Microclimatic Barn Management of Dairy Farming using the Misting System

This paper was not presented at the conference.

Abstract

This paper was not presented at the conference.

Milk consumption in Indonesia increases from year to year, but is not accompanied by an increase in domestic milk production, so that 89.18 percent of national milk needs are met through imports. The Holstein Friesian crossbreed as dairy cattle has the ability to adapt to tropical climates. However, the phenomenon of climate change threatens productivity. This research aims to ensure that Holstein Friesian crossbreed are in a comfort zone and produce optimal milk production by engineering the housing microclimate using sprinkler water, based on thermoregulatory responses namely body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate. This research used 3 Holstein Friesian crossbreed cattle which were observed for 5 days. Data was taken 3 times before and after fogging. Misting is carried out at 12.00-13.00 every day. The results of the water misting treatment were able to improve the microclimatic conditions of the pen and the physiological response of dairy cows approaching the thermoneutral zone. The results of the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) calculation before and after water misting decreased from 83.56 to 82.20. The heart rate frequency before and after water misting decreased from 64.98 times/minute to 56.53 times/minute. Respiratory frequency before and after water misting decreased from 25.89 times/minute to 22.64 times/minute. Rectal temperature before and after water fogging decreased from 39.03°C to 38.68°C. Water misting can reduce body surface temperature by 0.92-2.14°C.