Vol. 9, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

Author(s): Dr. MI Syed, SS Lathwal, Pawan Singh and GJ Panchbhai

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the effect of a cool roof technology on performance of Sahiwal zebu cows during hot-humid summer months. Sixteen lactating Sahiwal cows were selected in their early lactation for a period of 8 weeks. Animals were divided into two groups of 8 cows each and housed in two different sheds. The control group was housed in the shed with asbestos roof while the treatment group was housed in a modified shed having white acrylic paint on the roof. The mean maximum temperature inside the treatment shed was lower (32.07±0.30) than that of control shed (33.37±0.30). The afternoon THI in control (85.46±0.28) and treatment shed (84.42±0.28) also found to be significantly different. The inner ceiling temperature of control shed was higher in control shed (51.67±0.41) than in treatment (47.65±0.31) shed. In addition, Sahiwal cows housed under white painted roof shed found to have significantly (p<0.05) lower respiration rate and skin temperature. However, it did not affect the mean dry matter intake, milk production, milk fat and SNF percentage in Sahiwal cows. Painting the roof white lowers the inner air temperature of shed and may have synergistic effect if combined with other strategies to ameliorate heat stress in dairy animals.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2024.v9.i2a.1162