In the heart of Brazil, a groundbreaking development is set to revolutionize poultry farming, merging the worlds of bioclimatology and agritech. Letícia Salomão Barbosa Adorno, a researcher from the Animal Production Master Program at Brazil University in Descalvado, SP, has spearheaded the creation of a portable device that promises to enhance thermal comfort in poultry production, a critical factor for bird welfare and productivity.
The device, a compact marvel integrating sensors with an Arduino microcontroller, measures key meteorological variables such as dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, black globe temperature, dew point temperature, and wind speed. It’s not just about data collection, though. The device processes real-time data using programmed management guidelines, calculating thermal comfort indices and classifying the thermal comfort status of different poultry types at various ages. It even goes a step further, employing a decision tree to recommend management actions for adjustment.
“Many farms lack advanced monitoring systems, often measuring only temperature, humidity, and air velocity,” Adorno explains. “This device fills that gap, offering a low-cost, user-friendly solution that supports producers in monitoring and managing environmental conditions.”
The implications for the energy sector are significant. By optimizing environmental conditions, farmers can reduce energy consumption related to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. This not only cuts costs but also contributes to sustainability efforts, a growing concern in modern agriculture.
The device’s validation process involved comparing measurements against calibrated commercial instruments. Results demonstrated high accuracy for most variables, particularly dew point temperature. While air velocity measurements showed lower precision, the overall performance is promising.
Published in the journal ‘Smart Agricultural Technology’ (translated from Portuguese as ‘Tecnologias Agrícolas Inteligentes’), this research opens doors for future developments. As Adorno puts it, “This technology fills a gap for accessible and practical thermal comfort assessment tools in poultry production systems that lack full automation.”
The potential for scaling this technology is immense. It could be adapted for other livestock or even integrated into smart farming systems, paving the way for more efficient, sustainable, and humane agricultural practices. As we look to the future, this device stands as a testament to the power of innovation in agritech, promising a brighter, more comfortable future for our feathered friends and a more efficient one for farmers.