Capture and Ex-Situ Analysis of Environmental Biofilms in Livestock Buildings

Little information about biofilm microbial communities on the surface of livestock buildings is available yet. While these spatially organized communities proliferate in close contact with animals and can harbor undesirable microorganisms, no standardized methods have been described to sample them non-destructively. We propose a reproducible coupon-based capture method associated with a set of complementary ex-situ analysis tools to describe the major features of those communities. To demonstrate the biofilm dynamics in a pig farm building, we analyzed the coupons on polymeric and metallic materials, as representative of these environments, over 4 weeks. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed a rapid coverage of the coupons with a thick layer of biological material and the existence of dispersed clusters of active metabolic microorganisms. After detaching the cells from the coupons, counts to quantify the CFU/cm2 were done with high reproducibility. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region shows bacterial diversity profiles in accordance with reported bacteria diversity in pig intestinal ecosystems and reveals differences between materials. The coupon-based methodology allows us to deepen our knowledge on biofilm structure and composition on the surface of a pig farm and opens the door for application in different types of livestock buildings.

Automated Microclimate Regulation in Agricultural Facilities Using the Air Curtain System

Creating and maintaining the microclimate in livestock buildings is associated with numerous engineering and technical challenges. Together with adequate feeding, the microclimate determines the health, reproductive ability, and production potential of the animals (obtaining a maximum amount of high-quality products). One of the deciding steps in improving the parameters of microclimate, i.e., temperature and humidity in agricultural facilities, particularly in livestock buildings, is to develop reliable and highly efficient air curtains in the vestibules. The objective of the manuscript is to investigate the parameters of the microclimate in livestock buildings using the air curtain, supported by automation and ICT technologies for rational operating modes. The presented theoretical and experimental studies on improving the microclimate parameters in livestock buildings were carried out using an innovative air curtain system. Its power is calculated based on the dimensions of the room, and the flow rate of warm air near the floor level is three times lower than at the installation site. The use of air curtains reduces consumption of thermal energy needed to maintain an optimal microclimate for livestock by 10–15%. Furthermore, the use of an automated digital control system maintains an optimal microclimate in the building. The developed energy-saving system for creating an optimal micro-climate in livestock buildings using air curtains was tested in a pigsty of the Research and Training Farm “Vorzel” of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, located in the Kiev region. The developed automated microclimate system using air curtains significantly improves the microclimate parameters and significantly reduces power consumption. The system can be further developed by adding remote control based on the Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Design methodology of smart photovoltaic plant

In this article, we present a new methodology to design an intelligent photovoltaic power plant connected to an electrical grid with storage to supply the laying hen rearing centers. This study requires a very competent design methodology in order to optimize the production and consumption of electrical energy. Our contribution consists in proposing a robust dimensioning synthesis elaborated according to a data flow chart. To achieve this objective, the photovoltaic system was first designed using a deterministic method, then the software "Homer" was used to check the feasibility of the design. Then, controllers (fuzzy logic) were used to optimize the energy produced and consumed. The power produced by the photovoltaic generator (GPV) is optimized by two fuzzy controllers: one to extract the maximum energy and another to control the batteries. The energy consumed by the load is optimized by a fuzzy controller that regulates the internal climate of the livestock buildings. The proposed control strategies are developed and implemented using MATLAB/Simulink.

A method to minimize the intake of exhaust air in a climate control system in livestock premises

This paper presents a method of aerodynamic separation of supply-exhaust airflows in a supply and exhaust climate control unit for livestock facilities in order to minimize back suction. The air removed from livestock buildings contains a large amount of moisture, carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and other harmful gases and in mine units, the outlet and inlet openings are located close enough, which is why exhaust air can be sucked together with the supply air. The paper presents a set of measures to minimize back suction. In particular, the distance between the supply and exhaust openings is substantiated. Moreover, it was proposed to give an additional velocity to the exhaust air due to the energy of natural traction. In order to solve this problem, a nozzle with a convergence angle of 45 ° was installed at the outlet of the unit. The effectiveness of the proposed solution was tested experimentally and it was found that when the inlet and outlet openings were located at a distance of more than 0.5 m, as well as when the exhaust jet was given a velocity of 3 m / s, the amount of back suction did not exceed 5%.

