TEMPORAL VARIATION OF TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND THE RESPONSES BY THE FRIESIAN X BUNAJI CROSS BREED COWS IN SHIKA ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
TEMPORAL VARIATION OF TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND THE RESPONSES BY THE FRIESIAN X BUNAJI CROSS BREED COWS IN SHIKA ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2015-04
Authors
CHAFA, Mungwa Cletus
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Abstract
Heat stress or Hyperthermia occurs when the metabolic heat produced by the cow in combination with heat from the environment exceeds the cow’s ability to lose heat to the environment. During periods of heat stress, cows are unable to dissipate this additional metabolic heat produced, especially in areas of high temperature and humidity. As a result, cows voluntarily reduce dry matter intake (DMI), thus limiting milk production. The aim of this research is to identify and assess the effect of heat stress factors (temperature and relative humidity) on milk yield of Friesian X Bunaji cross breed cows in National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Samaru Zaria for the period of ten years (2001-2010). The objectives of the study include; characterisation of the environmental conditions in the study area (temperature and relative humidity), examining the variation in temperature, examining milk production level, assessing the temperature and seasons at which dairy cows start experiencing heat stress, examining the relationship between temperature, relative humidity and milk yield and finally to determine the temperature humidity index (THI) values at which cows are stressed. The study was conducted using secondary data. Daily temperature , relative humidity and milk yield record per cow from 2001 to 2010 were sourced from National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) and Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru Zaria. Data were analysed using Microsoft excel, time series analysis, and temperature humidity index. Data were presented using line graphs, charts, and simple bar graphs. The study revealed that air temperature surrounding dairy cows in the study area is above the thermonutral zone (2-20°C) or comfort zone where cows are expected to produce best. Time series analysis showed that high temperature alternates with low temperature. It was observed that these alternating temperatures weaken the cows and upset their thermostat. Relating milk yield with season further shows that high volume of milk is recorded during cool dry and cool wet season than hot dry and hot wet seasons when both temperature and relative humidity are at their peak. Finally, relating the calculated temperature humidity values with the revised temperature humidity chart shows that all cows in the study area are stressed. The study concluded that the environmental temperature of dairy cows is above the critical thermonutral zone which has a negative influence on milk produced by dairy cows. If dairy cows in this environment must meet their full potential for milk yield, action therefore must be taken to improve the living conditions of these dairy cows.
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A DESERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, IN PERTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER DEGREE IN GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
Keywords
TEMPORAL VARIATION,, TEMPERATURE,, RELATIVE HUMIDITY,, RESPONSES,, FRIESIAN X BUNAJI CROSS BREED COWS,, SHIKA ZARIA,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA