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Title: QUANTIFYING LIVESTOCK RESPONSES FOR HEAT STRESS MANAGEMENT: A REVIEW

Author
item Nienaber, John
item HAHN, G - RETIRED - ARS
item Eigenberg, Roger

Submitted to: Journal of Biometeorology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Hot weather causes production losses for the livestock producer. There are management options which can lessen the effects of heat if the producer is prepared. Key issues include understanding the hazards of high temperatures, being prepared to offer relief from the heat, recognize when an animal is in danger, and take appropriate action. This paper describes research efforts in four areas: 1) development of mathematical re lationships between weather factors and livestock production; 2) developing probability tables to estimate the risks of hot weather; 3) providing data that can be used to test the value of computer models; and 4) estimating that temperature which indicates the beginning of a stressful response.

Technical Abstract: High environmental temperatures challenge livestock production but technology exists to offset the challenge if producers have made appropriate strategic decisions. Key issues include understanding the hazards of high temperatures, being prepared to offer relief from the heat, recognize when an animal is in danger, and take appropriate action. This paper describes our efforts to develop biological response functions; assess climatic probabilities and perform associated risk analyses; provide inputs for computer models used to make environmental management decisions; and evaluate threshold temperatures as estimates of critical temperature limits for swine, cattle and sheep.