6533b851fe1ef96bd12a99c4
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Evaluation of in-farm versus weather station data for use as heat stress indicator in dairy sheep
Adriana BonannoRaffaella FinocchiaroA. Di GrigoliJ.b.c.h.m. Van KaamB. Portolanosubject
Heat toleranceLimiting factorMaximum temperatureAnimal scienceAir temperaturemedia_common.quotation_subjectEnvironmental scienceAnimal Science and ZoologyRelative humidityReproductionWeather stationmedia_commonHeat stressdescription
AbstractHeat stress is a limiting factor in dairy production in hot climates impairing growth, milk production and reproduction. The most widely investigated climatic factors related with heat stress are: air temperature and relative humidity. Previously dairy sheep studies of heat tolerance depended on measurements of physiological functions on individual animals such as rectal temperatures, respiration rates or volumes of air inhaled; unfortunately, such measurements are costly and not feasible on a large scale. This study aims to evaluate in-farm (IF) versus weather station (WS) data to be used as heat stress indicator in dairy sheep. Data were collected in three farms in November 2002 till July 2003. Maximum temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) were monitored by means of thermo-hygrographs placed in the farms at a height of 1.5m above the ground. Both IF and WS data were taken 24 h before milk recording. The data contained 1,059 test-day records belonging to 275 Valle del Belice ewes. The correl...
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-01 |