Climatic physiology of cattle

Thompson, Gregory A.

doi:10.1017/s0022029900014813

Cited by 31 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 145 publications

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“…The majority of studies on the interaction between climate and the physiological and productive responses of dairy cattle have been pursued in climate chambers where high ambient temperature/humidity conditions have been applied in a continuous manner (Yeck and Stewart, 1959;Thompson, 1973) and not in a diurnal fashion as found under natural conditions. Differences in the physiological response of cattle to the form and duration of heat stress have been reported and differences have also been noted in productive responses; thus whereas temperate breeds of cows exposed continuously to high (35~ ambient temperatures have been shown to reduce their milk production by 33% (Bianca, 1965) those maintained under similar temperatures during the day but at >10~ less at night do not decrease milk yield beyond that normally expected under temperate conditions (Richards, 1985).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of high daytime temperatures on the intake and utilisation of water in lactating Friesian cows

Ji¹

1985

Trop Anim Health Prod

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Four primiparous Friesian cows in mid-lactation and housed in climate chambers were simultaneously exposed to three sequential climate treatments: 1, a three-week period in a thermoneutral environment (ambient temperature Ta 14-21 degrees C and relative humidity r.h. 60-70%); 2, a similar period during which they were exposed to Ta max. 38 degrees C/r.h. max. 80% for up to 7 h and Ta 14-21 degrees C/r.h. 60-70% for 17 h each day; and 3, a three-week period during which they were subjected once more to the thermoneutral conditions described for 1. Water and a complete feed were constantly available. Compared with water intake (drinking water + feed water) under thermoneutral conditions cows exposed to treatment 2 significantly increased their mean intake by 12.2%; in three cows, this involved a phase-shift of greater than 20% in drinking habits from day (hot) to night (cool) time. Water balance trials conducted at the mid-point of each treatment revealed that the mean losses of water via urine, faeces, milk, sweat and saliva as a percentage of water intake changed significantly resulting in a net gain (retention) of body water. An accompanying significant increase in live weight despite a 9.1% decrease in DM intake during treatment 2 confirmed the water retention results. On return to thermoneutral conditions (3), the cows exhibited a marked weight loss and a significant increase in urinary water excretion over treatment 1 and 2 values, signifying that a large proportion of the water retained during 2 was of extracellular origin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of high daytime temperatures on the intake and utilisation of water in lactating Friesian cows

Ji¹

1985

Trop Anim Health Prod

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“…The effects of season and heat stress on the milk yield, growth and fertility of cattle have been studied both under natural conditions and in climate chambers (see reviews by Bianca, 1965;Hafez, 1968;Johnson, 1967;McDowell, 1972;Thatcher, 1974;Thompson, 1973). There is considerable experimental evidence to show statistically significant relationships between air temperatures of 8° to 10°C above the comfort zone and various measures of animal productivity.…”

Section: Changes In Production Due To Heat Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A decrease in total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production per unit of food consumed (Kelley, Martz and Johnson, 1967;Moody, Van Soest, McDowell and Ford, 1967), relative changes in the individual VFA's (Thompson, 1973) and endocrine changes may be some contributory factors. and in inferior storage and processing properties of the milk.…”

Section: Milk Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The cow appears to be most susceptible to heat stress immediately prior to, during and in, the first 6 days after breeding (Stott, Wiersma and Woods, 1972;Thompson, 1973). It has been suggested that heat stress may directly cause or, through elevating the secretion of progesterone by the adrenal, induce an uterine environment unsuitable for the implantation, survival and development of the egg Ulberg, 1958).…”

Section: Reproductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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2.1 Methods of alleviating the deleterious effects of tropical climates on animal production

Richards

1981

BSAP Occas. Publ.

