Novel Livestock Housing Webinar A Novel Approach to Confined Calf Barn Ventilation Curt Gooch, P.E. Dairy Environmental Systems Engineer Cornell University www.prodairyfacilities.cornell.edu Why Recent Interest in Group Housed/Group Fed Calves? Lots of Calves to Manage
Why Recent Interest in Group Housed/Group Fed Calves? Interest in Adopting Autofeeders Why Recent Interest in Group Housed/Group Fed Calves? Weather Challenges Why Recent Interest in Group Housed/Group Fed Calves? Improved Performance Average Daily Gain Days on Milk
Group housed calf barns should be designed with the basic calf needs in mind first. Basic Calf Needs Optimal nutrition (quality and quality) Free access to clean water A clean, dry, and comfortable resting area Pathogen control Observation by caretaker Adequate, draft-free ventilation (air exchange)
BASICS OF VENTILATION FRESH AIR IN MOISTURE MIXING DUST PATHOGENS GASES HEAT SLIGHTLY STALE AIR OUT Draft occurs when: 1) Air speed is greater than 50 fpm when temperature < 50F (Mitchell, 1975) 2) Air speed is greater than 98 fpm with calves < 12 weeks (Webster, 1981) Manure Gases in Dairy Barns Group Housed Calves Area of Ventilation Focus: Calf Nose Zone
Four Ventilation Seasons Winter (Cold) Late Fall/Early Spring (Transition) Early-Mid Fall/Early-Mid Spring (Warm) Late Spring/Summer/Early Fall (Hot) Natural Ventilation System Options Natural Assisted/Mechanical Assist Mechanical Positive Pressure Negative Pressure Neutral Pressure Design of Mechanically Ventilated Barns is a combination of art and science.
Novel Approach to Calf Barn Ventilation Mechanical ventilation to control ventilation air streams for cold and transition ventilation seasons using neutral ventilation to ensure predictable, low-velocity air exchange at calf nose level Provide a means to temper ventilation air for very cold conditions Use positive pressure ventilation for warm and hot conditions Novel Approach to Preweaned Calf Barn Ventilation (cross sectional drawing) Vented Ridge Cap 4 12 Insulation Stop (typ.) Insulation Painted Aluminum Ceiling w/6 mil Poly Continuous VB Closed Eave & Soffit (typ.) Air Plenum for min vent only (tempered air) (typ.) 16' 8' 10' Insulated Curtain Sidewall (typ.) 4'-11" 5'-5" Negative pressure exhause plenum with fans at each end, continuous operation 50' Novel Approach to Preweaned Calf Barn Ventilation (cross sectional drawing) Vented Ridge Cap 4 12 Insulation Stop (typ.) Insulation Painted Aluminum Ceiling w/6 mil Poly Continuous VB Closed Eave & Soffit (typ.) Air Plenum for min vent only (tempered air) (typ.) 16' 8' 10' Insulated Curtain Sidewall (typ.) 4'-11" 5'-5" Negative pressure exhause plenum with fans at each end, continuous operation 50'
50' Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center Webcast Series March 6, 2015 Novel Approach to Pre-weaned Calf Barn Ventilation 15 x 15 pens 8 calves/pen 28 sq. ft./calf (plan view drawing) 2' Deep x3' Wide Exhaust Air Plenum (Below Grade) 2' Deep x 3' Wide Exhaust Air Plenum (Below Grade) 20' 130' 150' 3'x5' (typ.): Ceiling In Attic Mounted Tempered Air Supply Plenum 2' 5' Vertical Transition (typ.) Slope 2% 8 Pens 14' 25' Rolled steel plate w/ plenum inlet holes 8' 8' 10' Slope 2% 8 Pens at 8 Calves Per Pen 8 Pens 16' 4'-10" Calf Needs Support Room Vent Supply Fan 4'-9" 15' Tempered Air Supply Plenum Ventilation Air Inters Attic Through Engineered Endwall Louvers Ventilation Air Supply Plenum Engineered Discharge Holes (size and Spacing
Water to Air Heat Exchanger Engineered Ventilation Fan (Not Visible) Engineered Ventilation Exhaust Air Plenum/Wash-down Gutter
Engineered Exhaust Fan at End of Below-Grade Air Plenum Engineered Exhaust Fan at End of Below-Grade Air Plenum
New Insulated, Mechanically Ventilated Barn 180 x 66, 10 ceiling height Demko Farm Wet Calf Barn Floor Plan 22 x 53 pens 25 calves/pen 46 sq. ft./calf Exhaust Fan (typ.) Air Plenum Exhaust Fan, Both Ends Plate 1 Plate 4 Plate 3 Plate 2 Plate 2 Plate 3 Plate 4 Plate 1 Scraped/Washdown Area 5' 5' Exhaust Air Plenum/Floor Wash Down Gutter 22' (Below Grade), Bottom Sloped to the East N 8 Pens 8 Pens at up to 25 Calves Per Pen Bedded Area 53' 66' Air Plenums (Stacked) with Discharge Holes 182' Pos. Pressure Ventilation Fans (4, Stacked), Both Ends Demko Farm Wet Calf Barn Floor Plan Below-Grade Exhaust Air Plenum/Floor Wash Down Gutter Exhaust Fan (typ.) Air Plenum Exhaust Fan, Both Ends Plate 1 Plate 4 Plate 3 Plate 2 Plate 2 Plate 3 Plate 4 Plate 1 Scraped/Washdown Area 5' 5' Exhaust Air Plenum/Floor Wash Down Gutter 22' (Below Grade), Bottom Sloped to the East N 8 Pens at up to 25 Calves Per Pen Bedded Area 53' 66' Air Plenums (Stacked) with Discharge Holes 182' Pos. Pressure Ventilation Fans (4, Stacked), Both Ends
Mechanical Ventilation System Positive Pressure Air Plenums and Discharge Holes
Automated Calf Feeder Engineered Ventilation Exhaust Air Plenum/Washdown Gutter Designated Wash-down Area Ventilation System Negative Pressure (North) Side of Barn All weather Trench Duct, Engineered Holes One of two Trench Duct Fans East Side Exhaust Fans in Wall for Warm/Hot Ventilation Seasons Ventilation System Controls Stage Control
8 pens, 22 x 53, 20 calves per pen 52.8 ft. 2 /calf The environment a calf is exposed to depends on barn design & mgmt. Have Fun! www.prodairyfacilities.cornell.edu