Fi-Foil Radiant Barrier Agricultural Applications Help Eliminate “Black-Globe Effect”
The agricultural industry has recently been dealing with a natural phenomenon known as the “Black Globe Effect” – a condition that affects livestock when they absorb too much solar heat. The Black Globe Effect has a pronounced stress factor relating to the cost efficiency (or inefficiency) of weight gain in meat producing animals and birds.
Studies show this can result in lower body weight, decreased milk production and increased mortality rates to livestock housed in an unprotected environment.
Whether an animal is outdoors or indoors, in temperatures exceeding 78ºF, it absorbs a greater amount of radiant energy from the sun. Although the animal may be confined to a building, the “black globe effect” on the animal is the same as if it were 10 to 20ºF higher than the air temperature.
Tests have shown that the way to stop the Black Globe Effect is through proper insulation. Fi-Foil’s RBI Shield™ Radiant Barrier – a low-cost reflective bubble insulation designed for use in agricultural applications – blocks over 97% of solar radiation and contains additives that reduce flammability.
Using a product like Fi-Foil’s RBI Shield™ Radiant Barrier in the agricultural industry, an increase of as much as 10% in milk production has been noted by dairy farmers. They have also seen a conception rate improvement of nearly 24%. Broiler house feed conversions went from averages of 2.3 to 2.8 lbs. of feed per lb. per bird to a much-improved 1.99 feed conversion. Death losses from heat have been greatly reduced. In winter, indoor heat is reflected back into the living space to produce greater comfort and energy savings.
Fi-Foil’s RBI Shield™ Radiant Barrier for agricultural applications was designed to reduce thermal radiation, increase comfort and improve overall energy-efficiency. It also offers easy installation for both new and existing/retrofit buildings. Not even the company could have forseen that it would someday help save livestock and the industry from a new and deadly plague.