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Heat-related mortality in dairy cattle: A case crossover study
M I Crescio1, F Forastiere, C Maurella
1Istituto Zooprofilattico del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Torino, Italy. mariaines.crescio@izsto.it
Preventive Veterinary Medicine
|October 12, 2010
Summary
High temperatures significantly increase dairy cow mortality risk. Each degree above the heat threshold raises mortality by 4%, impacting livestock economics and welfare.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Environmental Science
- Animal Husbandry
Background:
- Extreme weather events pose risks to livestock health and farm economics.
- High temperature-related mortality is documented in humans but understudied in dairy cows.
- Climate change projections indicate increased frequency of extreme temperatures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the association between heat exposure and all-cause mortality in Italian dairy cows.
- To investigate the impact of the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on dairy cow mortality.
- To provide data for improved animal welfare and farm management strategies.
Main Methods:
- A case-crossover study design was employed.
- Data from 6697 adult dairy cows across three Italian districts (2002-2006) were analyzed.
- The Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) was used to measure heat exposure.
Main Results:
- Exceeding a specific THI threshold increased dairy cow mortality risk by 1.6 times.
- A 4% increase in mortality was observed for each degree increase in THI above the threshold.
- No significant effect modification was found for age, herd size, or breed, though geographical variations existed.
Conclusions:
- Elevated temperatures significantly contribute to dairy cow mortality.
- Farm management and animal welfare strategies must account for heat stress impacts.
- Interventions to mitigate thermal challenges are crucial for preventing increased mortality.
