Cooling to prevent heat stress solution - intelligent spray system
2024-07-10
Cooling to prevent heat stress solution - intelligent spray system
1. Assessment of heat stress state
In an environment where the temperature is between 5°C and 22°C, dairy cows feel relatively comfortable. At this temperature range, their feed dry matter intake and water consumption are ideal for maintaining normal physiology and producing 27 kg of milk. When the temperature exceeds 22°C, heat stress may occur, leading to feed wastage and reduced milk production.
When cattle are exposed to temperatures beyond their body’s thermoregulation capacity, it triggers a non-specific response, resulting in heat stress. The livestock industry commonly uses the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) to assess heat stress.
Usually when THI is <74, cattle are in a relatively comfortable state. When THI is >84, severe heat stress will occur.
THI
Stress state
<74
Comfortable state
75-78
Mild heat stress
79-83
High heat stress
>84
Severe heat stress
2. What are the clinical symptoms of heat stress?
Elevated body temperature (>39°C), excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and breathing;
Dry nasal membranes, restlessness, and in some cattle, heat stress can lead to excitement or aggression.
Severe cases may cause full-body paralysis, reduced reflexes, or loss of sensory perception.
Severe cases can lead to heat stroke and death within hours.
3. The harmful effects of heat stress
Significant reduction in production performance
Decreased immune function
Decreased reproductive performance
Reduced feed utilization
Declining beef quality
4. Comparison of spraying systems
Traditional spray:
Water resource waste: Regardless of whether there are cows, the water is fully sprayed. It is impossible to control the spraying time and spraying interval.
Large amounts of sewage cannot be treated: The sprayed water will cause a large amount of sewage to be generated, increasing the cost of sewage treatment.
Intelligent precision spraying:
Real-time detection nodes identify if cows are under the sprayers, and algorithms control the spraying time and intervals. The spraying control gateway also collects barn temperature and humidity data, automatically activating the system based on set parameters for unattended and automated operation.
