the tunnel negative ventiation system. Performance data collected will be used to develop a milk production model on a daily basis that reflects air speed and temperature history including wet bulb temperatures (humidity).
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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