DIGITAL COW HEALTH MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES

Обоснован рост требований к системе мониторинга здоровья и физиологического состояния животных для решения задач по увеличению срока продуктивного хозяйственного использования высокопродуктивных коров на крупных молочных комплексах. Анализ основных причин выбраковки коров в племенных хозяйствах Ленинградской области свидетельствует, что большую часть болезней при беспривязном содержании коров с доением в доильных залах можно выявить и предотвратить на ранних стадиях, тщательно фиксируя и оперативно реагируя на «сигналы коров», характеризующие активность, особенности передвижения, нахождение в различных зонах животноводческих помещений, потребление корма и воды, руминацию, внешний вид. Проведен анализ возможностей и ограничений существующих и разрабатываемых автоматических систем мониторинга здоровья и физиологического состояния животных, таких как: ошейники с транспондерами, ушные бирки c трехосным акселерометром, болюсы. Рассмотрены тенденции и перспективы разработки и освоения в молочном животноводстве цифровых технологий обработки и анализа визуальной информации, получаемой круглосуточно с камер наблюдения, с применением элементов «искусственного интеллекта», нейросетевых алгоритмов. Мониторинг поведенческих сигналов животных с помощью современных цифровых технологий может стать решением актуальных производственно-экономических задач: сохранение здоровья высокопродуктивных коров в больших стадах в условиях автоматизированного производства молока, увеличение продолжительности их хозяйственного использования, улучшение воспроизводства стада, рост экономической эффективности отрасли. The growth of requirements for the system of monitoring the health and physiological state of animals for solving the problems of increasing the period of productive economic use of highly productive cows at large dairy complexes has been substantiated. Analysis of the main reasons for the culling of cows in the breeding farms of the Leningrad Region shows that most of the diseases in case of loose housing of cows with milking in milking parlors can be detected and prevented at early stages by carefully recording and promptly responding to “cow signals” characterizing activity , peculiarities of movement, being in various zones of livestock buildings, consumption of feed and water, rumination, appearance. The analysis of the possibilities and limitations of existing and developed automatic systems for monitoring the health and physiological state of animals, such as collars with transponders, ear tags, boluses, is carried out. Trends and prospects for the development and development of digital technologies for processing and analysis of visual information received around the clock from surveillance cameras using elements of "artificial intelligence" and neural network algorithms are considered.

Development of a method of protection of concrete floors of animal buildings from corrosion at the expense of using dry disinfectants

Concrete floors are most commonly used in animal housing. However, the specific environment of livestock buildings (moisture, urine, disinfectants) has a negative effect on concrete and leads to its corrosion. The influence of chemical and physical factors on concrete is reinforced by the development of microorganisms, which quickly adapt and use concrete as a living environment. To reduce the influence of an aggressive environment on the concrete floor, an experimental mixture of dry disinfectants was proposed. The components of the disinfection mixture have been selected taking into account the safety for animals and humans. The TPD-MS method was used to determine the change in the chemical composition of concrete. To study the microstructure of concrete, the method of scanning electron microscopy was used. Microbiological studies revealed bacteria A. Thiooxidans, S. aureus, E. coli, S. enteritidis, S. Сholeraesuis, C. Perfringen and micromycetes of the genus Cladosporium, Fusariums, Aspergillus, which contribute to the development of biological corrosion of concrete in livestock buildings. The fact of the negative impact of concentrated disinfectants on the structure of concrete was also established. As a result of the studies carried out, it was proved that a mixture of dry components for disinfection exhibits antimicrobial properties to varying degrees to the strains of field isolates of bacteria and fungi isolated in a pig-breeding farm. It was found that when using the proposed mixture of dry disinfectants in the research room of the pigsty, the relative humidity decreases by 38.5 %; ammonia content – by 46.2 %; hydrogen sulfide – by 57.8 %; microbial bodies – by 74.7 %, compared with the control room. It has been experimentally proven that the proposed mixture of dry disinfecting components has hygroscopic and antimicrobial properties and is promising for use in livestock farms.

Effect of the Milking Frequency on the Concentrations of Ammonia and Greenhouse Gases within an Open Dairy Barn in hot Climate Conditions

Knowledge of how different management strategies affect gas production from livestock buildings can be helpful for emission predicting purposes and for defining mitigation strategies. The objective of this study was to statistically assess whether and how measured concentrations of ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were influenced by milking frequency. Concentrations of gases were measured continuously by using infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy in the breeding environment of an open dairy barn located in Sicily in hot climate conditions. Data were acquired by specific in-field experiments carried out in 2016 and 2018, when milking sessions occurred twice a day (2MSs) and three times a day (3MSs), respectively. The number of the milking cows was 64 in both 2MSs and 3MSs. The results showed that concentrations of NH3, CH4 and CO2 were statistically influenced by the number of milking sessions. From 2MSs to 3MSs, NH3 concentrations were enhanced (P < 0.001) due to the higher cow’s activity. Conversely, gas concentrations of CH4 and CO2 were lower for 3MSs compared to those for 2MSs due to the effect of the different feeding frequency. Overall, the milking frequency influenced barn management and cow behaviour by modifying the level of gas concentrations in the barn environment.

Review of Wind Tunnel Modelling of Flow and Pollutant Dispersion within and from Naturally Ventilated Livestock Buildings

Ammonia emissions from naturally ventilated livestock buildings (NVLBs) pose a serious environmental problem. However, the mechanisms that control these emissions are still not fully understood. One promising method for understanding these mechanisms is physical modelling in wind tunnels. This paper reviews studies that have used this method to investigate flow or pollutant dispersion within or from NVLBs. The review indicates the importance of wind tunnels for understanding the flow and pollutant dispersion processes within and from NVLBs. However, most studies have investigated the flow, while only few studies have focused on pollutant dispersion. Furthermore, only few studies have simulated all the essential parameters of the approaching boundary layer. Therefore, this paper discusses these shortcomings and provides tips and recommendations for further research in this respect.