Context:
A study covering dairy animals across Haryana’s Gangetic plains has found that extreme heat and humidity substantially reduce milk production. Lactating animals divert energy from milk formation towards regulating body temperature, causing yield losses of nearly 20–30% during intense summers.
Explanation:
- Heat stress occurs when an animal cannot adequately dissipate excess body heat.
- The Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) combines temperature and relative humidity to assess thermal stress in livestock.
- Temperatures above 38°C, especially with humidity exceeding 70%, reduce feed intake, fertility and milk yield.
- Animals respond through panting, sweating and reduced activity; increased cortisol can impair milk ejection.
- Evapotranspiration—water loss from soil and plants—also indicates heat and water stress affecting fodder availability.
- Buffaloes are more vulnerable because of dark skin, fewer sweat glands and weaker evaporative cooling.
- Indigenous Bos indicus breeds such as Sahiwal and Hariana possess better heat tolerance than crossbred cattle.
- Adaptation measures include shade, sprinklers, foggers, improved feeding, agroforestry and breeding for heat-shock proteins, coat and hair traits.
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Climate Stress in Dairy: Safeguarding Milk Production