UUDISED

GOOD PROJECT EXAMPLE:TARK LAUT - Concept Solution for an Innovative Thermoregulated Cattle Housing Working on Renewable Energy

The problem to be solved

The main problems to be solved were related to providing animals with the following conditions in the winter feeding period:

1. optimum temperature so that animals would use as little energy as possible from the feed to regulate their body temperature,
2. as much sunlight as possible to prevent animals from developing skin diseases and metabolic disorders in common cattle housing,
3. efficient air circulation to prevent generation of condensation and damp environment for animals – dampness promotes the spread of pathogens,
4. good working conditions for the employees working in cattle housing by increasing the convenience of attending and feeding/watering the animals and changing the cattle bedding.

During the project, various energy- and resource-efficient architectural and engineering solutions were combined with smart green technology and mechatronic solutions to find the best structuraltechnical solutions for achieving the objectives of the project. 

“The project helped to get a clear idea of successful cooperation between different research institutions, specialists and the Agricultural Registers and Information Board in Estonia to develop something necessary and innovative for agricultural producers. It was not easy to finance the farm because of the requirement of using own funds, compile a functioning team of competent and reliable experts – the best in their area of activity. Hopefully, we would be able to use the created contacts and knowledge both for the implementation of new ideas and sharing knowledge with as many producers as possible to encourage and create interest in contributing to the sustainable future of agriculture with new ideas.” Tõnno Olonen, the project manager 

Project outcomes

The created concept solution TARK LAUT is a structural-technical solution for cattle farming in an optimum microclimate, which increases animal welfare by better use of daylight, making the changing of bedding/manure handling more convenient for both animals and the farmer. It increases the efficiency of the metabolising energy use of the animals through optimum temperature and air circulation. The building makes maximum use of solar energy and ensures all-year-round indoor temperature with a minimum need for additional heating.

The concept solution allows cattle farmers to use the building in summer for producing valorized by-products or for drying hay, which enables them to create an additional source of income for livestock farms.