Abstract
Heat stress abatement strategies for pre-weaned dairy calves are seldom evaluated. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of housing calves under a barn and provision of fans to calves housed under a barn on calfhood performance. The experiment was conducted in a dairy in southern Georgia, USA. Male Holstein calves (n = 60; 0 to 68 day of age) were assigned randomly at birth (day 0) to 1 of 3 treatments: hutch outdoors with 50% of its area covered with plywood (control = 20), hutch in a barn with no cooling (SH = 21), and hutch in a barn with ceiling fans (SHF = 19). Body weight (BW) was measured at birth, and total serum protein and wither-height were measured 24 to 48 h after birth. A sub-set of hutches was evaluated for air speed and temperature, and rectal temperature (RT) and respiratory frequency (RF) of calves housed in these hutches were measured at 0900 and 1500 h. Intakes of liquid feed (days 14 to 63) and starter (days 14 to 68) were recorded daily, BW and wither-height were measured weekly, and feed efficiency was calculated weekly. Blood was sampled on days 1, 14, 28, 42, 49, 52, 56, 58, 63, and 65 for the measurement of fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, and insulin. The SHF treatment resulted in air velocity 0.56 to 0.83 m/s greater (P < 0.01) than the control and SH treatments, respectively, whereas the control treatment resulted in air temperature 1.2 to 3.2 °C greater (P < 0.01) than the SH and SHF treatments, respectively. The RT of calves in the control treatment was 0.1 to 1.1 °C greater (P ≤ 0.03) than the SH and SHF treatments, respectively, and the control treatment resulted in RF 39.4 to 60.2 mov/min greater (P < 0.01) than the SH and SHF treatments, respectively. Treatment did not (P ≥ 0.27) affect feed efficiency and concentrations of metabolites and insulin, but calves in the control treatment were 2.6 cm shorter (P = 0.03) than calves in the SHF treatments at weaning. Provision of fans to calves housed under a barn reduced RT, RF, but only had a minute impact on wither-height.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barrett NW, Rowland K, Schmidt CJ, Lamont SJ, Rothschild MF, Ashwell CM, Persia ME (2019) Effects of acute and chronic heat stress on the performance, egg quality, body temperature, and blood gas parameters of laying hens. Poultry Science 98(12):6684–6692. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pez541
Baumgard LH, Rhoads RP (2013) Effects of heat stress on post-absorptive metabolism and energetics. Ann Rev Animal Biosci 1:311–337. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-031412-103644
Belli AL, Reis RB, Veronese A, Flanagan K, Driver J, Nelson CD, Clapper JA, Ballou MA, Jeong KC, Chebel RC (2018) Effects of treatment of preweaning dairy calves with recombinant bovine somatotropin on immune responses and somatotropic axis. J Dairy Sci 101:6602–6615. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13917
Bernabucci U, Lacetera N, Baumgard L, Rhoads R, Ronchi B, Nardone A (2010) Metabolic and hormonal acclimation to heat stress in domesticated ruminants. Animal 4:1167–1183. https://doi.org/10.1017/s175173111000090x
Chang-Fung-Martel J, Harrison MT, Brown JN (2021) Negative relationship between dry matter intake and the temperature-humidity index with increasing heat stress in cattle: a global meta-analysis. Int J Biometeorol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-021-02167-0
Coleman D, Moss B, McCaskey T (1996) Supplemental shade for dairy calves reared in commercial calf hutches in a southern climate. J Dairy Sci 79:2038–2043. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(96)76577-3
Dewes H, Goodall G (1995) Some preliminary observations on the possible relationship between ammonia production from soiled bedding in calf rearing sheds and calf illness. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 43(1):37–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1995.35841
Dado-Senn B, Vega Acosta L, Torres Rivera M, Field S, Marrero M, Davidson B, Tao S, Fabris T, Ortiz-Colón G, Dahl G, Laporta J (2020) Pre- and postnatal heat stress abatement affects dairy calf thermoregulation and performance. J Dairy Sci 103:4822–4837. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17926
Gunn KM, Holly MA, Veith TL, Buda AR, Prasad R, Rotz CA, Soder KJ, Stoner AMK (2019) Projected heat stress challenges and abatement opportunities for U.S. milk production. PLOS ONE 14:e0214665. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214665
Hales JRS, Webster MED (1967) Respiratory function during thermal tachypnoea in sheep. J Physiol 190:241–260. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1967.sp008205
Hill TM, Bateman HG II, Aldrich JM, Scholotterbeck RL (2011) Comparisons of housing, bedding, and cooling options for dairy calves. J Dairy Sci 94:2138–3146. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3841
Hosseini-Vashan SJ, Golian A, Yaghobfar A (2015) Growth, immune, antioxidant, and bone responses of heat stress-exposed broilers fed diets supplemented with tomato pomace. Int J Biometeorol 60(8):1183–1192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-1112-9
Kovács L, Kézér FL, Ruff F, Jurkovich V, Szenci O (2018) Heart rate, cardiac vagal tone, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature in dairy calves exposed to heat stress in a continental region. Int J Biometeorol 62:1791–1797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-018-1581-8
Kovács LF, Kézér F, Ruff O, Szenci M, Bakony V, Jurkovich V (2019) Effect of artificial shade on saliva cortisol concentrations of heat-stressed dairy calves. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 66:43–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.09.001
Lago A, McGuirk SM, Bennett TB, Cook NB, Nordlund KV (2006) Calf respiratory disease and pen microenvironment in naturally ventilated calf barns in winter. J Dairy Sci 89:4014–4025. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72445-6
