Thermal comfort in milking parlours.
The frequent complaints of adverse conditions associated with milking often relate to thermal discomfort. Three farms providing 13 milkers were selected for a survey to establish details of the thermal environment most acceptable and practical to achieve in milking parlours. The results, which were analysed by the probit method, were obtained by monitoring the environmental variables and recording the milkers' subjective assessments of comfort whilst milking. There was no interference with either work routines or thermal conditions. The most reliable indicator of comfort was found to be ambient temperature and the control of this variable in the ranges 11 degrees C to 15.5 degrees C for the winter and 16.5 degrees C to 19.5 degrees C for the summer is recommended. The performance of the milkers was not found to be related to temperature.
O'Neil
D H
DH
National Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, UK.