Spatial microclimate patterns in reconstructed and new large uninsulated loose housing cowsheds

Keeping heifers and dairy cows in uninsulated loose housing cowsheds is spreading in the cold regions of the world. During the last decade, cold cowsheds have spread into all the Scandinavian and Baltic countries. In 2002, two large cowsheds were studied: a cowshed renovated from an old collective farm cowshed to a cold building (RUC) and a newly finished one-nave steel-framed loose housing cowshed (UC). The measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and lighting were taken indoors and outdoors. The movement of air in the cowshed was visualized with smoke using bellows. Investigations were carried out in summer and in winter considering average Estonian climate conditions. In summer, when all ventilation openings and doors (as well) were opened, the air temperature in the cowsheds was homogeneous and similar (variance 1.7–2.5 °C). In winter the air temperature variance was 4.4 °C higher in RUC, but the values remained within the range of cows’ temperature comfort zone. Relative humidity was acceptable for cows in both cowsheds in summer (69–83.3%) and winter (60–90.8%) conditions. In quiet days (wind velocity up to 2.4 m/s) the air velocity values in the cowsheds were mostly acceptable for cows in summer (0.05–0.86 m/s) and in winter (0–0.35 m/s). The lighting was better and more uniform in UC while in RUC there were places with low lighting values even on sunny days.