CEVEC – Cost Effective Ventilated Environment for Calves

奶牛群中的小牛犊是奶牛场和奶牛业的基础动物。然而，这些小牛面临着几个主要的健康和福利问题。肺炎是小牛犊的主要问题，据估计，所有牛犊中有11%患有这种问题。肺炎病例会给受影响的动物带来痛苦和健康不良，但也会产生更广泛的后果，包括对该动物的生长、健康和生育产生长期不利影响，以及过度使用抗菌药物。众所周知，牛舍通风不良和空气质量差是增加肺炎发病率的主要因素。为了应对这一挑战，**Cevec**将设计并提供一座**低成本**专门建造的牛犊饲养大楼，具有**实时**监控和**自动化环境控制**，以确保小牛的健康、福利和生产力。同时降低与牛犊管理相关的劳动力成本。Cevec的**雄心**是提供明确的证据，证明投资于专门建造的牛犊饲养建筑为农民带来了有利可图的回报。Cevec的**主要目标**：1.利用新颖的住房设计和通风技术，专门为牛犊设计一座低成本的建筑，并配备嵌入式监控系统和自动控制，以确保最佳的环境条件和空气质量。设计数据采集、监控和自动控制系统，以提供一致的最佳小牛环境。在苏格兰西南部的一个商业农场安装Cevec大楼，并评估对小牛健康、生产力、劳动力使用和相关运营成本的影响。进行稳健的商业试验，以评估和比较Cevec和当前次优饲养场的犊牛健康和生产力结果。对Cevec进行全面的成本效益分析，并制定强有力的商业化战略--详细说明业务/运营模式、营销计划和定价/服务模式。利用一系列知识交流(KE)进程(南部和西部以及坎布里亚地区的开放日、混合媒体平台和科学成果)制定和交付联合传播和传播计划。该项目将开发第一个专门为小牛设计的低成本自动控制环境。

Calves from dairy herds are the foundation animals for both dairy farms and for the dairy-beef industry. However, there are several major health and welfare issues suffered by these calves. Pneumonia is a major problem for young calves, with an estimated 11% of all calves suffering from this problem. A case of pneumonia causes distress and ill health in the affected animal, but also has wider consequences including long-term adverse effects on growth, health, and fertility in that animal, and over-use of antimicrobial drugs. Poor ventilation and air quality in calf housing is known to be a major factor that increases rates of pneumonia.To address this challenge, **CEVEC** will design and deliver a **LOW-COST** purpose-built calf rearing building, with **REAL-TIME** monitoring, and **AUTOMATED ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL** to ensure high health, welfare, and productivity of calves, whilst reducing labour costs associated with calf management.The **AMBITION** of CEVEC is to provide clear evidence that investing in a purpose-built calf rearing building brings profitable returns to the farmer.The **KEY OBJECTIVES** of CEVEC:1. Design a low-cost building specifically for calves using novel housing design and ventilation technology with embedded monitoring systems and automated control to ensure optimum environmental conditions and air quality.2. Design the data acquisition, monitoring, and automated control system to deliver a consistent optimal calf environment.3. Install the CEVEC building on a commercial farm in South-West (SW) Scotland and assess the impacts on calf health, productivity, labour use and associated running costs.4. Conduct a robust commercial trial to assess and compare calf health and productivity outcomes of CEVEC and current sub-optimal housing.5. Conduct a full cost-benefit analysis of CEVEC and develop a robust commercialisation strategy -- detailing the business/operating model, marketing plan, and pricing/service model.6. Develop and deliver a joint communications and dissemination plan using a range of Knowledge Exchange (KE) processes (open days in the South and West and Cumbria region, mixed media platforms and scientific outputs).The project will develop the first purpose-built, low-cost, automatic controlled environment, designed specifically for calves.