Barn cooling and humidity control.
High-pressure water spraying for dairy barns, piggeries, poultry and beef finishing. Barn temperature drops by 5–10 °C, the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) falls, yields rise, fertility improves and mortality during heatwaves drops by up to 70 %. Systems are compliant with animal-welfare requirements and organic-farming standards.
Water-spraying and misting systems for barns, poultry and piggeries — Slovenia
A hot barn is an expensive barn.
Slovenian heatwaves affect animals even more than people. Dairy cows, finishing pigs and poultry are genetically optimised for high production — meaning a lot of metabolic heat the body must shed. When outdoor temperatures rise and humidity suppresses evaporative cooling through skin and breath, the animal quickly slips into heat stress.
with an integrated water-spraying system
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Temperature-Humidity Index (THI)
THI is a standard parameter that measures the load on animals. For dairy cows, THI 68 is the threshold of early stress; THI 72 means a drop in milk yield, and THI 80 a serious health risk. In Slovenian climates THI 72 inside barns is typically already exceeded at 24 °C outdoor temperature.
The hidden costs
A dairy cow can consume up to 30 % more feed for maintenance during a heatwave, while milk yield drops 10–15 %. In pigs, summer daily gain may be a tenth below winter, and feed conversion deteriorates. In broilers, a single severe heatwave can mean a 5–10 % flock loss within 24 hours.
Four target groups.
Spraying systems are adapted to the type of animal, stocking density and the barn's ventilation concept. The descriptions below are general guidelines.
Dairy cows (Holstein, Simmental)
The system is installed over the lying area and the waiting area before the milking parlour. 30 μm nozzles at 0.12 L/min in interval mode (45 s mist + 5 min ventilation). Cows actively seek the cooled area — a visible difference in herd calmness and milk yield.
Pig farming (finishers, breeding sows)
For pigs, which cannot sweat, the system is essential. 15 μm nozzles in narrow lines above finishing sectors, controlled by temperature + humidity sensors. Particularly important for breeding sows — heat stress can wipe out an entire breeding cycle.
Poultry (broilers, layers)
Combination of tunnel ventilation and inlet-air spraying (pad-cooling alternative). In a barn with 20,000 broilers the system holds temperature below 28 °C even during heatwaves when outdoor temperatures exceed 35 °C.
Horse, goat, sheep and game farms
Smaller installations for private barns, riding schools and game farms. Because of variable density and often open construction, the systems are modular and respond to outdoor temperature.
Two principles, one technology.
In agricultural practice we use two complementary principles: adiabatic cooling (droplets evaporate fully, lowering temperature) and controlled wetting (larger droplets fall on animals or floors, cooling via skin evaporation). The choice depends on the animal type and the ventilation system.
Adiabatic misting
15–20 μm droplets, full evaporation. Ideal for piggeries and poultry where bedding must stay dry. 100 bar.
Drop spraying
30–80 μm droplets, partial fall onto surfaces. For dairy cows and finishers — the cow gets wet and cools through skin evaporation. 70 bar.
Pad-cooling alternative
Spraying into the tunnel ventilation inlet air. Air enters the barn 5–8 °C cooler. Most effective for poultry and enclosed pig sectors.
A typical agricultural system.
For a 1,000 m² barn (e.g. 100 dairy cows or 1,500 finishers). Final values are determined after a barn visit.
| Typical barn | 1,000 m², 100 cows / 1,500 finishers |
|---|---|
| Number of nozzles | 80–140 (lines above lying and feeding areas) |
| Nozzle — cows | Stainless, 30 μm, 0.12 L/min |
| Nozzle — pigs | Stainless, 15 μm, 0.05 L/min |
| Total flow | 4–10 L/min |
| Pump | STOM 1.5–3 kW, 70–100 bar |
| Filtration | 50 μm + 1 μm + UV |
| Control | THI sensor · interval · manual switch |
| Tubing | 11 mm multi-layer, anti-corrosive |
| Compliance | CE · MD · animal welfare · organic farming (EU 2018/848) |
Expected outcomes
- Barn temperature drop 5–10 °C on hot days
- Dairy cows: +1 to +2 L of milk per cow per day during summer
- Finishing pigs: +5 to +12 % daily gain (FCR better by 0.2–0.4)
- Poultry: −40 to −70 % mortality during heatwaves
- Better fertility in sows and cows (fewer late calvings)
- Dust and ammonia binding — improved air quality
Subsidies
Water-spraying systems in Slovenia are eligible for co-financing under CAP 2023–2027 measures (M04 Investments in fixed assets, support area: improvement of animal welfare). We help with the documentation for the application.
"After our first summer with the spraying system, daily milk yield in July stayed at June levels. The difference is measurable in the tank."
Dairy farm · Štajerska · 2024Questions from farmers.
At what temperature do dairy cows experience heat stress?
Dairy cows (Holstein, Simmental) begin to feel heat stress already at THI > 68, which corresponds in Slovenia to about 22 °C outdoor temperature with 50 % humidity. At THI > 78 (~28 °C) milk yield drops by 10–15 % and fertility falls by 30–40 %.
Does water spraying make the barn too wet?
Not if the system is properly sized. High-pressure misting at 100 bar produces 15–20 μm droplets that evaporate fully. For piggeries and poultry, where bedding moisture matters, we use lower flow rates with humidity-sensor control.
How much do yields increase after installation?
Dairy farms: +1 to +2 L of milk per cow per day in summer. Piggeries (finishers): +5 to +12 % daily gain on hot days. Poultry (broilers): 40–70 % mortality reduction during heatwaves and more even weight across the flock.
Is the system suitable for organic farming?
Yes. The system uses only mains water and electricity for the pump. No chemicals, no additives. Compliant with organic farming requirements (EU Regulation 2018/848) and animal welfare standards.
What's the ROI for a 1,000-finisher piggery?
A typical system for a 1,000-finisher barn ranges between 8,000 and 14,000 EUR + VAT. ROI within 2–3 years based on improved gain, lower mortality and better FCR (feed/kg gain) during summer.
Can we apply for subsidies?
Yes. Systems are eligible for co-financing under CAP 2023–2027 measures and the Rural Development Programme. We prepare the technical documentation you need for the application.
What water can we use?
Mains drinking water or properly conditioned water from your own well (after analysis). The system comes with factory-installed 50 μm pre-filtration + 1 μm fine filter + UV sterilisation.
Further areas of use.
Let's prepare a proposal for your barn.
Send a barn layout, type of farming and animal count. We'll prepare a nozzle distribution proposal, an effect estimate and a price — and we'll help with subsidy documentation.