Evaluation of climatological records for rational planning of livestock shelters

Abstract

Recent research investigations into the effects of climatic environment on livestock have provided functional relationships between weather events and production. Decisions involving shelters to overcome adverse environments for production must be based on economic returns to alternative investments. However, economic analyses require an integration of the effects of the weather factors over a specific period of time, usually several weeks or months in duration. Probability techniques applied to the weather events affecting production provide a basis for the required integration and thereby aid in establishing the economic benefits involved in environmental modification. Several years of summer weather data are analyzed in terms of probability distribution functions for selected stations in the United States. The weather events utilized are the Temperature-Humidity Index and dry-bulb temperature, since livestock production has been shown to be a function of these statistics. Specific examples are provided of the application of such distribution functions to decisions concerning livestock shelters.