Radiotelemetry measurement of body temperatures of feedlot steers during summer.

Abstract

Heat stress is a common problem for cattle. General consequences of heat stress include increased body temperatures and reduced feed intakes. As a measure of heat stress, core body temperatures of unshaded feedlot steers (crossbred Bos taurus) were monitored from mid-June to early November in Nebraska using transmitters implanted in the peritoneum of 10 steers (initially 10 mo of age). Steers were fed at 0630 and 1430 using a finishing diet of 1.52 NEg Mcal/kg with 13% protein and 4% roughage per day and housed in two open lots with stocking densities of 15.2 or 19.3 m2/steer. Core body temperatures, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed were measured at 3-min intervals and mathematically filtered to produce 120 readings/ d. For 94 usable daily records, body temperature means (39.04 +/- .12 degrees C), maxima (39.89 +/- .21 degrees C at 1836 +/- .73 h), minima (38.33 +/- .29 degrees C at 0823 +/- .38 h), and patterns were similar among steers. As daily maximum ambient temperatures increased, minimum body temperatures decreased slightly (.04 degree C per 5 degrees C; P < .01). After daily maximum ambient temperatures reached a threshold of 25.6 degrees C, daily maximum body temperatures increased linearly with maximum ambient temperatures (.42 degree C per 5 degrees C; P < .01). Sharp peaks in body temperature were often seen in the late evening (approximately 2200) after ambient temperature had decreased to well below maximum values. These evening peaks occurred on an average of 25% of the days, had amplitudes ranging from .7 to 3.5 degrees C relative to mean daily temperatures and lasted for 1.5 h. From a practical standpoint, we suggest that producers monitor meteorological forecast of peak ambient temperatures and make special efforts, such as spraying animals, when exceptionally hot weather is predicted.