Os objetivos deste estudo foram modelar e avaliar, pelo uso da lógica fuzzy, a sensação de conforto térmico de animais confinados em função das variáveis fisiológicas temperatura retal (TR) e frequência respiratória (FR), determinando os intervalos críticos dessas variáveis. O banco de dados foi formado em dois ambientes distintos: clima subtropical (Município de São Pedro, Brasil) e clima mediterrâneo (Município de Évora, Portugal). Para a formação do banco de dados fisiológicos, foram obtidos dados de TR e FR de vacas holandesas. Para a análise física do ambiente, foram utilizados dados de estações meteorológicas com leituras de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar realizadas a cada 30 min, ao longo de 24 horas. No processo inicial de análise dos dados, foi utilizada a técnica de Mineração de Dados com o objetivo de formar uma árvore de decisão para a indução de regras. Para isso, foi utilizado o programa computacional WEKA®. Os resultados obtidos foram posteriormente utilizados na aplicação da lógica fuzzy, em que foi utilizado o software Fuzzy Logic Toolbox do MATLAB® 6.1, seguindo as recomendações de AMENDOLA et al. (2005b). A utilização dessa ferramenta permitiu estabelecer alguns parâmetros ideais de conforto aos bovinos leiteiros da raça Holandesa em lactação manejados em condição de confinamento total.

The main goal of the AWARTECH project (Animal Welfare Adjusted Real Time Environmental Conditions of Housing) was to develop an innovative precision livestock tool that will support and reinforce the pig value chain, through the management of solutions based on monitoring, analysis and control of environmental, physiological, behaviour and animal performances parameters. Environmental data was collected by sensors of temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and gas concentration, which are integrated in an environmental control system (Webisense) and in a platform (Nidus). Webisense controlled the ventilation system, the cooling system and the heating system. The rectal and body surface temperatures were registered manual and automatically. In order to monitor the behaviour of the animals, video cameras were installed. An individual feeding machine equipped with a scale has been also installed. This equipment allow, through an RFID system, the individual monitoring and control of the amount of food supplied and ingested; the number and duration of visits; and the animal’s weight. The development of the AWARTECH platform resulted from the integration of data provided by Webisense, Nidus, feeding machine and video analytics as well as physiological data. This platform allows the control the environmental conditions based on welfare indicators promoting animal welfare.

The objective of this study was to evaluate programs of supplementary lighting for calves in individual shelters with different roof materials, as a strategy to stimulate concentrate consumption and the reduction of the milk feeding period and increase financial viability. Twenty seven dairy crossed Holstein × Gir female calves were randomly distributed in individual shelters with three different roofing materials (cement fiber tile, recycled tile and thatched roofs), associated with three different light duration (12, 16 and 20 h) and with three repetitions. The experimental design was completely randomized in 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. There was no interaction between the types of roofs × supplemental light; also, there was no significant effect of the covering types on the average consumption of concentrate and occurance of diarrhea in calves. On the other hand 20 h of lighting stimulated the consumption of concentrate and allowed weaning of calves at 55 days of age and 20% reduction in the cost of rearing animals during milk feeding stage.

ISHS International Symposium on Greenhouse Cooling COMPARISON OF FOUR NATURAL VENTILATION SYSTEMS IN A MEDITERRANEAN GREENHOUSE