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Publication Date
1977
Description
In a pasture trial with cattle youngstock the influence of weather conditions on the live weight gain was studied. Comparisons between the weekly average in global radiation and the weight gain showed that for each 100 cal/ cm2 • d -1 the daily live weight gain increased by 80 g per animal, and under extreme weather conditions the increase in live weight gain even amounted to 219 g per animal and day. On a pasture farm of 590 cows an average weekly increase in global radiation by 100 cal/ cm2 • d -1 resulted in a rise in milk performance by 3. 76 %. An analysis of the effects of sunshine on the milk performance of over 167,000 cows within a three-week period of time with rather varying weather conditions (cool-damp, warmdry, warm-damp) also revealed a distinct influence of weather on milk performance. Since global radiation does not only influence the content of soluble carbohydrates in the herbage and thus also its digestibility, but also has some effect on the N03-N content, supplementary feeding of concentrates rich in carbohydrates is recommended during grazing periods with poor radiation.
Citation
Rotschke, W and Lampeter, W, "Studies regarding the influence of weather conditions on the performance of grazing cattle" (1977). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 52.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1977/sess6/52)
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Studies regarding the influence of weather conditions on the performance of grazing cattle
In a pasture trial with cattle youngstock the influence of weather conditions on the live weight gain was studied. Comparisons between the weekly average in global radiation and the weight gain showed that for each 100 cal/ cm2 • d -1 the daily live weight gain increased by 80 g per animal, and under extreme weather conditions the increase in live weight gain even amounted to 219 g per animal and day. On a pasture farm of 590 cows an average weekly increase in global radiation by 100 cal/ cm2 • d -1 resulted in a rise in milk performance by 3. 76 %. An analysis of the effects of sunshine on the milk performance of over 167,000 cows within a three-week period of time with rather varying weather conditions (cool-damp, warmdry, warm-damp) also revealed a distinct influence of weather on milk performance. Since global radiation does not only influence the content of soluble carbohydrates in the herbage and thus also its digestibility, but also has some effect on the N03-N content, supplementary feeding of concentrates rich in carbohydrates is recommended during grazing periods with poor radiation.
