Abstract
Heat stress can negatively affect cow's physiology, behavior, and milk production. This study evaluates the effectiveness of roof mounting misting fans to improve heat and humidity index which reduces heat stress in a cowshed. Local climatic conditions were monitored and cooling system ability to control heat stress were assessed. Measurements were conducted at different cooling zones and levels comparing with shaded and open zones. The temperature and humidity index measurements outside the cowshed THI
showed that animals exposed to high degrees of heat stress during most of the day. The average value of THI
was 87.49, whereas the average value of adjusted outside temperature and humidity index THI
was greater than THI
by 10% when solar radiation was considered. The maximum difference of hourly averages for temperature and humidity indices THI
and THI occurred at noon when the intensity of solar radiation was highest. The average value for temperature and humidity index under misting fans THI
was 82.27 whereas inside the cowshed under shade THI
was 85.20. This conclude that the misting fans was able to reduce heat stress in a limited degree. Further improvement in terms of the cowshed design aspects and an increase of cooling efficiency is needed.