Does calf-mother contact during heat stress period affect physiology and performance in buffaloes?

TL;DR

Allowing calf-mother contact and using heat stress protection improves buffalo milk yield and reduces stress during hot weather.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach combining calf contact with heat stress mitigation to improve buffalo physiology and productivity.

Findings

FCC-HSP significantly reduced temperature and temperature humidity index compared to other groups.

FCC-HSP and FCC groups had higher milk yields than RCC, with FCC-HSP yielding 600 gm more milk per day.

FCC-HSP showed lower pulse rate, respiration rate, cortisol, and prolactin levels compared to other groups.

Abstract

Objective of the study was to reduce heat stress in Murrah buffaloes and maintain their milk production and other vital functions during heat stress.

A total of 21 dyads of calf-mother Murrah buffalo were selected for the study and equally divided in 3 treatment groups. First treatment group was restricted calf contact (RCC), second treatment group was fence line calf contact (FCC) and third treatment groups fence line calf contact and heat stress protection (FCC-HSP [time-controlled fan-fogger system] in the shed). Present study was conducted from April to mid-September 2021.

Maximum temperature and temperature humidity index in FCC-HSP shed were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that in FCC and RCC shed. Higher (p<0.05) mean daily milk yield in both the treatment groups FCC (10.36±0.30) and FCC-HSP (10.97±0.31) than RCC (8.29±0.41) was recorded. Though no significant difference between FCC and FCC-HSP in daily milk yield but FCC-HSP yielded 600 gm more milk than FCC. Pulse rate (PR) and respiration rate (RR) were lowest in FCC-HSP followed by FCC and RCC, respectively. Cortisol and prolactin levels were lower (p<0.05) in FCC-HSP followed by FCC and RCC, respectively.

Hence, FCC along with heat stress ameliorative measures helped the buffaloes to be free of stress and maintain milk yield during heat stress period of the year in tropical conditions.

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