Future challenges in animal buildings due to emerging hot climate conditions in Portugal Fátima Baptista University of Évora Contents 1. Introduction 2. Objectives 3. 4. Final Considerations 2 22 et 23 octobre 2009 - Lille 1
Introduction Portugal has a large Atlantic coast, but its climate is mainly Mediterranean. Summers are hot and dry and winters are cold and wet Dairy cattle - littoral North Beef cattle South Pigs - littoral centre and in Alentejo Sheep and goat - Alentejo and in the inland regions of the Centre and North 3 Introduction Hot climate conditions have been emerging in Portugal and this fact can affect animal behaviour and production Heat stress decreases voluntary feed intake retards animal growth; affects carcass composition and meat quality; decreases milk production while reducing milk quality; disturbs animal activity and interactive social behaviour etc. 4 22 et 23 octobre 2009 - Lille 2
Introduction In Portugal Some breeders are not familiarized with this situation; difficulties to deal with this problem; in some cases, the buildings for livestock are not suitable for animal housing under high temperatures; Some do not have equipments to control indoor environment under such conditions. 5 Objectives to identify the occurrence of hot climate conditions in some regions of Portugal; to discuss the impacts of these conditions on livestock production; to present our concern about the procedures to manage this problem. 6 22 et 23 octobre 2009 - Lille 3
The five hottest summers since 1931, in Portugal (IM, 2006) Year Variation in Mean Air Temperature (ºC) 1949 + 2.0 ºC 2003 + 1.9 ºC 2004 + 1.9 ºC 2005 + 2.4 ºC 2006 + 1.8 ºC 7 Heat waves May to July 2006 (IM, 2006) 8 22 et 23 octobre 2009 - Lille 4
Heat waves August to September 2006 (IM, 2006) 9 Heat waves on May and June 2009 (IM, 2009) 10 22 et 23 octobre 2009 - Lille 5
The hottest days (Tmax) registered in Vilariça, from 2005 to 2007 Year Nº days with Tmax? > 35 ºC Tmax registered 2005 58 42.1 2006 62 41.3 2007 21 41.8 11 Longest period of consecutive days with Tmin 20ºC Date Tmax Tmin 2006.07.07 35.7 20.7 2006.07.08 37.8 20.5 2006.07.09 40.2 19.8 2006.07.10 39.6 21.5 2006.07.11 40.3 22.5 2006.07.12 40.1 23.1 2006.07.13 38.2 23.4 2006.07.14 37.8 20.9 2006.07.15 37.8 21.1 2006.07.16 39.9 22.2 2006.07.17 41.3 22.3 2006.07.18 30.1 20.4 12 22 et 23 octobre 2009 - Lille 6
Final Considerations it seems to exist a tendency for summers hotter than before; it arise periods of consecutive days with temperature higher than the usual, classified as heat wave; in Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes, it occurs, with relatively high frequency, temperatures higher than 40 ºC; in these regions it occurs consecutive days with minimum air temperature higher than 20 ºC; 13 Final Considerations It is necessary to alert and prepare farmers/breeders for the problem and for the consequences of climate conditions on the animal welfare and production. 14 22 et 23 octobre 2009 - Lille 7
Possible solutions? Evaporation cooling systems Adapt housings (insulation, ventilation and refrigeration systems) Actions of divulgation and formation for breeders???? A. Pereira (2009) 15 Thanks V. Fitas da Cruz, F. Baptista and J.C. Barbosa fb@uevora.pt 16 22 et 23 octobre 2009 - Lille 8