A new research trial using the CowKühlerZ Evaporative Cooling (CEC) system will be conducted this summer at The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy, New York.
The study, conducted by institute staff, will include a direct comparison using a bunk-line soaker system, CEC system over the stalls and CEC system over the bunk-line and free stalls. Some of the performance parameters that will be measured include cow lying time, core body temperature, incidence of mastitis and water usage, according to the company.
The CEC system, developed in Germany and researched at the universities of Florida and Georgia, is a low-pressure system that runs on well pressure (30-50 psi). A minimal flow rate allows the system to be mounted over the free stalls, a bed pack, tie stall and other applications. It was made available in the U.S. in January.
After the company contacted the institute, “we were intrigued and wanted to test for ourselves how the cooling system affects standing time by the feed bunk and lying time in the stalls,” says institute president, Dr. Rick Grant. “If it works, we hope to see greater resting time in the stalls and less idle standing by the bunk, which you often see with conventional sprinkler arrangements.
"If we can improve cow comfort during heat stress, then we will see better stall use and hopefully less lost milk production. For us, greater stall use will be the key because that is what seems to be limiting for existing heat stress abatement systems.”
Updates throughout the trial will be posted on the company’s website. PD
—From CowKühlerZ news release
