Influence of Environmental Temperature on Milk Production in the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to verify the influence of ambient temperature on the percentage of subjects with decreased production, compared to what was recorded in the previous 7-10 days. The data processed in the 2017-2020 period was studied in a company in the lower Caserta area that raises 3000 animals per year, of which 1300 are dairy. All this was possible thanks to the daily collection of production data recorded in the milking parlor, using RFID technology, and then transferred to management software, essential for the farmer for problem-solving decisions. The buffalo is of tropical origin, and there are many factors that influence the production of the Italian Mediterranean buffalo, first of all, seasonality, temperature, health, or the combination of all these elements. For these reasons, it seemed appropriate to focus our attention on the influence of ambient temperature on production. In the first three years of observation, it emerged that as the ambient temperature decreases, the percentage of subjects that recorded a drop in production compared to the previous figure increases. However, this was not found in 2020, when the covered structures were equipped with permanent bedding consisting of straw. This shows that it is important to guarantee the state of well-being so as not to penalize the production of milk for the PDO buffalo mozzarella, which represents an interesting source of income.