Livestock Comfort

It is spring (soon to be summer) here in British Columbia, and with the sunny season comes warmth. But while it is pleasant outside now it can also become unbearably hot. The heat of summer or lack of it during winter can dramatically affect the productivity of your livestock operation. It is for this reason I thought this month I would explore the role of temperature plans when it comes to livestock farming.

Heat is a form of energy. It expressed as the total kinetic energy of all the molecules in a body. Whether you are inside a warm barn or outside walking in a snow covered pasture there is a certain amount of heat present.

Temperature is the intensity of heat present. It is expressed as the average kinetic energy of the molecules of a body. Heat flows from higher to the lower temperature areas and the difference between the two temperatures will change the rate of heat transfer.

Ambient Temperature is the temperature of the area surrounding a body. For example a cow standing in a barn (body) is surrounded by air.

Sensible Heat is the heat resulting from a change in temperature but not a change state.

Latent heat is heat that causes a change in state. For example changing water into ice requires latent heat of fusion. Changing water to vapor requires latent heat of vaporization.

Heat Transfer occurs when heat energy is moved by one of three methods.

Conduction heat movement results from the transfer of energy from molecule to molecule within a body. For example an ice cube placed in a glass of water will cool the water.

Convection heat movement involves the transfer of heat by movement. For example the glass of water with an ice cube will cool faster if you stir it.

Radiation heat is caused by electromagnetic waves. This is why being outside on a sunny day at 0 degrees Celsius feels warmer than a cloudy day. More radiation energy is hitting you.

The next question becomes why is all this talk of heat important on the farm. Livestock have certain requirements with regards to warmth and comfort. If you keep an animal warm and comfortable they will be happier and produce better. It is for this reason every time you build a livestock barn you must consider heat.

In the winter the biggest problem usually affecting livestock is low temperatures. There are many reasons why a barn will be too cold but a few could be:

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