Air conditioning for mechanically ventilated LPCV dairy barns

摘要

Significant production and economic losses can occur on dairy operations due to heat stress. This paper presents results of an evaluation of the economic feasibility of incorporating air conditioning as a heat abatement technology into low-profile, cross-ventilated (LPCV) freestall dairy barns. An economic dairy simulation model developed at the University of Missouri was used to evaluate the economic feasibility. Air conditioning appears to be an economically viable heat abatement technology for dairy operations using LPCV barns, but the economic viability appears to be reduced. A third scenario was developed to examine the economic feasibility of incorporating both air conditioning and robotic rotary parlor systems. This third scenario appears tobe less economically viable than incorporating only air conditioning.