Effect of Environment on Animal Function and Performance | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Impact of Environment on Livestock

• Livestock environment includes climate and nutrition.
• Nutrition is influenced by the climate, with tropical areas having less nutritious pastures than temperate regions.

Feed Efficiency and Adaptation

• Efficient feed conversion for growth or milk production depends on how well animals are adapted to their environment.
• In extremely cold conditions, animals need more maintenance, while in hot weather, they reduce heat production by eating less.

Breeds and Climate Adaptation

• Like wild species, different cattle breeds adapt to the climates they come from.
• Breeds from colder regions are usually more robust and larger, while mountain breeds tend to be smaller.
• Cattle in hot and humid areas are smaller and dark, while those in hot and dry regions are larger and lighter.

Coat Characteristics

• Long coats are beneficial as they divert rainwater away, preventing it from soaking through to the shorter insulating hairs beneath.

Effect of Feeding Level

• Feeding at a higher level increases heat production and lowers the critical temperature.
• More feeding also results in extra subcutaneous fat, offering better insulation against extreme temperatures.

Milk Production and Cooling

• Severe cooling negatively impacts milk yield, even if there's more heat produced in the rumen.
• Cooling reduces blood flow through the skin, possibly affecting milk secretion from the mammary gland.

Overall Consideration

• Understanding and adjusting to the environment is vital for the well-being and performance of livestock.
• Different breeds have evolved to cope with specific climates, influencing their size, color, and coat features.
• Balancing nutrition and considering environmental conditions are crucial for optimal animal health and productivity.

Adaptation to High Temperatures

• Small-sized animals, like the Jersey breed, handle heat better due to a larger surface area for increased heat loss.
• Zebu cattle have unique features like large skin folds, big ears, and a shoulder hump with subcutaneous fat to cope with heat.

Heat Dissipation Mechanisms

• Sweating and increased breathing frequency are crucial in high temperatures.
• Tropical cattle are less productive in hot climates, resulting in lower feed intake and heat production.

Impact of Environmental Conditions on Reproduction

• Buffaloes showed improved reproduction (shorter service period, better conception rates) when showered or allowed to wallow in hot conditions.

Temperature Tolerance in Sheep

• Closely shorn sheep can endure temperatures below -20°C but rely on their fleece for survival in severe winters.
• Mountain breeds have coarse outer coats that drain off rain, keeping the inner wool dry for insulation.

Temperature Regulation in Merino Sheep

• Merino sheep lack an outer coat; their dense fleece absorbs rain slowly.
• In dry climates, Merinos are well-insulated against both cold and heat.

Breathing and Temperature Control

• Animals regulate temperature mainly by controlling evaporative loss through breathing.
• Rapid, shallow breathing, though effective, leads to more water vapor loss compared to slow, deep breathing.

Features in Sheep and Goats

• Some sheep and goats have woolly coats and store fat in specific areas like the rump or tail.
• Certain breeds, like the Nubian goat, have long, pendulous areas that help with heat loss.

Impact of Food Intake on Cattle Appearance

• Limited food intake can affect cattle development, making them look like different breeds.
• Modifying environmental conditions allows breeding animals to reach puberty and lay down fat at younger ages, improving overall productivity.

Nutrient Utilization in Improved Animals

• Improved animals, with better nutrition and genetics, utilize nutrients more efficiently after absorption.
• Nutrient intake levels and genetic makeup determine how nutrients are distributed to the skin, bones, muscles, fat, and udder.

Factors Influencing Milk Yield in Cattle

• Environmental improvements, including nutrition, husbandry, and disease control, increase annual milk yield in cattle.
• Age, dry period before calving, and frequency of milking (2 or 3 times daily) also affect milk yield.

Climate-Specific Characteristics

• Traits beneficial in one climate may be disadvantageous in another.
• For instance, thick winter coats insulate against cold but can be problematic in tropical climates where animals struggle to regulate body temperature.

Effect of High Temperatures on Pregnant Mothers

• High temperatures can negatively impact pregnant mothers in heat-intolerant breeds, leading to smaller-sized calves and lambs.

Role of Climate in Livestock Selection

• Climate and environmental conditions play a crucial role in selecting and breeding animals with specific traits.
• They contribute to the regionalization of different types of commercial livestock.