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INTRODUCTIONAs a consequence of the rapidly expanding population and the general recognition of the need for more efficient food production in the less developed countries, there is currently much interest in the establishment of intensive animal production units therein. However, traditional animal production enterprises in these countries, particularly in those with hot humid climates, are noted for their low productivity and poor reproductive rates. Consequently, only a few of the intensive units established in these locations have been successful. The most common factors associated with this failure are, inexperience in 'farming' animals, mismanagement, inappropriate animal types, inadequate housing and planning and ignorance of the deleterious effects of tropical environments on animals and production systems and on means of alleviating them.Ever since animals were domesticated, man realized that climatic changes resulted in dramatic influences on their behaviour and performance. In an attempt to ameliorate these effects, enormous energy has since been expended in the developed world in modifying traditional housing, feeding and management practices. However, the problems faced by animals in the tropics are particularly difficult, especially in the low income countries, not only because they are exposed to periods of extremely hot/humid weather but also because financial constraints have precluded the employment of many of the available methods of ameliorating the effects of climate on production. Clearly, the fate of many of these nations will depend on man's ability to overcome these difficulties. Thus far, research and development efforts have been mainly concerned with: * the importation of high producing animals or their genes from temperate regions, crossing them with tropically adapted species and subsequently selecting those that are adaptable and productive; * designing suitable housing to counteract the rigours of climate; and * developing the most efficient ways of animal management and feeding.The object of this paper is to briefly describe the physiological and productive responses of animals maintained in hot environments and to categorise the practical methods currently available of alleviating the depressive effects. The majority of the work quoted will relate to cattle. RESPONSE OF CATTLE TO HOT/HUMID TROPICAL.CLIMATESClimate is one of many features of the tropical environment which limit animal production; others include nutrition, endo-and ecto-parasites, disease, soil fertility, etc. (McDowell, 1968). The depressive effects of tropical climates are very difficult to quantify because they reflect responses to four factors: * to the direct effect of diurnal heat loads -various combinations of solar radiation, environmental temperature, relative humidity, wind, rainfall and oxygen tension (altitude) -on the energy needs of the animal; 58 RICHARDS * to the indirect effects of heat loads on the type, amount, availability and quality of feed and water, the prevalence of disease, helminth load, ...

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“…The results of climate chamber studies conducted in the United States and reviewed by Yeck and Stewart (1959), Bianca (1965) and Thompson (1973) showed that Bos taurus dairy breeds continuously exposed to ambient temperatures in excess of 27~ exhibited marked depressions in appetite, an accompanied increase in maintenance needs and a decline in milk yield of 33% at 35~ and by over 50% at 40~ In contrast field studies by Ansell (1976) in the United Arab Emirates and Folman, Berman, l-ierz, Kaim, Rosenberg, Mamen and Gordin (1979) in Israel indicated that Holsteins exposed to stressful daytime temperatures did not exhibit significant depressions in food intake nor in milk yield provided they were maintained under shade and there existed a diurnal variation in ambient temperature of >10~ The primary objective of this study was to try to resolve these contradictions by assessing the clinical parameters, voluntary food intake and milk production of dairy cows subjected to periods of simulated temperate and tropical climates. A second purpose was to investigate whether restricting feed access to the 12h dark/cool period of a simulated tropical day could ameliorate any deleterious clinical and depressive productive parameters observed when feed was allowed ad lib.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Milk production of friesian cows subjected to high daytime temperatures when allowed food eitherad lib or at night-time only

Richards¹

1985

Trop Anim Health Prod

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Four lactating Friesian cows housed in climate chambers were exposed to the following sequential treatments: I, a four-week period when they were allowed constant access to an ad lib supply of a complete diet and water in a thermoneutral environment (ambient temperature (Ta) 14 to 20 degrees C and relative humidity (r.h.) 50 to 75%); II, a five-week period during which they were exposed to Ta 38.5 degrees C/r.h. 85% for 61/2 h during daytime and Ta 14 to 20 degrees C/r.h. 50 to 75% for the remainder of each day with constant access to ad lib complete diet and water; III, a four-week period under the same environment as treatment II but with access to food restricted to between 19.00 and 07.00; IV; a four-week period under the environment and feeding regime described for treatment II. The voluntary food intake (VFI) of cows subjected to II was not depressed as a result of high daytime temperature despite the fact that they exhibited daytime clinical features indicative of heat stress; this was because of a 27.8% compensatory increase in night-time feeding. Nevertheless there was an accompanying significant increase in the rate of lactation decline of 8.7% per month greater than that normally expected under the thermoneutral conditions (I). Subsequent restriction of food access to night-time (III) resulted in a significant reduction in mean VFI of 7.5%; however, the rate of lactation decline was drastically reduced to a value not dissimilar to the natural decline of 3.97% per month observed under thermoneutral conditions (I).

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Climatic physiology of cattle

Cited by 31 publications

References 145 publications

Effect of high daytime temperatures on the intake and utilisation of water in lactating Friesian cows

Effect of high daytime temperatures on the intake and utilisation of water in lactating Friesian cows

2.1 Methods of alleviating the deleterious effects of tropical climates on animal production

Milk production of friesian cows subjected to high daytime temperatures when allowed food eitherad lib or at night-time only

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