Spatial Noise Modeling in Dairy Operations

A prototype sound monitoring and evaluation system was used to measure the noise level in a medium-sized dairy barn. In addition, the distribution of noise from the shelter was also modeled in order to determine how much the barn, where only the animals, mechanical tools and working workers in the barn were the sound source, affect the neighboring operations in terms of sound intensity. Considering that the intensity of the sound fluctuates according to the activities during the day, the equal noise level (Leq), which is a cumulative indicator, was used. The data recorded by 7 sensors placed inside the barn were modeled separately for day and night conditions in CadnaA software, and the distribution of Leq values both inside and outside the barn was modeled numerically and visually. As a result of the modeling study, Leq levels in the shelter were determined by averaging the values of 7 sensors. Accordingly, the Leq values for day and night in the barn were calculated as 69.0 and 64.2 dB, respectively. It was determined that these values were considerably lower than the maximum allowable values for dairy cattle. In addition, the spatial distribution modeling of the sound emitted from this establishment was at levels that would not cause disturbance for the neighboring operations.