Evaluation of a Temperature/Humidity Data Logger for the Usage in Cattle Barns

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Monitoring
• Animal Husbandry

Background:

• Climate change negatively impacts livestock health, welfare, and farm profitability through heat stress.
• Precise, continuous monitoring of barn climate is essential for timely intervention against heat stress.
• Existing monitoring solutions may vary in accuracy and suitability for on-farm application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of the Kestrel Drop D2 temperature and humidity data logger for on-farm livestock monitoring.
• To compare the Kestrel Drop D2 logger against other commercially available temperature and humidity sensors under field conditions.
• To assess the logger's suitability for detecting conditions indicative of heat stress in cattle barns.

Main Methods:

• Four different temperature and humidity sensors, including the Kestrel Drop D2, were deployed in various cattle barn settings.
• Data collection occurred over a one-year period to ensure comprehensive environmental assessment.
• Measurements were correlated to assess the accuracy and consistency of the Kestrel Drop D2 logger.
• Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis was performed using a Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) cut-off of 72.

Main Results:

• Temperature and humidity measurements from the different sensors showed a very high correlation.
• The Kestrel Drop D2 logger demonstrated performance comparable to other devices, with AUC values ranging from 0.99 to 1.0.
• The logger effectively captured climate data relevant to heat stress thresholds (THI of 72).

Conclusions:

• The Kestrel Drop D2 logger is a suitable and reliable tool for precise, continuous on-farm monitoring of barn climate.
• Its performance is on par with other data loggers, making it a viable option for farmers.
• Effective climate monitoring supports improved animal welfare and economic outcomes by mitigating heat stress impacts.