Effects of Environmental Factors on Body Temperature of Feedlot Cattle

Authors

Rodrigo Arias, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry L. Mader, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in 2009 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Lincoln, NE: December, 2008). Copyright © 2008 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Tympanic temperature of 32 Angus steers (919 ± 7.5 lb) was measured with Micro-T ibuttons or the Stowaway data loggers. Environmental variables were collected using weather stations located in the pens to evaluate factors influencing body temperature. A multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of these factors on body temperature of feedlot cattle. Tympanic temperature tended to be higher for Stowaway compared to Micro-T data loggers (102.6 vs. 102.41°F ± 0.072, respectively; P = 0.053). Tympanic temperature was driven primarily by outgoing solar radiation and wind speed (R²=0.79).