The influence of climatic conditions on physiological and behavioural parameters in dairy cows kept in open stables

Abstract

This study aimed to assess whether cows are able to cope with the range of climatic conditions they are exposed to in open stables on commercial farms in central Europe. On each of four farms, ten lactating cows were observed over a total of five weeks in winter, spring and summer. Based on continuous measurements of air temperature (–13·8 to 28·7ºC) and relative air humidity (0·26 to 0·99), a mean value of a temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated for each farm and each observation day for night and day.THI had significant effects on skin temperature and body surface temperature (infra-red thermography) both during night and day. Rectal temperature, duration of lying and cortisol concentration in the milk was significantly affected by THI during the day but not during the night. Heart rate and frequency of lying did not significantly covary with THI. Differences between farms and interactions between THI and farm were significant for most parameters. These results suggest that the climatic conditions during the day induced stronger thermoregulatory responses than the conditions during the night. Within the measured range of climatic conditions the cows were hardly exposed to severe cold or heat stress.

Effects of double transport and season on sensorial aspects of lamb's meat quality in dry climates

“…Lacourt and Tarrant (1985) report that glycogen reserves can be significantly depleted in animals exposed to pre-slaughter stress, limiting post-mortem glycogenolysis and glycolysis, resulting in meat with an above normal ultimate pH. Our results agree with Knowles (1998), who report higher stress levels in lambs transported during winter, and with Zähner et al (2004), who report an influence of cold weather on the stress response. However, Kadim et al (2008) report significantly higher meat pH for lambs transported in summer.…”

Effect of the pre-slaughter logistic chain on some indicators of welfare in lambs

“…Surprisingly, the cold season was more stressful than the hot season. Cortisol levels were higher in winter, which agrees with Knowles et al (1998) who reported higher cortisol levels in lambs transported during winter, and with Zähner et al (2004), who found an influence of cold climatic conditions on cortisol secretion in dairy cows. However, other authors report increased cortisol values in lambs during summer (Minton and Blecha, 1990;Lowe et al, 2002).…”

Heat tolerance and the effects of shade on the behavior of Simmental bulls on pasture

“…Standing is a common response to heat (Zähner et al 2004;Tucker et al 2008). Nevertheless, in a study undertaken in Texas, USA using 16 pens of 18 m 2 and using two animals per pen, Mitlöhner et al (2001) did not find excessive standing in unshaded pens compared with shaded pens, even though unshaded animals were being heat stressed.…”