Effect of Solar Powered Cooling System to Counteract Heat Stress in Stall Fed HF Deoni Crossbred Cows Gowtham1, Prakash K.V.1, Sreedhara J.N.2,*, Shirwal Sunil1, Maski Devanand1, Reddy G.V. Srinivasa3, Mareppa H.1, Raghavendra V.1 1Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, Raichur-584 104, Karnataka, India 2Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur-584 104, Karnataka, India 3Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, Raichur-584 104, Karnataka, India *Corresponding Author: J.N. Sreedhara, Department of Animal Science, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur-584 104, Karnataka, India, Email: sreedharajn012@gmail.com
Online Published on 06 January, 2024. Abstract Background During summer the environmental conditions exceed beyond threshold limit, which enhances heat gain beyond that is lost from the body and induces heat stress in cows. The higher temperature and heat stress increases respiration rate, rectal temperature and temperature humidity index, which affects health of the cows. The objective of the study was to create favourable environmental conditions to reduce heat stress and improve the performance of the HF Deoni crossbred cows. Methods The solar powered cooling system was developed and installed at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur district of Karnataka. The functional components of the developed cooling system are foggers, timer-switch, solar panels, battery, water tank, charge controller and hosepipe. The solar panels act as an energy source for the operation pump and the 4-way fogger assembly provides the fogging of water and creates a healthy environment by reducing the air temperature. The system assessment was carried out with 3 levels of variables of foggers (6, 12 and 18 foggers), height of fogger (2.25, 2.50 and 2.75 m) and operational time interval (2, 4 and 6 min). These were statistically analysed along with air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH) and respiration rate (RR) which were also measured. Result The AT, RH and RR was significantly influenced by the treatment combinations of selected variables and it was found that reduction of 9.2°C in AT and 49% (29 breaths min-1) in RR and 47% increase in RH (66%) were recorded at 18 foggers at 2.75 m height with 4 min operational time interval. Thus, the developed cooling system was significant (P<0.001) in creating optimum environmental conditions for the wellbeing of HF Deoni crossbred cows. Top Keywords Air temperature, Fogger assembly, Operational time interval, Solar panel. Top |