The signifiance of meteorology in animal production

Abstract

The production of meat, milk and eggs is highest and occurs at a maximal efficiency if the meteorological elements are within a certain range (zone of indifference). Outside this range the animal has to combat meteorological stress. This requires extra energy, so that less energy is available for productive processes. It is therefore important to find out at which levels the various meteorological elements become stressful to the animal organism. This study has to take into consideration the diversity of domestic animals, both with regard to structural features and functional traits. Responses of various categories of domestic animals to the following potentially stress producing meteorological conditions are briefly reviewed: cold, heat, solar radiation, high altitude and indoor environment. Knowledge so derived can be applied either by adapting the animal to the environment by breeding and selection, or by adapting the environment to the animal by technical and managerial means. Some suggestions are made for future considerations in the field of biometeorology of domestic animals.