Animal Science, Department of
Date of this Version
2010
Abstract
Angus crossbred yearling steers were used to evaluate tympanic temperature (TT) profile of cattle displaying high, moderate, or low levels of heat stress. Data indicate cattle that do not adequately cool down at night are prone to greater body temperatures during a subsequent hot day. Cattle that are prone to displaying moderate levels of heat stress but can cool at night will maintain average tympanic temperatures at or near those of cattle that tend to consistently maintain lower peak tympanic temperatures. In addition, during cooler and moderately hot periods, cattle change TT in a stair-step or incremental pattern, while under hot conditions, average TT of group-fed cattle moves in conjunction with ambient conditions, indicating that thermoregulatory mechanisms are at or near maximum physiological capacity.
Comments
Published in 2009 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report (Lincoln, NE: December, 2008). Copyright © 2008 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.