Track 2-08: Impacts on and Adaptation of Livestock Production Systems to Climate Change
Description
Heat stress can reduce growth rate and reproduction of beef cattle in tropical regions, which might be accentuated under a scenario of climate change. Adaptation of breeds, acclimatisation of individuals, and shade (natural or artificial) can be used to mitigate heat stress in cattle with body temperature used as an indicator (Finch 1977). In the past few years, infrared temperature (IRT) of the eye and hide have been used as an indicators of core body temperature for disease detection and heat produced (Schaefer et al. 2012; Montanholi et al. 2008). IRT could become an automatic and remote measurement of body temperature to monitor environmental and physiological events related to heat stress. Thus, IRT could assist with management decisions concerning shade, water, disease, and animal selection. However, there is no information comparing body temperature of cattle under different rangeland environments (e.g. woodlands vs. savannas).
The objective of this study was to determine body temperature of cattle in relation to breed, age and environmental conditions (ambient temperature and shade) using a non-invasive methodology.
Included in
Radiant Temperature of Cattle According to Rangeland Environment and Breed
Heat stress can reduce growth rate and reproduction of beef cattle in tropical regions, which might be accentuated under a scenario of climate change. Adaptation of breeds, acclimatisation of individuals, and shade (natural or artificial) can be used to mitigate heat stress in cattle with body temperature used as an indicator (Finch 1977). In the past few years, infrared temperature (IRT) of the eye and hide have been used as an indicators of core body temperature for disease detection and heat produced (Schaefer et al. 2012; Montanholi et al. 2008). IRT could become an automatic and remote measurement of body temperature to monitor environmental and physiological events related to heat stress. Thus, IRT could assist with management decisions concerning shade, water, disease, and animal selection. However, there is no information comparing body temperature of cattle under different rangeland environments (e.g. woodlands vs. savannas).
The objective of this study was to determine body temperature of cattle in relation to breed, age and environmental conditions (ambient temperature and shade) using a non-invasive methodology.
