<b>Effects of shade and water spray on physiological and production responses of dairy cows in tropical climate</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i1.1961

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect s of natural and artificial shade and sprinkling water on the physiologic responses (rectal temperature and respiration rate), and productive (fat, protein and somatic cells) of 20 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows, during the summer. The cows were divided in two groups and submitted for two environment (sun and shade) with and without water sprinkling before and after milking. Wind speed, temperature and relative humidity, black globe temperature and milk yield were recorded daily. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured twice weekly on the morning and evening; milk analyzed fortnightly. Respiration rate, milk yield and somatic cell number were affected (P < 0,01) for considered meteorological factors. Rectal temperature did not affect by treatments shade supply and water sprinkling showed to be profitable to the cows.