Air conditioning for naturally ventilated dairy barns

摘要

Significant production and economic losses can occur on dairy operations due to heat stress. This paper presents an evaluation of the economic feasibility of incorporating air conditioning as a heat abatement technology into naturally ventilated freestall dairy barns. An economic dairy simulation model developed at University of Missouri was used to evaluate the economic feasibility. Air conditioning appears to be an economically viable heat abatement technology for dairy operations producing at least 38.6 kg (85 lbs.) per cow per day. A third scenario was developed to examine the economic feasibility of incorporating both air conditioning and automated milking systems. This third scenario appears to be more economically viable than incorporating only air conditioning.