IoT gas and environmental sensors to monitor air quality in goat farms in Northern Italy to improve animal welfare and environmental sustainability

The air quality of livestock housing systems affects animal welfare and their environmental sustainability. Scarce data are available in literature for goat facilities. In this study we monitored the air quality of three goat farms in Northern Italy characterized by different buildings and frequency of litter renewal. Air quality was measured through an IoT gas and environmental sensors device to detect the concentrations of ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2). Temperature and humidity were also measured to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI). Data were collected in two seasons (winter and summer) 3 days before litter renewal. The results show that, in all farms and in any climatic and bedding conditions, air quality and environmental parameters never exceed the suggested thresholds for goats. Significant differences among seasons for each farm were recorded. Farm A showed better air quality in winter, with ammonia (NH3) at 2.3 ppm and carbon dioxide (CO2) at 546 ppm. However, the THI value was the lowest at 46, below the thermoneutrality threshold for goats. Conversely farms B and C showed a better air quality in summer with NH3 of 1.9 ppm and CO2 of 618 ppm and 556 ppm, respectively. Moreover, in farm C the highest THI values (80) was recorded in summer highlighting a potential severe heat stress condition. This study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring for the detection of potential critical environmental quality conditions in dairy goat barns, as well as the challenge of maintaining low harmful gas concentrations and adequate environmental conditions simultaneously.