Accurate Measurements

In the modern age of agriculture, precision and efficiency are paramount to ensure sustainable production and animal welfare. Our sensors play a crucial role in monitoring and managing various parameters, ranging from temperature and humidity to air quality and feed consumption. The accuracy of measurements from these sensors is of utmost importance, as it directly impacts the well-being of animals, operational efficiency, and overall farm productivity.

Enhancing Animal Welfare

The well-being of animals is a top priority for ethical and efficient livestock farming. Accurate sensor measurements help maintain optimal environmental conditions within livestock houses. Our DOL 114 temperature and humidity sensor, for instance, ensure that animals are kept in a comfortable climate, reducing stress and minimizing the risk of diseases. Animals that are exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations are more susceptible to illnesses, and this can lead to economic losses for farmers or farm managers as well. By continuously monitoring these conditions and making necessary adjustments, farmers can ensure the comfort and health of their livestock.

The Impact of Ammonia on Poultry Production

It is well-proven that air polution due to high ammonia levels in broiler production results in a higher FCR, lower gain, and poorer animal welfare. Birds being exposed to high levels of ammonia can suffer from respiratory diseases, ammonia blindness, infections with Newcastle, the bronchitis virus and parasites, burned skin and feed, nutritional stress, suffocation, and even death. These sufferings will of course decrease production and increase breeding costs.

Why Continuous Ammonia Monitoring Matters

Early action benefits the productivity of the broilers as well as animal welfare. Thus, constantly monitoring the level of ammonia is essential for the poultry production. Furthermore, monitoring the level of humidity is also important, since a too high level of humidity in the livestock house can cause formation of ammonia.

There are different ways to minimize the level of ammonia in a poultry production. One is ensuring a good quality of litter, air flow and ventilation in the house, a low level of humidity, and keeping the temperature down. Minimizing the level of ammonia have a major impact on the financial yield of the production. In fact, studies* have shown that ammonia concentrations as low as 25 ppm can reduce bird weights at 28 days of age by 2-7% while 50 ppm ammonia has been shown to reduce bird weights from 16-19%. An increased ammonia concentration can cut profits by $3,000 or more per batch in a livestock house with 25,000 broilers.

With dol-sensors’ ammonia sensors you can continuously monitor ammonia levels with great accuracy. Combined with a farm controller, the ammonia sensors can help ensuring automation of the ventilation system.

*Source: “Ammonia in the Atmosphere during Brooding Affects Performance of Broiler Chickens”, F. N. REECE, B. D. LOTT, and J. W. DEATON and “Poultry Housing Tips”, Volume 32, No. 1, University of Georgia

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CO2 Sensors For Better Animal Welfare

Keeping a low level of CO2 (carbon dioxide) is vital to agricultural production and animal welfare. In poultry and pig farms, a too high CO2 level can cause higher feed consdumption rates and higher mortality, thus impacting the performance of the production significantly and lower profits for farmers and farm managers.

Carbon dioxide accumilation in the barn, can cause respiratory problems and even death, which means that monitoring the CO2 level is vital to the production. Controlling the ventilation and eliminating CO2 in the house is one of the most important factors in poultry and pig production.

In addition, high levels of CO2 can cause stress and discomfort for the animals, leading to aggressive behavior and increased risk of injury. By monitoring the CO2 level and controlling the ventilation, farmers and farm managers can create a more comfortable and healthy environment for their animals, reducing the risk of disease and improving overall welfare.