Heat Stress Impact on Livestock Production

Abstract

The effects of heat stress on several aspects of animal production are well documented. Heat stress results from the animal’s inability to dissipate sufficient heat to maintain homeothermy. High ambient temperature, relative humidity, and radiant energy compromise the ability of animals to dissipate heat. As a result, there is an increase in body temperature, which in turn initiates compensatory and adaptive mechanisms to re-establish homeothermy and homeostasis. Heat stress could affect animal production and well-being, especially because of increase in air temperature. Heat stress is very common and on the increase particularly in the tropics. There is considerable research evidence that shows significant decline in animal performance when subjected to heat stress. Heat stress inflicts heavy economic losses on livestock production. The effects of heat stress is evident in feed consumption, production efficiency in terms of milk yield or weight gain per unit of feed energy, growth rate, egg production, and reproductive efficiency. The physiologic mechanisms underlying the action of heat stress on the decline of production performance of domestic animals have not been fully investigated. Heat stress requires further investigation, and the elucidation of the mechanisms may facilitate adoption of comprehensive preventive and control measures to combat heat stress in domestic animals. This chapter examines heat stress and its negative impacts on livestock production. It elucidates the general negative effects of heat stress on physiologic and production parameters of domestic livestock. The mechanisms involved when animals are subjected to heat stress and impacts of heat stress on domestic animals are emphasized. An understanding of these mechanisms may result in the development of improved techniques for enhancing livestock productivity in tropical environments.