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Assessing the heat tolerance of 17 beef cattle genotypes
J B Gaughan1, T L Mader, S M Holt
1School of Animal Studies, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia. j.gaughan@uq.edu.au
International Journal of Biometeorology
|May 22, 2009
Summary
Identifying heat-tolerant cattle breeds is crucial for global food production. This study found that Bos taurus cattle exhibit less heat stress than Brahman cattle under extreme heat conditions, as measured by panting scores.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Agriculture
- Environmental Physiology
Background:
- Cattle production is vital for global food security, with most cattle in developing nations.
- Increasing meat demand drives intensification and cross-breeding, highlighting the need for heat-tolerant breeds.
- Lack of heat tolerance limits cattle production in many regions, necessitating identification of resilient breeds and individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the heat tolerance of various cattle genotypes under field conditions.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of panting scores and heat load index (HLI) in identifying heat tolerance.
- To compare the heat tolerance of different breeds, including Bos taurus and Brahman cattle.
Main Methods:
- Utilized panting scores (0-4.5 scale) and heat load index (HLI) calculations to measure heat stress.
- Assessed 12,757 steers across 17 genotypes in 13 Australian feedlots over three summers.
- Recorded cattle responses under natural climatic conditions with varying HLI levels, from thermoneutral to extreme.
Main Results:
- Under extreme heat (HLI > 96), purebred Bos taurus and Bos taurus crosses showed significantly lower panting scores (indicating less stress) compared to Brahman and Brahman-cross cattle (P < 0.001).
- The heat load index effectively quantified thermal stress, ranging from thermoneutral (HLI < 70) to extreme (HLI > 96).
- Panting scores and HLI proved reliable indicators of heat tolerance in field assessments.
Conclusions:
- Heat tolerance varies significantly among cattle breeds, with Bos taurus demonstrating greater resilience to heat stress than Brahman cattle.
- Panting score and heat load index are validated tools for assessing cattle heat tolerance under real-world environmental conditions.
- These findings support the selection and breeding of heat-tolerant cattle to mitigate production constraints in warmer climates.
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