The Influence of genotypic and phenotypic factors on indicators of cow comfort

Abstract

The aim of this article is to summarize the available knowledge about the effects of temperature stress on cow health, productivity and comfort levels, and to discuss management strategies that would mitigate these factors. he study of the influence of weather phenomena on behavioral and physiological processes takes an important place in the development of highly effective methods for managing dairy cattle breeding. Climate and weather factors have become important in the system of interaction «organism-environment». One of the main factors in increasing the comfort indicators of conditions for keeping cows in premises of various types, on walking grounds and on pastures is the creation of such microclimate indicators that would better correspond to the biological needs of dairy cows, depending on the season and productivity. Among the weather factors affecting the functioning of dairy cattle, the ambient temperature has the greatest influence, (the temperature in the range from -5 to 25 °C is thermally neutral for the organism of dairy cattle). Due to the constancy of metabolic processes, the body of cattle is very vulnerable to the effects of ambient temperature. This is especially felt during periods of prolonged low or high temperature loads. Disruption of metabolic and thermoregulatory processes directly affects the duration and nature of behavioral and physiological reactions and causes stress in animals. Prolonged temperature stress is the cause of fluctuations in productivity indicators, the qualitative composition of milk, problems with reproduction and, taken together, significantly affects the profitability of production. To reduce the effect of temperature stresses on the body of dairy cows, scientists have proposed management strategies during periods of high and low temperature loads. These strategies divided into genotypic: selection of temperature resistant individuals of different breeds and phenotypic: the use of microclimate control means and modernization of feeding management methods. Key words: cows, temperature stresses, productivity, comfort, behavior, housing options.