42-Title: Measurement of heat stress and its impact on behavior and production performance in surti buffaloes in different seasons

Authors: Gopal Puri, SS Chaudhary, SB Patel and Sawan Rathwa

Source: Ruminant Science (2022)-11(1):209-212.

How to cite this manuscript: Puri Gopal, Chaudhary SS, Patel SB and Rathwa Sawan (2022). Measurement of heat stress and its impact on behavior and production performance in surti buffaloes in different seasons. Ruminant Science 11(1):209-212.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure the heat stress level in different seasons and its impact on behavioural and production performance in Surti buffaloes. The experiment was conducted on 12 lactating Surti buffaloes in different seasons viz; winter, summer and rainy. Temperature (°C), relative humidity (%) and temperature humidity index (THI) were recorded in all three seasons. The effects of heat stress on behavioural signs like seeking of shade, rumination, standing position and lying position of buffaloes were observed in all three seasons. The composition of milk and milk yield per animal in different seasons was also observed. The results of the study showed that THI was significantly (PÂ0.05) higher in summer (83.31±0.40) and rainy season (81.74±0.15) in comparison to winter (72.15±0.35) season. In summer and rainy seasons, the THI level was above 80.0 that caused detrimental effects on the behavioural and production performances of Surti buffaloes. Seeking of shade behaviour of buffalo was found to be higher in summer and rainy seasons to combat thermal stress however, the difference was not significant. Furthermore, fat and lactose percentage in milk and milk yield in Surti buffaloes significantly improved in the winter season than the summer and rainy seasons. It can thus be concluded that high THI in summer and rainy seasons induced more stress on buffaloes that precede adverse effects on the behavioural and production performances of animals.

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