On-Farm Water Use Efficiency: Impact of Sprinkler Cycle and Flow Rate to Cool Holstein Cows during Semi-Arid Summer

Abu Macavoray, Muhammad Afzal Rashid, Hifzul Rahman and Muhammad Qamer Shahid ()
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Abu Macavoray: Department of Livestock Management, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Muhammad Afzal Rashid: Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Hifzul Rahman: Department of Livestock Management, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Muhammad Qamer Shahid: Department of Livestock Management, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: Sprinkler cooling is a common heat abatement method in dairy cows and uses huge quantities of groundwater. Sprinkler flow rate and timing affect cow cooling and water use efficiency, but little is known about how these strategies may influence dairy cow performance under heat stress conditions in Pakistan. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cooling efficiency of different sprinkler cycles and flow rates in Holstein Friesian cows under semi-arid summer conditions in Pakistan. Thirty (30) lactating cows were subjected to 2 sprinkler flow rates and 3 sprinkler cycle strategies in a crossover design. Flow rates were 1.25 and 2 L/min, and the sprinkler cycles (water on|off) were: 3 min on|3 min off, 3 on|6 off, and 3 on|9 off. Results showed that the 1.25 L/min flow rate had a similar performance to the 2.0 L/min group in terms of milk yield and behavior, despite using 37.2% less water. The respiration rate was lowest in the 3|3 sprinkler cycle (SC) group, followed by the 3|6 and the 3|9 SC groups, respectively. Milk yield in the 3|3 group was 2 kg/d higher than the 3|9 group. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the 3|3 sprinkler cycle and 1.25 L/min flow rate may be a more efficient option in terms of water use while maintaining cow performance in semi-arid heat stress conditions.

Keywords: dairy cow; heat stress; milk yield; physiological responses; sprinkler cooling; water use efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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