title: Day and night seasonal temperature differences for a naturally ventilated freestall barn with different stocking densities.
abstract: Temperature data were collected during three 28-d periods. Cold-season one-side-occupied (CSOO), warm-season two-sides-occupied (WSTO), and cold-season two-sides-occupied (CSTO) were used to determine day and night freestall barn temperature differences between north-side and south-side, east-end and west-end, and inside to outside of a naturally ventilated, curtain sided, noninsulated barn. Five sensors measured temperature every 15 min for 28-d periods beginning November 30, 2000, July 9, 2001, and December 23, 2001. Stocking densities were 90 to 100% for CSOO south-side and 0% for CSOO north-side; 92 to 108% for WSTO south-side and 46 to 74% for WSTO north-side; and 102 to 116% for CSTO south-side and 64 to 86% for CSTO north-side. Mean day temperatures (MDT) and mean night temperatures (MNT) were different for all within barn comparisons. Inside and outside MDT were different for cold-season periods. MDT differences between inside and outside were CSTO (6.27 degrees F) > CSOO (5.64 degrees F) > WSTO (-0.03 degrees F). MNT differences between inside and outside were CSTO (7.14 degrees F) > CSOO (5.76 degrees F) > WSTO (1.32 degrees F). Absence of animals on one side of the barn during cold seasons decreased the average temperature difference between inside and outside approximately 1 degree F (day 0.63 degrees F, night 1.38 degrees F). South-side MDT and MNT were higher than the north-side for CSOO. MDT differences between north-side and south-side were CSOO (-2.71 degrees F) > CSTO (-1.22 degrees F) > WSTO (-0.36 degrees F). MNT differences between north-side and south-side were CSOO (-2.46 degrees F) > CSTO (-1.06 degrees F) > WSTO (-0.49 degrees F). The average temperature difference for the unoccupied side during cold seasons was almost 1.5 degrees F lower throughout the day than the fully stocked side (day 1.49 degrees F, night 1.40 degrees F). Stocking density was thought to be the major cause of differences between north-side and south-side. East-end and west-end mean temperatures were not different across seasons, therefore, future barn-temperature research with barns of similar characteristics may require only one sensor per side.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dairy Science, 1675 Observatory Dr., University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wagner-Storch
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002980:Climate; D003624:Darkness; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006813:Humidity; D011156:Population Density; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature