Heat stress effects on physiological and milk yield traits of lactating holstein friesian crossbreds reared in Tanga region, Tanzania

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

Vincent Habimana, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), TanzaniaFollow
Athumani Shabani Nguluma, Department of Animal, Aquaculture, and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro
Zabron Cuthibert Nziku, Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI), Eastern Zone
Chinyere Charlotte Ekine - Dzivenu, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Gota Morota, School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Raphael Mrode, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland’s Rural College
Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga, Department of Animal, Aquaculture, and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2024

Journal Name

Animals

Abstract

Global warming caused by climate change is a challenge for dairy farming, especially in sub-Saharan countries. Under high temperatures and relative humidity, lactating dairy cows suffer from heat stress. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects and relationship of heat stress (HS) measured by the temperature–humidity index (THI) regarding the physiological parameters and milk yield and composition of lactating Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy cows reared in the humid coastal region of Tanzania. A total of 29 lactating Holstein Friesian x Zebu crossbred dairy cows with 50% (HF50) and 75% (HF75) Holstein Friesian gene levels in the second and third months of lactation were used. The breed composition of Holstein Friesians was determined based on the animal recording system used at the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI), Tanga. The data collected included the daily temperature, relative humidity, daily milk yield, and physiological parameters (core body temperature, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and panting score). THI was calculated using the equation of the National Research Council. The THI values were categorized into three classes, i.e., low THI (76–78), moderate THI (79–81), and high THI (82–84). The effects of THI on the physiological parameters and milk yield and composition were assessed. The effects of the genotype, the parity, the lactation month, and the interaction of these parameters with THI on the milk yield, milk composition, and physiological parameters were also investigated

Keywords

Heat Stress, Physiological, Milk Yield Traits, Lactating Holstein Friesian Crossbreds, Tanga Region, Tanzania

Rsif Scholar Name

Vincent Habimana

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Rwanda

Cohort

Cohort 3

Thematic Area

Food security and Agribusiness

Africa Host University (AHU)

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania

Funding Statement

This research was funded by the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET) through the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) (grant number: B8501E21160) awarded to V.H. to carry out doctoral studies at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania, and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya).

Recommended Citation

Habimana, V., Nguluma, A. S., Nziku, Z. C., Ekine - Dzivenu, C. C., Morota, G., Mrode, R., & Chenyambuga, S. W. (2024). Heat stress effects on physiological and milk yield traits of lactating holstein friesian crossbreds reared in Tanga region, Tanzania. Animals, 14 (13), 1914. https://doi.org/10.3390/ANI14131914