Abstract In Compost-Bedded Pack Barn (CBP) systems, air velocity is linked with the thermal comfort of housed dairy cattle and bedding quality and, therefore, assessing ventilation efficiency is essential. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate and characterize dependence and spatial distribution of air velocity at the 1.5 m height (vair,M) and at bedding level (vair,B) in an open CBP system with positive pressure ventilation. The study was conducted in 2021, in a facility located in the Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The facility area was divided into a mesh composed of 55 equidistant points, where vair,M and vair,B data were collected in the morning (09:00 a.m.) and afternoon (03:00 p.m.) periods, during three weeks in Brazilian winter. Geostatistics techniques were used to assess dependence and spatial distribution. In both periods evaluated, there were a strong occurrence of spatial dependence and non-uniform vair,M and vair,B distributions. The vair,M and vair,B values were lower than recommended (1.8 m∙s–1) in more than 65.0% of the area. Adequate ventilation levels were observed only in the first 20.0 m of the facility, from Southeast to Northwest, because of the fan lines present.

Abstract In this study, we aimed to assess the spatial variability of microclimate inside a closed compost-bedded pack barn (CBP) with a negative ventilation system during summer and winter. The research was carried out in a CBP located in the Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. For each of the stations analyzed, the following environmental mean variables observed inside a CBP were measured: air dry-bulb temperature (tdb), air relative humidity (RH), and windspeed, Temperature-Humidity index, and specific enthalpy. The kriging maps showed that the most critical housing conditions in the thermal environment were found, mainly, from the central part of the CBP, close to the exhaust fans. The analyses also pointed out that the system presented temperature gradients along the length, up to 3°C. During the summer afternoon, the entire region of the CBP was in a discomfort situation (tdb>26°C; RH>75%). During the winter, the measured environmental data remained within the comfort zone throughout the facility. However, probably due to the lack of thermal insulation of the material used to close the sides of the CBP, it did not allow spatial thermal uniformity for both seasons. It was also inefficient to keep the animals within the comfort zone for lactating cattle during the critical summer period.

Abstract The aim of this research was to evaluate the spatial distribution of bedding variables in a climate-controlled compost bedded pack barn (CBP) equipped with an evaporative cooling system associated with a tunnel ventilation mode. The study was conducted on a farm in the West Mesoregion of Minas, MG, Brazil. The interior of the animal facility was divided into a mesh of 120 equidistant points, where the bedding surface temperature (tb-sur), the bedding temperature at 0.20 m depth (tb-20) and the bedding penetration resistance (PRb) of layer 0 to 0.20 m depth were measured. Bedding samples were collected to obtain the moisture (Mb) and pH in the surface and at 0.20 m depth. Geostatistics technique was used to evaluate the dependence and spatial distribution. Through the bedding area, the tb-sur presented low variability, with 6 ºC of amplitude, and tb-20 presented highest values (up to 55 °C). The spatial distribution of Mb-20 was similar to that observed on the surface and its highest levels occurred in the region near the feed alley (> 40%). The distribution of pH was similar in both layers. The tendency of high PRb occurred in the layer between 0.15 and 0.20 m (0 and 1500 kPa).

ABSTRACT This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the effects of different ambient temperature values on the performance of laying birds from one to 42 days of age in order to obtain optimal comfort temperatures. A total of 864 laying hens were distributed in four climatic chambers with different temperature ranges. One of the chambers was maintained within the thermal range recommended by the literature and the others were maintained under temperatures that consisted of mild and moderate cold stress and moderate heat stress. The experiment was conducted according to a completely randomized design in a split-plot arrangement and six replications. The data were analyzed by means of the analysis of variance and regression. The final performance of birds with temperatures of 33, 28, 26, 23, 19, and 19 °C (for the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth week of age, respectively) presented better productive results, confirming the assertiveness regarding the best thermal comfort and welfare of laying birds during the rearing stage. The results showed that under conditions of cold thermal stress, birds presented a worse performance, thus affecting their development and productive efficiency.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate gas levels and the acoustic environment (noise) of growing-finishing swine in different facilities, one composed of shallow pool (SP) and another of partially slatted floor (PSF). Sensors and a sound level meter were used to measure gas concentrations (CO2 and NH3) and noise at 1.50 meters above the ground and at animal height. Data on gas concentrations and noise levels were measured at 9am, 12pm, and 3 pm. Results showed differences (P<0.05) between noise levels at animal height and gas concentrations measured in relation to stall type and data collection time. The highest noise values were found in the shallow pool stall, measured at animal level. The highest NH3 (13 ppm) and CO2 (1174.5 ppm) values were observed in the shallow pool stall at 3pm. The stall floor with shallow pool seems to provide greater welfare in relation to noise level for growing-finishing swine.

A quantificação dos processos hidráulicos que ocorrem dentro do recipiente durante e entre irrigações, é essencial para a gestão eficaz da irrigação e adubação em substratos. Os testes foram feitos no laboratório de hidráulica da Universidade Federal de Lavras com o objetivo de determinar a condutividade hidráulica não saturada de substratos usando-se o método proposto por Bruce & Klute (1956) em seis substratos (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 e S6) com quatro repetições. Foram realizados ensaios de fluxo horizontal visando estimar a difusividade e, por seu meio, a condutividade hidráulica não saturada (K(θ)). A taxa com que a umidade avança no espaço e no tempo ocorre de maneira diferenciada entre os substratos avaliados destacando-se os substratos S5 (casca de pinus, vermiculita e turfa) e S2 (cinza, turfa e outros materiais), que tiveram menor e maior difusividade, respectivamente. Após o aumento da tensão ocorre uma nítida diminuição da K(θ), especialmente no substrato S3 (casca de pinus e terra vegetal) enquanto para o substrato S5 os valores foram tão pequenos que não se destacam dentre os demais. A condutividade hidráulica não saturada aumenta com o aumento da umidade, de forma exponencial.

Quantification of hydraulic processes that occur in small plastic containers used for seedlings, during and between irrigations, is essential for effective management of irrigation and fertilization on substrates. Tests were carried at the Hydraulics Laboratory of the Federal University of Lavras, with the objective of determining the hydraulic conductivity of partially saturated substrates, using the method proposed by Bruce & Klute (1956), on six substrates (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 e S6) with four replications. Flow tests were conducted to estimate the horizontal diffusivity and, through this, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (K(θ)). The rate at which the moisture expands in space and time occurs differently among substrates, especially substrates S5 (pine bark, vermiculite and peat) and S2 (ash, peat and other materials), which had lower and higher diffusivity, respectively. There is a sharp decrease in K(θ) after increasing tension, especially on the substrate S3 (pine bark and topsoil), while for the substrate S5 values were so small that they do not stand out among others. The unsaturated hydraulic conductivity increases exponentially with increasing in water content.