Res. Agr. Eng., 2016, 62(4):185-189 | DOI: 10.17221/4/2015-RAE

Frequency analysis of noise exposure of dairy cows in the process of milkingOriginal Paper

M. P¹enka1, M. ©ístková2, ©. Mihina1, R. Gálik1
1 Department of Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic
2 Department of Agricultural, Transport and Handling Machinery, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in Èeské Budìjovice, Èeské Budìjovice, Czech Republic

In the environment of farms and farm buildings, cattle are exposed to various unnatural influences. Such an impact is also noise always arising with a certain energy conversion. In cattle farms, the sources of noise are represented by various mechanical equipment and machines that are used for enabling farm operations. The aim of the paper was to analyse the noise levels in dairy cattle production in the environment, during their day routine. Noise levels were measured at two farms with a different technological layout of milking parlour, with a different way of milking. The noise exposure of dairy cows was measured in three locations, namely in the milking parlour, during standing in the area before milking (in the so-called collection room) and directly in the stabling area. Noise exposure was measured during milking and when the milking parlour was turned off. The values were compared with the hearing sensitivity of cattle at selected frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 kHz).

Keywords: hearing sensitivity; welfare; cattle; milk production; milking parlour

Published: December 31, 2016  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
P¹enka M, ©ístková M, Mihina ©, Gálik R. Frequency analysis of noise exposure of dairy cows in the process of milking. Res. Agr. Eng. 2016;62(4):185-189. doi: 10.17221/4/2015-RAE.
Download citation

References

  1. Brouèek J. (2014): Effects of noise on performance, stress, and behavior of animals: a review. Slovak Journal of Animal Science, 47: 151-160.
  2. Castelhano-Carlos M.J., Baumans V. (2009): The impact of light, noise, cage cleaning and in-house transport on welfare and stress of laboratory rats. Laboratory Animals, 43: 311-327. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
  3. Heffner H.E. (1998): Auditory awareness. Applied Animal Behavior Science, 57: 259-268. Go to original source...
  4. Heffner H.E., Heffner R.S. (1993): Auditory perception. In: Phillips C.J.C., Piggins D. (eds): Farm Animals and the Environment. CAB International, Wallingford: 159-184.
  5. Heffner R.S., Heffner H.E. (1983): Hearing in Large Mammals: Horses (Equus caballus) and Cattle (Bos taurus). Behavioral Neuroscience, 97: 299-309. Go to original source...
  6. Manci K.M., Gladwin D.N., Villella R., Cavendish M.G. (1988): Effects of Aircraft Noise and Sonic Booms on Domestic Animals and Wildlife: A Literature Synthesis. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Ecology Research Center, Ft. Collins, NERC-88/29: 88.
  7. Mihina S., Kazimirova V., Copland T.A. (2012): Technology for farm animal husbandry. Nitra, Slovak Agricultural University: 99.
  8. Morgan K.N., Tromborg C.T. (2007): Sources of stress in captivity. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 102: 262-302. Go to original source...
  9. Phillips C.J.C. (2009): Housing, handling and the environment for cattle. Principles of cattle production: 95-128. Go to original source...
  10. Voipio H.M. (1997): How do rats react to sounds? Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science, 24: 1-80.
  11. ®itòák M., Lendelová J., Bure¹ ¥. (2011): Working environment of dairymen in summer time. In: Rural Buildings in European Regions, Architecture - Constructions - Technology - Safety. Nitra: 165-172.

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.