T hese results support the logical assumption that the more natural ventilation that we can provide in the design pattern, the greater the airflow and the greater the base level of cow comfort. If you are looking to retrofit an old barn you should consider adjustments which would make the final product come as close to this style barn as possible to maximize natural air flow and cow comfort. Two areas which were of particular interest were the observations made on the increase in cow respiration as an indicator of cow heat stress with two roof styles and four cooling systems. The ranges in increased respiration rate from morning to afternoon found under each system indicated that all systems could be successful at cooling cows. Characteristics which were shared by the most effective systems irrelevant of design grouping included system installation closer to the cow level and direct spray with high velocity of air movement over the cow.
Air movement is critical to cow cooling.
It is thought that the main flaw in the high-pressure fogger system is the lack of ability to utilize air movement as part of the system. A cooling system, which is installed as close to the cow as possible and that utilizes a combination of wetting with high velocity airflow over the body surface of the cow. Designed and built by Isys Idea Systems, Inc.