Heat stress in dairy cattle and other livestock under southern African conditions. I. Temperature-humidity index mean values during the four main seasons.
The Livestock Weather Safety Index (LWSI) indicates that in large areas of South Africa and South West Africa/Namibia and for prolonged periods of the year warm conditions are causing heat stress in food-producing animals, especially dairy cattle, thereby hampering their performance. South Africa and South West Africa/Namibia have been mapped according to a modified LWSI, which includes the critical "temperature-humidity index" value for milk production. The importance of heat stress in dairy cattle is discussed relative to such areas.
Du Preez
J H
JH
Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort.
Giesecke
W H
WH
Hattingh
P J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003612:Dairying; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006813:Humidity; D009276:Namibia; D012621:Seasons; D013019:South Africa; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000662:veterinary; D013696:Temperature