Mader TL, Davis MS, Brown-Brandl T (2006) Environmental factors influencing heat stress in feedlot cattle1,2. J Anim Sci 84:712–719. https://doi.org/10.2527/2006.843712x
Marrero MG, Dado-Senn B, Field SL, Yang G, Driver JP, Laporta J (2021) Chronic heat stress delays immune system development and alters serotonin signaling in pre-weaned dairy calves. PLoS ONE 16:e0252474. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252474
Monteiro A, Guo JR, Weng XS, Ahmed B, Hayen M, Dahl G, Bernard J, Tao S (2016) Effect of maternal heat stress during the dry period on growth and metabolism of calves. J Dairy Sci 99:3896–3907. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10699
O’Brien M, Rhoads R, Sanders S, Duff G, Baumgard L (2010) Metabolic adaptations to heat stress in growing cattle. Domest Anim Endocrinol 38:86–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2009.08.005
Pearce SC, Gabler NK, Ross JW, Escobar J, Patience JF, Rhoads RP, Baumgard LH (2013) The effects of heat stress and plane of nutrition on metabolism in growing pigs. J Anim Sci 91:2108–2118. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-5738
Piccione G, Caola G, Refinetti R (2003) Daily and estrous rhythmicity of body temperature in domestic cattle. BMC Physiol 3:7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6793-3-7
Piccione G, Casella S, Pennisi P, Giannetto C, Costa A, Caola G (2010) Monitoring of physiological and blood parameters during perinatal and neonatal period in calves. Arquivo Brasileiro De Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 62:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-09352010000100001
Robertshaw D (2006) Mechanisms for the control of respiratory evaporative heat loss in panting animals. J Appl Physiol 101:664–668. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.01380.2005
Rhoads M, Rhoads R, VanBaale M, Collier R, Sanders S, Weber W, Crooker B, Baumgard L (2009) Effects of heat stress and plane of nutrition on lactating Holstein cows: I. Production, metabolism, and aspects of circulating somatotropin. J Dairy Sci 92:1986–1997. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1641
Roland L, Drillich M, Klein-Jöbstl D, Iwersen M (2016) Invited review: influence of climatic conditions on the development, performance, and health of calves. J Dairy Sci 99:2438–2452. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-9901
Spain JN, Spiers DE (1996) Effects of supplemental shade on thermoregulatory response of calves to heat challenge in a hutch environment. J Dairy Sci 79:639–646. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(96)76409-3
Seedorf J, Hartung J (1999) Survey of ammonia concentrations in livestock buildings. 1999. J Agric Sci 133:433–437. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0021859699007170
Silanikove N (2000) Effects of heat stress on the welfare of extensively managed domestic ruminants. Livest Prod Sci 67:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-6226(00)00162-7
St-Pierre NR, Cobanov B, Schnitkey G (2003) Economic losses from heat stress by US livestock industries. J Dairy Sci 86:E52–E77. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(03)74040-5
Stull C, Reynolds J, Calf welfare (2008) Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 24:191–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2007.12.001
Tao S, Monteiro A, Hayen M, Dahl G (2014) Short communication: maternal heat stress during the dry period alters postnatal whole-body insulin response of calves. J Dairy Sci 97:897–901. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7323
Temim S, Chagneau AM, Peresson R, Tesseraud S (2000) Chronic heat exposure alters protein turnover of three different skeletal muscles in finishing broiler chickens fed 20 or 25% protein diets. J Nutr 130(4):813–819. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/130.4.813
Urbain B, Prouvost JF, Beerens D, Ansay M, Gustin P (1996) Acute effects of endotoxin inhalation on the respiratory tract in pigs: interaction with ammonia. Inhalation Toxicol 8:947–968. https://doi.org/10.3109/08958379609034272
USDA. 2014. Dairy cattle management practices in the United States. USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-Veterinary Services (VS)-Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health (CEAH), Fort Collins, CO. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/dairy/downloads/dairy14/Dairy14_dr_PartI_1.pdf.
Wheelock J, Rhoads R, VanBaale M, Sanders S, Baumgard L (2010) Effects of heat stress on energetic metabolism in lactating Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 93:644–655. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2295
Zhang Z, Jia G, Zuo J, Zhang Y, Lei J, Ren L, Feng D (2012) Effects of constant and cyclic heat stress on muscle metabolism and meat quality of broiler breast fillet and thigh meat. Poult Sci 91:2931–2937. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps.2012-02255
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the owner and staff of the collaborating dairy. They extend their gratitude to VES Environmental Solutions, Chippewa Falls, WI and Dairy Farmers of America for partial financial support.
Funding
Partial financial support was received from VES Environmental Solutions, Chippewa Falls, WI and Dairy Farmers of America.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
All procedures involving animals were approved by the animal care and use committee of the University of Florida (protocol #201910796).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Supplementary Information
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Montevecchio, A.B., Frota, W., Merenda, V.R. et al. Heat abatement during the pre-weaning period: effects on growth, feed efficiency, metabolites, and insulin of male Holstein calves. Int J Biometeorol 66, 2169–2181 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-022-02358-3
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-022-02358-3