EVALUATION OF AIR QUALITY IN A DAIRY CATTLE BARN

Abstract

The microbiological quality of air in a cattle barn was evaluated to ascertain the role of air as a source of contamination and spoilage of raw milk. The microbial quality of air at two areas of a cattle barn viz. milking animal shed and calf shed were assessed. Sedimentation method was employed for air sample collection. The observed data were statistically analyzed by independent “t†test. The mean total aerobic counts obtained in the air by sedimentation method were 134.56±4.95 and 96.48±4.33 cfu/feet²/min in milking animal shed and calf shed respectively. The total aerobic count in the milking animal shed was significantly higher (P< 0.01) when compared to calf shed. The mean total Coliform count obtained in the air were 9.54±1.05 and 10.80±2.06 cfu/feet²/min in milking animal shed and calf shed respectively. The total Coliform count revealed no significant difference between milking animal shed and calf shed. The mean Staphylococcal count obtained in the air were 91.78±4.89 and 52.48±3.57 cfu/feet²/min in milking animal shed and calf shed respectively. The Staphylococcal count gave significantly higher values for (P< 0.01) milking animal shed when compared to calf shed. The mean Yeast and mould count obtained in the air were 14.84±0.90 and 12.42±0.89 cfu/feet²/min in milking animal shed and calf shed respectively.   The yeast and mould count revealed   no significant difference between the milking animal shed and calf shed.