Dairy Cow Thermal Balance Model During Heat Stress: Part 1. Model Development

Highlights Equations for a modified steady-state thermal balance model solved with a spreadsheet are described. The modified model describes heat exchange between lactating cows and the surrounding environment. New relations were used for tissue insulation, sweat rate, longwave radiation, and convective heat exchange. A companion paper compares model results to published body temperatures, respiration rates, and skin temperatures. Abstract. Dairy cow heat stress impacts cow well-being, reduces milk yield, and leads to economic losses. Understanding heat stress mechanics supports ongoing and future efforts to mitigate heat stress. The purpose of this project was to modify a steady-state heat transfer model developed by McGovern and Bruce (2000) by incorporating work by Berman (2005), McArthur (1987), Turnpenny et al. (2000a,b), Thompson et al. (2014), Gwadera et al. (2017), two new empirical relations for tissue insulation and sweat rate, and a new solution method that allowed for overlapping changes in heat exchange. The modified model describes heat exchange between a lactating cow and the environment through respiration, convection, sweating, and shortwave and longwave radiation. This article describes the process-based model equations, compares results from the two new empirical relations used to published work, and presents the inputs and results for a cow on pasture in sunlight. The modified model, which can be solved with a spreadsheet, provides insight into factors and processes that affect lactating cow heat exchange. A companion paper compares the modified model results with published average measured body temperatures, respiration rates, and skin temperatures and unpublished body temperature data for cows on pasture in the sunshine. Keywords: Body temperature, Dairy, Heat stress, Lactating cow, Respiration rate, Thermal balance model.