Short communication: Field study of air ammonia concentrations in Ontario dairy calf housing microenvironments

Kaufman, Janet; Linington, Michelle; Osborne, V.R.; Wagner-Riddle, Claudia; Wright, Tom

doi:10.4141/cjas-2015-013

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Moreover, the limited numbers of herds may also be a limitation of the present study. Interestingly, ammonia levels were consistently low throughout our study and even lower than previously reported in winter (Seedorf and Hartung, 1999;Lago et al, 2006) or in summer (Kaufman et al, 2015). The inflammatory effect of high levels of ammonia on the respiratory tract has been mentioned in calves (Dewes and Goodall, 1995), but in a more recent Swedish study at the herd-level ammonia levels <6 ppm were counterintuitively associated with an increased odd of respiratory disease (odds ratio = 2.46; 95% CI = 1.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 49%

“…The ammonia level was also recorded at the same sites using a handheld ammonia analyzer (GasAlertNH3, Honeywell Analytics, Lincolnshire, IL) with a range detection of 0 to 50 ppm. An increased ammonia level was considered if ammonia concentration was ≥5 ppm to take into account recent recommendations (between 3.5 and 7 ppm) in Canadian dairy farms (Kaufman et al, 2015).…”

Section: Assessment Of Air Draft Temperature Hygrometry and Ammoniamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Herd-level prevalence of the ultrasonographic lung lesions associated with bovine respiratory disease and related environmental risk factors

Buczinski

Borris²,

Dubuc

2018

Journal of Dairy Science

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Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) is a major calf disease during the preweaning period. Thoracic ultrasound (TUS) has been recently described as a reliable tool for assessing BRD-associated lung lesions. The objectives of this study were to define the herd-level prevalence of lung consolidation assessed by TUS (CONSTUS). A total of 39 Québec dairy herds were randomly chosen to participate in this cross-sectional study. Between 6 and 12 preweaned calves were examined for signs of CONSTUS defined by any site with ≥3 cm consolidated lung tissue during 1 visit in summer and 1 visit in winter. Herd questionnaire focused on calf health and housing data [airborne bacteria (aerobic, coliform, yeasts and mold counts), air drafts, temperature, hygrometry, and ammonia levels] were also collected during these visits looking for potential association with CONSTUS prevalence. The median herd-level of CONSTUS prevalence (interquartile range) were 8% (0-22%) in summer and 15% (0-35%) in winter. Multivariable analyses showed that season was associated with an increased CONSTUS prevalence [10.0 vs. 19.3%; odds ratio (OR) = 2.16], as well as group housing during preweaned period (9.6 vs. 20.0%; OR = 2.37) and perceived BRD problem by the farmer (10.6 vs. 18.3%; OR = 1.89). Despite tremendous changes in calves' environment between winter and summer, none of the housing variables were associated with the CONSTUS prevalence in this study. Based on the observed CONSTUS prevalence ranges in the present study (herds in the lower prevalence quartile), an achievable goal of none of 12 calves with consolidation ≥3 cm can potentially be used to define a low-BRD risk herd.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 49%

Section: Assessment Of Air Draft Temperature Hygrometry and Ammoniamentioning

confidence: 99%

Herd-level prevalence of the ultrasonographic lung lesions associated with bovine respiratory disease and related environmental risk factors

Buczinski

Borris²,

Dubuc

2018

Journal of Dairy Science

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“…The document only states that insulation, heating and ventilation of the buildings must ensure that air circulation, dust level, temperature, relative air humidity and noxious gas concentrations need to be kept within limits which are not harmful to the calves. Proper ventilation, allowing the availability of fresh and clean air and the removal of dusts, gases, pollutants, moisture and microbes helps to optimise calf health [ 11 , 29 , 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The concentration of ammonia inside the calf pen is very important as well. Calves are likely to be more sensitive to environmental irritants, such as ammonia, than adult cattle [ 11 ]. Ammonia concentration depends on the accumulation of urine and faeces, which emphasises the need for regular cleaning and provision of dry bedding, together with adequate ventilation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Air Quality, Management Practices and Calf Health in Italian Dairy Cattle Farms

Bonizzi

Gislon

Brasca

et al. 2022

Animals

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Among factors that can affect calf health, microbial quality of the pen air is poorly studied. In 25 Italian dairy farms, data concerning air quality in the calf pens, hygiene of pens and equipment, microclimatic conditions, calf health and management were collected during the winter season (January-March 2020 and December-March 2021). The average air Standard Plate Count (SPC) of 85 pens was 4.51 (SD = 0.52) log10 cfu/m3 whereas the average air ammonia concentration was 0.66 (SD = 0.53) ppm. Positive correlations were found between average Temperature Humidity Index (THI) in the pen and air SPC, night maximum THI and air SPC and between SPC and yeast, mould and ammonia concentration in the pen air. The concentrations of E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts in the pen air were higher and calf cough increased as the renewal interval of bedding material became longer. High bedding dry matter and low THI were associated with low air SPC, good calf health scores and low mortality. Maintaining low bedding humidity and controlling microclimatic conditions can contribute to enhancing air microbiological quality in the pen and reduce calf diseases and mortality.

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Associations of barn air quality parameters with ultrasonographic lung lesions, airway inflammation and infection in group-housed calves

Leenen

Jouret²,

Demeyer³

et al. 2020

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

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Short communication: Field study of air ammonia concentrations in Ontario dairy calf housing microenvironments

Cited by 8 publications

References 8 publications

Herd-level prevalence of the ultrasonographic lung lesions associated with bovine respiratory disease and related environmental risk factors

Herd-level prevalence of the ultrasonographic lung lesions associated with bovine respiratory disease and related environmental risk factors

Air Quality, Management Practices and Calf Health in Italian Dairy Cattle Farms

Associations of barn air quality parameters with ultrasonographic lung lesions, airway inflammation and infection in group-housed calves

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