Project Overview
Commodities
- Animals: bovine
- Animal Products: dairy
Practices
- Animal Production: animal protection and health, housing, manure management
- Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research, workshop
- Sustainable Communities: infrastructure analysis
Proposal abstract:
The development of the US dairy industry has shifted towards
highly specialized barn-based farming practices demanding
meticulous consideration of optimal air quality as animals,
humans, and machinery converge in enclosed spaces. Our project
addresses the pressing concern for enhancing environmental
conditions in milking parlors and barns and reducing exposure to
air pollutants. We aim to reveal air component fluctuations in
confined spaces and explore the relationships between air
component dynamics and distinct farm operations. To achieve this
aim, we will strategically install automated air monitoring
sensors in commercial dairy farms. Our previous analyses indicate
higher volumes of particulate matter 2.5 and carbon dioxide in
the milking parlor (11.3 µg/m³; 540.2 ppm, respectively) compared
with cross-ventilated barns (3.9 µg/m³ and 519.3 ppm,
respectively). In addition, we have identified that different
farm activities such as feeding, cleaning, and changing bedding
materials impact air component concentrations. These initial
findings have heightened our interest in expanding our knowledge
about other air pollutants in different dairy farming systems.
Our goal is to gain deeper insights into the intricate dynamics
of these air pollutants and to target management practices that
can be intervened. Additionally, we aim to determine the optimal
allocations of air quality sensors, ensuring accurate and
representative measurements. Results communication to
stakeholders will be a key component of our project, involving
publications, workshops, and industry collaborations. In
parallel, our comprehensive educational initiatives, including
bilingual educational materials and scholarly outputs, aim to
elevate awareness and expertise among dairy producers, workers,
and industry professionals.
Project objectives from proposal:
Research objectives:
Objective 1: To determine the accuracy and precision of automated
air quality monitoring systems and their appropriate localization
in naturally and cross-ventilated cow housing barns and milking
parlors.
Objective 2: To identify the dynamics of air components and group
scale emissions in indoor dairy spaces associated with dairy farm
operations.
Objective 3: To design and implement practical mitigation
strategies for improving air quality in naturally and
cross-ventilated cow housing barns and milking parlors.
Educational Objectives:
Objective 4: To assess the increase of awareness among dairy
producers and workers about the impact of air quality on cow
health and productivity.
Objective 5: To elevate the expertise of dairy industry
professionals in implementing effective air quality management
strategies and facilitate the adoption of sustainable practices
among producers through direct engagement and communication of
project findings.