Effect of Orientation, Ventilation, Floor Space Allowance and Cooling Arrangement on Milk Yield and Microclimate of Dairy Shed in Goa

Abstract

Ten farmers consisting of large, medium, small and marginal from each of six talukas ie Pernem, Bicholim and Ponda taluka of North Goa district; Salcete, Canacona and Sanguem talukas of South Goa district in total sixty farmers were considered based on cattle population for this study. Farmers were interviewed for collecting information on housing and production aspect of dairy cattle. Subsequently farmers were grouped according to type of dairy house. Data on microenvironment of cattle shed and milk yield of cows were recorded on daily basis. Data analysis revealed that the orientation, ventilation, floor space provision and cooling arrangement had a significant effect on average daily milk yield and microenvironment of dairy shed. Significantly higher milk yield and lesser heat stress were observed in east – west orientation, good ventilation and standard floor space of minimum 5 m2 per cattle. Further cooling arrangement in cattle shed had a highly significant (P < 0.01) effect on average daily milk yield and microenvironmental parameters revealing that if false ceiling is made inside cattle shed besides manual and mechanical cooling animals would feel more comfort resulting in higher milk production.