Mapping of the Thermal Microenvironment for Dairy Cows in an Open Compost-Bedded Pack Barn System with Positive-Pressure Ventilation

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Adequate environmental conditions are essential to ensure the wellbeing and productivity of dairy cattle. The use of compost-bedded pack barn (CBP) systems in dairy farming certainly improves animal welfare conditions, but it is necessary to evaluate and characterize the thermal environment inside the facilities. The main objective of this study was to map the thermal environment inside a CBP system with positive-pressure ventilation. Through mapping, it was possible to identify regions with more challenging conditions for animals in terms of thermal comfort. The results achieved can be used to direct decision-making processes to create adequate environmental conditions for the hosted animals. ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate and characterize the dependence and the spatial and temporal distribution of variables and indices of the thermal environment in an open compost-bedded pack barn system with positive-pressure ventilation (CBPPV) during the winter period. The study was conducted in a CBPPV system located in the Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The indoor environment was divided into a mesh composed of 55 equidistant points, where data on dry-bulb air temperature (t(db)) and relative humidity (RH) were collected. The collected data were divided into four periods—dawn, morning, afternoon, and night—and mean values were obtained. To evaluate the thermal microenvironment, the temperature and humidity index (THI) and the specific enthalpy of air (h) were used. For spatial dependence analysis, geostatistical techniques were applied. Through the results, a strong spatial dependence was verified for all variables evaluated. Through THI and h maps, conditions of thermal comfort were found for dairy cattle. The highest values of t(db), THI, and h were recorded in the afternoon period in the northwest region of the facility (t(db) = 23.2 °C, THI = 69.7, and h = 50.9 kJ∙kg of dry air(−1)).