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Effects of Season, Climate, and Temperature on Reproduction and Lactation¹

Dairy Science Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Tropical and subtropical areas of the world are becoming more important in contributing to the world's food supply (31). Considerable research has been initiated to determine the role of heat stress on milk production and reproduction and to develop methods of alleviating its effects. Climatic laboratory studies have demonstrated the effects of ambient temperature extremes (50) and environmental control (20, 25) on milk production of dairy cows. From these controlled studies, climatological interrelationships have been defined which now allow for prediction of milk production losses during summer within some geographical areas of the United States (19).

Several recent reviews have been published on the influence of season and temperature on reproductive performance (4, 17, 18, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 47). However, there is a sparsity of information relating controlled environmental conditions to reproductive efficiency (48).

Dairy systems in Florida fall under the classification of large herds. Only about 20% of Florida dairymen are milking less than 200 cows; 40% milk from 200 to 499, and 40% are above 500 cows.

¹ Supported in part by a Biomedical Science Grant, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014.

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