Heat stress in cattle

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Compared to other animals, cattle cannot dissipate heat load effectively through sweating- cattle rely on respiration to cool down. Hence during hot ambient temperature,  feed intake is decreased to avoid further heat production, seek for shade and drink more water instead.

Nb: With climate change, the dry regions are projected to be drier, and to produce a kg of beef about 17000 litres of water is required.

Most heat gained during the day is dissipated at night and if the temperature does not drop to below 21 degrees Celsius, the ability to completely dissipate heat will be delayed.