What is it? Efficient production of meat, milk, and eggs in both confinement and non-confinement production facilities requires a high degree of environmental control to provide optimum and consistent conditions for the animals to thrive and express their genetic potential to be productive. Livestock systems engineering is the combination of livestock, management, environment, and technology that is essential for obtaining those conditions.

An interdisciplinary approach that integrates biological knowledge and management features is essential for meeting economic and sustainable farming objectives

A few examples of livestock system engineering approaches include assessment of ventilation, air movement, humidity and temperature, including fan performance testing, assessment of building structures for disease prevention and local environmental hygiene, guidance and advice particularly with respect to nutrient management and water quality issues, design and assessment of manure handling and treatment systems, local assessment for planning of buildings to reduce odorous emissions, development and application of sensor technology, information technology (GPS and GIS), and robotics for precision livestock farming.

Stray Voltage

The following presentations were from the Stray Voltage Awareness Workshop held on November 2, 2006.  It was sponsored by the University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University and Warren Rural Electric Cooperative

Stray Voltage and Cow Health
By Dr. Jenks Britt, Associate Professor of Animal Science, WKU

Diagnosing Stray Voltage
By Dr. Erin Wilkerson, Assistant Extension Professor, BAE, UK

What is Stray Voltage?
By Dr. Doug Overhults, Associate Extension Professor, BAE, UK

The Farm Electrical System
By Ron Nelson, WRECC

These files are provided in PDF format.