Publication Database

Thermodynamic assessment of heat stress in dairy cattle:
lessons from human biometeorology (2022)

Art

Zeitschriftenartikel / wissenschaftlicher Beitrag

Autoren

Foroushani, Sepehr

Amon, Thomas (WE 10)

Quelle

International Journal of Biometeorology

Bandzählung: 66

Heftzählung: 9

Seiten: 1811 – 1827

ISSN: 0020-7128

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00484-022-02321-2

DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02321-2

Pubmed: 35821443

Kontakt

Institut für Tier- und Umwelthygiene

Robert-von-Ostertag-Str. 7-13
14169 Berlin
+49 30 838 51845
tierhygiene@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

A versatile meteorological index for predicting heat stress in dairy cattle remains elusive. Despite numerous attempts at developing such indices and widespread use of some, there is growing skepticism about the accuracy and adequacy of the existing indices as well as the general statistical approach used to develop them. At the same time, precision farming of high-yielding animals in a drastically changing climate calls for more effective prediction and alleviation of heat stress. The present paper revisits classical work on human biometeorology, particularly the apparent temperature scale, to draw inspiration for advancing research on heat stress in dairy cattle. The importance of a detailed, mechanistic understanding of heat transfer and thermoregulation is demonstrated and reiterated. A model from the literature is used to construct a framework for identifying and characterizing conditions of potential heat stress. New parameters are proposed to translate the heat flux calculations based on heat-balance models into more tangible and more useful meteorological indices, including an apparent temperature for cattle and a thermoregulatory exhaustion index. A validation gap in the literature is identified as the main hindrance to the further development and deployment of heat-balance models. Recommendations are presented for systematically addressing this gap in particular and continuing research within the proposed framework in general.