Pashu Sandesh, 30th June 2020
Neela Madhav Patnaik1, Parag Acharya2, Bibhudatta Samanta Panda3, Sunil Kumar Mohapatra4, Arghyadeep Das5
INTRODUCTION
Global warming has a great negative impact on the reproductive performance of cattle and buffaloes. Climate change has resulted in droughts, due to which feed and water scarcity are seen in the case of grazing animals. The effects of climate change will also influence pasture resource depletion, thus depriving grazing animals of nutrient requirements. These conditions aggravate the decrease in growth and reproductive efficiency in livestock. Generally, the impact of hot weather has been referred to as heat stress. Heat stress can be defined as the point where the animal cannot dissipate an adequate quantity of heat to maintain body thermal balance. Climatic factors that may influence the degree of heat stress which include: temperature, humidity, radiation and wind. In India, the summer temperature goes beyond 450C which is 180 C above the upper critical temperature of dairy cattle. When the temperature exceeds 270 C even with low humidity, this temperature is above the comfort zone for the high producing dairy cows. All the changes associated with heat stress lead to loss of productivity reduced breeding efficiency and even loss of life in extreme cases. Every year in India severe loss in milk production is incurred due to heat stress causing huge economic loss to dairy farmers. Heat stress also has detrimental effects on reproduction by decreasing oestrus expression, conception rate and by increasing length of service, dry period and calving interval. Though indigenous breeds of cattle are more thermo-tolerant, crossbred and exotic breeds of cattle are highly sensitive to heat stress. Buffaloes are more prone to this owing to their black skin that absorbs more solar radiations. Understanding the cause of heat stress and management strategies are particularly important so as to save the farmers from financial distress.
CAUSES OF HEAT STRESS
EFFECTS OF HEAT STRESS
SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STRESS
Common symptoms of heat-stressed animal include:-
MANAGEMENT OF HEAT STRESS
CONCLUSION
Preventing heat stress will help maintain higher milk production, better reproduction, improve animal health through reducing chances of acidosis and lameness, and improve animal well-being. Environmental management is a very important skill for farmers to hone. Although we cannot control the weather, we certainly can control the areas our cows inhabit to help prevent potential disasters in the heat of summer.
Neela Madhav Patnaik1, Parag Acharya2, Bibhudatta Samanta Panda3, Sunil Kumar Mohapatra4, Arghyadeep Das5
1*Ph.D. Scholar, Dairy Extension Division, NDRI, Karnal
2Asst. Prof., Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science, Rampura Phul, GADVASU, Ludhiana
3Ph.D. Scholar, Animal Physiology Division, NDRI, Karnal
4Ph.D. Scholar, Animal Biochemistry Division, NDRI, Karnal
5Ph.D. Scholar, Dairy Economics, Statistics and Management Division, NDRI, Karnal
Corresponding Author- neela.patnaik@gmail.com