Developing a set of strategies, in Portugal, to monitor and prevent damages in animal housing, due to hot climate conditions

Abstract

In Portugal, animal production (mainly meat and milk) represents 32% of the Agriculture Domestic Product and, in some regions, its socio-economic importance is quite relevant. Located in Southwestern Europe, Portugal has a mediterranean climate: Winter is cold and wet. Summer is hot and dry particularly in Alentejo and northeastern regions. Significantly high temperatures combined with dry air (or even wet air) may bring about serious problems or damage to livestock and losses to the farmer. In Portugal, it is estimated that 20% of the annual losses in animal production are due to adverse climatic factors or deficient regulation in indoor climatization of animal housing. The situation is most problematic in summer when very high temperatures occur. According to the HWDI (Heat Wave Duration Index) since 2000, in Portugal three heat waves have occurred, with temperatures over 40 degrees C. Generally, in all regions, these periods of very high temperatures are combined with dry air (low relative humidity). In most cases, the buildings are not suitable for animal housing under high temperatures. They lack appropriate equipment to control indoor environmental conditions. To minimize the effects of these adverse climatic situations on animal production, in Portugal, we intend to carry out a work project to tackle this problem. For that purpose, we intend to develop a set of strategies aiming at: - collecting information about animal breeding and animal housing; - identifying the climatic factors that affect livestock, in all portuguese regions; - evaluating the effects of the climatic factors on animal production, in different regions; - studying strategies and methods to help farmers cope with the problem; - establishing a web page to spread information; To carry out this work we have to organize a multidisciplinary team in order to embrace all different fields of interest related to this problem